Despite being a man best known for his discovery and championing of new music, Steve Lamacq started as a sports journalist on the Harlow Gazette. However, a slightly unhealthy obsession with the charts and music press drew him into the world of music.

Steve joined the NME and at one point saw more than 200 gigs in one year - resulting in tonsillitis and glandular fever, but being a trooper he was back at a (local) gig four days after leaving hospital.

At the age of 12, Steve decided he wanted to work at BBC Radio 1 and years later he got his chance following a letter to the station offering help with regards to the masses of new bands that weren't being covered at the time.

An apprenticeship reviewing the music press and occasionally sitting in followed, but it was his partnership with Jo Whiley on The Evening Session that really set a rocket under his radio career.

A remarkable record of picking the next big thing has continued as part of producing one of the most compelling radio music shows in the UK and a great read in his book Going Deaf For A Living. Now, 6 Music brings you the insight and musical choices of Lamacq!


First record you bought?
Tiger Feet by Mud.

First gig?
The Lurkers at the Chancellor Hall, Chelmsford. My ears rang for three days afterwards.

Best gig?
It was at the Mercury Ballroom in New York, 1991. My Bloody Valentine supported by Superchunk and Pavement. No-one really knew who Pavement were at that point, but they were so good I bought one of their t-shirts at the end of the show (still have it in fact).

First record you played on the radio?
The first official one, I think, on Radio 1, was Screamager by Therapy, but the first one I played on a pirate station was by a Bristol group called the Brilliant Corners. It had a huge intro on it because I didn't want to crash the vocals.

A record that makes you laugh?
Could be very cruel here, but there's an album by Nine Pound Hammer that usually cheers me up.

A record you'd like played at your funeral?
Snuff's version of the Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads theme.

Soundtrack for a long car journey?
Generally when I'm on tour round the country my mate and I listen to local radio phone-ins, but musically we can compromise on The Streets or Kraftwerk.