Radio Birdman DESCENT INTO THE MAELSTROM

Jonathan Sequeira's video compiled from archival footage of Radio Birdman (1976-77) "Descent Into The Maelstrom" (D.Tek - Universal / APRA)

[@nigelcreighton2411]

Growing up in Australia in the 80’s, Radio Birdman were truly mythological, more so than any other local band I can think of. Seeing New Christs and Hitmen gigs on their jaunts to a largely uninterested Melbourne crowd was cool, Deniz Teks solo shows in ‘92 were cool, but to finally see em in ‘96 with the original line up was truly one of my all time greatest gigs. An awesome band, one of the greatest.

[@williamdowding3343]

yeah, me too.

[@Gungho1a]

Very underrated band, truly gritty. These guys made ACDC look like manufactured latte music.

[@dalakerdaniel9240]

​@@Gungho1a Yep, 🍻💊🍻

[@christinebayley97]

wide ejection surgery ufy❤😂🎉😢

[@Mrmikey0909]

1996 was my best year. Got to see them at Selinas. It was beyond brilliant.

[@aaronjschaefer]

One of history's most underrated bands...

[@ausbloke7359]

Ron Keeley’s drumming is just sublime .... My truck’s steering wheel cops a belting every time I hear that intro

[@wtbi]

Power & Precision. I could listen to Ron's drumming all day. Long may your truck rumble to the sound of RB @Ausbloke73

[@simohovari6560]

the vocals, guitars and drums. the drum break in the middle is the work of a genius!

[@iandenney776]

My cars steeering shell cops it just as bad as your trucks 😃

[@Mrmikey0909]

Same with the bass for me. It's brutal and brilliant.

[@Xtn1Insecticide]

I’m from NZ and this was always and still is my favourite Aussie band, actually one of my favourite bands of all time

[@Mrmikey0909]

My favourite Australian band of all time and second only to The Clash as favourite.

[@michaelbousfield6114]

A tsunami of Tek power chords, a surging kingtide tempo by Keeley, and a roaring tidal wave of Younger vocals - a truly terrific thrashing triumph!

[@Scotttyist]

Warwick must be the undertow then :)

[@SleazyBoy]

5 minutes of pure energy and emotions. This band saved my life

[@tonyturner3530]

Mine aswell plus Flanning Groovies & Only Ones!

[@shanekonarson]

Love hearing that . Good stuff man .

[@seang3019]

@@tonyturner3530 Only Ones! Playing that Next!

[@CRFLAus]

I hear you. Eddy Current Suppression Ring saved my life.

[@petertrezise4545]

I was lucky enough to see the Radios in Melbourne back in the mid 70’s. Approaching 68 years now and Radio Birdman are still my favourite.

[@MP-ve4cj]

The Saints rightly got a fair amount of exposure in the UK in the late seventies. This is every bit as good as (I'm) Stranded, but I'd never heard of Radio Birdman until two years ago. I'm 62 years old. They should have had more success here. This song and particularly this live rendition, is outstanding.

[@ealing456]

One of the greatest punk rock songs ever written and a shame more people don't realise it.

[@thethirdman225]

It’s not punk. It’s too sophisticated to be punk.

[@themillwall442]

These guys have such cred. No matter where you are in life you return to these guys, listen to their music and always arrive at the conclusion. "These guys transcend anything before but they've prepared for the after" Amazing band. I put only a few alongside them. Maybe BOC and MC5. After that there is daylight.

[@nigelcreighton2411]

Interesting you mention Blue Oyster Cult and MC5, I reckon Radio Birdman surfed the musical rip between those two bands, perhaps veering more towards Blue Oyster Cult on the Living Eyes LP, but Radios Appear, yeah a mix between MC5 and Blue Oyster Cult for sure.

[@timmcgrath676]

Best song ever No one is better Hit the outside

[@musicisbrilliant]

Im so grateful these guys existed. I listen to them all the time. Have for years. And always will. Soooooo powerful.

