BBC Oxford's Tim Bearder tells Tim Hughes why he has decided to celebrate his show's anniversary by taking on those giants of local music - Radiohead.

IT’S A brave, some might say foolhardy, mission: taking a classic album by a band consistently named the best in the world, and changing it beyond recognition by reworking every song.

But then few people have got the brass necks of Tim Bearder and Dave Gilyeat – presenters of BBC Radio Oxford’s local music show Oxford Introducing.

Since launching their weekend show exactly five years ago, the pair have been responsible for giving some of the county’s best-loved bands that all-important push.

And to celebrate the anniversary they have taken one of the Oxford music scene’s great icons – Radiohead’s album The Bends – and thrown it open to a new generation of bands.

The result is Round the Bends – an album of reinterpretations by bands as diverse as Stornoway, Little Fish and Alphabet Backwards. It is out today on iTunes, and the boys are holding a party on Saturday at the O2 Academy.

What I want to know, though, is what on earth possessed them to try and take on Thom Yorke’s gang’s finest effort? Surely they know they’re playing with fire?

“We’ve never wanted to touch Radiohead in the past,” admits Tim, “But The Bends celebrates its own 15th anniversary, and is a seminal album which put Oxford on the musical map so we wanted to celebrate that.

“We wanted to get our favourite bands to reinterpret those songs but not cover them. After all, you can’t go up against Radiohead because you’re always going to come off worse. So people either did songs which sound nothing like them, or nothing like Radiohead.”

The result is a stunning piece of work, with Little Fish doing a thrilling take on Just, Stornoway going all Kid A on Planet Telex, and Winchell Riots sounding suitably epic with (Nice Dream).

“It’s been hard work,” says Tim, who not only went to school with co-presenter Dave, but also played in a band (Toshi Station).

“Getting all those musicians together was like herding cats. But it’s been good fun and the results are great. We’ve got some phenomenal songs.”

And his favourites? “Too many”, he says diplomatically. “But I love The Evenings’ take on Street Spirit (Fade Out).

“They’ve taken one of Radiohead’s saddest songs, but by reproducing it in a major key have created a piece of work that is life affirming and joyful.

“Little Fish’s Just is rock-tastic! I can’t think of a better song for them, and it’s nice to hear a female vocal and a solo made up of Nez’s drums.

“I also love Family Machine doing Black Star. They make it even more sad and beautiful than it was already.”

Fans get a chance to hear the songs at tomorrow’s party, starring Little Fish, Winchell Riots, Spring Offensive and Ute.

“We want everyone to come to the party tomorrow. We’re putting it on with Alan Day – who is a great supporter of local music (and whose promotion company TCT Music last week celebrated its own 10th anniversary).

“We’re lucky to have these bands playing, and it’s going to be a great party.”

Round The Bends is out today on iTunes. For every individual track downloaded, 49p goes to Children In Need and for every album purchased £4.90 will go to the charity. The BBC Oxford Introducing party takes place at the O2 Academy on Saturday. Tickets are £6. Doors open at 6.30pm.