The Radiators
About The Radiators
Australia’s Hardest Working ROCK Band
Few survive the Rock ‘n Roll road to stardom but THE RADIATORS are Rock’s greatest survivors! They are approaching 30 years of outstanding music, exciting and sometimes controversial lyrics, more than 4,000 electrifying live performances and platinum and gold album sales.
THE RADIATORS debuted late 1978. Their first album “Feel the Heat” was released late 1979 and by March 1980 these Aussie Rock Icons had achieved platinum status.
Little did they then know they would go on to forge a unique sound and influence thousands of music lovers throughout Australia.
Since 1978 THE RADIATORS have achieved many “firsts”* First Australian Band to have advance/presales on a debut album (6,000 copies of “Feel the Heat” had been sold before it was released);
* First Australian Band to achieve platinum status and a Top Ten position with their first two albums;
* First Australian Band to play more than 320 gigs in their first year of formation;
* One of very few Rock Bands worldwide to have survived so long with their original frontline intact.
from TheRadiators.com
History
Formed in Western Sydney in 1978, The Radiators were originally lumped in with the New Wave scene in Sydney but in reality were a pub rock band with a sense of humour. In their hey-day they were one of the hardest working bands in Australia, touring constantly and racking up over 2,500 gigs by the early 1990s.
Their first single (on WEA) was Comin’ Home which reached number 33 (and probably earned them their New Wave tag). Fess’ Song (“I take drugs, I like sex, I like looking at dirty pictures, I like lying in bed with Fess”) and the album Feel The Heat followed and The Rads’ supported The Police on their Australian Tour.
Hit And Run was the third single lifted from their debut LP which went on to sell 90,000 copies. In 1981 they changed record labels and released Roomful Of Diamonds. 1982 brought the singles Up For Grabs and Nothing’s Changed. A new contract with EMI produced the album Scream Of The Real and the singles No Tragedy and You.
Another LP followed in 1984 (Life’s A Gamble) along with 3 singles; The Beatles’ Revolution, Life’s A Gamble and A Bit Of Pain Never Hurts. Long-serving drummer Chris Tagg left in June 1984 to be replaced by a string of others. The band with more record labels than hot dinners continued recording well into the 90s but by then their brand of boogie-influenced rock had been superseded by more alternative guitar bands. But, being the pub-rock warhorses that they were, The Radiators would not stop.
The Radiators (still one of the hardest working bands in the land) still play live in Australia today (I saw them in January 2003 actually, and despite the absence of as keyboard player these days, these guys still R.O.C.K). Of special note is the bands most (in)famous song (and solid live favourite), a charming little ditty entitled Give Me Head which is about, well . . . you work it out!
from Nostalgia Central
Videos
Members
- Mick Buckley – Drums
- Brendan Callinan – Keys
- Brad Heaney – Drums
- Mark Lucas – Drums
- Brian Nichol – Vocals
- Steven “Fess” Parker – Guitar
- Marcel Rodeka – Drums
- Chris Tagg – Drums
- Geoff Turner – Bass
- Brenton Dehn – Guitar
For a more comprehensive Member list see The Radiators listing in the Australian Music Database
Recordings
- Feel the Heat – 1980 (platinum)
- Up For Grabs – 1981 (gold)
- You Have The Right To Remain Silent – 1982 (platinum)
- Scream Of The Real – 1983 (gold)
- Life’s A Gamble – 1984
- Nasty Habits In Nice Children – 1987
- Gimme Live – 1988
- 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
Comprehensive Discography for The Radiators here
Other Resources
Known Gigs
| Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 04/08/79 | Sydney | Stagedoor Tavern |
| + Jimmy and the Boys, Midnight Oil, The Lonely Hearts | ||
| 11/08/79 | Circular Quay | Sydney Cove Tavern |
| + Outlaw, The Clones | ||
| 19/10/79 | Sydney | Stagedoor Tavern |
| + Matt Finish, The Lonely Hearts | ||
| 16/12/79 | Granville (NSW) | Granville Showground |
| 21/03/80 | Moore Park, NSW | Hordern Pavilion |
| 08/05/80 | Caringbah | Caringbah Inn |
| + The Lonely Hearts | ||
| 09/05/80 | Fairfield | Fairfield Hotel |
| + The Lonely Hearts | ||
| 05/07/80 | Sydney | Chequers |
| + Dee Minor, The Lonely Hearts | ||
| 31/12/80 | Blacktown | Comb And Cutter Hotel |
| + The Lonely Hearts | ||
| 31/01/81 | Melbourne | Bombay Rock |
| + The Church, The Lonely Hearts | ||
| 14/11/81 | Coogee | Selinas – Coogee Bay Hotel |
| + The Lonely Hearts | ||
| 24/12/81 | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| + Lonely Hearts, Fast Cars | ||
| 12/01/82 | Rydalmere | Family Inn |
| + QV’s, The Lonely Hearts | ||
| 29/01/83 | Somersby | Narara Music Festival 1983 |
| 26/02/83 | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| + Lionheart | ||
| 15/05/83 | Bankstown | Bankstown Paceway |
| + The Angels, The Church, The Expression | ||
| 06/08/83 | Dee Why, NSW | The Venue |
| 21/06/84 | Cabramatta | Sweethearts – Stardust Hotel |
| Opening night. | ||
| 27/11/85 | Sans Souci | St George Sailing Club |
| 05/12/85 | Surfers Paradise | Bombay Rock |
Mark Lucas my drum teacher is AWSOME at the drums i respect him and the Radiators
Radiate on!!