[@anguswheaton20]

My favourite song ever, made even more enjoyable after my first attempt at surfing at Boomer Beach at around 15 or 16 years old, back in the 80's, where I didn't tie on the leg band, lost my board on the first wave, got sucked into a rip and sent 100 metres away from where the other guys were, then smashed into rocks, dragged metres down onto the sea floor, pushed up and back onto the rocks again, and repeat. Finally as I started drowning and realised I was going to die, I stopped feeling afraid and I was kinda OK with it all. No choice really, my energy was spent, and it was at that moment I learnt what it means to be able to let go. My mates finally saw me from out on the waves and dragged me onto the shore where I lay for an hour coughing up water. So I consider myself lucky every time I get to hear this amazing piece of music. These guys have so much life and energy force throughout their music. Thanks Will Martin, Paul Handley and Paul O'Reilly for keeping me here, and to Deniz and the band for their fantastic work in reminding me to live life like you mean it every day. Oh, and Harry Butler too, for sending me all those hand mixed Radio Birdman tapes back in the day without asking for a cent. I still have them all, even if they are stretched and warped and play them every time I see a cassette player. I owe you all a beer. This song will stay with me forever. Thanks again Deniz man, you're amazing.

[@enzos222]

Perfect story to go with the song!

[@anguswheaton20]

Yep a true story and a nice fit and probably why I really should get a Birdman tattoo one day.

[@Mrmikey0909]

My all-time favourite Australian band. Seeing them twice next weekend.

[@damotourettes]

What a wonderfully well edited video capturing Birdman in their initial pomp and swagger - absolutely awesome.

[@manuelbucciriedel7363]

Just amazin

[@anniedarkhorse6791]

I bought this album in the 70's (the black album) in my teens and this song pretty much changed the trajectory of my life. Legendary Sydney band.

[@Mrmikey0909]

Did the same for me. I really knew nothing about them but on reputation, I bought the Black album when I was about 16. Turned it up not knowing what to expect and Rob's scream on TV eye blew my mind and changed my life, for the better. Seeing them twice next weekend and am starting to get a bit excited. :)

[@JonasA]

Hi Deniz! Discovered Birdman back in the late 70's due to Ron Asheton, New Order, DAM. I can safely say that Rons guitarplaying and songwriting and those bands (NO, DAM, Birman) where a huge influence (blended with a few drops of VU and Motörhead), when I formed swedish band Leather Nun. Never got to see you Live, much to my chagrin. And had to turn down DAM when they inquired if we'd be interested in supporting them on their first and only UK Tour back in the late 70's. But in the years to come, we got to hoist the banner of r'n'r on some +20 UK/European/US tours. Fun times. Listening to Birdman today, brings back all these joyful memories of listening to the vinyls 45 yrs ago, that made me pick up the torch and go on the road myself, creating havoc and a number of scandals along the way. Take care, buddy, and thanx for the formative inspiration.

[@geopolitic316]

Radio Birdman were on my bucket list for 40 years whom I first saw by chance on the late night ABC program "Rocturnal" playing the now famous gig at the Marryatville Hotel in South Austrialia. They never toured Western Australia to my knowledge, and I finally got to see them in London on June 6th, 2018 at The Dome in Tufnell Park. I wasn't disappointed.

[@jaycharger72]

DRUMS are incredible ,what a player

[@anniedarkhorse6791]

Yeah. That power-surf drum intro. Amazing.

[@jansanderson2328]

You are simply the best punk band the world has ever produced. Fast smart furious and with prescient lyrics that told of the dystopian future of Australia and the world while giving hope to the young and playing danceable wild music. I love you. Thank you Rob Younger and Deniz Tek. You are champions. No wonder our future prime minister loves your band.

[@brettjohnrigby8006]

Br gom

[@wespaul9345]

Does he?

