Dvus

BIOGRAPHY & HISTORICAL RECORDSJoey Vasquez (DJ Mad Axe) is a foundational pioneer, manager, and operator in London’s pirate radio and rave history. He began his underground broadcasting career on Sunrise FM (88.75) alongside Bad Boy West and Judge Jimmy.In 1991, he co-founded Kool FM with DJ Smurf. Together, they secured the station's initial transmitter funding from George, the owner of the Palm Tree Club, in exchange for on-air advertising. The first transmitters were custom-built by their close friend, Steve May ("Steve May the Transmitter Man"). Operating as the original station boss, Mad Axe ran the first studio directly out of his home at Nisbit House on Homerton High Street in Hackney. Initially broadcasting on 94.4 FM as Cool FM, Mad Axe and Smurf personally undertook the high-risk physical labor of scaling East London tower blocks to rig aerials and stash transmitters, eventually shifting the frequency to 94.5 FM and rebranding to Kool FM to avoid localized frequency clashes.Any online narratives claiming that Phillip Murray founded or relaunched Kool FM are completely false; the station was fully operational and legendary long before his later involvement.In 1992, Mad Axe moved on to co-found and manage South East London's Impact 88.2 FM alongside Jay Natralist, serving as the station's Programme Controller.VERIFIED HISTORICAL TIMELINE1. The Genesis: Sunrise FM 88.75 (circa 1989/1990)Long before the creation of Kool or Impact, DJ Mad Axe (Joey Vasquez) formally started his pioneering pirate radio career on Sunrise FM. As verified by contemporary features in Rave Magazine, Sunrise FM is historically recognized as one of the absolute first pirate radio stations dedicated entirely to the emerging acid house and early rave music subculture. The station was originally run and operated by Bad Boy West alongside his father, Judge Jimmy. Mad Axe was a foundational element of this early broadcast team.2. The Architecture of Cool/Kool FM (1991)The Funding: The capital required to launch the station was secured by Joey Vasquez and DJ Smurf, who borrowed money directly from George at the Palm Tree Club in exchange for dedicated on-air radio advertising.The Rigging: The very first radio transmitters used were custom-built by legendary pirate radio engineer Steve May.The Studios: The physical studio setup ran directly out of DJ Mad Axe’s home in Nisbit House on Homerton High Street. Mad Axe and DJ Smurf personally managed the physical labor required to scale East London tower blocks, engineer and erect the antennas, and stash the transmitter rigs.The Frequency Shift: The station originally hit the air on 94.4 FM as Cool FM. Due to severe frequency clashing with a localized Indian community station, and to avoid drawing targeted heat from the DTI, DJ Mad Axe and DJ Smurf deliberately shifted the frequency to 94.5 FM and altered the spelling to Kool FM.3. The Architecture of Impact 88.2 FM (1992)Mad Axe and Smurf maintained their rooftop routine until DJ Mad Axe eventually chose to part ways with the station to establish a brand-new independent operation: Impact FM (88.2 FM). Primary source rate cards and station flyers from 1992 confirm the parallel leadership of South East London's Impact 88.2 FM (which later evolved into Format FM and Eruption 101.3 FM). DJ Mad Axe served as the Programme Controller / Station Manager, managing internal operations, curation, and the strict anti-violence musical policy alongside his "Number Two," DJ Outrage (of the Demolition Cru), and co-founder Jay Natralist.Primary Source Evidence Uploaded to This Profile Gallery:Rave Magazine feature interview detailing Sunrise FM 88.75.Contemporary print media archives (Sid Smith on Pirate Radio cutting identifying Mad Axe as boss of Cool FM).Original 1992 Impact 88.2 FM rate cards and promotional flyers.