by Neil McGarry

Robert Drake is DJ, producer, and radio host, and has been involved in one way or another in the Philly scene for two decades. Nevertheless, Phillyist managed to get him to talk for a few minutes about what he does.

You're probably most widely recognized from your work at WXPN. When did that start?
I began my stint at WXPN almost 18 years ago, in January of 1988. I volunteered my time to help them start up a new local kids’ program, which became Kids Corner, hosted by Kathy O'Connell, which I now produce.

"Kids' Corner" won a Peabody in 1990. That must have been quite a milestone for you, after only two years with the show.
Actually, Kathy had already won one Peabody for her prior work in kids’ radio, but for me it was amazing. Kathy and I went to the Trump Plaza in NYC for the awards ceremony and here are the 15 recipients at a long table... that year it was Lorne Michaels, Ted Koppel, Peter Jennings, the team of CNN for their crisis in the Gulf coverage, and us. I looked at her and said, "I feel like Andy and Opie in the big city!"

What led you into the radio business in the first place?
My father was an A&R man for some small rock and R&B labels, so when I was growing up music was around me all the time. At the age of like 7 or 8 I used to pretend to be a DJ when I was in my room. I'd be up all night scanning the AM dial to see what faraway stations I could pick up. I fell in love with FM radio and especially this freaky station at the beginning of the dial, which was WXPN. I started listening to their punk show (Yesterday's Now Music Today, hosted by the late, great Lee Paris) and fell in love with the freedom that he had. At the same time, I found their gay program one Sunday afternoon, and it was the first time I heard another gay voice. XPN really shaped my teen years and I started to volunteer at XPN in 1981, helping out with Lee and his new wave/punk program. Then my world shifted a bit and I found myself immersed in the gay culture of Philadelphia in 1982. So radio took a back seat until ‘88.

Was the gay program you heard "Gaydreams"?
Yes. It was hosted by Dan Daniels at the time. It might have still had its original name, “Sunshine Gaydreams”, which was a play off a Grateful Dead song.

This, of course, brings us to "Q’zine", which you host. When did that get started?
In 1994, the host of Gaydreams had announced that he was moving on, so WXPN asked me, as an openly gay staff member in the programming department, if I would be interested in taking the wheel. I agreed and, along with Keith Brandt, we developed a new program for a new generation. A show that wasn't about coming out, but more about being out. That became Q'zine: a queer audio magazine, which has become a queer arts and culture magazine today.

Did you feel that you had to continue the legacy of Gaydreams, or was Q'zine an entirely different direction?
The show was going in a new direction, but the legacy was one that made me quite humble. I knew the power of this gay radio program, since it was not only my first gay voice but continues to be the first gay voice for a new listener each week. Additionally, queer youth still write to tell me that they listen weekly since it’s the one private thing they can do without any trace since they are still closeted and living at home. That’s why one of the main missions of Q'zine is to celebrate our history and teach the listener about our queer past. Too many kids (and adults) don't know names like Harvey Milk etc today. That needs to change.

Since the slew of state constitutions last year banning gay marriage, the atmosphere hasn't exactly been friendly for gay people. How supportive has XPN been in this environment in terms of gay programming?
XPN has been home to gay programming for 31 consecutive years, which is unheard of in radio, even public radio. As a department of the University of Pennsylvania, it also supports domestic partnership and anti-discrimination acts. I think XPN appreciates the community in other ways as well; I mean, just look at our recent All About The Music Festival, where we booked openly queer acts like the Indigo Girls and queer-friendly artists like Patti Smith and new queer acts like Erin McKeown. I think the truth is that with XPN, it really is all about the music and quality programming. The fact that someone is out or in or straight or gay is not really of importance to programming

In all this time in radio, you've probably met some neat people. Can you name-drop a bit?
A few highlights from my years at XPN were sitting in a room for an hour to chat with Quentin Crisp and Harry Hay, two gay icons who have since passed on. Musically, I would have to say spending time with Rufus Wainwright was a blast.

There's a lot of buzz about Sex Dwarf. Can you talk about that?
Sex Dwarf is more than a party; it truly is a labor of love. I spent my youth during Philly's premiere club years in the early 1980s spinning and hanging at the East Side Club, The Kennel Club, Revival, Omni, The Love Club, and on and on. So many of my friends from that era are gone, so to be able to create a night that celebrates the true sound of new wave music and watch a incredible mix of old fans and new faces blend together for a sweaty night on the floor…I know that people like Lee Paris are laughing at the sight of it all. To be able to create a club night on a Tuesday and have a packed house that loves to dance and laugh and get messy in a fun way…the best part is just how queer the night is – at least 70% – and its faces that you rarely see in the so-called “gayborhood” anymore!

This August is Sex Dwarf’s second anniversary, and I understand a special event is planned.
This month we're planning a special blowout to celebrate 2 years and growing. At the moment I am working on specifics, so I can't release details, but you can check out www.djrobertdrake.com for information. In the vein of the new wave labor of love, I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about “Land Of The Lost”, a three-hour block of the rock of the 80s on WXPN. That truly is a full circle for me, since here I am, on the same frequency as I was 25 years ago, playing the same music and hearing from tons of fans from that era. A show doesn't go by that I don't get all choked up off air. It’s a great experience

Do you find that Sex Dwarf attracts people too young to remember the music when it was released?
A good chunk of the audience at Sex Dwarf were not even born when some of the tracks I spin first came out, but the excitement is watching them react to them the same way my friends and I did back in the day. That makes it all the more fun for me and my partner in crime, DJ Pussy Galore.

You've been in on the music scene a long time. Why Philadelphia instead of New York? What keeps you in the City of Brotherly Love?
Sometimes I wonder, but the fact is Philly is a big small town, and getting bigger by the moment. The connections I made 23 years ago as co-founder and general manager of Au Courant Newsmagazine are still valid today. Sure, they might have changed jobs, but they are still out there. It's a great city to nurture a Rolodex! Truth be told, I am in love with Philadelphia. I love the atmosphere, the people, the food…Philly is me, and I am Philly.

Here's one you've probably been asked before. You obviously have a passion for and a deep connection with the city. Ever think of running for office?
When I bolted out of my closet 25 years ago, I left behind a slew of skeletons. They're best left undisturbed!