Radio Birdman were – are – an Australian band whose influence and importance continues to grow. Sidelined in their mid-to-late ‘70s prime by an industry they didn’t like and that returned the sentiment in spades, the band has played to countless thousands more fans since it’s on-off reformation first took place in ’96 than it ever did back in the day, and its influence has gone global. Despite this, and despite the band being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007, they remain willful outcasts and completely misunderstood by the industry at large.
This isolation is at the heart of the band’s power and is one of the many things about the band that first-time film maker from Sydney Jonathan Sequeira captures really well in his film. Indeed Descent Into The Maelstrom presents a perfectly balanced picture of the band, with the other side of this isolation – their prevailing influence being perhaps the one thing that could perhaps have been emphasized more. Birdman influenced everyone from late ‘70s punk/alternative bands including Nick Cave’s first band the Boys Next Door through to the Angels and Midnight Oil and on to Silverchair, as well as an entire late 70s-to-80s scene grounded initially in Sydney which eventually went nationwide then international on the back of such bands as the Hoodoo Gurus, the Hard-on and the Celibate Rifles.
Despite the lack of sizable volume of live footage, the film – like Jim Jarmusch’s recent Stooges film Gimme Danger – makes great use of photos (and illustrations from the band’s once-Disney employed bass player Warwich Gilbert) and the music to keep the energy up. But the key element here is the interviews with the band and their associates. Long known as one of the more dysfunctional groups to have tolerated each other (their ’78 Euro tour van was not dubbed ‘The Van of Hate’ for nothing), Sequeira somehow got the band members to open up and the disharmony is presented in an illuminating, at times painful, and - it has to be said – often bitterly amusing way. The awe and passion with which their associates describe their experiences with the band will make anybody wish they could’ve been there to experience it, and make plain the genuinely life-changing impact that the band was capable of making.
As a depiction of a great and important band, Descent Into the Maelstrom is about as good as it gets. In its depiction of a side of the local scene that will never get a look in anything that features on Molly or Richard Wilkins, it’s essential for all serious fans and students of Australian rock history.
Descent Into The Maelstrom opens in limited release around the country this Thursday, July 20. Check out the film’s official site, here, for full details, some great trailers, an incredible and bountiful gallery of images and info about the film’s killer soundtrack album. Don’t delay or you’ll have to wait for the DVD.
And now, clear the room of obstacles, turn your computer up LOUD and get into this incredible live version of "What Gives?", taken from the film and recorded live at the band’s legendary last Australian gig in late ’77 at Paddington Town Hall.
If you like Radio Birdman and Birdman faves like the Ramones, the Flamin’ Groovies, the Sex Pistols and the Saints, be sure to check out our ‘Shake Some Action: Punk & New Wave Classics from the ‘70s & early ‘80s’ playlist on Spotify.
-DL
