Although hardly what might be considered a pop group, there can be no denying that Radiohead is likely the current hottest band on the planet.
Originally known as On a Friday, the quintet eventually settled on a name taken from a song on the Talking Heads’ “True Stories” album. They were initially tagged as part of the early ’90s “Britpop” movement by the media, though with its focus on the music rather than fashion, the band quickly broke away from the pack.
Although the group first came together in their hometown of Oxfordshire, England in 1986, it wasn’t until 1992 that they released their first single, “Creep.” Since covered by the likes of the Pretenders and Pearl Jam, it only made a minor impact on initial release in Britain. Ironically, though the song wasn’t a sizeable hit stateside (only charting at No. 34), it was a San Francisco radio station that started the airplay wave that saw the song reissued in England later that same year. This time it hit No. 7. The band rarely performs the song live, possibly because it’s from the early part of their musical catalog. Just as likely a reason, however, is that it bore enough of a resemblance to The Hollies’ ’70s hit “The Air That I Breathe” to have to give that tune’s composer, Albert Hammond, credit on the songwriting and royalties. Making the whole thing just a little surreal, it’s probable some of that money went to help fund Hammond’s son’s fledgling music career. Just a few years later the junior Hammond would go on to found the Strokes.
Featuring frontman Thom Yorke, guitarist Johnny Greenwood, rhythm guitarist Ed O’Brien, bassist Colin Greenwood and drummer Phil Selway, the band’s first three albums are now considered classics. Truth be told, however, neither 1993’s “Pablo Honey,” 1995’s “The Bends” or 1997’s “OK Computer” troubled the chart’s upper reaches. None of the albums made the top 20, with “The Bends” barely making it to No. 88, though “OK Computer” did score a Grammy for “Best Alternative Album.” It wasn’t until 2000’s “Kid A” that the band’s popularity began to match on both sides of the Atlantic, with all subsequent releases hitting at least No. 3 on the Top 40.
Today the band draws from a core of diehard fans that dote on every note as well as music lovers who like their progressive edge. As the group’s popularity has increased, so has their desire to break new ground. Musically adventurous to a fault, the members of Radiohead take in a kaleidoscope of influences and transform them into a singular, musical vision that can be both intense and moving. Their most recent album, 2003’s “Hail to the Thief,” contained touches of the pop and rock sound that are signatures of their hits and added elements of electronica, noise and jazz for songs that were often somewhere between a film soundtrack and an art project.
Although the band does not currently have a new album, they have hit the summer concert circuit, trying out new material for a proposed CD due in 2007. The road trip brings them to San Diego on June 26-27 for two sold-out concerts at The Embarcadero Marina Park South. Performing up to ten new songs per show, early reports from the tour indicate the band is showing their rock roots this go-round. Amazingly for artists of their stature, they are currently without a record label, though it’s likely there is an intense bidding war for one of the world’s most popular bands.
With Yorke planning his first solo album, “The Eraser,” for later this summer, and Greenway now the BBC’s composer in residence, it’s hard to predict the future of Radiohead, though it’s clear that time will be taken away from band projects in the future. This is a good enough reason to make every effort to see these shows. At a time when most rock music seems disposable, Radiohead continues to issue challenging tunes that captivate the listener. Two decades into their career, it truly seems that they are just hitting their stride.