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Radio Birdman Biography Landing This July

Mary Varvaris

'Radio Birdman: Retaliate First' contains over 150 interviews with the band members, their closest associates, and their most devoted fans.

More Radio Birdman Radio Birdman Profile

Radio Birdman are about to embark on their massive Birdman 5-0 50th anniversary tour, but mid-run, they might need to consider going on a book tour.

On Tuesday, 2 July, renowned Sydney music writer Murray Engleheart (AC/DC Maximum Rock & Roll, with Arnaud Durieux, Blood Sweat And Beers - Oz Rock From The Aztecs To Rose Tattoo) will have a new book, Radio Birdman: Retaliate First, published via Allen & Unwin.

Although their initial run lasted just four years—from 1974 to 1978—Radio Birdman’s legacy remains untouched, immortalised as one of the most influential bands in Australian punk and rock history. They reunited in 1996, kicking on for another 12 years before they disbanded again in 2008. Their second reunion came in 2014, and they’ve been going strong ever since.

READ MORE: The Establishment Wasn't Kind To Radio Birdman 'So Why Start Now?'

Retaliate First has been described as the “ultimate in-depth biography” of the Sydney punk rockers, with the book receiving praise and comments from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Radio Birdman’s peers.

Albanese said, “Radio Birdman live brought loyalty as strong and powerful as their music. Yeah hup!” You Am I/Hard-Ons’ Tim Rogers added, “Murray’s raw passion somehow doesn't mess with his skill to present the story, the context and the truth.” And Hoodoo Gurus’ Brad Shepherd, musing on Radio Birdman’s impact, commented: “Radio Birdman are analogous to dark matter: largely unseen yet profoundly influential.”

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Engleheart’s book features over 150 interviews with the band members, their closest associates, and their most devoted fans. You can pre-order Retaliate First here.

Radio Birdman are touring Australia throughout this month and July, with few tickets remaining for the shows that haven’t sold out yet. You can find all the tour dates below.

RADIO BIRDMAN

BIRDMAN 5-0 AUSTRALIAN TOUR

 FRI 21 JUNE: CROXTON BANDROOM - MELBOURNE with CIVIC - SELLING FAST

SAT 22 JUNE: CROXTON BANDROOM - MELBOURNE with CIVIC - SELLING FAST

SUN 23 JUNE: THE GOV - ADELAIDE with CULL THE BAND - SELLING FAST

FRI 28 JUNE: THE TRIFFID - BRISBANE with HITS - LAST TIX

SAT 29 JUNE: THE TRIFFID - BRISBANE with HITS - SOLD OUT!

FRI 5 JULY: MANNING BAR - SYDNEY with HARD-ONS - SOLD OUT!

SAT 6 JULY: MANNING BAR - SYDNEY with HARD-ONS - SOLD OUT!

SUN 7 JULY: MANNING BAR - SYDNEY with HARD-ONS - SOLD OUT!

Brisbane shows: Moshtix

All other shows: Oztix