Brian teaches my daughter in the Choir at the local primary school and he’s playing his songs for the school’s ’80’s night
Brian Rocks!!!
my name is morgan and i reckon hit and run is the best song ever made by the radiators its cool
Sure came a long way since “The Undecided” @ Bega High School, 1968 !!! Rock on Brian and Fess….
[…] Radiators […]
I seen them play there first gig together at blacktown civic center,i have since seen them over 300 times ! Even have there name tattooed on my leg.
Glen Morris id love to have a chat to you
Each time the Radiators came to coffs harbour my friends and I would always go and see them. I missed them this time hopefully they will come back agian.
[…] The Radiators […]
Keep the rock comin Brian,Fess,Geoff & Marcus see u at Penshurst rsl u will know who I am.
does anyone remember michael stibbard , he used to be a roady for the radiators
I remember Michael , no idea where he is now? I remember Gary Maddox too !
Rads used to play regulary at The Vicar of Wakefield in Dural late 70’s early 80’s great times.
I LOVE YOU RADIATORS!! COME TO SYDNEY!!!
followed the Rads up and down the east coast in the early 80’s, pity i dont remember much of it but i’ll never forget it…
second album was called up for grabs, single was roomful of diamonds
I just love this band my kids grow up listening to them and was able to sing the songs way before the understood what the words meant.
[…] even started adding whole tours. We’ve also been able to link the database to individual bands and venues to provide even more information. Thanks to all those who have sent over their gig […]
[…] The Radiators […]
Hi does anyone know whatever happened to Chris Tag? I’ve been wondering since 84! Thanks
Hi Mirella, I see Chris Tag from time to time. He’s a friend of mine. I actually arranged the audition for him with the Rads, he was about 15 at the time.
I was friends with the then manager Grant Hayes who was subsequently replaced by Chris Tag’s brother John.
You can catch Chris jamming at the Prospect hotel on some Sunday afternoons and also @ the Royal Oak hotel @ North Parramatta on the corner of Church & Ross Streets on some Wednesday nights.
Hope this helps.
hey ray john busst was asking after yopu the other day i have his number to give you etc if ya wamnt it .how you bween?
Hi Andy, I been well thanks mate. I was doing sound for the Cockroaches till they disbanded. Now I’m full time carer for mum. I am thinking about putting a 3 piece band together just to break the boredom. What you’ve been up to?
Hi Ray, You’re a LEGEND. Thank you so much. =8-)
Hi Mirella, Welcome any time 🙂
i remember going to see the rads at blacktown rsl managed to get backstage met all the guys and scored a signed live in london tshirt from fess thanx mate your a legend
I was fortunate to be at Brian’s birthday gig on Saturday. The boys are stil rock hard, and I am stoked that I was there. Thanks for the memories. Rock on! Suze x x x
I have seen the Rads dozens of times and each show was as good as the last going back to 1978. Keep on doing what you guys do the best and what us guys love.
A mate of mine Greg Clarke, not the sound guy of the same name, used to jam in a band called Big Swifty. Chris Tagg was the Drummer and members came and went, as is the case with rock bands, and i believe Big Swifty became The Radiators. As they were also from Blacktown, we kinda’ looked up to them and we loved to catch them live whenever we could. They were a great live band.
My last name was Viola when I was a teenager,I lived in blacktown on Junee st ,Chris tags dad had the petrol station around the corner, we would rush to come home from school just to here them rehearse in the garage across the road one of there mates once gave me a cassette tape of them rehearsing in that garage but over the years I lost it ,they weren’t yet famous and as I got older they got bigger,I would often go see them as they played around town ,I now live on the Sunshine Coast and in the late nineties I got to see them again at the currumundi hotel ,I went back stage ,they gave me autographed drum stick ,thanks guys when are they coming to Queenland again does anybody know ?
hey mick, my name is Mark and I used to race pigeons with you. I went to North Sydney High in your class. I( now live i n Cairns. W@#hat about you?
Radiators played live at the Adelaide River Music Muster in the Northern Territory on the18th of July 2015.
[…] even started adding whole tours. We’ve also been able to link the database to individual bands and venues to provide even more information. Thanks to all those who have sent over their gig […]
[…] Radiators […]
[…] The Radiators […]
[…] The Radiators […]
Well done to you guys music and gigs is a way of life in Australia you guys have deserved the recognition for what you have achieved followed you guys since i started dj ing in the early 80s and still playing your tunes at my gigs today.
great work.