From
the start, The Radiators had an affinity with the fishes. It's no wonder they
dubbed their eclectic sound "Fish Head Music." Even if you're new in town and haven't heard them play, you can
get a sense of who The Radiators are by their chosen genre: a sense of humor. Swimming in creativity. Not scared to get
somewhat strange.
Doing
things their own way has always been part of The Radiators' essence. Influenced
by the eclectic sounds that Louisiana has to offer, the band combines funky
wah-wah swamp rock with popular sounds in R&B and rock, having written and
recorded over 300 songs. With all that music, they zigzagged through ghostland
like dreamers do, rather than releasing everything on albums in a traditional
way.
Their
story is long—it started in '78—so their place in the New Orleans music scene
has been cemented for a while now. That's why you keep hearing about the
Radiators Reunion broadcast happening on Tipitina's TV.
For
their part, Tipitina's has used the pandemic to provide us
with private concerts. We don't mean to sound ungrateful, but broadcasts—even
on the best speakers money can buy—lack the cellular feeling you get from
instruments rattling, earthquaking, and reverberating off Tipitina's walls. The
pause of live music has left a chasm. One silver lining is that the tallest
person in the room won't be standing directly in front of you, eclipsing your
view of the entire stage (still mad about that happening at the Carly Rae Jepson
concert) because you're gonna want a front-row spot for the Radiators Reunion.
Musicians
are also feeling the absence of the crowd when performing for cameras. Live
music is a contact sport. During a recent profile in The Times-Picayune, guitarist/vocalist Dave Malone shared his
insight on the Tipitina's TV taping.
"I
thought it would be weird," he said. "But what happened—and I don't want to
belittle how much better it is to play for fans—was that our communication with
each other was like when we were playing in the early days."
For
longtime fans, reunions are an attempt at a return, a shot at recapturing a
vibration that's been damped by time. Their aims rarely succeed, but from what
we hear, it sounds like The Radiators have done the impossible.
The
three-night event will be streamed straight to you on January 15 - 17. Get a
full weekend pass ($89.99) or an individual night ticket ($34.99) here. You can expect the two full
sets of this reunion to be one for the books.
Malone
also talked with The Times-Picayune
about the impact COVID-19 has had on their lives. "We're being careful. I'm 68
and diabetic, and I'm the youngest Radiator. I am staying away from people," he
said.
Carrying
around that kind of cautiousness is something New Orleanians can easily relate
to. Good thing this three-night event with The Radiators will be a chance to
let loose without taking a big risk.
