The introduction of the DVD, like the compact disc before it, has led to a wide range of lost treasures resurfacing. One such unearthed gem is Christopher Petit’s 1979 cult film, “Radio On,” co-produced by Wim Wenders.
The film – in addition to having Sting’s film debut – boasts an incredible post-punk soundtrack, with tunes by a chunk of the Stiff Records roster -- Ian Dury, Wreckless Eric, Lene Lovich, Devo, The Rumour – alongside Kraftwerk, Robert Fripp and Bowie’s anthemic “Heroes.”
The anti-music establishment soundtrack perfectly suited the slow-moving, dark, monochrome “anti-road movie,” that traced a London DJ on his way to Bristol to dig into the mystery of the death of his brother.
Sometimes puzzling, but always razor-sharp “cool,” “Radio On” really captures the spirit not only of the era of the post-punk bands -- most of whom were arguably better than most punk bands -- but also of industrial Britain of the late ‘70s as it steeled itself for the rising of the Iron Lady.
It’s a minimalist’s dream come true and a rebelliously stylish film from a rebelliously stylish era.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
