The Radiators – ‘From Space Dollar For Your Dreams’
Captured at Dublin’s Hawkins House venue in 1987, this is the landmark reunion concert of the city’s original punk rock troupe, the Radiators From Space.
Led by Philip Chevron—who, after the group’s initial dissolution in 1981, would soon begin to make a name for himself as guitarist with the Pogues—he is joined here by trusty aides Pete Holidai on guitar, Mark Megaray on bass, Jimmy Crashe on drums, and Steve Rapid on vocals. The group can be heard blazing their way through a bunch of energetic and fun-sounding crowd-pleasers, including their original 1977 Chiswick label singles ‘Television Screen’ and ‘Enemies,’ plus the infamous ‘Sunday World’—a major highlight of that year’s debut LP ‘TV Tube Heart.’
Okay, these are served up in a somewhat less frenzied way than the originals, but they’re still great to hear, and the bursting-at-the-seams crowd sounds eager and encouraging. The group also brings some poise and heartfelt poignancy to bear with certain songs like ‘Who Are The Strangers’ and, especially, ‘Under Clery’s Clock,’ the lyrics of which are still relevant today, posing the question: where can same-sex couples meet safely in public spaces?
Purchasers of this now-vintage reunion gathering of the original Radiators lineup can also hear them draw on some of their earlier rock and rhythm ’n’ blues influences, with apt covers of Them’s globally influential B-side wonder ‘Gloria’ as well as the Flamin’ Groovies’ ‘Teenage Head.’ Among the assembled cast of featured special guests are B.P. Fallon and, from the Virgin Prunes, Gavin Friday.
Lenny Helsing
The Radiators From Space – ‘Dollar For Your Dreams’ (Pilgrim Sound CD)
