London Underground FM
{{short description|Pirate radio station (1995–2001)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2019}}
London Underground FM was a mid-1990s to early-2000s pirate radio station in London.
{{Infobox radio station
| name = London Underground FM
| logo =
| logo_size =
| airdate = 1995-2002
| area = London
| frequency = 89.4 FM
}}
History
London Underground FM started broadcasting in 1995, from East London, primarily on 89.4 FM. It mostly played house and garage, and was one of the first radio stations to champion UK garage.{{cite book|author=DJ Target|title=Grime Kids: The Inside Story of the Global Grime Takeover|publisher=Trapeze, 2018}}{{cite book|author=St John, Graham|title=Rave Culture and Religion|publisher=Routledge, 2004|pages=193}}{{cite web|url=https://djmag.com/features/pure-garage-vibes|title=DJ EZ: Pure Garage Vibes|date=12 July 2016|author=Joe Roberts|work=DJMag}}{{Cite book |last=Portelli |first=Tony |title=The Music Industry Raw: Pirates, Clubs, House and Garage |publisher=Author House UK Ltd |year=2006 |isbn=1-4259-1302-4 |location=Milton Keynes, UK |pages=36 |language=en-GB}}
The following UK garage DJs and producers started out at London Underground: MJ Cole,{{Cite web |date=19 April 2022 |title=Splice launches MJ Cole's House & Garage Essentials and Modern-Funk by DāM-FunK |url=https://rekkerd.org/splice-launches-mj-coles-house-garage-essentials-and-modern-funk-by-dam-funk/ |website=Rekkerd.org}} Dreem Teem (Timmi Magic and DJ Spoony),{{cite book|author=Bradley, LLoyd|title=Sounds Like London: 100 Years of Black Music in the Capital|publisher=Profile, 2013|pages=364}}{{cite web|url=https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2018/01/dreem-teem-interview|title=Dreem Teem on the Birth of UK Garage|author=Bill Brewster|date=8 January 2018|work=RBMA Daily}}{{Cite web |last=Edrich |first=Paddy |date=19 May 2021 |title=Listen To Dreem Teem's Biggest Musical Inspirations |url=https://mixmag.net/feature/dreem-teem-uk-garage-playlist-musical-inspirations |website=MixMag}}{{Cite web |last=Robson |first=Kitty |date=7 September 2018 |title=DJ Spoony looks back the golden days of garage |url=https://www.hungertv.com/editorial/dj-spoony-looks-back-at-the-golden-days-of-garage/ |website=Hunger TV}} Ramsey & Fen,{{cite web|url=http://www.pureoldskool.co.uk/our-team/ramsey-fen/|title=Ramsey & Fen – PURE OLD SKOOL|work=Pureoldskool.co.uk}} Norris "Da Boss" Windross,{{Cite book |last1=Brewster |first1=Bill |title=The Record Players: DJ Revolutionaries |last2=Broughton |first2=Frank |publisher=Black Cat |year=2010 |isbn=978-0802170897 |location=New York, USA |pages=461 |language=en-US}} Jason Kaye, Hermit, Daryl B, Emma Feline, David Howard, Greg Stainer, Matt "Qualifide" Campbell, Lisa, Nortee B Nice, Jason H,{{Cite web |last=Roe |first=Joe |date=12 April 2008 |title=Calenda music, videos, stats, and photos {{!}} Last.fm |url=https://www.last.fm/music/Calenda |website=Last FM}} Danny Foster, and Richie Fingers.{{cite book|author=Brewster, Bill & Broughton, Frank|title=The Record Players: DJ Revolutionaries|publisher=Grove Press, 2011|pages=461}}
What initially set the station apart from its rivals was the MC free zone policy and its group of producers. It strived for professionalism with well mastered jingles and a policy of DJs who could host their shows. The station also became known for supporting the UK garage label V.I.P. (Very Important Plastic).{{Cite web |title=V.I.P. (Very Important Plastic) |url=https://www.discogs.com/label/13855-VIP-Very-Important-Plastic |publisher=Discogs}}
In 1997, it hosted the second arena at the World Dance New Year Eve rave night, at Wembley Entertainment Centre,{{Cite web |date=31 December 1997 |title=World Dance 1997 NYE - Wembley Entertainment Centre, Wembley, London - 31 December 1997 |url=https://www.phatmedia.co.uk/flyers/event/world-dance-97-nye |website=Phatmedia}} and again in 1998, at the Three Mills Island Studios, Three Mills Lane Bow, London E3.{{Cite web|url=http://www.phatmedia.co.uk/flyers/event/world-dance-98-nye|title=World Dance 1998 NYE – Drum & Bass Flyers|website=Phatmedia.co.uk}}
The same year, it was taken off air for several months, before returning. On its return, a core group of its original members had left the station, due to their commercial success as well as the shift in the garage music sound, from a four to the floor (4x4) beat pattern to two step (2-step).
By now, the station attracted DJs and MCs from other stations, and new talent, along with a few original members: Mr Buzzhard, Jason H & Shax (The Clairvoyants),{{cite web|url=http://seanceradio.co.uk/seance-insight-spectralband/|title=Seance Insight: Spectralband – Seance Radio|website=Seanceradio.co.uk}} Matt "Qualifide" Campbell, Rossi B and Luca,{{Citation |title=Garage DJ Luca - UK Garage Music Website |date=2000 |url=http://www.2step-garage.co.uk/garage_djs/garage_dj_Luca.htm |website=UK Garage Music Site }} MC Skanker, TNT Express, Easy G, Mr D, Leona H, Paradise & MC Richie Rich, Half Pint, Angie B, Scratcha DVA,{{Cite web |date=October 2022 |title=Scratchclart {{!}} No Bounds Festival {{!}} Sheffield UK - 14th - 16th October 2022 |url=https://noboundsfestival.co.uk/artists/scratchclart |website=No Bounds Festival}} Pioneer,{{Cite web |title=Pioneer - Biography |url=https://ra.co/dj/pioneer/biography |website=Resident Advisor}} and many other performers.
Throughout the early 2000s, the station hosted a room at "Smoove", Ministry of Sound, and Colin McMillan's "4Play", held at Legends nightclub.
London Underground FM finally came to a close around 2002.
References
{{Reflist}}
Category:Pirate radio stations in the United Kingdom
Category:House music radio stations
Category:UK garage radio stations
Category:Radio stations in London
Category:Defunct radio stations in the United Kingdom
Category:Radio stations established in 1995
Category:Radio stations disestablished in 2001
Category:Electronic dance music radio stations in the United Kingdom