[@dalakerdaniel9240]

Check out the Saints live at the Roxy London 77 best live album ever 🍻💊🍻

[@buttsniffa7469]

Albanese's an fn gronk

[@kizjay2730]

Love the Birdman, but my late father loved them even more. Theres a good chance hes in that crowd, him and his mates went to nearly every gig they done in Sydney.

[@jarydrichards7030]

Must wish you could ask him, sometimes we'll see a small venue or hear a gig being replayed on the radio, and my father we'll say "I was there" happens a lot it's actually impressive that he's been too so many gigs and venues without mentioning them!

[@petergibbon3400]

Sorry mate, that gig was in Adelaide, 1977.

[@kizjay2730]

@@petergibbon3400 well it’s probably safe to say he wasn’t at that one haha.

[@anniedarkhorse6791]

Your old man was cool.

[@nickonicko8291]

Walked into Trafalgar records in 1977 in my school clothes. Two blokes behind the counter looked me up and down with a smirk. I asked for Radios Appear. Faces dropped. First release.

[@petergibbon3400]

No-one’s improved on this in 45 more years of rock n roll.

[@horizonenvironmentalgroupi4014]

Deniz, I discovered Radio Birdman a little late in life, mainly from WXPN in Philadelphia, but I have become a big fan. You guys were way ahead of your time and it's almost criminal that you weren't bigger here in the US. Thanks for doing rock 'n roll the way that it was meant to be done. BTW, Happy Birthday!

[@SalMichael]

So beautiful , Energy for decades

[@robertcubinelli4961]

Rob Younger is THE perfect rock stage beast !!! Saw these fellas many times thru the years both in Australia and Europe and they NEVER fail to deliver ESP with Deniz Tek.

[@seancyco9446]

In the late 70's to early 80's i listened to AC/DC/Angles/Radiators/Rose Tattoo + various other Aussie Pub Rock Band's, then one Day someone gave me a Radio Birdman compilation tape. It changed my whole outlook on Aussie Rock! I've been fortunate enough to see them live on a number of occasions, but i'll definitely be buying this piece of history as soon as i can!.

[@Wulfcastle82]

I allways loved this Band but seeing the Bassist wearing an Elvis Shirt combined with his facial expression. Damn ... One million happy coins right now for whatever reasons beyond right now!

[@georgescorgie8783]

Mindblowing. I'm 46. Saw the Birdman reunion gig at the Palais Royale in Newcastle (now sadly gone) in the 90's and it was my greatest ever gig. Took home a handbill, possibly my greatest spoil of war souvenir. Bought "Under the Ashes" just to hold it because I didn't have a CD player. I've since lived in 4 countries (Deniz if you acome past Abu Dhabi let me know and I'll buy you dinner!) and I still cart it around the world. I've read the liner notes 1000 times. Birdman's music inspired me to play in a band of my own (now played in tonnes of bands on 3 continents) and Deniz' personal journey has inspired me - and continues to til this day - from Fighting MMA, Recording albums, and geting my PhD - just trying to do it all. Cannot express how much this music and this band means to me.

[@judas263]

Sharing on Australia Day 2020 because it’s gloriously exuberant and exciting and Australian music is awesome

[@pauleenwardale6425]

I would see these guys play in a pub in Darlinghurst Sydney, and not crowded, loved it. Way back in the beginning I guess.

[@garageomuerte6607]

Aussies never fail in Rock'n'roll 🍻

[@charleswoodhouse4754]

With a major assist from Detroit. KOTJMF!!

[@katinasvenska]

Exactly

[@dalakerdaniel9240]

​@@charleswoodhouse4754 Yep I agree The Saints, Cosmic Psychos, Celibate Rifles and many more me 62 greetings from the other Motorcity Stuttgart Germany 🍻💊🍻

[@kemouse]

I bought Radios Appear on vinyl many moons ago and the cover alone said "no ballads" but the music is so great. And the BOC influenced title (another pretty good band)! One of my favorite records and it still makes your hair stand on end.

