Although the best-known band of the early Australian punk scene of the late ’70s was the Saints, the first band to wave the punk rock flag in the land down under was Radio Birdman. Formed by Australian ιmigrι Deniz Tek (originally from Ann Arbor, MI) and Aussie surfer-turned-vocalist Rob Younger in 1974, Radio Birdman’s approach to rock & roll was rooted in the high-energy, apocalyptic guitar rant of the Stooges and MC5, sprinkled liberally with a little East Coast underground hard rock courtesy of Blue Φyster Cult. Their first EP, Burn My Eye, released in 1976, was a great record and still remains a seminal chunk of Aussie punk. Loud and snotty, with Younger bellowing his guts out and Tek on a search and destroy mission with his guitar, this was a great debut that set the stage for the impending deluge of Aussie punk bands waiting in the wings. After the release of their debut LP, Radios Appear (the title comes from a lyric in the Blue Φyster Cult song "Dominance and Submission"), in Australia a year later, Radio Birdman seemed poised to break Aussie punk worldwide. And although the American label Sire (then the home of the Ramones) was quick to sign them and distribute Radios Appear internationally in 1978, there was a gap of three years before they released a second album, Living Eyes. During that time, dozens of other Aussie punk bands stole their thunder, and Radio Birdman split up almost immediately after Living Eyes was released. Sire never released the record outside of Australia, and Radio Birdman, who should have been the biggest band in Aussie punk, were now highly regarded punk forefathers. After the band split in 1978, various members were busy forming other bands: Tek formed the New Race with Younger, ex-Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton, and ex-MC5 drummer Dennis Thompson, released a handful of solo singles and EPs, and became a surgeon; Younger started his own band, the New Christs, and produced records by the second generation of Aussie punk bands influenced by Radio Birdman, most notably the Celibate Rifles; other Radio Birdman alumni ended up in assorted Aussie bands such as the Lime Spiders, Hoodoo Gurus, and Screaming Tribesmen. Now the grand old man of Aussie punk, Tek formed a part-time project with Celibate Rifles guitarist Kent Steedman that rocks with the same reckless abandon Radio Birdman did when they were changing the course of Australian rock forever. 2001 saw a renewal of interest in Radio Birdman thanks to an excellent compilation, The Essential Radio Birdman: 1974-1978, released by SubPop in the States.
The name and iconic symbol of Radio Birdman evoke many images for those who know and love Australian rock music. Some memories good, some bad, but never a compromise. A legend it is said. But it’s time now to look forward, not back. The future of Radio Birdman is here ... today.
In 1996 the original line-up reformed for the Big Day Out. Guitarists Deniz Tek and Chris Masuak, and vocalist Rob Younger had all been creatively active in their own bands. They had maintained contact, occasionally working together with one another and keyboard player Pip Hoyle on various projects. They found that a unique chemistry and special presence returned when they played together as Radio Birdman.
Veteran bass player and long-time friend Jim Dickson then joined in 2000. After several local tours, built around appearances at events such as Homebake and The Falls, the group toured Europe, making festival appearances and sell-out club shows. The current line-up was completed last year with the arrival of Russell Hopkinson, well known for his role in You Am I and considered by many to be one of Australia’s best rock drummers.
With a fresh rhythm section opening up new vistas of sonic exploration, the band spent the better part of last year readying an album of new material. Recently recorded in Sydney and produced by Deniz Tek with engineer Greg Wales, the album, Zeno Beach breaks much new ground and will defy expectations.
Radio Birdman are, and always have been, independent of the mainstream music industry. The new recording, as well as their live performance schedule, is totally self-financed and self-directed. They owe nothing to anyone. They see their independence as essential to maintaining complete artistic freedom. What you hear is solely the creative output of the band - not a marketing strategy.
Zeno Beach is slated for release in Australia at the end of June, and will be followed by a world tour starting in Australia at the end of July. After hitting the major centres of their home country, the band will then play over 30 shows in the Americas and Europe to promote local releases of the album. See our dates page for the most up to the moment information.
This year will be an eventful one for Radio Birdman and their many fans. Those who love the real thing are invited to climb aboard. It promises to be an amazing trip. |
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