Radio Stars
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder | Martin Gordon, Andy Ellison, Ian MacLeod |
| Headquarters | England |
| Products | Punk rock music, studio albums, singles |
Radio Stars is a punk rock group from England that came together in early 1977. They produced two studio albums and achieved one single that reached the UK Top 40 charts.
Career
The band was established in 1977 by bassist and songwriter Martin Gordon, formerly of Sparks, alongside vocalist Andy Ellison from John's Children and guitarist Ian MacLeod. This formation followed the disbandment of their previous glam rock project, Jet, which had not met commercial expectations.
Signing with Chiswick Records, Radio Stars released their first single, "Dirty Pictures," in April 1977. This track was featured on the Chiswick various artists compilation Submarine Tracks & Fool's Gold (Chiswick Chartbusters Volume One) and was later covered by German punk band Die Toten Hosen on their gold-selling album Learning English Lesson 1. The song earned the number 26 spot on the NME's critics' year-end chart that same year. Their inaugural live performance took place in May 1977, accompanied by three sessions recorded for John Peel at BBC's Maida Vale Studios. Drummer Steve Parry joined before their second single dropped in August. Their television debut occurred on the show Marc, where they performed "No Russians in Russia," a track later included on the 1978 Chiswick compilation Long Shots, Dead Certs And Odds On Favourites (Chiswick Chartbusters Volume Two). This TV performance was also part of Columbia's DVD release of Marc.
In January 1978, "Nervous Wreck" entered the UK Top 40, reaching a peak position of No. 39 and remaining on the charts for three weeks. The band showcased this single on BBC's Top of the Pops, joined by newsreader Kelly St John. The B-side, "Horrible Breath," was penned by Marc Bolan during his tenure with John's Children.
Their first album, Songs for Swinging Lovers, was released in December 1977. That year, they toured alongside Eddie and the Hot Rods and Squeeze, and appeared at the Reading Festival in 1978. The follow-up album, Holiday Album (1978), featured the live staple "Sex in Chains Blues". Throughout 1978, extensive touring included contributions from Trevor White (ex-Sparks) and saxophonist/backing vocalist Chris Gent. Shortly after, Martin Gordon left the group. The second album did not meet commercial expectations, effectively leading to the band's dissolution, although a third album recorded during this period remained unreleased until its eventual 2021 issue as Broadcasting to the Nation. Andy Ellison made attempts to revive Radio Stars during the 1980s and 1990s with limited achievements.
The band's catalogue has been compiled multiple times: including 1982's Two Minutes Mr. Smith (Moonlight Records), which featured guest cellist Hugh McDowell from Electric Light Orchestra; the band-sanctioned 1992 release Somewhere There's a Place for Us (Ace Records); and a comprehensive four-CD box set titled Thinking Inside the Box issued by Cherry Red/Anagram Records in 2017, encompassing singles, B-sides, BBC sessions, broadcasts, plus a new rendition of their well-known track "The Beast of Ankara".
In March 2008, Radio Stars reunited for a one-off concert in London promoting their live album Something for the Weekend (Radiant Future Records). Later that year, they performed at the Rebellion all-day event held at Kentish Town Forum alongside bands such as The Damned. Their January 2010 appearance at London's 100 Club supported Eddie & the Hotrods.
Their 1978 single "The Real Me" was featured in the first episode of season one of the 2020 television adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel High Fidelity.
Reviews
- Positioned at the intersection of punk and new wave genres, Radio Stars were fundamentally an eccentric rock outfit centered on Gordon’s songwriting and Ellison’s dynamic vocals.
- Their quirky pop-punk style was encapsulated through humorous singles like "Dirty Pictures" and "Nervous Wreck"; although achieving a Top 40 hit, consistent commercial success eluded them.
- Initially titled Bowels Stuffed With Spleen, their debut album was retitled Songs For Swinging Lovers by Chiswick but retained its edgy themes with tracks such as "The Beast of Barnsley" and "Nervous Wreck".
- The first LP is recognized for its potent power-pop punk sound combined with clever lyrics addressing varied topics ranging from Greek cuisine to serial killers.
- They delivered a polished fusion of power pop and new wave influences.
- Despite their influence within new wave circles, their albums lacked sufficient consistency to be deemed classics.
Line-up changes
- Initial members: Andy Ellison – lead vocals; Ian MacLeod – guitar and backing vocals; Chris Townson – drums; Martin Gordon – bass guitar, keyboards, and primary songwriter.
- For their first EP: Paul Simon replaced Townson on drums.
- On their debut album: Steve Parry took over drumming duties from Simon.
- During their second album: Jamie Crompton succeeded Parry on drums; guest appearances included Paul Jones (harmonica), Chris Gent (saxophone), and Graham Chapman providing voiceover.
- The band disbanded in summer 1979 but briefly reassembled in 1982 with Electric Light Orchestra’s Hugh McDowell contributing cello.
- In 2008: Anniversary performances occurred at London's Metro Club and Rebellion festival featuring Stephen Budney on drums.
- In 2010: They played an anniversary show at the 100 Club supporting Eddie & the Hotrods with Smash handling drums.
Discography
Albums
- Songs for Swinging Lovers (December 1977: Chiswick Records WIK 5)
- Holiday Album (September 1978: Chiswick Records CWK 3001)
- Broadcasting To The Nation (November 2021: Easy Action EARS179)
Live albums
- Music For The Herd Of Herring (2001: Radiant Future Records RFVP001CD) – featuring Jet & John's Children
- Something For the Weekend (March 2008: Radiant Future Records RSVP010CD)
Compilations
- Two Minutes Mr. Smith (May 1982: Moonlight MNA 001)
- Somewhere There's A Place For Us (October 1992: Ace Records CDWIKD 107)
- Thinking Inside the Box (March 2017: Cherry Red Records CDPUNKBOX 162)
Various artist compilations appearances
- "Dirty Pictures" featured on Submarine Tracks & Fool's Gold (Chiswick Chartbusters Volume One) compilation album (1977)
- "No Russians in Russia" included on Long Shots, Dead Certs And Odds On Favourites (Chiswick Chartbusters Volume Two) compilation album (1978)
Singles
- "Dirty Pictures" / "Sail Away" (April 1977: Chiswick S 9)
- The "Stop It E.P." featuring "No Russians in Russia," "Box 29," "Johnny Mekon," and "Sorry I’m Tied Up" (August 1977: Chiswick SW 17)
- "Nervous Wreck" / "Horrible Breath" (October 1977: Chiswick NS 23), also issued as a 12-inch single (NST 23); peaked at No. 39 on the UK Singles Chart
- "From A Rabbit" / "To A Beast" (April 1978: Chiswick NS 36)
- "Radio Stars" / "Accountancy Blues" (September 1978: Chiswick CHIS 102)
- "The Real Me" / "Good Personality" (January 1979: Chiswick CHIS 109)
- "Good Personality" / "Talking ‘Bout You" (May 1982: Moonlight MNS 001) (released posthumously)
- "My Mother Said" / "Two Minutes Mr. Smith" (September 1982: Snat Records ECG 1) (posthumous release)
See also
External links
- Martin Gordon – official website
- Radio Stars at www.punk77.co.uk
- Radio Stars on Discogs