Steve Lamacq
Acting
Biography
Stephen Paul Lamacq (born 16 October 1965), sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo (given to him by John Peel) or "The Cat" (due to his ability as a goalkeeper) is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio station BBC Radio 6 Music. He was born in Bournemouth. His family soon moved to Essex and he grew up in the Halstead area in a village called Colne Engaine. Lamacq's career in journalism began as a junior reporter at the West Essex Gazette, after studying Journalism at Harlow College, Essex. In similar fashion to other music journalists who started fanzines during their teenage years, Lamacq started one called A Pack of Lies. It was during his time at NME that he began DJing on XFM, when it was still a pirate radio station. He formed a record label in 1992 with Alan James and Tony Smith, called Deceptive Records. The majority of the label's releases shared a punk-pop sensibility, with Elastica being their most successful signing, before the label eventually folded in 2001. In 1991, Lamacq was unwittingly involved in one of the most infamous events in British rock music of recent times during a post-gig interview at the Norwich Arts Centre with Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers for the NME. After repeated attempts by the band's co-lyricist Richey James Edwards to convince Lamacq that they were "for real", Edwards gave up and carved 4 Real into his forearm with a razor blade. The editorial meeting in which the story was discussed was recorded for a BBC Radio 5 documentary, "Sleeping With the NME", which later appeared as the B-side to the Manics' 1992 charity record "Theme From M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)". Between 1995 and 1997, Lamacq occasionally presented Top of the Pops on BBC 1 with fellow Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley. He presented the show alone on several occasions. Lamacq is a well-known fan of Colchester United, has written an autobiography, entitled Going Deaf for a Living and has also acted as a compere on the main stage at the Carling Reading Festival Weekend on several occasions.
Known For
The biggest stars, the most iconic performances, the most outrageous outfits – it’s Britain’s number one pop show.
Top of the Pops
Never Mind the Buzzcocks is a comedy panel game show with a pop and rock music theme. The show is infamous for its dry, sarcastic humour and scathing, provocative attacks on the pop industry.
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
A look at Pulp's Common People, a song that examines class, politics and Britain in the 90s.
Pulp: The Story of Common People
Titled after the first-ever song to play on their airwaves, Kick Out the Jams follows the development of XFM from its rebellious pirate radio roots in the early 90’s, through to its official FM radio launch in 1997 as a major platform for launching alternative talent into the mainstream. The doc deep-dives into the struggles and influence of the station which gave rise to the likes of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, whose global hits The Office and The Ricky Gervais Show were originally developed while working at the radio station.
Kick Out the Jams: The Story of XFM
A look at the special relationship between Nirvana and the UK on the 30th anniversary of their seminal album Nevermind, including the role Britain played in paving the way for their success.
When Nirvana Came to Britain
As drummer for the Foo Fighters for over 20 years, he's drummed his way through everything from Reading Festival, to Live Lounges to sell out stadium shows. In this programme Taylor takes us on a guided tour of the drums, talking us through his childhood, his influences, the sounds of his drum kit, & what it’s like drumming with both Alanis Morissette & Dave Grohl.
Taylor Hawkins Drumming Masterclass with Steve Lamacq
A short documentary about the band Mansun, featuring an interview with vocalist Paul Draper and guitarist Dominic Chad, and tour footage shot on DV and Super 8.