"Less talk, more rock!" says radio host Shilo McDonald as he dials up the volume in the studio. The sound of Boston pop rock band The Fatal Flaw leaks through the speakers while it performs live a few rooms over. The band is playing a spin on a famous Journey song — an energetic track off their album called "Don't Start Believing."
This year marks the 20th anniversary of one of WMFO's longest-running shows, "On the Town with Mikey Dee." McDonald, 36, of Salem is just one of a collection of rotating hosts who have filled the space left by the show's founder: Mikey Dee himself.
Mikey Dee Linick established the show in 1989, dedicating the time slot to breaking local bands and exposing listeners to Boston rock. Frequently spotted at local concerts, Linick immersed himself in music, tenaciously promoting bands he discovered and networking within the Boston rock community.
Linick suffered a stroke after a routine heart surgery in 2000, and a series of benefit shows raised approximately $100,000 for his treatment. Though Linick passed away at the age of 40 in 2003, "On the Town" continues in his name.
Linick's presence can still be felt in the station for those who know where to look. Studio Dee, playing ground to The Fatal Flaw and countless others, is named for the DJ, and old photos slipped among stacks of vinyls capture his time in the station.
Joel Simches, a 44-year-old Peabody resident, occupies the cramped room between McDonald and the members of The Fatal Flaw and has his eyes on a matrix of controls. Simches is the producer, engineer and booking agent for the show (along with Laura Slapikof and Anngelle Wood) and has worked as a live sound engineer for the Dresden Dolls, Regina Spektor and others. He's also one of the only "On the Town" members left who knew Mikey Dee closely as a friend and colleague.
"Mikey was a champion of the local music scene," said Simches. "We were keeping the seat warm for him [before 2003] with guest DJs, hoping he'd be back in six months. I'd like to think we're still keeping the seat warm for him here."
In addition to McDonald, DJs JoEllen Yannis, Steve Harnish, Brian Young and sometimes Simches himself lend their voices and music selections to the show. According to Simches, this variety of hosts infuses "On the Town" with a critical energy and strives to embody the myriad aspects of Linick's personality.
"I remember when I was with my first band, trying to get people to play my stuff," said Simches. "You get so giddy hearing your music for the first time on the radio. If I can make other people feel that, I think we've got a good show here."
"We get the chance to play music that no one else would hear, and we get to do it without consequence," said McDonald. "At a commercial station, you have to play what sponsors will pay for and what the director wants on the playlist. But this is the epitome of freeform."
Most of the members have regular 9-to-5 jobs in addition to volunteering their time at the station. McDonald manages the IT department for a marketing agency and participated in college radio while he was a student. "After a few years I decided to dust the dust off and take it up again," said McDonald. "This is a jam session for me. I'm having a lot of fun. I'm rockin' out in here, dancing around the studio."
McDonald listed some of his favorite bands, local groups with powerful, driving songs: Orbit, The Sheila Divine, Dear Leader and Helicopter Helicopter. All are New England-based artists who McDonald said he may not have been introduced to if not for "On the Town."
"Music sticks with you; certain music just sticks," McDonald said. "The hardest part is listening to something that you haven't heard. I've been lucky with the show because I'm getting new music stuck to me all the time."
Simches said that this year thus far has proven strong — and varied — for the local scene. As someone who has been involved since 1983 in the Boston music realm, one bolstered by a plethora of college radio stations bringing new bands to the airwaves, Simches seems to know what he's talking about. In the past, Boston has birthed now well-known bands such as Letters to Cleo, Guster and The Lemonheads.
"We just want people to dig the stuff we're digging," said Simches. "We listen to everything. We spin it all at least once."
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Catch "On the Town with Mikey Dee" every Wednesday on WMFO 91.5 FM from 9 p.m. until midnight. Bands interested in participating can submit materials to On The Town, WMFO, PO Box 65, Medford, MA 02155 or email ott@sonicenhancement.com.