[@wespaul9345]

Same. My best mate left it in his car and it warped. Didn't matter. I flogged this vinyl till death. Why not

[@Antipodean33]

This is Adelaide South Australia back when we were spoiled rotted with a few decades of the best music in the history of humanity. I never thought it would end, but sadly it did

[@yellingelk]

Radio Birdman were a hugely influential Aussie band. Real ground-breakers, who slugged it out hard, and turned out some really interesting music in the process. They were underdogs who fought tooth and nail to climb their way to the very top of the underground... a huge influence on the little band I was in in the early 80's.... huge influence! So disappointed that "our ABC" declined to broadcast their documentary DESCENT INTO THE MAELSTROM. The reason given... "it didn't fit ABC TV's broadcasting criteria"... even though this band has been inducted into the 'Australian rock'n'roll hall of fame' and are recognised as one of "the most important Australian bands EVER!" Are you kidding me?!!! So why didn't their doco fit the ABC's broadcasting criteria? Could it be that the band predominantly consisted of, and appealed to, young, white, working class men from the suburbs? Could that have a little something to do with it perhaps? "Our ABC..?"... BOLLOCKS!!

[@davidcochrane2739]

This was my go to song on big swell days! Brings back great memories of the Oxford Tav!

[@musicisbrilliant]

His scream on the beginning of this song on the album is the best scream in the history of rock and roll.

[@deboer6262]

what a wonderful piece of art... love it!

[@dougwoellner7895]

Saw you guys play at Paddington Town hall when I was at highschool and you also played at Springwood civic Centre in Sydney's Blue Mountains in the late 70s cool memories cheers n beers from down under Australia mate went to most Sydney gigs you played still got the cds even your boxed set cant play vinyl in the car

[@Mertztillithurts]

I first heard of you about 6 months ago when I ordered a shitload of punk rock pins and yours was one of them. i was like "hmmm, never heard them, let's look 'em up". So glad I did but ever since, I've been saying, "Why did I never hear of Radio Birdman back in the day as I ought to have??" Call it punk or don't, it has the attitude of punk and it rocks!

[@MegaBeetle65]

I finally got to see Radio Birdman at the Factory in Sydney on their last tour with The Stems. After 40 yrs of listening to them and Deniz. I have now seen both, lucky enough to have seen Deniz in the 90s at Caringbah. Thanks for the music!

[@davidmorrison6175]

This band should be massive, maybe they got that way I don't know, I remember seeing the album in record stores when I was a kid in Scotland, I seem to remember a big promotion of their music, but maybe they never caught the public's imagination. This is incredible multi layered music. My loss.

[@PauloErreMusic]

I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s gig in Brissy 🙌🏽🎸

[@mr.howard1]

Great work on this video... edit, sync, and effects are all solid and it really does justice to the band. Thanks for posting!

[@wespaul9345]

Very much so

[@nomdeplume6594]

The greatest aussie rock song ever is maelstrom...the leas riff is just sublime to play

[@MP-ve4cj]

True, it is absolute class. But I'd put (I'm) Stranded right up there too, simply because it made a big impression on me when I was a kid aged 15, in late '76. They're both great Aussie bands and the Saints had some success here in the UK too back in the day. Wished I'd seen both.

[@melibuxmelmont4889]

My band played with them last Friday factory theatre Sydney ! Highlight of my life ! Oh and smoking a blunt with rob !

[@Mark-jy4qt]

wow!!! =) coool!

[@jemborg]

Wut?!

[@Mark-jy4qt]

@@jemborg cooolll... .. ;)

[@jemborg]

@@Mark-jy4qt lol no Mark....I was jelly of Madam Melmont

[@sharkwhalewolfnado9679]

Best Song EVER!

[@Mortslake]

Such a great song and BAND! Still !

