The Radiators from Space

The Radiators from Space, also known as The Radiators, The Radiators Plan 9, and The Trouble Pilgrims, are an Irish punk rock band. They have been described as Ireland's first punk band.^[1]

History

The band formed in 1976 in Dublin, and consisted of Philip Chevron, Pete Holidai, Steve Rapid (Steve Averill), Jimmy Crashe and Mark Megaray. They were one of the earliest punk rock bands. They signed to Chiswick Records and released the album TV Tube Heart in 1977. Their first single "Television Screen" was the first and only punk record to make the Irish top 20, and featured on the Long Shots, Dead Certs And Odds On Favourites (Chiswick Chartbusters Volume Two) sampler Compilation album (1978: Chiswick). The band toured Ireland and the UK, including stint opening for Thin Lizzy on the UK leg of their 1977 Bad Reputation tour, and a headlining UK tour of their own in 1978. Shortening their name to The Radiators, the band released their second album,Ghostown, in 1979. Produced by Tony Visconti, Ghostown received critical acclaim, but failed to sell well. After a move to London, the band disbanded in 1981.

After some solo recording, Philip Chevron went on to join The Pogues. Steve Averill became a successful designer in the 1980s, known for his work for the band U2. In 1987 The Radiators reformed for one gig, an AIDS benefit in Dublin. The Chevron-penned song Under Clery's Clock, a love song and a protest against homophobia, is premiered at the show and released as a single the following year.

The band reunited in December 2003, using the name "The Radiators Plan 9". Original members Chevron, Holidai, and Rapid were joined by former Pogue Cait O'Riordan on bass and vocals, and Johnny Bonnie on drums. The band played three shows, including a Joe Strummer tribute and an appearance at the Oxegen Festival, as well as making several live radio appearances. Some of these performances were compiled onto the Television Screen 2004 EP, released on the 625 record label. The Summer Season EP, which included two new songs, was released in 2005. O'Riordan departed the band, replaced by new bass player Jesse Booth in February 2006. Reverting to the name The Radiators From Space, the band released their third studio album Trouble Pilgrim in October 2006. On 21 December 2006, they played at 'The Point', Dublin, as a special guest of The Pogues. The band's fourth album, Sound City Beat, a collection of cover versions of songs by older Irish bands, was released in 2012.

Members of the band began performing as "The Trouble Pilgrims" after member Philip Chevron became ill with throat cancer and was unable to participate in live work. The band played, including with guest vocalist Gavin Friday and guitarist Brush Shiels, at a tribute concert for Chevron on August 24, 2013 at the Olympia Theatre (Dublin). Philip Chevron died October 8, 2013.

The song "Television Screen", as covered by Centipede on the Roof, became title theme to the comedy TV series The Blizzard of Odd (2001–05). The Radiators' songs have been recorded by Christy Moore ("Faithful Departed") and Mary Coughlan ("Kitty Rickets"), among others.

Discography

Studio albums

• TV Tube Heart (The Radiators from Space, Chiswick, October 7, 1977)
• Ghostown (The Radiators, Chiswick, August 10, 1979)
• Trouble Pilgrim (The Radiators from Space, 2006)
• Sound City Beat (The Radiators from Space, 2012)

Other albums

• Dollar for Your Dreams: The Radiators Live! (Aid to Fight Aids Benefit, Dublin, September 13, 1987, released 1988)
• Alive-Alive-O! Live in London (1996, Live in London 1978, plus rare studio tracks)

EPs

• Television Screen 2004 (The Radiators Plan 9, October 27, 2004)
• The Summer Season (The Radiators Plan 9, June 6, 2005)

Singles

• "Television Screen" (1977)
• "Enemies" (b/w "Psychotic Reaction", 1977)
• "Sunday World" (1977)
• "Million Dollar Hero" (1978)
• "Walking Home Alone Again" (1978)
• "Let's Talk About the Weather" (1979)
• "Kitty Ricketts" (1979)
• "Stranger Than Fiction" (1980)
• "The Dancing Years" (1980)
• "Song Of The Faithful Departed" (1981)
• "Under Clery's Clock" (1989)
• "Animal Gang Blues" (b/w Who Do You Love?) (The Trouble Pilgrims, May 9, 2014)
• "Instant Polaroid" (The Trouble Pilgrims, November 6, 2015)

References

External links

• Official website
• http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/radiatorsfromspace.htm
• http://irishrock.org/irodb/bands/radiators.html Irish Rock history article
• http://www.pogues.com/PastPogues/PChevron/Rads.html Pogues website article
• Deming, Mark. The Radiators biography at AllMusic