Mr 80’s

Intervista ma Alex Grech minn Josef Caruana u Charles Marsh.
Kif dehret fil-magazine Wots Up (b’xejn mat-Torca) ta’ Novembru 2005

Bhal hafna f’dan il-qasam, il-muzika hija parti essenzjali f’hajtu u ghaliha jiddedika hin sostanzjali fir-rutina tieghu ta’ kull gimgha, izda qatt ma jilmenta. Minn manager tal-grupp lokali Scream Daisy sa prezentatur tar-radju u DJ fil-clubs, Alex Grech huwa popolari hafna, l-aktar fejn tidhol il-muzika tas-snin 80 u bla dubju li huwa l-aktar assocjat maghha f’pajjizna.

Maghruf bil-programmi tieghu fuq Capital Radio, Alex qed jirnexxilu jqajjem mill-gdid il-popolarita ta’ dak li hafna hasbu li kien indifen bl-gheluq ta’ diskoteki bhar-Raffles, Styx u Polytechnic. Ahna ltqajna mieghu l-boghod mir-radju u l-parties li jorganizza biex insiru nafu ahjar affarijiet dwaru li forsi fuq ir-radju jinsa jghid.

1) Kif tiddeskrivi lilek innifsek?
Nahdem bla heda u ngawdi l-hajja kemm jista jkun.

2) Kif tispjega l-karattru tieghek?
Ferriehi u Gentili. Cajtier izda serju meta ikun hemm bzonn. Inhobb nghin lil haddiehor.

3) Kemm ilhek DJ fuq ir-radju?
Mill-1994

4) Tidher ovvja li int midhla hafna tal-muzika tas-snin 80. Kif influwenzatek daqshekk din il-muzika?
L-influwenza tal-muzika tas-snin tmenin waslet ghal-programm Reflex li ili nipprezenta ghal dawn l-ahhar ghaxar snin. Il-muzika tas-snin tmenin hija era marbuta maz-zghozija tieghi. Peress li dejjem kont inhobb nizfen u niltaqa mal-hbieb, bdejt niffrekwenta r-Raffles, Styx u Polytechnic (l-aqwa diskoteki f’Malta ta’ kull zmien). Il-muzika tal-80’s kienet magika u kellha dik ix-xi haga specjali. Diska aqwa mill-ohra, ibbazata fuq il-melodija u l-originalita. Muzika li saret parti minn hajti specjalment meta ddecidejt li nitghallem bhala DJ u prezentatur tar-radju. Sirt aktar aggornat, naqra u naghmel ricerka. L-istess muzika influwenzat il-generazzjoni tieghi kollha. Sirna naghtu kaz aktar id-dehra taghna, il-moda, il-make-up (tfajliet u anke guvintur !), u dawk l-istili ta xahar u hwejjeg partikolarment New Romantic !!.

5) Kont taghmel ukoll programmi tal-muzika tas-snin 70. X’tahseb dwar dawk is-snin?
M’hemmx dubju li l-muzika tas-snin tmenin hija influwenzata hafna mill-ghazar snin ta’ qabel. L-aktar li niftakar huwa lejn l-ahhar tas-snin sebghin. Il-punks, l-era tal-muzika disco (Saturday Night Fever), il-bell bottoms u t-tkaken. Meta kont zghir kont nisma wkoll hafna muzika rock tas-snin sebghin, gruppi kbar bhal-Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple u Black Sabbath. Apparti li widnejja dejjem imwahhla mar-radju biex forsi nisma xi diska gdida. Il-muzika tas-snin sebghin toghgobni wkoll u kien ghalhekk li kont bdejt il-programm Shaft fuq Capital Radio. Programm li fih hafna xoghol u ricerka u li rega beda jixxandar kull nhar ta tlieta fil-ghaxija.

