Rock On Vinyl

 (Australian 1978 - Present)

The Radiators (aka The Rads) were formed in Western Sydney in September 1978 as a pub rock band with Brendan Callinan on keyboards and vocals, Brian Nichol on lead vocals and guitar, Stephen "Fess" Parker on lead guitar, Chris Tagg on drums and Geoff Turner on bass guitar. Nichol and Parker grew up in Bega where they attended the local high school. They formed a local group, Undecided, and in 1969 they relocated to Sydney. Callinan, Nichol, Parker and Tagg were all ex-members of hard rockers, Big Swifty which had formed in 1975. Turner had been in Twister which had issued two singles in 1977 prior to disbanding. The Radiators signed with WEA Records and issued their debut single, "Comin' Home" in September 1979. It peaked at #33 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart. A second single, "Gimme Head", appeared in February 1980. In March 1980 the group released their first album, 'Feel the Heat', which was produced by Charles Fisher (Radio Birdman, Ol' 55). They supported the Australian leg of a tour by United Kingdom rock group, The Police.

80's Band

In 1981, Powderworks Records released "Up for Grabs" in October, which reached the top 40. They followed with "Nothing's Changed" in December. The Radiators signed with EMI Records and, in May 1983, issued the album, 'Scream of the Real', which peaked at #15 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart. That month its lead single, "No Tragedy" reached the top 30. In 1984 they released 'Life's a Gamble', which became their third platinum album. In June Tagg was replaced on drums by Mick Buckley.

In late 1986, they signed with Mercury Records and released 'Nasty Habits in Nice Children' in March 1987, which was produced by Peter Blyton (Chain). That June, Buckley was replaced on drums by Brad Heaney. Heaney was replaced in turn by Mark Lucas and then in 1988 Callinan left without being replaced. In January 1989 Heaney was a founding member of hard rock group, The Screaming Jets.

The Rads maintained their popularity through the 90s and beyond. With many acts falling off the edge of the road in the ever changing music culture of today, these guys have come through relatively unscathed. They continued to record, tour, and please fans and venues alike with their everlasting vibrance.

The Radiators in the 90's

Financed by the band early in 1991 the six track E.P 'Hard Core' was released independently, selling in excess of six thousand copies. Also released in 1991 was their self titled album 'The Radiators', opening the international eye to their talent with sales in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, France and Italy.

The Radiators have carved a niche in the annals of Australian rock history. They have shared the stage with all the great Aussie acts such as AC/DC, Rose Tattoo and INXS with more than 4000 shows to their credit.

Brian & Fess in the 90's (Check out the mullets !)

They have played the music to an estimated three million people in Australia, recorded more than 100 original songs with two albums awarded platinum status, two achieving gold and a host of other top-selling records topping one million units.

From humble beginnings, through years of success and hard times, through to the new millennium, The Radiators are living proof that pure, original music never dies, it just gets stronger.

The Radiators in the 00's

This post consists of FLACs ripped from a Cassette EP release (thanks to Bondie at Ausrock) and includes artwork for both Cassette and CD. To my knowledge, this EP was not released in vinyl.

This EP is a rarity folks, with copies selling on eBay for $100+

Track List:

01 Turn Of The Century

02 Hard Core Love

03 Skin Thing

04 Who's Bad

05 Love machine

06 Hate

The RADS were:

Brian Nichol - Vocals

Fess Parker - Guitars

Geoff Turner - Bass

Mark Lucas - Drums

Radiators Link (142Mb)