Having no experience with illegal activities and, to a certain extent, wanting to know if I could get away with it, I unofficially changed my name for the sake of operating the station. Stealing the name of a girl I knew in high school was easy. Actually becoming my alter ego was the tricky part. It was yhard tp persuade people to believe me when I didn't respond to the name, but I've gotten pretty convincing. I even made a fake ID to use for concert guest lists.

The fake name is one of the many precautions I've taken to reduce my risk of getting caught. Another is the voice-mail number my DJs anounce over the air. I'm not about to set up a direct (and traceable) phone line into the studio- I might as well call the FCC myself. I use the PO box instead of my home address for the same reason- the station recieves free CDs from both independent and major labels, even though we don't track listenership and can give them only limited feedback on what's getting airplay. In an industry where payola often dominates, it's nice to know there's at least a little goodwill.

This goes for celebrities as well. John Squire of the Stone Roses, Ben Lee, John Doe of X, Donna Dresch of Team Dresch, the Dandy Warhols, U2 producer Howie B., and Railroad Jerk are just a few of the musicians who have stopped by for an interview or just to spin records without knowing if anyone is tuning in. And a number of national bands played at my station's benefit concert. I suspect it's the mystery and independent spirit of pirate radio that attracts everyone. It was endearing to see Minuteman Mike Watts finger quiver as he set the needle down on his first record.

Wednesday, 10:10 p.m. When I left the studio, Carl was having his first shot of absinthe. Tow hours later, he was so drunk that he didn't even hear the doorbell. The next DJ had to break in. Led Zeppelin was spinning on the turntable and Carl was asleep in my bed.

I've had some unwanted visitors, too.