Show Spotlight: Big Chunks of Plastic / The After Party

Will Schmeckpeper, AKA The Earthpig, is one of the few Radio Boise programmers to take the helm of not one, but two programs each week. Exploring music from film and experimental musicians, Will’s shows expand listeners’ horizons in the wee hours of the morning.

You can listen to Big Chunks of Plastic on Wednesday mornings, 3 – 6 a.m., and to The After Party on Sunday mornings, 3 – 6 a.m. – or you can listen on demand. Here Will lets us in on his love for film, music, and community radio:

What can you not stop listening to these days?

Swiss Army Man Soundtrack. It’s unlike any soundtrack I’ve ever heard. Brilliant.

What is going on in the Treasure Valley that you’re excited about?

I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with the JUMP space; a handful of local independent filmmakers are forging ahead with their projects – regardless of the obstacles in their way. That’s exciting.

Do you have a ritual surrounding your show? You know, a ritual meal or a certain artist you have to play?

I always stop at the Maverik on 27th for a soda or coffee on the way into the station. At the station I kill all the lights except for those in the booth, but I crank up the floor lamp in the lobby with all the different colored shades. On Big Chunks of Plastic, the first song is always a tv theme from over the years; the second song is always from Cowboy Bebop; the second-to-last set is a Hans Zimmer tribute; and the last song is always See You, Space Cowboy – also from Cowboy Bebop. On The After Party, I open with 58’s “Song To Slit Your Wrists By” off their cd, Diet For A New America; the second set is an Alice Cooper tribute; and the final song is always Dean Martin’s Send Me The Pillow You Dream On.

How long have you been doing your shows? What drew you to take on each?

December 2014 was my first show – I’ve done just over 100 shows now. Big Chunks of Plastic came about after watching the movie, The Boat That Rocked; it’s about the pirate radio stations off the coast of England in the 1960’s. One thing led to another, I found the Radio Boise web page and saw the call for programmers. I looked at the schedule and saw wide open spaces in the wee hours of the morning, which just happened to be when I’m awake anyway. Since my personal music collection has loads of movie soundtracks – and I hadn’t heard of any soundtrack shows on Radio Boise (or any other stations) – it seemed like a good fit. Spinning music from 3 am to 6 am is a good place to experiment. The After Party came about because I was tired of only listening to soundtracks – I’ve a lot of other music I like.

For those who may not be familiar with your shows, how would you describe your shows’ sounds?

Both shows are eclectic mixes. Big Chunks of Plastic starts off with music from animated films; runs through blues, funk, and pop soundtrack cuts; then winds up with the varieties of score music from the century of film and video music I have to draw from. The After Party is similar, but without the film focus. Since I come on after Ya’ Know What’s Metal? I try to segue from that sound down to experimental composers such as Philip Glass or Vangelis. It’s quite the trip.

How did you discover Radio Boise?

Saw a lot of stickers around town one day; heard the station while walking past the Alaska Building, so I poked my head in and took a look.

What other shows do you listen to?

The Juke Joint, Mojo Mike’s Blues Review, Sonic Saturday, Tennis Court Disco, Moonshine Collective, Ya’ Know What’s Metal, Two Ducks and a Pollywog, The Wreck

What other kinds of things do you do in your life?

I’m a prep cook right now as I go through my Lester Burnham stage. I’m also an indie filmmaker (hey, look me up on IMDB.com!), and I write under the pen name Chevy Nova Overdrive (hey, look me up on amazon.com!). Currently I have an unnatural obsession with the computer game, League of Legends, and am considering testing the waters of making and marketing a boutique hot sauce.

Why do you believe in volunteering for community radio is important?

Do you hear any other soundtrack/score shows on the radio? Community radio gives people the opportunity to express their voices and interests, as opposed to having their voices and interests handed to them by our corporate overlords.

What sounds do you find yourself inexplicably drawn to?

When the ice cream truck rolls through the neighborhood, my ears perk up. All music interests me, some more than others, depending on the mood I’m in. I have to admit to a partiality to all things Blues; but then I’m a sucker for a harmonic death metal band, too. Roll the dice, see what comes up, yeah?

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