FIRST TIME HEARING Porcupine Tree- "Radioactive Toy" (Reaction)

[@retroreactions....]

A hypnotic journey through the apocalypse! Great introduction to this band....Thanks so much for watching!! 🥰

[@stevecowder4774]

Love this song and all of their early material. Hardly anyone here in the states knew who these guys were back in '91, including myself. But this song is one of many that woke me up to PT in 2001 when I first got into their music. They're the coolest, most sophisticated atmospheric band from the last 3 decades. Can't say enough about them.

[@retroreactions....]

I'd never even heard the name here in the US until a few months ago, and I've been a huge music fan since around '84! Thanks for watching Steve...excited to discover more 90's PT!

[@MarkJones-mm3br]

The first release of this track many moons ago was just Steven Wilson playing everything including drums on a drum machine (Porcupine Tree was initially a semi-parodic solo side project - his main band being the non-successful No Man) but the version you are listening to was rerecorded with the later band members replacing drum machine and bass. Steven Wilson is still playing guitar and keys in this version as well as mixing / producing.

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks so much for watching! 😊

[@reneelyons6836]

Amazing band. Anesthetize live in Tiberg is one of the best live performances EVER!! Seriously, it is that good.♥🎶🎶

[@retroreactions....]

Well that's good to know! Happy Saturday 🤗

[@reneelyons6836]

Yes!!!!!! Happy Saturday to you as well. Once you see and hear that live version, you will know. Another greatest of all time live, is Deep Purple, "Child of Time". Mind Blowing!!🤯

[@ScottyKirk1]

I will second that. One of the best live performances ever. Introduced me to PT and never looked back. "Lazarus" is another great song with a very similar vibe. For the long play superbowl for PT checkout "The Sky Moves Sideways". And on the prog metal side, the untouchable "Anesthetize".

[@retroreactions....]

Are either 90s by chance?

[@ScottyKirk1]

@@retroreactions.... Sky Moves Sideways is from 1995. Alot of people compare it to WYWH from Floyd bcuz it has two halves of the title track that bookend the album. 90s PT is a bit more synth based as opposed to the early 2000s that's more prog metal at times. But don't forget all the great stuff Steven Wilson has done on his own. I will tell you that "The Raven Who Refused to Sing" is on my top 5 prog albums of all time, easily. Such a beautiful (but quite somber) album. Top notch music.

[@sealrickinn]

Really enjoy watching your reactions. Last night watched you listen to Suppers Ready. I dig that you really get it. Love Porcupine Tree...listen to the Anesthetize live in Tilburg video. You'll love it.

[@retroreactions....]

Hi Rick! Thanks for watching early and for the 1st comment!! Cool, I will add that to the list...great band

[@nolop408]

Steven Wilson is the main compositor of Porcupine Tree, there are few exceptions in which the other band members collaborated but mostly, every song has Steven's signature, you shall check his solo albums, they are quite something, I'm looking forward for you to reach The Raven That Refused to Sing and Other Stories, specifically a song called, The Watchmaker. Great vid btw, it's nice when someone appreciate this music, you've earned one more subscriber 👌🏻

[@retroreactions....]

Thank you so much for your sub and for the info/comments/compliment Alonso...really appreciate that!

[@ememnicholas565]

Oh, you are in for a treat if you fall into this rabbit hole. You will never go wrong with Porcupine Tree or with Steven Wilson's solo work. You are doing all my favorites. (PT, Genesis, Supertramp, APP, PF) Subbed happily!

[@retroreactions....]

That's great to hear...thank you so much for your subscription!!! 💙

[@lkeslinke]

The Best Live and Long Version of the song 'Radioactive Toy' is Posted Here on KZbin Recorded Live in Frankfurt, Germany by Frontman of PT "Steven Wilson" Who Wrote This Song! It's Fantastic to!

[@retroreactions....]

Will watch now thanks Larry!

[@lkeslinke]

@@retroreactions.... Your Welcome!

[@larrycable1827]

Arriving somewhere, but not here live. From the Redwing album. All tracks are 🔥🔥🔥

[@stephendenning5943]

Great live band! Looking forward to more from this rabbit hole that you may go down!

[@retroreactions....]

More for sure! Thanks Stephen..

[@drmagic60]

Thanks so much Brandon!! Now you can see why Porcupine Tree is one of my favorite bands. Great reaction to this epic song. Steven Wilson played all instruments and vocals until he did recruit musicians in late 1993. Richard Barbieri is the keyboard player since 1993 and besides Steven is the longest tenured member. Currently Gavin Harrison is the drummer and there are touring members for bass and additional guitar. The concert I attended of theirs was in 2010 and they recorded that night and in 2012 released “Octane Twisted”, a great double live album. You Tube has the live version of “Time Flies” (one of my favorites) from this album, and it’s phenomenal! If you liked Radioactive Toy, you’ll definitely love this.

[@retroreactions....]

Hi! You're welcome my friend... Glad you enjoyed, I sure did! You bet I will watch Time Flies and this one live from that tour if they played it. Did they get more heavy metal as the years went on, or were keys/synths still a big part?

