The Day the Music Dies
By Jessica L. Silva
Editor-in-Chief
Every Wednesday night Jesse Gosselin sits at a turntable and plays your favorite rocksteady ska show on WXCI. That is until May 24, when Pressure Drop will be officially retired.
General Manager of WXCI, Gosselin has DJed Pressure Drop since September 3, 1997. As a former member of the ska band, Sgt. Scagnetti, Gosselin was naturally the only person for the job.
"There was never a ska show. A reggae program, Positive Vibes has been on for 10 to 12 years. That was the closest thing," said Gosselin.
Ska music is the national music of Jamaica. In 1966 it became so hot that people would pass out dancing. At that point it was slowed down to "rocksteady." Rocksteady contained fewer horns and more keyboards then the earlier form of ska. In the 1970s, rocksteady slowed down yet again: the birth of Reggae.
Pressure Drop is derived from the ska band Toots and The Maytals' song "Pressure Drop." Gosselin takes great pride in the fact that WXCI's Pressure Drop is the only registered radio show under that name.
Throughout the years Sgt. Scagnetti's "Necromance" and Mephiskapheles' "Bumble Bee Tuna" have been the most requested songs. At various times Spring Heeled Jack, Brian Diaz from Edna's Goldfish, Coolie Ranks from the Pilfers and Sgt. Scagnetti have all been known to appear in person during Pressure Drop shows.
When asked if he would miss the show Gosselin said, "Absolutely. I will miss the consistent friendliness and support of people who listen around the world. Kids tape the show every week, listen to it all week long, and then tape it again the next week."
Since Pressure Drop has been on, it has been an extremely popular show. "It went from big to huge," said Gosselin.
With Gosselin's departure, DJ Tom Feola will be following in his footsteps. Not only is he taking over the position as General Manager, but will also be taking over Pressure Drop and combining it with Friday's "The Punk Show." The new show, "Ska, Punk, and Disorderly," will begin airing on Wednesday May 31.
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BIG Thank Yous to Jesse Silva and all at The Echo for this very nice article! You guys rock!
