Lithium FM is a radio station in Grand Theft Auto 2. It is hosted by Spaz Funbags (voiced by Fred Newman) and plays a seemingly random variety of music styles.
Description[]
Lithium FM is only broadcasted in and throughout the Downtown District and as such, can only be tuned into while in that district. It plays a random array of music, consisting of techno, oldies, dance music, and Christian rock. The mixed-genre nature of the station's track list is likely in reference to the mental instability of the Loonies gang, with whom this station is associated with. It is also the preferred station of the Loonies gang. The station's name is in reference to lithium compounds, which have been used in drugs to treat certain mental illnesses. This is evidenced by the station's reoccurring jingle.
The station's host, Spaz Funbags, seems to be mentally unstable, much like the associated Loonies gang, and often speaks in varying voices, tones and pitches. He can sometimes be heard making eccentric dialogue with himself, which may suggest that he is schizophrenic as well. At other times, he has also been heard to get genuinely irritated. The most notable example of this is his audible frustration when the record with "The Diner" (by Tammy Boness & The Swingin' Mammaries) starts skipping, and subsequently cuts the song short.
The aforementioned mixed-genre nature of station is further reinforced during Spaz Funbags' speech after the conclusion of Future Loop's "Garage Acid", where he briefly plays two songs from Grand Theft Auto: Slumpussy's "This Life", from N-CT FM, and Stikki Fingers' "4 Letter Love", from It's Unleashed FM.
Like many other radio stations in Grand Theft Auto 2, Lithium FM features a news update from Jill Tasker. It details the secretive hospitalisation of the in-universe equivalent of real-world rapper, Robbott De Negro. According to Tasker, "sources close to the star suggested his skin could no longer cope with the thousands of metallic piercings which adorn his body." She then goes on to say that "the enigmatic rapper has long denied any piercing problems." Tasker then suggests that "this development will send worrying signals throughout the entire piercing community." During the news report, Da Shootaz's "Grand Theft Auto", from N-CT FM in Grand Theft Auto, can be heard playing in the background, which could suggest that Robbott De Negro has an in-universe connection with the band, Da Shootaz. This would be further evidenced by his status as an "ex-gangster and award winning rap artist."
After the mission "Radio Za-Za!", given to Claude Speed by Elmo, the Zaibatsu Corporation in the Downtown District are stuck listening to this station, as Futuro FM's local broadcaster is destroyed by Claude upon mission completion.
Tracklist[]
| Song: | Preview: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|
| "Garage Acid" by Future Loop (Paul Scargill) (1999) | Often misidentified as "F.A.G. Filter" by Tsunami (S. Ross) due to an incorrect user-made track-listing of unknown origin. | |
| "The Diner" by Tammy Boness & The Swingin' Mammaries (Craig Conner, Julie Wemyss) (1999) | ||
| "Computer Lust" by Voice Box (Stuart Ross) (1999) | ||
| "God Bless All The Universe" by Rev. Rooney & The Rocksta Choir (Craig Conner) (1999) |
Trivia[]
- The radio in Grand Theft Auto Advance features a shortened version of Voice Box's "Computer Lust".
- In an earlier version of "God Bless All The Universe", it featured a profane speech given by the Jesus Saves' Preacher that was cut sometime before the release of the game.
- During the introduction of Lips 106, in the station's first appearance in Grand Theft Auto III, a brief portion of this song can be heard in the background whilst Andee introduces the station to its listeners.