6) Nafu wkoll li int imdahhal f’fanclub tad-Duran Duran. Kemm int involut?
Duran Duran kienu jolqtuni ghax kellhom stil tipiku tas-snin tmenin, pop, rock u new romantic…u d-dehra taghhom ghenet biex kien l-aktar grupp popolari ghal dak iz-zmien. Fis-snin tmenin dejjem kelli x-xewqa li mmur nara kuncert ta’ Duran Duran, pero bejn ghax kont ghadni zghir (u tigik spiza!) u bejn ghax ftit wara l-membri tal-grupp infirdu hlief Simon Le Bon u Nick Rhodes, il-holma tieghi taret mar-rih. Madankollu bqajt insegwihom u kif f’Awwissu tal-2003 harget l-ahbar li Duran Duran regghu inghaqdu fil-formazzjoni originali wara 18 il-sena, ghidt “issa zgur li mmur narahom”. Mhux talli hekk imma talli “gennint” aktar minn hamsin ruh ohra li telghu mieghi ghall-kuncert f’Wembley Arena f’Londra f’April 2004.

7) X’kienet l-aktar esperjenza vicin dan il-grupp?
Apparti li membru fil-fan club, permezz tal-internet Duran Duran saru jafu li konna telghin hafna segwaci taghhom minn Malta u kkuntatjawni. Xtaqu juru l-apprezzament taghhom lejja billi qabel il-kuncert li attendejna, stednuni backstage biex niltaqa maghhom, nintervistahom u niehu ritratti maghhom. Qatt ma hlomt li se nattendi kuncert taghhom ahseb u ara kemm se niltaqa maghhom u nintervistahom. Jien li illum ghandi ftit esperjenza dwar relazzjonijiet pubblici, marketing, promotion etc osservajt kemm dawn in-nies huma professjonali u serji f’xoghlhom. Din l-esperjenza serviet ukoll ta riklam ghall-Malta ghax iz-zjara taghna f’Londra u isem pajjizna inghataw prominenza fuq hafna websites u fan clubs ta’ Duran Duran madwar id-dinja.

8) Kemm tahseb li ghadhom popolari d-Duran f’pajjizna?
Hafna aktar milli wiehed jahseb. Naf ommijiet li ghad ghandhom il-posters ta Duran Duran imwahhlin mal-hajt, ohrajn johorgu bil-badges ta Duran Duran imwahlin mal-baskett. Nahseb li kieku mhux popolari, kont nispicca nitla wahdi ghall-kuncert !!

9) Qatt ipprovajt iggibhom biex jaghtu kuncert f’Malta?
Kienet l-ewwel haga li staqsejthom meta ltqajt wicc imb wicc maghhom. Huma jafu li f’Malta segwiti hafna pero difficli li jigu hawn f’dal-mument. Illum regghu saru popolari daqs qabel. Pero ma naqtax qalbi, nemmen li ghad narawhom f’pajjizna. Min jaf ? Forsi dik il-holma tirnexxi wkoll. Ghadni nzomm kuntatt maghhom u bosta fan clubs.

10) Kont timmanigja wkoll ghal snin il-grupp Malti Scream Daisy. Kif m’ghadekx midhla ta’ din il-band lokali?
Iva, ghamilt hames snin manager ta’ Scream Daisy. Kien zmien sabih li tani hafna sodisfazzjon u akkwistajt aktar esperjenza fil-qasam tad-divertiment u x-xena muzikali f’pajjizna. Lokalment Scream Daisy kienu kisbu success kbir u immedjat fi zmien qasir. Ix-xewqa tal-grupp dejjem kienet li l-istess success jirrepetuh barra minn xtutna pero sibna l-bibien kollha maghluqa. Il-pass li jmiss baqa ma wasalx, bdiet tizdied hafna pressjoni u tensjoni u hassejt li ghandi nirtira minn manager tal-grupp. Wiehed irid japprezza li s-servizz li kont naghti kien jirrikjedi sieghat twal ta xoghol. Madankollu ghadhom hbieb kbar tieghi u m’ghandix dubju li jibqghu japprezzaw dak kollu li ghamilt maghhom.

11) Kemm thoss li huwa apprezzat it-talent lokali?
It-talent lokali huwa apprezzat l-aktar mis-segwaci, gurnalisti, DJ’s u  prezentaturi. Haddiehor ma jimpurtahx daqstant mit-talent lokali u jara biss l-interess tieghu Il-gruppi maltin jaghmlu sagrificcji kbar li mhux daqshekk  apprezzati.

