Radio Birdman
9/2/6
Double Door in Chicago
Radio Birdman is a recently re-formed band that not only has two amazing full length albums that were released before their unfortunate breakup but a newly released 2006 album. Radios Appear(1977) and Living Eyes(1981) are both masterpieces in their own right that helped inspire many other bands of the Australian punk underground. However, as I listened to this year’s Zeno Beach Radio Birdman release, I found myself hoping they would play ample tunes off of this one live as well. Zeno Beach as a whole is almost more accessible and polished sounding even as it maintains it’s rough edginess. After a few times through, I found myself craving to here Rob Younger’s vocals on “We’ve Come So Far” (To Be Here Today) or the excellent Tek guitar rift found in “Remorseless.” Oddly enough, on “Die Like April,” the vocals are even a little reminiscent of Ian McCulloch of Echo & the Bunnymen.
I’m making a point of declaring how much I enjoy some of these songs because I want to make it clear that Zeno Beach holds up with their best material off of their two previous full lengths. Radio Birdman did play both older favorites and new songs, though, to put on an intense and engaging show. It’s a really special thing to be able to see Radio Birdman, not just because of their legendary history but also because this is their first ever US tour. I found myself not only loving the songs themselves but watching happily as Younger danced a bit and gazed out amongst us with fiery eyes throughout the duration of their set, at least 75 minutes long. The energy of their playing made them a real tour de force to see live and those who have yet to see them, you are in for a real treat.
If you are unfamiliar with this history of Radio Birdman, read about it here
If you would like to hear songs, Radio Birdman now has a myspace page
Click to see remaining tour dates, setlist, and more pictures
Setlist:
Encore:
Remaining tour dates:
Sep 5 2006 8:00P
Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, OH
Sep 6 2006 8:00P
Black Cat Washington D.C., VA
Sep 8 2006 8:00P
Irving Plaza New York, NY
Sep 9 2006 8:00P
Middle East (downstairs) Cambridge, MA
Sep 10 2006 8:00P
First Unitarian Church Philadelphia, PA
Sep 13 2006 8:00P
Dirty Water Club London
Sep 15 2006 8:00P
Tavastia Helsinki
Sep 16 2006 8:00P
An Club Athens
Sep 17 2006 8:00P
Xylourgeio Thessaloniki
Sep 20 2006 8:00P
Kleine Elserhalle Munich
Sep 21 2006 8:00P
Kalkscheune Berlin
Sep 22 2006 8:00P
Universum Stuttgart
Sep 23 2006 8:00P
Cobra Club Solingen
Sep 24 2006 8:00P
013 Tilburg
Sep 26 2006 8:00P
La Maroquinerie Paris
Sep 27 2006 8:00P
La Maroquinerie Paris
Sep 28 2006 8:00P
La Coop Clermont-Ferrnad
Sep 29 2006 8:00P
Live Music Club Milan
Sep 30 2006 8:00P
Vidia Club Cesena
Oct 3 2006 8:00P
El Sol Madrid
Oct 5 2006 8:00P
Cormoran Valencia
Oct 6 2006 8:00P
Apolo Barcelona
Oct 7 2006 8:00P
Azkena Vitoria