OFF: Radio Birdman - THE GIG

[Peter Sondergeld]

Here is Tony's review of the RB show last Friday night. I asked if he, a
former BOC-Ler, could write one for the list.
Pete.


>Hi all,
>Those MC5 and Radio Birdman fans of old, not to mention the new and the
>curious, had 'em selves a ball last Friday night at the Roxy.  It was a
>night for the air-punchers, the crowd surfers, the groovers, and hey, the
>people who just wanted to look on in awe.  It was a hot sweaty night ripped
>apart by high volume sonic sounds designed to make you move.  And move the
>punters did - those on the dance floor certainly had no choice.
>
>A local band opened the proceedings (sorry, I missed their name).
>Everything in context, they were fast, loud, and energetic.  I think they
>suffered here and there from a few techno probs.  They set the scene,
>however, and their set was tight and enthusiastically played.
>
>Wayne Kramer of MC5 fame blew us away.  His choice of music for the evening
>was taken from his most recent effort, 'Epitaph'.  Laced with the 'we're not
>gonna take it' street politics for which the MC5 gained their notoriety in
>the late 60s, Kramer's stance is as relevant now as it ever was.  He
>badgered, he cajoled, he made you take notice.  A rock steady bass and drums
>section supported Kramer who displayed some of the best electric guitar
>virtuosity I've seen in years.  He was all over the neck wringing some
>impossible sounds out of his trusty Fender.  The guys were having a good
>time, too.  They finished strongly, finally deferring to the crowds' wishes,
>by storming through 'Kick out the Jams'.  Ah, love that screeching feedback.
>The guys got the response they deserved, it was a helluva set.
>
>The rumbling bass intro to 'Hand of Law' signalled the return of Radio
>Birdman to the stage.  With all members intact, it was the awesome return of
>a group of musos long regarded by many as the best of Oz rock bands.  Ever.
>Some 15 years after their split there were some obvious physical changes to
>mark the passage of time.  No changes otherwise, however.  Rob Younger was
>in fine(?) voice and the guitars of Chris Masuak and Deniz Tek were killers
>on the loose.  Warwick Gilbert plays bass like a bass should sound - deep
>and booming, none of that percussive slap and pluck shit.  Pip Hoyle on
>keyboards and Ron Keeley on drums were the rock solid backbone of it all.
>
>The set took in most of what they ever put out on vinyl.  A few songs from
>the first album were missing, however.  I'm pretty sure that 'Anglo Girl
>Desire', 'Do the Pop' and 'Monday Morning Gunk' were absent.  Not to worry,
>there was plenty left.  They even did a cover of the old Master's
>Apprentices number, 'Undecided'.  It could just as easily have been one of
>their own.  The set was played hard and loud, real loud.  If anything, they
>may have been a little under rehearsed on some songs, but it didn't matter.
>The energy was incredible.  There's still tension there alright and one
>hopes that anything they do now will be channelled for our musical benefit.
>
>I'd waited a long time for this, never believing that it might eventuate.
>It did and I can't wait to see 'em again.  Yeah, hup!
>
>Tony


**************************
Peter Sondergeld
p.sondergeld at qut.edu.au