12) Int sirt sinonimu wkoll mar-Reflex 80’s Parties li torganizza fuq bazi regolari. Kif bdejt din l-esperjenza?
Il-programm Reflex ghandu rispons qawwi fuq Capital Radio 88.7FM. Wara kollox huwa stazzjoni tar-radju li jikkoncentra fuq il-muzika tas-snin tmenin. Kienu s-semmiegha stess li hegguni norganizza dawn il-parties. Illum dawn saru avveniment uniku u mfittxija hafna kemm minn dawk li ghexu s-snin tmenin kif ukoll minn dawk ta eta izghar. Issib ohrajn li qatt ma kienu semghu l-programm qabel u issa bdew isegwuh kull nhar ta sibt fil-ghodu. Nirringrazzja lis-semmiegha u dawk li fil-karriera tieghi ghenuni u emmnu fija.

13) X’hi jkun ir-rispons?
L-attendenza ghar-Reflex Parties kibret bil-kbir tant li kull post fejn norganizzawhom qed ikun ippakkjat. L-udjenza tikkreja atmosfera li tqabbdek il-bard, kullhadd jizfen, icapcap u jkanta. Thossok mort mill-anqas ghoxrin sena lura.

14) X’sodisfazzjon thoss meta torganiza xi haga simili u tara li l-publiku jirrispondi?
Ir-Reflex Parties qed isiru l-aktar ghall-dawk ta bejn il-25 u l-45 sena. Hafna minnhom huma genituri li rari johorgu minghajr it-tfal.  L-akbar sodisfazzjon hu li l-istess nies jghidulek ‘fl-ahhar ghandna fejn immorru u niehdu vera pjacir”.

15) X’jaghtik l-aktar sodisfazjon ir-radju jew il-clubs?
Ir-radju, bla dubju. Dan il-mezz ta xandir ghandu qawwa kbira u jilhaq lil kulhadd. Is-sena d-diehla naghlaq ghaxar snin nipprezenta Reflex, l-ewwel program specjalizzat li qatt kien hawn dwar il-muzika tas-snin tmenin.  Qatt ma gie s-sibt u ghidt xi dwejjeq. Ir-radju jtik ukoll sens ta identita u krejattivita. Biex itella dat-tip ta programm trid taghmel hafna ricerka u preparazzjoni. Dis-sena ha nkun ghamilt aktar minn 47 programm ta tlett sieghat u nofs il-wiehed minghajr ma nirrepeti diska tas-snin tmenin. Jekk ikollok tghodom flimkien jigu  erba t’ijiem u nofs bla waqfien.

Il-parties ghandhom ukoll is-sabih taghhom. Meta nkun qed inddoqq sitt sieghat ghal dawk in-nies kollha inhossni parti minnhom. L-aktar li nimmissja huwa li nkellem in-nies ghax ftit li xejn niehu break. Apparti hekk peress li l-parties norganizzahom jien stess mat-tim ta Reflex Promotions, mohhi jkun ukoll f’dak li jkun ghaddej. Irid ikollok kontroll fuq kollox, mhux sempliciment immur indoqq siegha, lestejt u tlaqt l’hemm!.

Il-website www.reflexmalta.com hija wkoll ghall-qalbi hafna. Illum l-uzu tal-internet zdied u ssibu kwazi go kull dar. Forsi l-aktar li jintuza huwa miz-zghazagh u l-istudenti. Ghall-ewwel kelli dubji kemm ix-xoghol tal-website se jkun apprezzat pero din qajmet hafna interess fost il-genituri u “l-kbar” li qabel qatt ma kienu jidhlu fl-internet. Nahseb li ladarba haga tkun ta’ livell u originali dejjem ha tqajjem interess u kurzita. Fil-website wiehed jista jaqra intervisti u kummenti kif ukoll l-esperjenza tal-maltin waqt il-kuncert tad-Duran Duran, l-Istorja tar-Raffles u informazzjoni dwar il-muzika tas-snin tmenin. Hemm ukoll ritratti tar-Reflex Parties li ghaddew. Wiehed jista wkoll jibghat dedika li tibqa tidher fuq il-website. Aktar ma jghaddi z-zmien aktar qed issir website interessanti.

