10 Questions with ... Tim Pyles

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I studied Broadcasting and accomplished two Associates Degrees, one in Film/Video and one in TV/Radio, but did nothing with it for several years until I was a 30 year old intern at 91X (Jacor/Clear Channel) in 1997. After I became an employee (due to radio deregulation Jacor owned 11 stations in the market) as "Tim The Runner" (and had a key card), I made the decision to show up to Loudspeaker every Monday at 12am, it aired from 12-2a, yeah baby prime time! Within a short period of time I was the Host of Loudspeaker, had a new music show and was doing weekends. I hosted Loudspeaker until 2004 when I was let go due to a DUI in a company car. I don't recommend that (but I have to be honest with you, no sugar coating what happened and no it wasn't a vehicle emblazoned with the 91X logo). After that, I spent almost 10 years at cross-town rival FM94/9 (R.I.P. 2002-2017) before returning to 91X in 2014 to host Loudspeaker with two former Hosts, Lou Niles (1991-1996) and Andrew Rowley (2007 - 2011). I thank Mike Halloran/Garett Michaels for hiring me at FM94/9 in 2005 and thank Halloran again for allowing me to return to 91X when he was the Program Director.

1. How did you first become interested in radio?

Listening to Dr. Demento and realizing I had a face for it!

2. Congrats on the 30 Year Anniversary of Loudspeaker in San Diego first launched with Marco Collins on 91X in 1988. When did you take over the show? Give us the 411 on the history of Loudspeaker.

Over the years the show has had several hosts, Marco Collins started it, and Lou Niles took over when Marco left. After Lou left the show it had a couple short term hosts before I came in around 1998. I was partnered with Rob Wise and Jason Riggs, before Al Guerra was placed as my co-host, after he left FM94/9. Somewhere around there I got my DUI and Al Hosted alone for a couple years. After that Andrew Rowley came in as the host and after that Mike Halloran took over the show (his foot in the door for his return to running the show), shortly thereafter becoming the PD. When that happened the door was open for four former hosts to come back and host the show. Since I was going was leaving FM94/9, Halloran had the vision of bringing all the former Hosts together and leave FM94/9 with no one to hire and take over for me. They did find someone, TJ of local band Buckfast Superbee and a rehearsal/studio space owner.

Loudspeaker started as a small feature on a new music show with one local band into a full-fledged show. Over the years Program Directors have put different value on the show and the local music scene, so it has moved from being buried in the middle of the night to a prime time spot like 7-10p on Sunday night, a much more listenable hour.

3. How do you and co-hosts Lou Niles, and Andrew Rowley collaborate on the San Diego local music scene for the longtime running Sunday night specialty show?

It is a team effort. Andrew Rowley has his own video production company, so he shoots music videos for bands on the regular. Andrew Rowley's Trolley Shows sponsored by Karl Strauss, most recently with New Politics. Lou Niles puts on events and is involved in several non-profits. Lou Niles In Your Neighborhood Festival and shows in the North County of San Diego. I go to shows and shows and shows and book shows and shows. We are truly multi-faceted.

4. Explain how you are celebrating three decades with Loudspeaker 30 in 2018.

It's our 30th Birthday! I haven't been a part of the entire time, it has been a group effort Marco Collins, Lou Niles, Corbin Dooley, Rob Wise, Jason Riggs, myself, Al Guerra, Andrew Rowley, Mike Halloran and now the three amigos, Pyles, Niles and Rowley, it's a trifecta! A couple other names have been involved, but for a brief stint.

5. Give us a rundown of some of the top San Diego bands that have broken from Loudspeaker over the years.

In the 90's we were supposed to be the next Seattle and Lou Niles was hosting the show at that time and there was a flurry of signings, Drive Like Jehu, Rocket From The Crypt, Inch, Fluf, Three Mile Pilot, aMiniature and Rust to name a few. You can't forget Jewel, Lou Niles gave her the first spins of her music on the radio when she was living in her van. Later on you get Blink 182, Switchfoot, POD and Jason Mraz, all who went on to commercial success. Pierce The Veil should be mentioned, going to back to their previous bands Early Times and Before Today. And who can forget Louis XIV? I almost did, but should mention I booked their first show at the Casbah in San Diego. OK, one last band Cattle Decapitation oh wait, one more The Locust (they performed "live" on Loudspeaker in the early 2000's) and damn right, Earthless! And, I must acknowledge The Burning Of Rome, you should look them up. Slightly Stoopid should be mentioned too, I suppose. I would be remiss if I left anyone out and I probably did, but also Grand Ole Party, Crocodiles, Wavves, Unwritten Law, Sprung Monkey, Buck O Nine, Agent 51, Tristan Prettyman, Michael Andrews, As I Lay Dying, Deadbolt, The Album Leaf, Some Girls, Crash Worship, Reeve Oliver, No Knife, Kut U Up, Greyboy Allstars, B-Side Players, Delta Spirit and any of Rob Crow's projects from Heavy Vegetable to Pinback.

Lately, we have -- Schizophonics -- probably the most exciting "live" band in the world and they rock! They have opened for Cage The Elephant, toured Spain with El Vez, the Mexican Elvis and recently toured the U.K. with Rocket From The Crypt.

Prayers -- Kings and originators of the Cholo Goth movement creating electronic minimalism dark wave and front man Leafar Seyer just married Kat Von D.

Hot Snakes -- who are back after a long hiatus and hitting harder than ever before, featuring members of Drive Like Jehu, Rocket From The Crypt, Earthless, OFF!, The Obits, The Night Marchers, The Sultans and Tanner, basically San Diego rock royalty.

6. Tell us about your other Sunday night specialty show, FTW.

I host a one hour show and play new music. I also do sessions for the show with new and old bands, recently recording sessions with The Alarm, INVSN, The Regrettes and T.S.O.L to name a few, I call those The Pyles Sessions, in homage to The Peel Sessions.

7. What is your show prep routine each week?

Music is my life, so I listen to a lot of it, obviously local and not local, I live for it! And I live for San Diego, I love this town and I want it to be the best it can, which might mean less white boy Reggae bands, but that's just me.

8. What keeps you driven and motivated to host these two shows each week?

A never ending search for my new favorite band! And giving that band a chance to be heard!

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?

Looking at the concert calendar to see who's coming to town!

10. What may surprise people most about you?

I have a tattoo of my face on my right shoulder...

I hear you have quite a few dogs. Tell us about your doggone life away from the music.

Chloe, Macy, Mojo, Calvin and Maya are my kids, two Pugs, two Dachsunds and a Chihuahua who keep me on my toes. We have our own dog park, it's my backyard and they love it!

What are weekends like for you?

Sundays are typically taken up by show prep, so it's a work day, but for the most part it's all about "live" music and I could be at a show most nights of the week.

What are your hobbies?

Going to shows, playing some Battlefront II on PS4, playing with dogs and enjoying our glorious weather in SoCal.

First record ever purchased?

Free To Be You And Me - Marlo Thomas

First concert?

The Clash and The English Beat in 1981 at Golden Hall in San Diego, CA

Favorite band of all-time?

The Specials - two tone for life!

Anything else you would like to add?

I am a Pastor in the Universal Life Church and Ordained to officiate weddings, funerals and quincieras.