Radio Birdman

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Sydney, Australia (1974 – 1978, 1996 – 2008)

Radio Birdman was a band which formed in Sydney, Australia in 1974. The band’s best known lineup consisted of Deniz Tek (vocals, guitar), Rob Younger (vocals, guitar), Chris Masuak (guitar), Philip “Pip” Hoyle (keyboards), Warwick Gilbert (bass) and Ron Keeley (drums)

Radio Birdman formed in 1974 and began recording in 1976 when the single Burn My Eye was released. They took their name from a misheard lyric in The Stooges song, 1970. (The actual line is “Radio burnin’”) Their first LP, “Radios Appear” showed diverse influences, including Blue Öyster Cult and Detroit bands of the late 1960s, such as The MC5 and The Stooges. The album was totally ignored by commercial radio but was championed by Sydney station 2JJ (Double Jay) and became sufficiently successful in Australia to lead to a contract with Sire Records (US label, home of The Ramones), who released a different version of Radios Appear internationally. It took three years to record a follow-up, Living Eyes, and by then, the Australian punk scene had diversified and the band broke up before the LP was released in 1978.

The band’s lyrics reference US-born guitarist/main songwriter Deniz Tek’s home state of Michigan, with lyrics from tracks such as “Murder City Nights” referring to Woodward Avenue in Detroit:

“Cruising down Woodward gotta find me some action/Looking for a lover with a power reaction.”

Many of their other songs, such as “Hand Of Law” & “Descent Into The Maelstrom” deal in apocalyptic images of war and violence, but these are more than balanced by the lighter pop culture references of tunes such as “Aloha Steve & Danno”, an ode to the TV show Hawaii 5-0.

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  • OneSalient

    New Group - I Buy Music Directly From The Artist

    11 Sep 2012 Reply
  • WarriorJones

    After over half a decade of love for punk, I finally got around to RB. This stuff is gorgeous, man.

    31 Jul 2012 Reply
  • Flavio_S

    Radios Appear ! great album.

    16 Feb 2012 Reply
  • SonicCynic

    yup, when i listen to RB all else seems so pedestrian in comparison...

    24 Jan 2012 Reply
  • nagerpop

    Ahh if only if Australian bands took a page outta these guys book we'd have better artists coming through. Radios Appear is fiercely good. +1

    16 Jan 2012 Reply
  • RobertoStooges

    this is my group on fb .. SPQR PUNKROCKERS 60s - 70s (lysergic beyond all limits) Group mainly dedicated to music and art punkrockers the early 60's until the early80's but not completely binding. They range from Blues, R & B, Beat, Soul, Rock n'Roll, Garage 60, psychedelia and clearly pre-punk 60's and 70's ....  a group of friends found on fb mainly dedicated to music and psychedelic punk rockof the 60s and 70s, lovers of art, film. literature, poetry, painting, sculpture, scienceand history ... you can post and comment on anything, the spirit of the group is the total FREEDOM OF THOUGHT ... particular attention to the band and play for usunknown and emerging artists in any artistic field ... have fun and raise your brotherson your stereo speakers ......

    13 Jan 2012 Reply
  • crownanchor

    Zeno Beach is kick ass

    29 Dec 2011 Reply
  • 2cabs2toucan

    Don't mean to be rude but the problem seems to be with your Google skills. Just looking now I can find lyrics for everything on Radios Appear and their EPs. With a bit of effort by I reckon I could even find some for Zeno Beach.

    21 Feb 2011 Reply
  • narsimelus

    Is there anyone who would tell me why i cannot find the lyrics of this band on internet for at least 3 years? Album is nice, songs are good... They are not underground at all, so what is the problem? In 2007 they were not easy to reach but now it is 2011 and i can finf their songs everywhere but... where are the lyrics! :)

    10 Feb 2011 Reply
  • Pete-Vyler

    I invite you to discover our 2 LP on Last FM : This is disaster & Double spiral snake. Good musical day to you and think It's only Rock'n'Roll! We wait 4 your comment' & your tag eventually Pete Vyler

    29 Nov 2010 Reply
  • nickwafer

    Fans of the LA punk band X, please join my group! http://www.last.fm/group/X+Los+Angeles

    16 Oct 2010 Reply
  • Pryde

    Second season has started in the Australian and N.Z. Rock Artists League. So come and vote for your favorite bands!!!

    19 May 2010 Reply
  • mynameisjoehann

    radios appear is a fucking sick album

    28 Mar 2010 Reply
  • 2cabs2toucan

    I reckon the "Zeno Beach" album should be getting for of a listen - very enjoyable.

    30 Dec 2009 Reply
  • derpsichord

    Fuck yea

    11 Sep 2009 Reply
  • hrrrpnx

    download Radio Birdman - Radios Appear (1977) http://depositfiles.com/files/eieqzs84p

    9 Sep 2009 Reply
  • vandaleyes

    Pure rock & roll, baby! Love it!

    30 Jul 2009 Reply
  • mrLjung

    Real rocknroll, in its most pure essence, these guys should rule the world.

    22 Jul 2009 Reply
  • Gohel

    Criminally underrated.

    16 Jul 2009 Reply
  • scotthome

    New Race is playing in an Indy Car promo on the Vs Network in the US... The RB didn't have a car race in mind with they wrote the song...but its cool it hear it anywhere.

    14 Jul 2009 Reply
  • All 51 shouts