16) X’ghandek ippjanat ghall-gejjieni?
Ir-Reflex 80’s Party li jmiss se jsir gewwa Gianpula nhar is-Sibt 3 ta’ Dicembru. Hemm pjanati aktar attivitajiet li jolqtu lis-segwaci tal-muzika tas-snin tmenin.

Oh What a Night !
by Mona Farrugia

It takes me ages to decide what to wear to the 80’s Reflex Party. Do I backcomb my hair? Can jeans only be white? And stilettos too? Will I be dancing around my handbag, because if I am, I have to buy a cheap plastic one. And is it de rigeur to drink Malibu and pineapple?

And where the hell am I going to get my hands on a white Escort Mk I complete with hanging dice and bucket seats? And are guys with a short side and long back still available? My man refuses to acquiesce style-wise and even warns me not to wave my hands in the air when dancing.

I have absolutely no recollection of how I behaved in the 80’s discos because by the time I hit Styx II in Paceville, it was well past its sell-by date and inching into the nineties. So I have no idea what Union of the Snake is like to dance to, and how Alphaville sound on a dancefloor full of fags and empty drink glasses.

But most of the people who turn up tonight have been through the whole rigmarole of Raffles, Polytechnic, and my personal bugbear, the Coliseum in Valletta. My mental picture of this run-down, disused cinema remains that of a supposed best friend dragging me there on the 5.30pm bus, where I would later mauled by the best friend of the guy she fancied to the tune of Chris de Burgh’s Lady in Red.

In fact, I think I notice him in the crowd tonight, still wearing a mullet and tight jeans, still wife-less. And boy is there a crowd. Gianpula is heaving like I’ve never seen it before, with a varied crowd that encompasses everyone from A1 professionals trying to relive a youth without children and a company limited worth of responsibility, to twenty year olds who simply want to dance, and for whom Kajagoogoo is a weird cocktail.

Radio has a lot to do with the 80’s phenomenon, and the era draws as much loyalty and head-nodding as the sixties did for our parents. Even those who haven’t lived that era have fond memories about the 80s. There is no nostalgia for the nineties. 80s music gives you a sense of innocence and undefined hope which no other music does

Nineties teens will never understand what we’re talking about, but when I find myself singing along to every single song from Spandau Ballet’s Gold to Madonna’s Like a Virgin, I know this is my music. And that I’m showing my age. And yet, I’m almost embarrassed to admit it. The 80’s have become a music revolution, rather than a decade. Music for the shower. And the car.

And the car is mostly where I hear Alex Grech, DJ extraordinaire with a mellifluous voice and a penchant for research. His Saturday morning Reflex show is a beacon of delight. It’s how I found out that the Bobby McFerrin, who sang ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ did not really kill himself, or that Duran Duran were getting back together and giving concerts. In fact, ‘Reflex’ turned from a two hour show into a never-ending Saturday smorgasbord, and into Reflex Promotions, with its letterheads, website and envelopes. Alex even has a manager now.

And judging by the reaction of the audience, and the hand-waving songs I feel so comfortable twirling to (I mean, how can you listen to Pete Burns’ ‘You Spin Me ‘Round’ and not do it?), they adore it. They dance, they singalong, and yes, sadly, most of them are still trying to chat up girls. Thankfully, the bum-pinching – a sort of 80’s ID card for most men – has stopped. And so have the excruciating 10 minutes of slow dancing at the end, where being without a partner made you so much of a wallflower it would depress you for the whole week.

Nonetheless, some of the audience is definitely living in a time warp, some without even having lived the original either. Some 20-year old girls have big hair and almost black lip-liner (and it’s not retro, or a costume either – this is how they’d normally dress). The guys have even bigger hair, lecherous eyes, and a middle-aged paunch. What’s more, some of the older ‘girls’ have really let go tonight, and so do their post-2 kids tummies hanging over their low-cut jeans in what they think is a sexy manner. Nice.

