It's Been Easey | PBS FM

Thu 16 Dec 2021 to Fri 31 Dec 2021

Electronic Hip-Hop

As we head into the second week of test broadcasting at the new Collingwood Yards station, we take a fond look back at some of the amazing times we've had at number 47 Easey Street.

Legend has it, way back when, PBS had 13 weeks to build new studios. Materials were largely donated and labour was mostly volunteered. In this short window of time, broadcasting commenced on November 27, 2001, and building never really finished because there was always something else to work on. If you were listening, you would have heard our callouts for memberships and donations to help keep the lights on, the doors open, and the radio on. As PBS announcer Claire Stuchbery of Firewater aptly put it: "PBS is the sum of all of us over 42 years", and we thank you for supporting our station and being part of our community.

A Naarm (Melbourne) story
Way back in 2001 the people of PBS took the 96 tram from The Ritz, St Kilda, then changed to the 86 and proudly made their way down to Easey Street. They carried a microphone to symbolise and honour the move from southside to north. Pete and Dave from Dallas Crane, and Dave Graney played live, soundtracking the journey.
Screenshot taken from Pip Starr film, 2001

They were travelling to 47 Easey Street Collingwood
our broacast studios from 2001
Behind these doors, PBS Collingwood became home to...

A lot of ideas
PBS whiteboard from the early 2000s
Photographer unknown

A place for new announcers to train
Cross Pollinate presenters Nicki, Shio and Triana 2018
on our first DAB+ exclusive program.
In the tradition of 'Calling The Tune' (1990-1997) this was created with an aim to create
greater space for women and gender-diverse people on-air.
The training program was led by Beth AQ.
Photographer unknown

A place for announcers you've come to count on
Phil MacDougall from Sunglasses After Dark and Michael Mulholland of Junkyard are just 2 of the wonderful announcers amongst hundreds over the years at PBS. Here they are pictured in studio 2, 2019
Photo by Stavros Sakellaris

A chance to expand and include our community
All Our Stories in Studio 3 with Jess, Kyah and friends
Photographer Aleisha Hall

A place to meet your heroes
You could say Richie 1250, Pierre Baroni and California Soulman Todd Solomon
are pretty chuffed in the company of soul artist Syl Johnson, Studio 2, 2009
Photographer unknown

And a place to see emerging artists transform into inspirational stars
Crispi with Courtney Barnett and Jen Cloher in Studio 2, 2015
Photographer unknown

A place to celebrate music
Open Week 2002: a week-long event where PBS opened the doors to subscribers. More than 16 artists played including Portland trio Dead Moon who played live in Studio 5 for Kim Walvisch on City Slang. A late addition to the line-up, Walvish, a fan of the band, personally asked promoter Jeff Halls to have them on her program. Some dreams came true at Easey Street.
Photographer unknown

A place to catch in-studio performances with legends
In Studio 1: Drive Live February 8, 2012, Spencer P Jones + Kim Salmon
Photo by Jon Osborne

And a place for emerging talents
Drive Live, February 2020: Grace Cummings in studio with Lyndelle Wilkinson on The Afterglow in Studio 1
Photo by Naomi Lee Beveridge

We never missed a chance to have a photo op with the greats
Out front with Archie Roach, with Jess Fairfax on All Our Stories, and the PBS staff in 2012
Photo by Mara Williams

So many amazing artists played live sets in the purpose-built live music room, Studio 5
Like Mo’Ju in Studio 5 on Homebrew with Maddy Mac back in August 2018
Photo by Owen McKern

Lucas 'Granpa' Abela plays glass
Live in Studio 5 for Paul Kidney's Ear of the Behearer in 2016
Photo by Stavros Sakellaris

Sierra Ferrell and Pokey LaFarge
Part of the cavalcade of alt-country stars in Studio 5 for the
Out on the Weekend special on David Heard's Acid Country in 2019
Photographer unknown

Sampa The Great
Live in Studio 5, 2019 for Drive Live on Stone Love
Photo by Naomi Lee Beveridge

Another moment in Studio 5 captured
When Endless Boogie played on Studio 5, they lived up to their name and started jamming well before the mics were in place, playing over the allotted time on Pojama People.
Photo by Stephen Boxshall

You never know what or who you'll find in the PBS record collection
Kid Congo & Pink Monkey Birds 2016
Photo by Xavier Fennell

In the green room with
The Gospel Show's Peter Miles with the sacred steel outfit, Turner Brown Blues band in 2018
Photo by Owen McKern

The car park was another place to gather
Erica convenes out the back following her last Mixing Up The Medicine with
REMI, Suss C*nts, Hexdebt, the crew and friends
Drive Live February 5, 2019
Photo by Naomi Lee Beveridge

Behind the scenes, the work of the announcers, volunteers and staff kept PBS rolling along
Hundreds of volunteers have helped out at 47 Easey Street in so many ways over the years. From broadcast, library, reception, board, planning, maintenance, trades, events, art and crafts and more.
Here we see Pojama People's Chris Pearson up a ladder, hanging pictures
Photo by Mara Williams

It's the work of many that makes PBS run, and the people make the work more fun
The volunteers behind the membership packing
Lee, Catherine, Norm, Jake, the work experience kid and Alan packed many memberships on this day
Photo by Mara Williams

And a huge shout out to the listeners who became members and donors to help PBS continue on
PBS volunteers and staff at Radio Festival circa 2003
Photographer unknown

There's been so many people involved in making PBS
Like studio technician Bill Runting and builder Mr. Doo Wop from Malt Shop Hop
Photographers unknown

Deeper behind the scenes, Steve Passiouras built our custom-made member database, a game-changing feature of the Easey Street years. Steve presented FretNet a dedicated guitar program, and is pictured here with Grigoryan Brothers in 2015
Photo by Owen McKern

We made Easey Street a place where the community could come together
Fang It for IWD in 2018
Photo by Naomi Lee Beveridge

Without the people, 47 Easey Street is just a place
PBS library circa early 2000's
Photographer unknown

Just a big empty space
PBS office circa 2010
Photographer unknown

So as we head out the door we say a huge thanks to everyone who contributed to PBS and Easey Street
Stay tuned as we write a new chapter in the PBS story...
Paul Kelly with Annika Priest. Kelly holds the PBS 40th anniversary book in 2019
Photographer Aleisha Hall

Our home from November 2001- December 2021
PBS, 47 Easey Street, Collingwood
Painting on tin by Fitzroy artist Pol