The Radiators was an original band, right from our inception in late 1978, but at almost every gig I can remember, we played at least one cover version. This would most likely appear in an encore, but there were times where they sat in the main part of the set. One, the Beatles song Revolution, even made it into the studio, released as a one off single in 1984.
Bands are funny animals, usually maintaining the appearance of a democracy,
but rarely behaving as one
As in most situations, decision making can be loaded with agendas, dominant personalities, loud voices and diverse opinions, but I don’t recall much of this coming out to play in the choice of cover versions that we chose to flesh out our sets with. We chose songs that we all liked and believed could add something to our show. Even when you are playing your hits or favourites that the majority of your audience know, there is still an extra kick when you launch into a well known cover version. Not that we always picked huge, chart topping bangers. In fact, in hindsight, most of our choices had a level of obscurity to them, at least to young, mainstream audiences.
When I joined the recently formed (or rather transitioned) Rads in early 1979, there were already two cover songs in the set which I was required to learn, those being the Easybeats classic Sorry, and Pump It Up by Elvis Costello. The latter was mostly an inclusion in the main set and the former usually placed in an encore. Thankfully, we received genuine encores most nights. Sorry was very much a guitar song, with no keyboard parts on the original recording, so I had to fashion something. My ‘go to’ in this situation was usually to channel my inner Jon Lord, and add a heavy distorted organ part that, in some ways, emulated a second guitar part.
Let’s look at each one (that I can remember) and what they brought to the Rads set at the time:
Sorry – The Easybeats:
Written by Stevie Wright and George Young the song is a hard driving guitar song, particularly given that it was originally released in 1966, when it would have been considered to be quite a ‘heavy’ sound. Our version was fairly faithful to the original, albeit with my added organ parts, as mentioned above. It came and went from our set several times over the years. It was one of the songs we played at my wedding reception in 1986, so it was almost certainly back in the set at that time.
Pump It Up – Elvis Costello:
This song is driven by the pumping bass riff with a simple descending guitar and organ line as its signature. It’s still a dance floor favourite. I know, because I’m currently playing it in my cover band, Vintage Vinyl. It’s also experiencing a new lease of life through its use in TV commercials. It was first released in 1978 on his breakthrough album This Years Model. Our version didn’t stray far from the original.
Once Bitten Twice Shy – Ian Hunter:
Undoubtedly my favourite of all of our cover songs, but then I’m an Ian Hunter tragic. Do you know that this man released his most recent album only last year at the age of ‘86, and I believe he already has another one on the way! This song was a hit off his 1975 self titled album, his first after splitting with his iconic band, Mott The Hoople. The track features the great Mick Ronson on guitar and it sizzles. Once again, our version was fairly faithful to the original. It’s hard to improve on perfection. The story is a classic ‘on the road’ tale, so perfect for us through the early part of the ‘80s, when this song featured in our set, and our touring was relentless. The song really suited Brians voice, in my opinion.
She’s So Fine – The Easybeats:
This 1965 release is more of its era than Sorry, being more of a straight ahead rock and roll song, but our version was faster and more frantic than the original, and worked well as an encore song.
Revolution – The Beatles:
The White Album (1968) features Revolution 1 – a slower, acoustic guitar driven version of the song - as well as Revolution 9 – a series of voices and sound fx on a tape loop. Our take on the song was inspired by their single version, released prior to the album, in August 1968. It is, in essence, a sped up and electrified version of the album version, featuring fuzz guitar and doo wop backing vocals, which contrast the serious tone of the lyrics.
Our interpretation was not as fuzzed out as the Beatles and my piano lines are quite prominent, giving it a slightly lighter, jauntier feel. We released our version in 1984 as an interim single in between the Scream of the Reel and Life’s A Gamble albums and it peaked at #41 nationally. The recording was overseen by legendary producer and EMI label head, Peter Dawkins, but for reasons known only to him, he credited it to the alias Rufus T Firefly. I’m pretty sure it was Mick Buckleys recording debut with the band. Revolution featured in our set throughout 1984 and 1985 and sporadically at other times since. It was also included on the Radiology compilation.
Dancing With Myself – Billy Idol:
This song has come and gone from the Rads set more times than I can count. I believe the band also recorded a version for the 1995 album release Stone. It was originally the opening track on the 4th album from Billy’s band Generation X, mysteriously titled KMD Sweet Revenge. That version didn’t fare well on the charts so Billy re recorded it a year later as a solo artist and, while it wasn’t a major hit, it got enough attention to kick start his career in the USA. The Rads version was, once again, fairly true to the original, and featured as an encore song throughout the mid ‘80’s period.
We’ve Got To Get Out Of This Place – The Animals:
Written by the legendary pairing of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, it was originally a hit for Eric Burdon’s Animals in 1965. Our version was much punchier and rocker than the original. We were playing the song throughout 1985 and 1986 until we suddenly started hearing it on the airwaves again – this time by our contemporaries The Angels. They had recorded it for their 1986 album Howling, beefing up the guitar riff and adding Midnight Oil style horns. We immediately dropped the song from our set, as their version went on to chart.
For each of these, there must have been ten songs that we couldn’t agree on which never made the cut.
That's the beauty of music. Everyone has a favourite, and every list sparks another debate. Perhaps that's a story for another day.
But here's the real question…
Who's brave enough (or silly enough) to cover the rads?
As it turns out, one band was.
In 2018, The Screaming Jets recorded their own version of "Gimme Head" for Gotcha Covered, an album celebrating some of Australia's greatest rock songs. It remains one of the few officially released covers of a Radiators song, paying tribute to a song that has become a permanent fixture in Australia's pub rock classics. There are also a handful of remixes and novelty versions, some of them quite clever, including this one:
Gimme Head - Lady Sings It Better
As for me, I'm still waiting for 17 (I Wish I Was 17 Again) to get the cover treatment. I reckon it's long overdue. Or perhaps someone can turn Dreaming into a major hit so that I can retire from this blog writing caper…….
Update
It’s only been 24 hours since publication but I’ve already been notified of a cover version of our song Roomful of Diamonds, by The Church. We were doing a lot of shows together around the time that song was released, but I was blissfully unaware of their versions existence. They’ve taken it a long way from the original, as I would have expected from them. Slower, moodier, atmospheric, acid rock vibes, but melodically and lyrically true to the original. Thanks to all of those who brought it to my attention.
The Church - Roomful of Diamonds
