With the untimely passing of John Peel in 2004, unsigned bands the land over collectively mourned the loss of their greatest champion. But emerging artists are now finding a new forum in Stourbridge, the home of Monochrome Museum, an internet radio show that is becoming an online sensation.
 | | Caroline 7, from Walsall |
Founded in December 2005 by John 'Mono' Ricketts - formerly of 1970's rock line-up, The Big Band - and his wife, Moll 'the Bat', Monochrome Museum was born out of frustration with mainstream radio's failure to support emerging musicians. The weekly, hour long shows - recorded live from their home - are available to download from their website and feature an eclectic range of music from unsigned bands from all over the world. Monochrome shows also come packed with comedy sketches and their own rambling musings on anything from government pension swindles to the multi-purpose uses of contraceptive diaphragms. John explains, however, that supporting the unsigned scene is the life-blood of the show: "Monochrome Museum was set up with the sole intention of playing independent and unsigned bands and artists from around the world, just to give them a platform
to build on."
 | | Isokon Flats, from Bridgnorth |
Despite starting slowly, the radio show has quickly attained a cult status online. From Wolverhampton, to Finland, to America and back again, the station has a global following. John says, "What started as a bit of fun began turning into a full time unpaid job, with bands from around the globe logging onto the show. It has just kind of spread by email and word of mouth. "We never realised there were so many unsigned bands world wide with no chance of getting airtime on commercial radio. It's the same old story: 'you ain't got a deal so you ain't on our playlist!' "Monochrome Museum decided to change direction and play the incredible talent that is out there."
 | | Matt Tyler, from Birmingham |
Since setting out last year, Monochrome Museum now has a weekly global audience of around 9,000 and the show receives hundreds of emails and mp3s every week from musicians hoping to get their three and half minutes of fame. But whilst Monochrome Museum has succeeded in carving out a respectable niche for itself, the internet is already awash with opportunities for emerging bands to put their mp3s up for download - the blossoming of the MySpace revolution is a good example. Isn't this all a bit much for a couple of self-confessed Black Country middle-agers to compete with? They think not. "Although we are a radio show we don't want to be faceless. We go out at least three times a week to support local bands we have also this year helped out touring artists from the USA by putting them up at our house. "Although we are middle aged, the respect and friendship we have formed with younger people has at times astounded us. It now seems we have turned into a global, 'must listen' cult show, which at times is quite embarrassing."
 | | Mellotron Overdrive, from W'ton |
So what of the future for these online curators? "At the moment, our shows are being played on Halesowen College radio each Thursday," John said, "eventually, we are aiming to take the show to every university in the UK. "But if some radio station wants to be brave and do away with the safe zone 'comfort show', we know we could get a big following. Maybe then we could give up the day jobs." The latest Monochrome Museum show is available to download at www.monochromemuseum.co.uk ==== Photos: The local musicians in the photographs on this page have all had their work played on the Monochrome Museum show. | 