[@drmagic60]

Unfortunately they didn’t do Radioactive Toy when I saw them 😢. As far as their sound, they are still very keyboard/synth heavy and I really wouldn’t call them heavy metal. Just for fun on the side you should give “Linton Samuel Dawson” or “Jupiter Island” a listen. They’re both on that very same album, but sound nothing like Radioactive Toy. Their latest album “Closure/Continuation” from 2022 has a great synth laden song called “Walk The Plank” I know you would like. Unfortunately Steven Wilson didn’t release his first solo album until 2005. The album “To The Bone” has one of my favorites of Stevens’ called “Pariah” it also features Ninet Tayeb on vocals. I find it a very “haunting “ song. Another you’d probably love as well. I think you and I do have fairly similar tastes in our music.

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

@@drmagic60 what do you think of Pineapple Thief, Dale? I’ve been suggesting White Mist to Brandon…..along with more PT, Massive Attack, Portishead…

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

Brandon…it might be fun to do a segment on your five or ten favorite songs that you’ve done so far………Just a thought. I know one will be this one for sure! Thanks, Dale, for suggesting it!

[@retroreactions....]

@@drmagic60 Thanks for all the info and the songs!

[@Rowenband]

Is this partly a tribute to Kraftwerk's Radioactivity? I like it, first time listening it. Thanks for sharing your feelings about that one. Steve Wilson is amazing. If you want to dive in 70's prog, you can just pick in the albums he decided to remix, then you will be sure to have the creme de la creme of prog rock.

[@nicolemelineilliannasimons8272]

The best live version of Radioactive Toy ( in my humble opinion ) is from the live album Coma Divine. Enjoy your hopefully deep dive into the world that is Porcupine Tree. And they do have a lot of material to choose from in the nineties from the debut album to one of my absolute favorite albums Lightbulb Sun 😊

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks so much for watching Nicole! Excited to hear more...

[@AnguaP]

There's a convergence of Steven Wilson and '70s Genesis to be experienced. Steven said the opening acoustic-y passage in 'The Watchmaker' (from SW's 2013 'The Raven That Refused to Sing') was inspired by the three-acoustic attack Genesis used in songs like 'Supper's Ready'. There's a great live version of 'Watchmaker' available; particularly note lead guitarist Guthrie Govan at the 5:20 mark, when he removes the capo wit his right hand whilst continuing to solo on the neck with his left hand. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoeXhKF8esRrg9U

[@retroreactions....]

Wow that was AMAZING and beautiful, thanks Sylvia!

[@AnguaP]

Almost forgot another Steven Wilson connection to early Genesis. He sang on 'Can Utility and the Coastliners' (originally on 1972's 'Foxtrot') on Steve Hackett's 2012 'Genesis Revisited II' (which also has a version of 'Supper's Ready', featuring Opeth's Mikael Akerfeldt). SW said 'Can Utility' appealed to him more than any other song from the Genesis catalogue. The SW studio album 'The Watchmaker'is on, 2013's 'The Raven That Refused to Sing', was essentially recorded live in the studio, which is the hook Steven used to bring in Alan Parsons. That album, and its follow-up 'Hand.Cannot.Erase', doesn't have a clanger track on it.

[@AnguaP]

This is early PT, and they just issued an album last year after more than a decade hiatus. If you want more PT, maybe: Stars Die (1995): kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpTNfYtvf5qMmJo Dark Matter (1996; live video from 2008): kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYS2dJJoityfb9k Waiting Phase One (1996; live video from 2007): kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJPVoYyEjqiFa6s Hatesong (2000, live video from 2005): kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWbRcnSVhr11hrs I could recommend tons more, but this is a start. Steven Wilson has more recent a strong connection to older progressive rock: he remixed the classic discographies of Yes, ELP, Gentle Giant, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, and many others. The keyboardist, Richard Barbieri, is a master of sonic textures, and really isn't into soloing. The current drummer (since 2001), Gavin Harrison, is among the best in music, period.

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks for the suggestions and info Sylvia!

[@stephendenning5943]

Best live version is.....Radioactive toy (live in frankfurt 2013).

[@michaelbaucom4019]

PT rarely misses...they know how to deliver the proper vibe/tone, as illustrated here. They are fantastic live

[@retroreactions....]

Agree Michael, thanks for watching!!

[@jnbraga67]

Listen to "Dark matter". I think you'll really love it!! The "Anesthetize" live version is really good.

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks Joao!

[@billymoon4089]

certainly one of their top 50 songs, not a top 10. Steven Wilson can't write a bad song. They are all absolute great. Every one of his bands: Blackfield, Porcupine Tree and his solo bands.

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks Billy

[@loveller6]

Give Pink Floyd's "High Hopes" a listen to (The Division Bell album). Great tune.

[@retroreactions....]

Have already reacted to that 🙂 Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYucoJeOfpeSjqc

[@zazune56]

Yes do Anesthetized live from Tilburg. Creative genius! Then if you want a real jam session with drumming from Gavin Harrison ( one of the top rated drummers in the world) listen to The Hate Song live!

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks zazune56!