[@SRMCBC]

And PIP, I never forget you at the Venue DY signing my head

[@Sramota1]

Amazing song and band

[@fontaineolivier5877]

56 ans... Et le regret de ne pas avoir connu ce groupe bien avant...

[@Spectrescup]

the amount of insanely great oz/nz music clips on KZbin almost justifies the invention of the internet.

[@bctpcp9546]

OMG Grew up with this stuff. Just found the channel!

[@deniztekmusic]

Welcome ! Hope you enjoy. Many cool things here. Cheers, D

[@bctpcp9546]

@@deniztekmusic Thanks!

[@johnchristoyannis647]

Excellent video - captures the awesomeness that were Radio Birdman

[@alisonholland7531]

Saw these guys and Split Enz at North Sydney oval back in '75 - these guys were WAY ahead of their time.

[@stevedavis4513]

I love these guys cuz you can tell from their looks they'd whomp the first Hebrew to mouth off to them

[@GreggMAZ]

HAHAHA is that my half nikkid scrawny-ass bod at 4:04? It cracks me up this, apart from The Other Masuak everyone in the band looked soooo old to me then and now looking just how cherub-ish the sweet faces of Birdman are,,,, ! Awwwww makes me smile.

[@claudioortolan2110]

In Australia non C'erano solo gli AC DC. Ma questa è un'altra storia! Ciao.

[@MagicThys]

best bassline

[@THEEXALTEDMUZZATHEBUZZER82]

Thankyou for uploading Mr Birdman.

[@jeravincer]

I'm here from Australia, because of Ward Carroll's interview. Now listening..

[@chriswatson451]

Love the nod to MC5’s looking at you 2:41

[@iliketowatch.]

I thought that I was the only one that caught that...

[@tomshaw6373]

Wayne Kramer-like rolls on the guitar solo. Imitation is the best form of flattery. These guys love the Detroit sound!

[@rossfield8819]

@@tomshaw6373 Wayne Kramer gave Denis Tek a guitar before Tek left Ann Arbor for Australia. The MC 5 were in Tek's blood!

[@publicanimal]

@@rossfield8819 No, it was Fred Sonic Smith whose Epiphone guitar he bought before he left Detroit for Australia. Deniz played it extensively until recently, basically wore it out.

[@PeteNThat]

Dual guitar balance is so freakin' tough.

[@frostbyte9175]

Deniz I still have hours of Fun House and Hurstville gigs '76 and '77 on tape.

[@cristinagodinho7948]

Excellente, como diz alguém é . É mesmo .

[@therealfatshady4844]

Hey Dennis, I've been Loving you guys for years, and you've helped me through a lot in life. I've been following you for decades now and have to say you're one of the best guitarists, neigh, MUSICIANS out there! and you have paved the path for many Australian rockers over the years. From your days back in the screaming tribesman to the hitmen, you've done a lot for aussie rock!! Keep up the great work!! Oh wait... no, I'm thinking of Chris Masuak. Nevermind, lol, keep up the practice though, I'm sure you'll be able to hit a note right one day :) A+ for effort!

[@NoahSpurrier]

I’m not into this kind of music, but this a awesome.

[@cristinagodinho7948]

Adoro todos todos

[@bernarda3856]

Saw their reunion tour. Awesome show

[@deniztekmusic]

Right on Mathias ! Thanks for the good words.

[@baliwaves]

Hard and Fast times, great days

[@ce6486]

Beautiful!

[@samanthaprust9286]

Pure rock n roll

[@cristinagodinho7948]

Totalmente Pure rock n' roll

[@mjmcnult]

Excellent edit!

[@freyatilly]

Super edit of a fantastic rock and fire band

[@illeagleproducionz8116]

I love you sir. MICHICRUD for the world

[@billyshane3804]

Descent into the MAELSTROM!!

[@MrFrolunda]

In my top 10 of alltime best songs.

[@michaelmaffett701]

Oh.. Dayum. The Birdman!

[@maddogg63]

Yeah Deniz! tops brah!

