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IVH: Aloha Steve and Danno [1]
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Date: 2022-11-24
Radio Birdman
Note: this diary was first published in March of 2021. It has been updated in places.
Naming themselves after a misheard lyric in the Stooges ‘1970’; Sydney’s Radio Birdman burst onto the Australian rock scene in the mid '70s.
“Out of my mind on Saturday night, 1970 rolling in sight, radio burnin' up above, beautiful baby feed my love all night…” — the Stooges
I misheard that lyric for at least twenty years myself. Doesn’t matter, “Radio Birdman” is a better band name anyway.
Early word of the craziness of their live shows spread like wildfire and it’s from here that their cult following grew. Playing at ridiculously high volume, their shows at various pubs and clubs across Sydney could be heard from down the street. Publicans would cut their power, and they’d just get extension leads and plug back in. — Cyclic Defrost
Lead guitarist Deniz Tek was the driving force behind Radio Birdman. He has a great story. Left Ann Arbor as a teenager to attend medical school in Australia (he was too young to be accepted here). After returning to the USA during the early 80s, he became a surgeon in the US Air Force. He continues to play music to the present day.
There’s an episode of The Vinyl Guide podcast featuring Deniz Tek. He’s thoughtful, well-spoken and tells good stories. I'd regularly listen to that podcast during my commute in the pre-COVID days. Highly recommended; check out the episode list.
I’m sure you’ve seen videos where live footage is matched up with studio recordings. Those are often a bit “off” if you watch closely. ‘Descent into the Maelstrom’ is exemplary; like a trailer for a great concert movie.
This song goes on your “driving on the highway at night” tape immediately before ‘Radar Love’.
Descent into the Maelstrom [1977]
From the very first moments of the opener, "Aloha Steve & Danno," it's abundantly clear that Radio Birdman were a talented bunch. Guitars duel for supremacy over stabbing organs, elastic basslines and Ayers Rock-solid drumming, as vocalist Rob Younger barks the refrain: "Book 'em, Danno, murder one." The song is so vital and ferocious that it's easy to forget it's written about the characters from "Hawaii Five-O." The lead guitar even plays the Ventures' "Theme to 'Hawaii Five-O.'" And unbelievably, it never sounds like novelty. It's things like their ability to shamelessly reference things (their very name is a phrase nicked from the Stooges' "1970") and get away with it on the strength of their sheer manic energy that made Radio Birdman great. The band's primary songwriter and guitarist, the Detroit-born American expatriate Deniz Tek, deftly brought together myriad influences into a primal stew of great rock n' roll. Naturally, the chaotic Detroit rock of the Stooges and MC5 always loomed large in the mix, but there's as much Yardbirds, Dick Dale, Bobby Fuller, Chuck Berry, Blue Oyster Cult and Link Wray in there as anything else. — Pitchfork
Aloha Steve & Danno [1978]
While it’s not unusual for groups to write self-referential songs (see: the Monkees, the Clash, the Gories) or to write songs about older musicians (Elvis, etc.), it is unusual for a group to write a song referencing one of their peer. Brisbane’s Fun Things paid tribute to Radio Birdman back in 1980 with the Birdman knock-off ‘When the Birdmen Fly’.
Anglo Girl Desire [1977]
*** MONTANA ALERT ***
Dr. Deniz Tek, ER doctor, Billings, MT. (4/5 stars in US News & World Report Doctor Ratings). I believe he retired a couple of years ago.
I-94 [1981]
WHO’S TALKING TO WHO?
Jimmy Kimmel: Kumail Nanjiani, P!nk (R 11/16/22)
Jimmy Fallon: Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Devine, Bruce Springsteen
Seth Meyers: The Meyers family, Bryan Carter
James Corden: Luke Evans, Dr. Phil McGraw, the Interrupters (R 9/6/22)
The Daily Show: Pre-empted
SPOILER WARNING
A late night gathering for non serious palaver that does not speak of that night’s show. Posting a spoiler will get you brollywhacked. You don’t want that to happen to you. It's a fate worse than a fate worse than death.
LAST WEEK'S POLL: DO YOU WEAR SHOES INSIDE YOUR HOME?
Yes 19%
No 15%
Sometimes 44%
I wear slippers or house shoes 22%
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