Author: Gabe McGrath

Gabe McGrath is a radio creative and freelance writer. He helped set up 89.9 Hitz FM Melbourne in the 90s. This youth radio station caused a sensation and 30 years later many a 90s kid will smile when 'Hitz' is mentioned. Gabe is working on a book about that era and now blogs about Hitz Melbourne. GabeMcGrath.com includes tonnes of streaming audio recordings, photos, stories and behind-the-scenes info.

Megamix Mondays 2

OK time for another Megamix Monday, and today’s a real Hitz classic. Macquina Total 6. Or as the man in the megamix used to say “Ma KEENA Toe Tell – SAY!”

Maquina Total 6 was very popular during Hitz’s Summer 93/94 broadcast. The destinctive thuds of the approaching T-Rex. The crazy chicken noises. The finger-on-the-pulse inclusions of songs like Mr Vain (Culture Beat) and What’s Up (DJ Miko).

And now, I’ve been able to solve a big mystery about this megamix… 26 years later.

Continue reading “Megamix Mondays 2”
Would your friends enjoy this post? Every share helps.

Mashup Monday 6

OK, after launching my fortnightly Megamix Monday last week, it’s time for a Mashup Monday.

And that’s what I might do for a while – alternating between mashups and megamixes each Monday. That work for you guys? Cool.

Now….we’re due for a Rock / Pop one, so that’s what I’ve got for you today.

Continue reading “Mashup Monday 6”
Would your friends enjoy this post? Every share helps.

Live From Inflation – The End Of Hitz FM’s 6th Broadcast

25 years ago tonight, a certain youth radio station was broadcasting live from Inflation Nightclub. It was the final night of Hitz FM’s 6th Broadcast. Time to celebrate. The station had come back onair, it had a new CD in the shops, and it had one of those brand new “webpage” things on the “internet”.

Yes – it was clearly 1995.

Continue reading “Live From Inflation – The End Of Hitz FM’s 6th Broadcast”
Would your friends enjoy this post? Every share helps.

Hot Tracks best of 1991 Megamix

Why just post mashups on a Monday, when I can also bring you a great 1991 Megamix?

For my first Megamix Monday, I’ve got something special. It’s one of the oldest 90s Megamixes that Hitz ever played. It’s from one of the great DJ remix services of the 90s. I believe it’s the first song Hitz ever played on the radio.

Continue reading “Hot Tracks best of 1991 Megamix”
Would your friends enjoy this post? Every share helps.

James Ash is Right in the Night!

He’s back.

James Ash (Rogue Traders, Union State, former Hitz FM announcer and committee member) has come back to where it all began. He’s re-signed with legendary Melbourne-based dance label Vicious Vinyl. And his first release – is a cover of a true Hitz-era classic.

But what I found most interesting about all this – is that it’s NOT the first time he’s tried to cover this song…

Continue reading “James Ash is Right in the Night!”
Would your friends enjoy this post? Every share helps.

Smash Hitz: Dreams – Gabrielle

Dreams (and it’s performer, Gabrielle) seemed to come out of nowhere.

When the song was released in Australia in late 1993, the charts were dominated by romantic R&B (Freak Me – Silk), reggae-flavoured pop (Can’t help falling in love with you – UB40 / Sweat – Inner Circle) and adult rock (What’s Up – 4 Non Blondes / I’d do anything for love – Meatloaf). Dreams – with it’s romantic soul-tinged pop sounds… seem to arrive from another planet.

It also seemed to remind me of another song, and 27 years later I know the answer.

Continue reading “Smash Hitz: Dreams – Gabrielle”
Would your friends enjoy this post? Every share helps.

Mashup Monday 5

Ahh, mashups… like this one today “Yelling Physical Me“.

Mashups: when somebody (more talented than me) combines one or more song instrumentals with one or more song acapellas. The result can be funny, inspiring, impressive or just amazing to dance to.

Sometimes I’ll be posting tracks from my collection that are 10-15 years old. But not today. This track is one that I’ve been blasting in the car for the past month or two and it’s brilliant.

Continue reading “Mashup Monday 5”
Would your friends enjoy this post? Every share helps.

Wiki Wednesday – U Sure Do

Time for another Wiki Wednesday and funnily enough, another mid-90s dancefloor classic – U Sure Do.

We all know the song – but did you know it was composed of samples from a number of other tracks? (Don’t worry, neither did I. All but one of them are pretty obscure.) Even more interestingly… did you know about Strike’s strong Australian connection?

Read on, and all will be revealed.

Continue reading “Wiki Wednesday – U Sure Do”
Would your friends enjoy this post? Every share helps.

Mashup Monday 4

You what? You ring me round (like a telephone)?

If you’ve got a child/niece/nephew in primary school… At some point they’ll ask you what “1 + 1” equals. If you answer “2” they’ll say “Wrong, it equals ‘window’…”. If you say ‘window’, they’ll say “Wrong, it equals eleven.”.

In the case of mashups, “1 + 1” often adds up to something amazing. Indeed, today’s track, despite using one of the most over-mashed instrumentals of the early 2010’s… still works.

Continue reading “Mashup Monday 4”
Would your friends enjoy this post? Every share helps.

The first four weeks frenzy

So, we’re 4 weeks into this crazy adventure, and little did I know what ripples would occur, once I threw my little stone in the pond. So, what’s happenned in the first four weeks?

I’ve received audio (from old tapes). I’ve obtained photos. And scans.
I’ve done interviews. I’ve regularly published features. And my newsletter subscriber list is growing.

Let’s break each one down, shall we?

Continue reading “The first four weeks frenzy”
Would your friends enjoy this post? Every share helps.