Two of it's members were American, and one actually from Detroit; Deniz Tek (guitars), Philip Hoyle (guitar/keyboards), Rob Younger (vocals), Gilbert Warwick (guitar), Ron Keely (drums) and Carl Rourke (bass). Initially a part-time band due to study commitments, this worked in their favour, with infrequent appearances helping to create a mystique around the band in the mid-70's Sydney scene. Their first E.P., 'Burn My Eye', remains a seminal Australian punk record, snotty and loud in the finest tradition of all garage bands worldwide.
Following a trip to the UK in 1978 at the height of the punk scene, an album 'Radios Appear' was released but there was a three year wait for the follow-up 'Living Eyes'. The band had already split before it had time to make an impact, and it was not released outside of Australia.
Radio Birdman have been named as inspirational many times since, not least in their home country, Australia, where they are responsible for a string of successful guitar based bands emerging in their wake, right up to the present day. Singer Rob Younger has been active as producer in Sydney, helping to bring many young Australian underground bands attention they would otherwise have not been granted.
Some members went on to form the Hitmen (also featuring ex-Saint Ivor Hay), and Younger emerged with the New Christs in 1983. Another interesting Birdman offshoot in 1981 saw Tek, Younger and Warwick form New Race with ex-Stooge Ron Asheton and ex-MC5 Dennis Thompson, which spawned a short tour and an album release. Other band members were involved in the Hoodoo Gurus, Lime Spiders and Screaming Tribesmen.
An excellent compilation was released by Sub-Pop in 2001, titled 'The Essential Radio Birdman: 1974-1978'
IF YOU LIKE THESE, YOU'LL LIKE RADIO BIRDMAN: Iggy & the Stooges, MC5, Lime Spiders, Blue Oyster Cult, The Ramones, The Dead Boys, The Saints, The Hives, Rocket from the Crypt, The Datsuns.