The connection with and love for Radio Centraal runs through Ultra Eczema’s veins. The Antwerp-based station has functioned as a voice for myriad local underground movements for nearly forty years. From its inception, architect and ex-Situationist Rudi Renson and restaurateur Roland Rom were a critical, hilarious, and provocative voice in its repertoire of weirdos, chiefly via the weekly RTVS (Radio & Television Salon) programme.
Lots of 'music' was made within this show, largely enabled by its presenters’ revolving door policy of regularly inviting others to contribute or host: musician and artist George Smits, actionist and performer Jacques ‘Jack The Rapper’ Ambach, artist Jörgen Voordeckers, jazz saxophonist Mike Zinzen, aspiring philosopher and bass player Filip Baert, political activist Peter Terryn, troublemaker Jan ‘JAC’ Van Den Eynde, renaissance man Mark Meulemans, graphic designer Dominic Gregoire, fashion photographer Ronald Stoops, communist activist Leo Dierckx, feminist Ellen Verryt, translator and teacher Linda Greeve, biologist and Cassis Cornuta’s sole member Daniel Renders… You get the picture.
This compilation is far from complete. It is merely a selection from over 200 cassettes from the archives of Rudi Renson and Roland Rom’s families. The 24-page book features interviews (in Dutch) with some of the show’s main protagonists, and a long essay by Peter Terryn (in English).