RADIO BIRDMAN
RESCUE ROOMS, NOTTINGHAM, U.K.
AUGUST 31, 2003When a legendary rock band reforms for a comeback tour a quarter of a century after breaking up, their fans will be desperate to discover how the group's performance compares to when they were at their peak.
In 1978, I was privileged to see Radio Birdman playing at six venues in London. (I even got introduced to the band and hung out with them at their shows and went to a couple of their post-gig parties. No bullshit). Having witnessed the band in action back in those days, I know exactly what they can do...
It's no exaggeration to say that never in my wildest dreams had I imagined that I would ever see them performing again. Then, last Sunday, I found myself at the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham anxiously awaiting their return to the British stage after an absence of 25 years. With my cherished memories of those wild gigs in '78, they had a hell of a lot to live up to.
The band appeared on stage and launched themselves into a blistering version of "Burn My Eye" and the years just melted away. The lads have still got it! Boy, have they still got it. Their high-octane set was incredible from start to finish.
The years haven't slowed them down at all. They played just as well as when I saw them in '78 - maybe even better if that is possible. With the volume cranked high, they blasted out one classic after another including "Smith & Wesson Blues", "Do The Pop", "Murder City Nights", "Crying Sun", "Non Stop Girls" and "What Gives?" They put heart and soul into the show and the place was really jumping. It was an absolute joy to see them back on stage together.
I remember from '78 how much energy the band put into every show and how much pride they took in giving the audience the very best performance possible. Their philosophy has not changed. It was an electrifying show. They were every bit as wild and exciting as they were in their heyday. Fans too young to have seen them first time around were given a real sense of what a 1970s Radio Birdman gig was all about. It was rock heaven.
The mainly young crowd loved every minute and it was obvious that the band did too. The group's performance was even more amazing when you consider that just the night before they had been playing in Spain. Rob told me they had not come off stage until 3.30am, and then they had to travel all the way to Nottingham. They must have felt completely shagged out by the time they got on stage at the Rescue Rooms. But no one watching would have guessed.
When I spoke to Deniz and Ron after the show, both said they thought the band was now playing better than ever. It was obvious that they were both incredibly pleased. Later Rob told me he had been greeted by "a surprising number of enthusiastic people" after the show. He added: "I had a good time, tired though I was."
I was so impressed by their superb performance in Nottingham that I rushed out and booked flights and tickets for both gigs in Germany. But I'll be back in time for their show in London on Saturday.
They say you can have too much of a good thing, but when it comes to Radio Birdman I'm prepared to take a risk... Radio Birdman are back. And they mean business. Look out Europe. Lock up your mothers!!!
- Steve Holland
