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than hot dinners continued recording well into the 90s but by then their brand of boogie-influenced rock had been superseded by more alternative guitar bands.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
1979
May
- with Midnight Oil, Gillian Eastoe & King Dog, Rose Tattoo, Swanee, Ward 13, Supernaut, Mental As AnythingBondi Lifesaver, Bondi Junction
- with Supernaut, Mi-SexBondi Lifesaver, Bondi Junction
August
- with The Lonely Hearts, Midnight Oil, Jimmy And The Boys, INXSStagedoor Tavern, Sydney
+ Jimmy and the Boys, Midnight Oil, The Lonely Hearts
- with The Aliens, Mental As Anything, Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons, The Sports, Cold Chisel, The HitmenFairfield Showground, Fairfield
October
November
- with Matt FinishLocal Inn, West Ryde
December
- with Kevin Borich Express, Street AngelBombay Rock, Brunswick
- Sylvania Hotel, Sylvania
- with Icehouse (formerly Flowers), Spy Vs SpyStagedoor Tavern, Sydney
1980
February
- with Dallimore, Rose TattooFamily Inn, Rydalmere
March
- Hordern Pavillion, Moore Park
- with Billy Miller's Great Blokes, SkyhooksMatthew Flinders Hotel, Chadstone
Afternoon show, free admission.
April
May
- with The Lonely HeartsBrighton Hotel, Sydney
June
- The Playroom, Tallebudgera
July
- with The Lonely Hearts, Dee Minor and The Dischords, HandsoffChequers, Sydney
+ Dee Minor, The Lonely Hearts
August
- Macy's - Her Majesty's Hotel, South Yarra
- with Australian Crawl, The NumbersBondi Lifesaver, Bondi Junction
December
1981
January
- with Machinations, Moving Pictures, Matt Finish, Mondo Rock, Midnight OilParramatta Park, Parramatta
April
- with Spy Vs SpySgt Pepper's Rock Café, Kings Cross
- Stardust Hotel aka Sweethearts, Cabramatta
- Northern Suburbs Leagues Club, North Sydney
August
- Sylvania Hotel, Sylvania
November
December
1982
January
June
- Mountain View Hotel, Glen Waverly
- Prospect Hill Hotel, Kew
July
- with Young Home BuyersDorset Gardens Hotel, Croydon
- with Uncanny X MenBombay Rock, Brunswick
- Doncaster Hotel, Doncaster
- Prospect Hill Hotel, Kew
November
- with StrapzGrange Wine Bar, Campbelltown
December
- Family Inn, Rydalmere
- with Boss, The GrowlersMaroubra Seals Club, Maroubra
1983
January
February
May
- with The Angels, The Church, The ExpressionBankstown Paceway, Bankstown
+ The Angels, The Church, The Expression
July
- with Q.E.D.Riverwood Hotel, Riverwood
- with The HoneymoonMaroubra Seals Club, Maroubra
- with QV'sGreenfield Tavern, Greenfield Park
- with Q.E.D.Castle Hill RSL Club, Castle Hill
- with The BeastCronulla Workers Club, Cronulla
- Manly Vale Hotel, Manly Vale
with DD Smash
- with QV'sFamily Inn, Rydalmere
August
- The Venue, Dee Why
- Campbelltown RSL Club, Campbelltown
$6.00 Admission.
- with Q.E.D.Maroubra Seals Club, Maroubra
- with ChoirboysProspect Hill Hotel, Kew
- with Q.E.D.St George Sailing Club, Sans Souci
October
- with The Expression, Avion, The Allniters, The Church, Rose Tattoo, DragonLidcombe Oval, Lidcombe
Eureka Rock
December
- with One WordManly Vale Hotel, Manly Vale
- with One WordCronulla Workers Club, Cronulla
- Maroubra Seals Club, Maroubra
1984
April
- with Australian Crawl, The Allniters, Rose TattooCooroy Mountain Racetrack, Cooroy Mountain
- Central Coast Leagues Club, Gosford
June
- Stardust Hotel aka Sweethearts, Cabramatta
First night of Sweethearts Nightclub.Opening night.
October
- Balmain Leagues Club, Balmain
- with Skyhooks, Weekend Rockstars, No Nonsense, Electric Pandas, Kids In The Kitchen, Uncanny X Men, Richard Clapton Band, Australian CrawlOlympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
3XY Rocktober
1985
October
- with DivinylsSelina's - Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee
- with DivinylsSelina's - Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee
November
- St George Sailing Club, Sans Souci
December
- Bombay Rock, Surfers Paradise
1986
March
- with Jump IncStardust Hotel aka Sweethearts, Cabramatta
July
- with Daytime ActorsStardust Hotel aka Sweethearts, Cabramatta
September
- with The Party Boys, Der Straza, SwaneeStardust Hotel aka Sweethearts, Cabramatta
December
- with The Crocodiles, DivinylsStardust Hotel aka Sweethearts, Cabramatta
1988
January
- with Secret SocietyParramatta Leagues Club, Parramatta
- The Venue, Dee Why
April
- MIttagong RSL Club, Mittagong
- with FoodParramatta Leagues Club, Parramatta
- with Barely ConsciousIngleburn RSL Club, Ingleburn
1989
January
- Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
- with De MontBankstown RSL Club, Bankstown
- Wyong Leagues Club, Wyong
- with The HumdingersHotel Manly, Manly
- Royals Football Club, Canberra
- St Marys Band Club, St Marys
- with SundogsErmington Hotel, Ermington
- with DragonCronulla Sutherland Leagues Club, Cronulla
- Tracks, Epping Hotel, Epping
- with The HumdingersBalina RSL Club, Balina
- Merimbula RSL Club, Merimbula
1990
February
- Ermington Hotel, Ermington
September
- with The Screaming JetsGeneral Bourke, Parramatta
October
- with The Screaming JetsNorth Wollongong Hotel, North Wollongong
- with The Screaming JetsCamden Tavern, Camden
1992
February
- with GANGgajang, Maybe Dolls, Mental As Anything, Midnight Oil, John Farnham, Matt MoffittHordern Pavillion, Moore Park
1995
December
- Metro Theatre, Sydney
1996
April
- Holsworthy Army Base, Holsworthy
1999
June
- with Swanee, Lie Detectors, Mandrake, The Zarsoff Brothers, Outline, Dee Minor and The Dischords, Spy Vs Spy, Matt Finish, ChoirboysBlacktown RSL, Blacktown
The Boys Are Back In Town show.Choirboys + Matt Finish + Spy Vs Spy + Dee Minor & The Dischords + Outline + The Radiators + Swanee + Zarsoff Bros + Mandrake + Lie Detectors
2008
January
- The Saloon, Launceston
2024
January
- Toongabbie Sports Club, Toongabbie
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.