By midnight, I’m having so much fun, I really couldn’t care less about who is doing what, or what anyone else looks like. In fact, at some point, they were probably thinking ‘who’s this mad woman, waving her hands and gyrating to Cyndi Lauper. Well, that was me. If you want to see me do it again, the next Reflex 80’s party is very soon indeed. I’ve already ironed my white jeans.

For more cool articles by Mona, see her site www.planetmona.com

This article was featured on the Sunday Circle magazine (October 2005 Edition) which is distributed free with the Sunday Times of Malta.

5-May-2004 :

Alex Grech tells Manicmalta how he took 50 Maltese over to London to watch Duran Duran live in concert at Wembley Stadium Arena. (DD are back together in the original line-up after 18 years) and he was also invited backstage to meet and  interview them ...

How did this 'Reflex Tour' idea crop up and how did you set the ball
rolling?

It was early last year when I announced on air the exclusive news  that
Duran Duran were back together again with an original line-up. I followed every step and kept my Reflex / Capital Radio listeners informed about what these 80's icons were up to. I then started getting feedback from people who would love to watch Duran Duran live once they were back in action. One of them was Joe, a 32 year old blind guy. I promised him that if Duran Duran would play in the UK, I'll organise a tour and make his dream come true.

Last November Duran Duran confirmed their April 2004 UK Tour and I booked over  50 tickets for the Wembley Stadium Arena Concert.  I had a good feeling that the response will be encouraging. In fact the first 40 seats were taken up in the very first week. Capital Radio 88.7 played a big part in this success as it was the only medium used to promote this event.

Was this your first close encounter with true stars? What does it feel like?

I've met several 80's stars such as Paul Young, Leo Sayer, Fish, Samantha Fox,Sabrina, CC Catch, Riccardo Fogli and Gazebo amongst others. However, Duran Duran's meeting was special. Normally, if you wish to meet these guys, you forward your request but the chances are remote. So I didnt even ask. However, a day before the concert, I got a big surprise from Duran Duran's management informing me that the band heard that so many fans from a small place such as Malta were in London just to watch them in concert and they wanted to meet whoever was involved in this london visit. So I was invited backstage to meet Duran Duran prior to the concert.

The guys are great to talk to and I also had time to interview them and
have a few radio voice-overs. We talked about Malta,  the music, the tour and www.reflexmalta.com . John Taylor knew a lot about Malta from Robert Palmer who used to live here when he was young. In the 80's , Robert Palmer was Power Station's frontman along with John Taylor. Unfortunately Palmer passed away in September 2003. Nick Rhodes was surprised that Duran Duran have such support from such a small island.  It couldnt get much better than that!

Will you ever do something similar again?  Would you expect a bigger crowd next time round?

Why not?....There are so many foreign bands and singers we can watch. Especially the big  ones who are hard to have in Malta such as Madonna, Michael Jackson (ha ha) and  U2. Other acts such as Coldplay, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and The Darkness are not excluded. That would be pretty cool. I would expect a bigger crowd next time because we all had a great time in London and news travels fast.

With all those ladies on board and after all the partying you must have been through are you now in Detox mode ;) ?

It may sound that having so many ladies around would be a big headache. But no, it was fun as they were all so well-behaved !! And they didnt lose much time on make-up either. The whole group meets now and again and we're still in party mode.

What are Reflex Promotions future plans.

This year, Reflex Promotions kicked off with organising several events
related to 80's music such as the Reflex Tour and 80's  parties. The next party shall be held at Reflections Music Club, Sol Suncrest Hotel on Sunday 6 June. I shall again be spinning all the classic tunes bringing the 80's nostalgia back to life.

Presenting more professional radio productions such as Reflex and Shaft (70's Sunday evening programme on Capital Radio 88.7) is also a priority. www.reflexmalta.com is a site that has potential and we would like to build up on it. A photo exhibition is also in the pipeline. Basically it's all about having fun and keeping 80's music alive.