Radio Birdman: Retaliate First

The iconoclastic Sydney punk band Radio Birdman has a rich and captivating history that spans half a century. Regarded as one of the earliest punk bands of the 1970s, Radio Birdman revolutionized the conservative Australian music industry and left an indelible mark on the global music scene.

Formed in Sydney, Radio Birdman were a stake through the satin and scarfed hearts of the early 1970s music scene. Feared and loathed by many, but adored by fiercely loyal fans, their riotous live performances and unconventional antics have become the stuff of legend. Tales of frontman Rob Younger drinking from a human skull filled with sheep brains, fans unknowingly breaking limbs while dancing wildly at gigs, and battles with venue bouncers using microphone stands have been passed down through generations.

The band's triumphant return to the stage in 1996 at the Big Day Out festival, where they overshadowed the likes of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Rage Against the Machine, and The Prodigy, further cemented their status as an iconic and influential force in the world of music. Despite the band's disastrous UK and European tour in 1978, which led to their initial split, the hunger for a Radio Birdman reunion grew stronger with each passing year.

In 2007, Radio Birdman were inducted into the ARIA Australian Music Hall of Fame, a testament to their enduring legacy and impact on the industry. As the band celebrates their 50th anniversary in 2024, their mysterious logo, once a sign of a secret society around a little-known rock group from Sydney, is now proudly emblazoned on skin all over the planet, as they continue to be worshipped internationally.

The Radio Birdman story is one of inspiration, confrontation, and unwavering commitment, as well as the creation of a subculture that endures to this day. Engleheart's "Radio Birdman: Retaliate First" draws from over 130 interviews with the band members, their closest associates, and devoted fans, finally telling the depth of their captivating story.

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