Somehow, I’ve missed out on Radio Birdman all these years — heard the name, didn’t know much beyond that. I picked up on some excitement that these Aussie punks were back together and touring, so this show became a must-see. The Radio Birdman tracks I’ve checked out are solid, tuneful punk, and this reunion gig was a top-notch performance. With his long white hair, unrestrained singing and exuberant moves, vocalist Rob Younger was an arresting presence. I heard some longtime fans of the band saying they weren’t disappointed — and that they could hardly believe their luck in finally seeing Radio Birdman.
This was part of the Electric City Rock Festival, the same “festival” that brought the Dirtbombs to the Double Door last year. Like that gig, this one featured too many opening bands, but it was a decent lineup this time. Lust Killers and Easy Action played fairly typical punk, but had good energy. SSM played a hybrid of punk and keyboard rock. I liked it, but I later heard one guy saying, “How can you have a rock band with a bass?” Well… it’s been done, dude.
SEE MY PHOTOS OF RADIO BIRDMAN, LUST KILLERS, EASY ACTION and SSM.