Chris Masuak Speaks Out Against Radio Birdman Tour Snub

While most of Australia spent yesterday in at least a mild state of celebration upon hearing the news that Radio Birdman would be reconvening for a national tour this year, at least one person was none too impressed by the development – namely, founding guitarist Chris Masuak.

Although the 2014 iteration of Radio Birdman boasts three original members, in the form of Rob Younger, Deniz Tek, and Pip Hoyle, Masuak was nowhere to be found. It should be noted this is not the first RB reunion to have gone ahead without Masuak, or other founding/long-time members, for that matter – Jim Dickson has been a fixed replacement for previous bassist Warwick Gilbert since the early 2000s – but it would seem he has taken particular issue with the fact this tour will specifically celebrate first two albums Radios Appear and Living Eyes, of which he was an integral part, taking to Facebook last night to issue a scorching missive against his former bandmates.

“Despite my declared readiness, willingness, and assurances to put the band’s interests and reputation well ahead of any personal differences, I am “not invited to participate” in the upcoming tour and promotion of the ultimate release of a band I have been associated with for 40 years,” Masuak seethed in the post, “A band whose legacy and reputation has been built solidly on a perceived ‘code’ of unity, comeraderie [sic], musical cohesiveness, and a blistering ‘twin guitar attack’.”

“There is absolutely no professional or musical impediment or rationale to preclude me from participating in this event.

“Rather, this decision is a result of a last desperate and bullying demand from a singer who’s [sic] animosity towards me has spanned decades and whose antipathy towards the band is well documented.

“I now marvel at the absence of the integrity, honesty, loyalty, courage, and ethics that characterise this band’s rhetoric and mythology.”

Masuak goes on to describe his omission as a “cowardly and vindictive act”, yet says that he still “proudly hold[s] onto the memory of a time when we rallied round its flag and yelled, ‘yeh-hup!’”

Masuak is apparently not the only person who feels a little bit affronted by his exclusion from the line-up – in response to yesterday’s announcement, a petition has popped up online calling for Masuak to be “reinstated” to the band’s ranks. Reiterating most of Masuak’s own sentiments, the petition writers implore those thinking of lending their support: “It’s not too late to save the Radio Birdman tour from coming off as an incomplete and insincere exercise in pettiness. Send a message to Rob and the other members that this is not good enough.

“We, the fans of ARIA Hall of Fame rock band Radio Birdman call on common sense to prevail and have the ‘foundation members’ reinstate long standing guitar player Chris Masuak to the band immediately and so we can enjoy the authentic sound of the band as we know it.”

Radio Birdman has not publicly responded to Masuak’s criticism; theMusic.com.au has not yet received a response to a request for comment.

Radio Birdman’s 2014 Aussie tour kicks off without Chris Masuak on Friday, October 31. See the Gig Guide or The Music App for more information.