RADIO BIRDMAN – CD BOX SET (Citadel Records, 2014) english version

Radio Birdman are to be certainly considered the most influential hi-energy-r’n’r australian rock band. Though not reaching Nick Cave’s or ACDC’s popularity, they have always covered primary role in the international scene as a cult punk rock outfit.

Their influence in Italy, started upon the journalistic contribution by Federico Guglielmi, Luca Frazzi and Roberto Calabrò, constantly grew during the years inspiring bands (Loose), collective homages (the tribute album Where the Action Is) and delighting thousands of fans.

Two EPs, three studio albums, two lives and a bunch of singles as a result of a career, started with the 1974 rehearsals and culminated in the first reunion, in 1996 (as a result, their live recordings Ritualism and Live in Texas); again in 2006, the issue of full-lenght recording Zeno Beach and the last rehearsal, under the name of Living Eyes.

Radio Birdman are hitting the scene again these days, with a substantial box set mixed starting from the original recordings by Deniz Tek and Wayne Connolly: seven CDs, a DVD and a booklet filled with pictures and notes from Radio Birdman’s golden age.

The sad news is the lyrics, never published on any album, is still missing.The same goes for the DVD, consisting of only six tracks: Aloha Steve and Danno videoclip plus the same song, New Race and What Gives? from 1977 Live at Paddington Town Hall, easily found on the net. The other tracks (Monday Morning Gunk and Ramblin’ Rose), both from 1976 Live at Macquarie University are to be considered just as historical evidence from the early years, lacking in audio and video quality hard on tape.

CDs instead are a real treasure for both people knowing and appreciating this kick-ass outfit and newcomers.

Radios Appear and Living Eyes come with a bonus CD full of unreleased materials. The remix brought a great improvement in sound quality, emphasizing Rob Younger’s vocals aside Deniz Tek’s and Chris Masuak’s impressive technique. The rythm section appears now clearer, Warwick Gilbert’s and Ron Keeley’s drums more powerful, Pip Hoyle’s keyboards more elegant.

Radios Appear bonus CD contains 1976 EP Burn My Eye with a wonderful acoustic version of Love Kills, bringing out its ballad perspective, plus six other remixes including previously unreleased track Insane Alive.

We have Overseas Version - originally issued under Sire Records and dedicated to Sonic’s Renezvous Band and Trafalgar Records version dedicated to the Stooges, the short version of Birdman’s anthem New Race and 13 Floor Elevator You’re Gonna Miss Me cover in two different versions in the first and second CD.

Another gem is MC5 Shakin’ Street cover Birdman used to often play live, aside of demo versions of Breaks My Heart, Crying Sun and More Fun, the last really different from the original, without chorus and slightly slow. Do the Pop and What Gives? in different arrangements, culminating with the amazing Love Kills, beginning whit Pip Hoyle’s keyboards and played by Tek with the 12-chords acoustic guitar.

This track itself is worth the whole box-set. A wonderful, mesmerizing nocturne emphasizing the lyrics and the ability of an incredibly talented band who could have done so much so good aside from punk.

CDs number six and five refer to Living Eyes, probably Birdman’s swansong, recorded in Wales during 1978 tour and published three years after when the band already split.

Living Eyes comes with a 20-track bonus and a series of previously unreleased tracks, such as Dark Surprise and Death by The Gun in their studio version, plus Alien Skies, an instrumental by Deniz Tek.

The piece de resistance, though, is Live at Paddington Town Hall: recorded on December 12th 1977, this live show includes 17 Radio Birdman classics and two oustanding covers: MC5 Ramblin Rose and Blue Oyster Cult Trasmaniacon MC (both bands and tracks had a hhuge influence on Birdman).

Live at Paddington Town Hall expresses the energy Radio Birdman have always brought on stage and record, generating a worldwide untarnished cult among their fans.

This box set definetly gets the band’s early years in the spotlight and is certainly the best way to get into a fundamental name in rock history. Yet, it is also the proof that punk origins have to be looked upon the remote corners of the world .