The Radiators (Australian band)

The Radiators are a one of Australia's longest surviving original pub rock bands from Sydney, Australia, formed in 1978. Their best known songs include "Coming Home", "No Tragedy" and "Gimme Head" (covered in 2004 by Melbourne band, Your Wedding Night)

The Original Band Members are; Brian Nichol - Vocals, Fess Parker - Lead Guitar, Geoff Turner - Bass Guitar, Chris Tag - Drums, Brendan Callinan - Keyboards. The structure of The Radiators was formed from the remnants of rock bands "Big Swifty" (Fess and Brian) and "Twister" (Geoff). The Radiators have carved themselves a niche in the annuls of Australian Rock History, headlining, and sharing the stage with other great oz acts such as AC/DC, Midnight Oil, The Angels and INXS. Consistently delivering high quality shows (approaching the 3000 mark), the Rads have played to an estimated two million punters throughout Australia. They have made over 100 original songs, 2 platinum album sales and 2 gold albums.

With the completion of over 12 months touring, and 320 shows, The Radiators signed their first record deal. The deal was with Warner Bros. Their first Album was ' Feel the Heat' released in March 1980 by WEA Records Australia.

With pre sales reaching 6000 the band created history, as this was a first for a debut Australian band.

Continually performing 6 nights a week, 40 to 50 weeks per year, The Radiators grew from strength to strength. Not only were they one of a select few of Australian acts to guarantee full venues, radio airplay was giving them a fine time with hits such as '17', 'Comin Home', and 'Summer Holiday'. With the "Feel the Heat" album gaining platinum status and a Top 10 position, The Radiators recorded the controversial EP "You Have The Right To Remain Silent", notching up a second platinum achievement. This EP of four songs included the anthems 'Fess' Song' and 'Gimme Head'.

Next album off the ranks for The Radiators was "Up for Grabs". The title track and other favourite tunes such as 'Room Full of Diamonds' climbed it to gold in an instant. Drummer Chris Tag left the band prior to the release of the next album.

With the release in 1983 of the album "Scream of the Real", it sent Michael Jackson's "Thriller" off the Australian Number One Album position. The hit single off this album being 'No Tragedy'. This saw The Radiators with three albums and one EP in the Top 100 Australian Album Chart at the one time.

During a 3 month stay in LA in 1984, their fourth album "Lifes a Gamble" was written. Hit singles included, 'A Bit of Pain Never Hurts' and title track 'Lifes a Gamble'.

Although the band was on the up, management problems started to surface and The Radiators found themselves moving from record company to record company with each album recorded. This was a difficult time for the guys.

The bands fifth album, "Nasty Habits in Nice Children" produced only minor hit singles with 'One Touch' and 'Bring on the Crazy'. This misfortune was due to radical image and directional changes was out of context with previous material. With financial and business affairs becoming a burden, The Radiators moved to new management, and for a short time kept a low profile, performing live to raise funds for debts incurred from previous management. This time also bringing about the leaving of members Brendan Callinan (keyboards) and Mick Buckley (drums).

Drummer Mark Lucas joining the band in 1989. They continued to record, tour, and please fans and venues alike with their everlasting vibrance.

Financed by the band early in 1991 the six track EP "Hard Core" was released independently, selling in excess of six thousand copies.

1994 saw the release of their self titled album "The Radiators", opening the international eye to their talent with sales in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, France and Italy.

1995 bought about the release of the "Stone" EP, featuring the track 'Skin Deep'.

Following soon after was "In the Roar", a collection of classic live recordings, plus a few rare studio recordings.

From here on in The Radiators decided it was time to manage their own affairs. Since 1997 the guys from The Radiators have been injecting a bit of yesterday into today, holding the honour of headlining the BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN shows throughout Australia with other favorite original Australian rock backs from 80's including Spy v Spy, Choirboys, Matt Finish, Cockroaches and more.

In 1998 The Radiators set off to London, UK where they performed a number of shows.

The year 2000 saw The Radiators emerge with RADIOLOGY, a compilation of their greatest hits and later, their original album titled SMOKE AND MIRRORS.

The nucleus of the band; Nichol, Parker and Turner still remain and continue to tour the pub circuit throughout Australia.

The Radiators appeared in the Countdown Spectacular 2 concert series in Australia between late-August and early-September 2007. They sang 2 songs including the favourite "Comin' Home".

Discography

*Feel the Heat (1980)
*Up For Grabs (1981)
*You Have The Right To Remain Silent (1982)
*Scream of the Real (1983)
*Life’s A Gamble (1984)
*Nasty Habits In Nice Children (1987)
*Gimme Live (1988)
*Zig-Zaggin' Through Ghostland (1989)
*Hard Core (1991)
*Radiators (1994)
*In Their Element (1995)
*Stone (1995)
*In The Roar (1997)
*Radiology, The Complete Anthology (2000)
*Smoke And Mirrors (2000)
*25th Anniversary CD (2004)

External links

* [http://www.theradiators.com The Radiators home page]