MSIG: What is the inspiration behind your show and the radio station itself?

Stan: First, the station was the brainchild of Generalismo Tom. He was on a road trip to St Louis and was listening to their community station KDHX. On the ride back, he decided we needed a station like that in our community. Several years and banknotes later, here we are. The foundation for both the station and The Big Mix is that we are the anti-commercial radio station. Very little of what we air can be heard on commercial radio.

MSIG: How did it come to its existence, (Big Mix)?

Tony: Geoff Thorsen and I were checking out WDBX in its early stages and thought that we could offer something that wasn't being represented. We, as most people, grew up listening to the absolute shit that was and is offered by most FM radio. If you don't have options you pretty much have to listen to the crap they feed you or not listen at all. I'm still quite inspired and surprised any time I can turn on the radio and hear a live DJ playing quality, unique music. What you mostly get is some preprogrammed crap that is force fed to the masses followed by people constantly trying to sell you shit. It's really a simple concept but you don't see it represented much. A lot of people like shitty music.

MSIG: How long have you been doing the show?

Tony: Not quite sure...7 years?

MSIG: How much longer do you think you will be doing it?

Tony: Until it's no longer interesting. I don't think there will ever be a time when it's not needed.

MSIG: What types of music do you prefer to play?

Tony: The idea behind The Big Mix was to represent music that wasn't getting exposure and not to be limited to a specific genre. Garage, Punk, Country, Rockabilly, Surf, etc. In my opinion the good stuff is good regardless of the genre. I listen to all types of music but tend to stay in or around the genres listed as I think people need to hear them and it's great music to play. Geoff played more Alt. County and was followed by Stu Patterson who had a great collection of 70's 80's punk rock. Stan is into the surf so all these things have kinda blended together.

MSIG: What are your favorite bands?

Tony: What kind of question is that? There's many and it changes. Depends on the genre of music.

Stan: We try to bring a lot of music to the table every week that might be a new exposure to the masses.

MSIG: Name some.....

Tony: Here are some people / groups that I dig,... New York Dolls / Johnny Thunders / Heartbreakers, Hank Williams, Headcoats, Link Wray, New Bomb Turks, Johnny Cash, Andre Williams, The Dirtys etc. etc. etc. What I listen to a lot varies.

MSIG: Do you like to have guests or are they usually pains in the asses?

Stan: Sure, guests have always been a big part of The Big Mix. Traditionally, it's always been one of the guests that wind up sitting in front of the mic full time when there's a change of staff. Guests will bring in some new music to us or just steer our sets in some new direction with conversation. You're the only guest that's been a pain in the ass mikey.

MSIG: What was your favorite or most memorable show?

Stan: 'Favorite' and 'memorable' don't always work out the same way. Every week that we're able to put on a BigMix showing is our favorite. It's the disasters and freakouts that tend to stick out as memorable. Like the night I was driving the boards solo and a local one-eyed street bum wandered into the studio looking for the entrance to the basement because that's where he had all his money hidden. There is no basement.

MSIG: If you could change one thing about the show, what would it be?

Tony: Sometimes thinking out the show can be beneficial but there are also great things that can come from spontaneity, a wet bar would be nice.

MSIG: Are there any plans to expand the stations reach?

Stan: One of our squirrels gave birth last summer and now we're able to push about 3000 watts. Which works out pretty good, as that's both the size of our station transmitter, and what the FCC says we can broadcast.

MSIG: Can people stream your show on the internet? If so, what it is the link?

Stan: Yep, we sure are streaming these days. URLs are always subject to change, so the best way is to just go to the station's website and follow their links to listen. The station website is www.wdbx.org.

MSIG: When is your show on?

Stan: You can check out TheBigMix from 6 to 8 PM on Fridays. That's central time. For those of you in Budapest, that's Saturday at 1AM, Noon Friday in Samoa, and I understand that we're delay broadcast at 4:45 AM Saturday for those insomniacs in Khatmandu.

MSIG: Are there other shows on the station that you would recommend?

Stan: They're all good for somebody. With a format change every 2 hours or so, you just have to keep sampling to see what yanks yer chain. Check out the program schedule and their vague descriptions and go explore.

MSIG: So, what do you think of the Misfits?

Stan: Great movie. Love Marylin Monroe flicks.

Tony: Ok if you dig comic book rock...hehe.

MSIG: Can folks contribute $$ to the station to help keep it going?

Tony: Always. Cash, checks, or greenstamps can be sent to

WDBX
225 N Washington
Carbondale, IL 62901 USA.

The station operates off money that the station raises through the community. If you dig something, vote with your dollar and support it.

MSIG: Where can bands send CD's to you so that you may help spread their music to a new audience?

Tony: Above address, "Attention TheBigMix". You can also contact The Big Mix via EMAIL

MSIG: So what do you think of Governor Bush and his misadministration?

Tony: Pathetic representation of this country...or is it?

Stan: Free Bobby!!

MSIG: Who's Bobby?

Stan: Bobby Seale you whippersnapper. co-founder of the panthers and one of the chicago 7. "free Bobby" was one of the big slogans and rallying cries of the revolution.

I got to meet him a few months ago after a lecture at the civic center. VERY hip guy. it was a mostly young black crowd expecting to hear an angry black man, and it was anything but. it was a black history month event sponsored by one of the local black frats. Tony & I both went to hear the words. was a history lesson from somebody who made the history. It was even more personal for me as I hold him, along with a handful of other west coast trouble makers, directly responsible for saving my life over 30yrs ago. he was one of the leaders that organized and stopped the war that I was scheduled to be drafted for if they hadnt had the cajones to start the revolution. i only missed it by 8months. which sounds like a long time, but the last year of the draft, my number was 4. a low number like 4 didnt even get to go home from school on their 18th birthday. the draft board met you at the school and escorted you to the St Louis induction center. I had almost a full year of diarrhea thinking about that #4 Icoulda been and what my real number was going to be. two weeks before my 18th, they closed up the draft offices and boards.

MSIG: Wow, thanks for sharing that... Any last thoughts, messages or concerns?

Tony: Listen to good music...or be lame forever.