[@flubblert]

Dark melodic spacey ominous, with a splash of guitar thrown in here and there for good measure. All wrapped up with a touch of insanity at the end. That's what that final eerie refrain represented for me, madness. Definitely hearing the Floyd influence, and perhaps a bit of the psychedelic side of Zeppelin as well. Me like. Well done.

[@retroreactions....]

Great description!! Glad you liked, thanks so much flubbert...

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

Me like too! 😉

[@scifimonkey3]

Wow, great that you did Porcupine Tree but also that you did such an early track. Believe me when I say that good as this is they only got better in later albums. There are many amazing live performances on YT which are must listens for anyone who likes progressive rock, but most of those are of songs from the post 2000 era. Will be delighted if you continue to investigate this rabbit hole full of musical diamonds even prior to 2000. This song was from the very first album which means that everything was done by Steven Wilson. The success of the music took everyone by surprise as the whole project had been conceived by Steven as a bit of a joke with a fake band complete with a fake history. He quickly had to recruit a band to help him play the music live and by the time the second album was created Richard Barbieri (Keys), Colin Edwin (bass) and Chris Maitland (drums) had joined him. (Richard still plays in the recently reformed line up - they had a 13 year hiatus from releasing music from 2009-2022 but Colin did not rejoin) Chris Maitland was replaced by the amazing Gavin Harrison in 2002. For the period your channel covers their sound was mostly a spacey psychedelic pink floyd like sound and I would point to the tracks ‘Up the downstair’, ‘Burning sky’,and ‘yellow hedgerow dreamscape’ from the second album and ‘ The sky moves sideways (phase one and two), as great jams to get lost in the sauce, then ‘Stars die’, ‘Dislocated Day’, ‘Waiting Phase one and two’, ‘Dark matter’, ‘Even less’, ‘Don’t hate me’ and ‘A smart kid’. as shorter tracks to check out within your 90s limit. I strongly recommend that you check out their work through the 2000s even if that is away from your channel as the music on the 5 albums released in that decade would compete with Floyd,Yes and Genesis for the all time prog rock plaudits. Steven, Richard and Gavin reformed for an album in 2022 which showed they still had it but its title Closure/continuation was designed to keep everyone guessing as to whether it would be a last hurrah or the start of a new phase of their work. The many fans are desperate for the latter to be true.

[@retroreactions....]

I'm excited that they have a lot of 90s material...thanks for all the great suggestions!!

[@xlerb_again_to_music7908]

:) PT have many band members. Early stuff could have been a PF release; later stuff can get (very) heavy - but most of that is post 2000. SW/PT are brilliant live! BUT if limited to pre-2000... alas, don't know what to suggest. SW covers abstract PF-like to heavy new metal (produced Opeth Blackwater Park). A sigature effect is - it's all about the feels. Most albums match PF in composition & content. Yes, SW can play everything - usully others tho. Great reaction! PS decent out-there 1990's band: Ozric Tentacles.

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks for watching and for the suggestions...Wow, I see they have about 9 albums in the 90s, plenty more for me to delve into!

[@xlerb_again_to_music7908]

@@retroreactions.... :) I tend to go for the heavier stuff, mostly (not all) post 2000. Any of the Tilberg live sets are awesome - but early 2000's i am afraid. Absolutely worth it tho. Also be aware SW is a notorious depressive (hence the emphasis on feels) and he has some very impactful downer stuff out there esp. the cartoons Routine, and The Raven That Refused to Sing. Both kick like a mule and are up therre with Great Gig in the Sky

[@MarkJones-mm3br]

They don't really have many band members. If you mean more members than Steven Wilson - yes, but there are only 3 others - quite small for a rock band. If you mean there have been some members replaced - it only happened once with the drummer which also is few compared to other bands who have been around for 20+ years and replaced more than one band member (e.g. Yes, King Crimson). For the last album, the band was only a 3 piece, with Steven Wilson taking up the bass.

[@MarkJones-mm3br]

@@xlerb_again_to_music7908 Sorry to sound like I'm being a contrarian but I have to also add that Steven Wilson says he is not a depressive person despite the music making it appear so. He said he probably gets all of the negative stuff out of himself through his music and he is generally a happy person. Probably like all of us - we need some kind of outlet for negativity - if not music then talking to friends and family - it's life. Without those outlets we probably all would be depressed - that's just being normal.

[@xlerb_again_to_music7908]

...FYI this is what I mean by they got heavier, mostly post 2000: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3TUmmlpor5koJY just listen to 1st 30 seconds

[@retroreactions....]

OK, still nice guitar tones....! I only can't listen when the guitars are extremely harsh, loud, uncompressed etc...

[@xlerb_again_to_music7908]

@@retroreactions.... OK. Suspect you'ld like Voyage 34, a 90s track by PT with lots of slow ambients, lots of PF styles, some punchy drums like The Wall. Pretty long tho! Phase 1 is only 12 minutes or so: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bovGaWdmg7ujp7c On the other hand, still think their 1st intended album Sky Moves Sideways is worth a listen. It's earlier and very PF from Meddle/Echos era