This announcer spotlight was written by Caitlin Cassidy and first published in our biannual member magazine, Easey Mag, December 2018 edition. We hope you enjoy reading all about Matt McFetridge of Twistin' Fever.
On any given show, you can expect anything from R&B, surf, rockabilly, soul, country, hillbilly, doo wop, Mexican rock ‘n’ roll, garage and whatever else piques McFetridge’s interest.
Matt McFetridge always dreamt of presenting a radio show where he could showcase the music he’d loved since he first started collecting records. But it was when he moved to Melbourne nearly a decade ago, and started listening to PBS, that Twistin’ Fever was born.
Twistin’ Fever is a show that celebrates the lesser-known, overlooked artists of the 50s and 60s. McFetridge describes it as a program that plays “those oddball recordings that make you go –what were they thinking?”
After becoming a member of the station, completing the announcer course and filling in on many late night graveyard shifts, the show became a reality and has been a feature of Friday nights at PBS since 2012.
“PBS seemed so accepting of all types of music and presenters,” McFetridge says, “I began to think this could be a place for me.” The music McFetridge plays spans a diverse array of genres. On any given show, you can expect anything from R&B, surf, rockabilly, soul, country, hillbilly, doo wop, Mexican rock ‘n’ roll, garage and whatever else piques McFetridge’s interest. “I try to keep things upbeat and have a fun party vibe,” he says. “It is Friday night after all!”
McFetridge’s only concern starting the program was that “someone would be listening and like what they heard.” And it seems they did. Over the years Twistin’ Fever has attracted a unique, but loyal, following. “People who enjoy Twistin’ Fever come from all walks of life and span all ages,” he says. It’s unsurprising, given the diversity of the music that came out of the 50s and 60s.
McFetridge says, “The biggest appeal with this era of music is that as soon as you move away from the bigger record labels it’s a real adventure as to what you will find. One side of a doo wop record might be a sad ballad about how much someone misses their lover and it’s all a bit pedestrian, but you flip it over and it’s an unhinged rock ‘n’ roll instrumental number with jungle noises and someone screaming one word over and over.”
These are records that had a physical 45rpm format limit, restricting the recording time to two-and-a-half minutes. Because of this, these decades produced an explosion of independent record labels. “Every kid with a saxophone, guitar or a drum kit thought they could be the next big star, throw everything at the wall and see what sticks.” It is this element of the unexpected that keeps McFetridge buying, and playing, these records.
Along the way, McFetridge has had some favourite moments on-air, such as The Minnesota Voodoo Men from Japan, who played live on Halloween eve a few years ago. “They played a bunch of originals and some great Halloween themed covers. “The live set was great. However the interview was a bit challenging due to the language barrier!”
Luckily for listeners, Twistin' Fever isn’t going anywhere fast. “As long as I can keep the show sounding fresh and interesting for myself and the listeners, I’ll keep twistin’,” McFetridge says. “It’d be nice to make it to ten years or more. I’m excited to hear what’s on the B side.”
Matt McFetridge presents Twistin’ Fever every Friday from 7-8pm on PBS.
