Sweeney shoots from the hip...

Photo: Paul Sterritt

MOD-ERN classic:Sweeney tries our man Simon Smedley’s scooter for size.

...on Oldham’s music talent, X Factor, Piccadilly Radio and working for the BBC

MUSIC EXTRA: DOBCROSS-based broadcasting legend Mike Sweeney has urged talented local bands to stick to their musical guns if they want to succeed.

Oldham is currently building up an enviable reputation for terrific original tunes from a multitude of artists of varying ages and genres.

BBC Radio Manchester favourite Sweeney (67) has been a big player on the North-West music scene for almost five decades but now the Salford Jets, Thunderbirds, Swinging Blue Jeans and Mindbenders star has seemingly been enlightened following a collaboration with Saddleworth mod hopefuls The Velocetas.

Accomplished guitarist and sinher Sweeney, a famous face around Manchester since his Piccadilly Radio stint in the 80s and 90s, joined the Velocetas on stage at a charity gig in Greenfield, and though they played a short set together, Swenney loved every minute.

Sweeney more than most knows how tough the music business can be and he is keen for Oldham outfits to know they should stay true to their principles to have any chance.

“I know a lot of people say the TV talent shows have got a lot to answer for, because they produce this homogenous conveyor belt of supposed talent.

“Don’t get me wrong, every now and then you do get a talent out of it. But mostly they’re just decent singers who would never normally do much more than earn a living. If you start off thinking ‘I’m going to be famous’, that’s OK - but to think ‘all I want is to be famous’ is much different.”

Sweeney quickly became a fan of the Velocetas: “It surprises me how talented they are at such a young age, which is brilliant, and how influenced they are by music of lots of genres.

“You’ve got to play your music for the love of it, you have to try and build a fan base and if young bands do go down that road, I believe there is aa good a chance as any of success.”

Sweeney recalled the Greenfield gig with a smile. Almost 50 years to the day since his first band played a cover of the Sixties Kingsmen classic “Louie Louie”, the first song he played alongside The Velocetas was... “Louie Louie”.

“It was like stepping back in time,” added Sweeney. “I was only on stage for a quarter of an hour but it was like being 18 or 19 again. I loved it.”

He might be a pensioner now after 35 years of success in the broadcasting world, but Sweeney has no intention of hanging up his microphone — or his guitar.

Settled in Saddleworth after 25 years of living there, he’s content - particularly securing his current morning slot at BBC Radio Manchester two years ago.

The Salford-born favourite said: “I’m just buzzing on life at the moment. I’ve always said that if that feeling ever goes, I will stop. I don’t really want to go anywhere else other than the BBC now.

“The opportunity to go and work at Media City came completely out of the blue. It was the phone call I’d always hoped I was going to get, but just assumed I wasn’t. It wasn’t quite like winning the lottery, but it was just as pleasantly surprising.”