[@bctpcp9546]

Aloha Steve and Danno !

[@manuelbucciriedel7363]

My God.Long lives australia garage punk.I wish I would be YOUNGER!, Deniz,I saw the birdmen bout 10 years ago in Stgt/Germany and it was one of my most favorite gigs ever.You didnt lost any energie.It was Played even more fantastic and filligran than the record sounds at home and lapsed me right into the birdmen/New christs time of the mid70´s lyserged garage punk scene(God/ Powder monkeys, splatterheads, BORED!, cosmic psychos and of course thee incredible Beasts o`bourbon,...)where they used to play in really, really small locations.I guess it was Glitterhouse records(the austalian SubPops) who sended all these flower punks all over the world from the early80´s on till,...I dont know.what happened to that scene;Deniz? I heear bout tex sometimes, but thee others( the saints, mind spiders,...)? By the way.Your Detroit album was one of the best albums of the last years.cool,dry,dirty,tres australian,well up to date pure garage rock.Are You lookin to come to germany?greetns from south/east germany, keep on playin music and thanx a lotta for postin this epic stuff

[@NapoleonBonapartepdrquay]

Une chanson classique avec des images de films bien édité. Merci pour cette vidéo.

[@deniztekmusic]

Merci beaucoups ! À bientôt, D

[@NapoleonBonapartepdrquay]

@@deniztekmusic mdr !

[@tedmich]

Deniz Tek's guitar is an Epiphone Crestwood that used to belong to Fred "Sonic" Smith of the MC5! Deniz was born in Ann Arbor and bought it when he visited in 1973, according to a 2014 interview.

[@dickcocks9966]

Hi Deniz. Twas thousands of years ago, perhaps the summer of 2005, when I had a bit of a mishap at Mollymook, NSW. Full of youthful vigour and chock full of goodies my afternoon dip soon turned into a nightmare. The weather changed suddenly and the next thing ya know I'm struggling to get back to shore amongst choppy surf. Long story short I'm on my last reserve of energy and I'm watching that last wave break above me and I know if my foot doesn't hit sand before it gets me I'm a dead duck. It doesn't and I get hammered, thrown around, 540 degrees or more. I'm taking in too much water, choking underwater not knowing which way is up or down. I hit the surface, puking up seawater and blind. I don't see but I feel the water arching back behind me - and happily that's when my feet hit the bottom. If ever I feel anxious about this strange thing, I find this song helps me take a lighter view on the goings on of that day. Thanks - Thanks a lot. Oooh yeaaaaahhhh. PS one day I was trying to fit three humbuckers on my guitar but then the cops busted in and beat me up saying it was illegal

[@Onemore59]

This song could be lots longer and I would be totally cool with that.

[@carlconnor2650]

Wonderful..🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@jimmyd.]

Those were the days...

[@blueshorecreative3146]

Hi Deniz. Saw you in Brisso at the Triffid in September. Wow man. Just wow. Thanks. Oh, and I particularly enjoyed "not to touch the earth". F-ing awesome! Ta mate.

[@deniztekmusic]

Thanks, "Earth" was an inspired choice of cover - Rob's idea. Glad you liked it. Cheers - D

[@blueshorecreative3146]

please tour again next year. P.S. bought a copy of the doco - excellent.

[@diafwnia]

So high energy rock n roll, it should be illegal!

[@edwardkemshell693]

Seen these in the 90s !!! Named after the stooges lyrics if im not mistaken

[@cristinagodinho7948]

Adoro adoro

[@mansionaccount6699]

two times in one session... What can I say? It's worthy!

[@Onemore59]

UM. Magnificent.

[@bradleyrowe8374]

who could dislike this song

[@MegaLout]

BRILLIANT

[@blackadder5073]

Timeless music

[@texhop1948]

just stand in awe

[@jeffreynaish3235]

Fuck this is awesome!!!!!!

[@SRMCBC]

MY MAN