The current craze for reunited rock groups is paying dividends all around. For the musicians, it’s a chance to re-create past glories while making a few dollars in the process and being held up as an inspiration for many up-and-coming bands.
Meanwhile, for fans it’s a chance to see and hear a classic song and the artist who created it.
Ironically, many of the bands being feted today were all but ignored during their original heyday. Such is the case with Australia’s Radio Birdman, who will stop into The Casbah on June 21.
One of Australia’s first punk bands, Radio Birdman was formed in 1974 by guitarists Deniz Tek and Rob Younger and augmented by keyboard player Phillip ‘Pip’ Hoyle, drummer Ron Keeley and bassist Carl Rorke. Tek was an expatriate U.S. citizen from Michigan, so it’s no coincidence that the group “” heavily influenced by the MC5 and Stooges “” championed the sound of Detroit rock.
They signed with Sire Records, releasing the lone album of their original run, “Radios Appear,” in 1977; however, the band made little impact at the time.
Though they could draw a crowd in their hometown and went down a storm on their tours, the record failed to chart anywhere. Subsequently, the band lost their record deal, and they split in 1978.
However, as it often happens, Radio Birdman’s reputation continued to grow after their demise.
Championed by indie disk jockeys and the underground press, no less than a dozen albums and bootlegs devoted to the band were released through 1996, when they unexpectedly reunited.
Since that time the group has continued to perform, although with fewer original members, as the years roll on. Tek, Hoyle and Younger are still with the band, along with bassist Jim Dickson and You Am I drummer Russell Hopkinson.
Since the reunion, interest in the band has continued to build with a steady stream of re-issues and live recordings emerging in recent years.
Longtime fans were stunned to hear that Radio Birdman would be recording a new album, “Zeno Beach.”
While most music from reunited groups does little more than tarnish a reputation, this disc is well worth seeking out. Even though it doesn’t quite capture the youthful glories of their first release, the three decades since haven’t dulled their edge in the slightest.
Whether blasting out the distortion-drenched rocker “Locked Up” or a quirky pop number like “Subterfuge,” the band is still drawing from their original influences and turning out great rock ‘n’ roll.
For FM 94.9 DJ Tim Pyles, Radio Birdman’s appeal is obvious.
“The mix of an American from Detroit and some kick-ass Aussies to create what can only be described as a unique sound is awesome,” he commented.
Interestingly, the reunited band has now been together more than twice as long as the original line-up. Pyles admits to being cautiously optimistic when he recently caught a promotional appearance from the band.
“I just saw them, and they weren’t just good, they were great! I wasn’t let down,” he said.
The Casbah promises to be the perfect location for a Radio Birdman show. The club’s small interior and proximity of performer to audience is likely to make for an intense show.
If you’re a fan of music history or just someone who likes their rock ‘n’ roll played fast and hard, this just may be the show of the month.
Radio Birdman performs at The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd. on Thursday, June 21. Tickets are $25. 21 and up.
For more information visit www.casbahmusic.com.