Radiators ‘Ghostown’ preview (1979)

On June 9th 1979, Philip Chevron visited Dave Fanning at RTE to preview ‘Ghostown’ the second album by The Radiators. Produced by Tony Visconti this album was to prove a leap musically for the Dublin band but the release had been delayed by a year. Now some 40 years later the album has been reissued in a special edition by Ace Records. A special launch event takes place on August 30th at The Underground featuring a Q&A with Pete Holidai and a live performance of a selection of tracks from the album. Thanks to John Byrne for the recording.

The Radiators Plan 9 on The Mystery Train with John Kelly (2004)

The Radiators From Space need no introduction. In 2004 the seminal Irish punk outfit reconvened with 2 new members for an appearance at Oxegen under the name Radiators Plan 9. A day earlier on 9th July 2004 they recorded 3 tracks live in Studio 8 and an interview for John Kelly’s Mystery Train then on RTE Radio 1. This interview and session was later broadcast with an additional track recorded at Oxegen. The Radiators Plan 9 were Philip Chevron (vocals, guitar, bass), Pete Holidai (vocals, guitar), Steve Rapid (vocals, tambourine), Cait O’Riordan (vocals, bass)and Johnny Bonnie (vocals, drums). The 40th anniversary edition of ‘Ghostown’ is due for release in July 2019. Thank you John and Martin Foyle for the cassette. The latest incarnation of the Radiators is The Trouble Pilgrims.

For one night only! The legendary Radiators From Space (13th Sept 1987)

Stumbling over this post by Tomboktu on the Cedar Lounge site prompted us to dig out ‘Dollar For Your Dreams‘ a cassette release of the 1987 reunion of The Radiators on Comet Records. Apparently this show was the first public performance of ‘Under Clery’s Clock’. Thanks to Rob Fortune for the cassette recording, to Joe Mooney for the poster and to Irish Rock for the tape inlay. Check out Bill Graham’s Hot Press review here. Pete Holidai produced many Fanning sessions and is currently working through the Philip Chevron archive with a view to restoring for release (get in touch with Pete  for more details). The Trouble Pilgrims play the Stoneybatter festival at The Glimmerman this Sunday at 7pm (free).

Dollar For Your Dreams (Side One)

The Radiators From Space

“Ireland’s first punk band” accoording to George Byrne, The Radiators From Space released their debut single ‘Television Screen‘ in early 1977 inspiring a host of young Irish bands to follow suit. Formed in 1975, The Radiators were Steve Rapid (vocals), Phil Chevron (guitar & vocals), Pete Holidai (guitar & vocals), Mark Megaray (bass) and Jimmy Crashe (drums). The current lineup is Philip Chevron (vocals & guitar), Pete Holidai (lead guitar & Vocals), Steve Rapid (synth noises & Vocals), Johnny Bonnie (drums and vocals) and Enda Wyatt (bass and vocals).

Dave Fanning recently spoke to Philip Chevron and Steve Averill of The Radiators From Space about the Irish Beat Scene and the bands who inspired them. The band has just released ‘Sound City Beat‘ an 18-track collection where they “reinvent” the music of their Irish rock predecessors Eire Apparent, Bluesville, The Blue Aces, Thin Lizzy, The Movement, Skid Row, Horslips, Taste, Them, Andwella, The Next in Line, The Creatures and Orange Machine. The record has been described as an Irish version of Lenny Kaye’s ‘Nuggets’. Many of these names yours truly first heard on the now defunct Dave Heffernan ‘Guaranteed Irish‘ show on 4FM.

The Radiators From Space play a one off gig at Dublin’s Academy on Saturday 8th September. Guests on the night, in an inspired piece of programming, are an up-and-coming beat combo from Cavan The Strypes.

Philip Chevron and Steve Averill (7th July 2012)

The Radiators / Gavin Friday / Real Wild West (Hot Press 8/10/87)

As pointed out by @cvodb The Radiators set was released in 1988 on World Aids Day as ‘Dollar For Your Dreams’ on Comet Records. More details on the Irish Rock page. Caroline has also posted Gavin Friday’s setlist here.