About Us

What's your name?
Patrick J Downes.

What do you do?
 I'm the creator of SooF, radio presenter & producer, head of purchasing for local company plus mild mannered Janitor (could be...)

What do you mean?
Well, it's a veiled reference to the Hanna Barbara cartoon called Hong Kong Phooey - he was fanrific

Hmmm, okay, tell me a bit about what you've achieved on the radio;
Okay, from about 1989 I did some tapes for friends in school, then onto hospital radio in 1991. I managed to blag my way onto Red Dragon in 1995. They needed someone to time the songs for a PRS survey, and a guy I knew from HR suggested me - yes, it's his fault!
From then I did the usual tape op shifts, to tech op to finally one night in 1996 I did my first overnighter. There are no words to describe how it felt to be finally unleashed. From there I went onto Valleys Radio to where I am at the moment.

So what do you do there?
Anything & everything - Presenter, producer of music based programming & show features. In the past I've also been programmer/producer of dance shows, talk shows, consultant to RSL, events organizer for OB with 10,000 people present. Also Head of Purchasing at a local company
 

So you've not done much then...
Hmmmm......

What kind of technology have you worked with, you seem to love gadgets?
Well as soon as I was born I was apparently trying to work the hospital equipment. Since 1982 though I've used every level of computer - Sinclair ZX's, Commodores, and now PC's. Software wise of late I use all the microsoft packages & musically,  Myriad, Soundscape, RCS Selector, Cool Edit Pro, Brian, BCX Playout, EncoDAD system, Minidisk, Diskcart, NAB Cart, Reel, Adobe Audition...

I think geek is the best way to describe you then?
No way!

Okay, what floats your boat
Hardworking people who don't look for credit 

And what makes you annoyed?
Two faced people (the names have been removed to protect the idiotic)

How do you like to chill
Cinema, going out for a laugh, music, web design, cars, music & computers. 

Any favourite telly programmes?
Simpson's - Homer for USA president!

Any favourite films?
Star Wars, Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Austin Powers, Superbad

You mentioned music, favourite artists?
Stereophonics, Michael Buble, Oasis, Dido, Queen, Manics, Robbie Williams, Kaiser Chiefs, Kylie, Feeder, Girls Aloud, Sugababes, Take That

And finally, your take on life, the universe & everything....
Enjoy life, live for the moment, regret little and don't let the buggers get ya down

(No animals were harmed in the course of this interview)