Dave Malone, one of the lead guitarists and singers for the Radiators, has often referred to Mark Mullins, the leader of Bonerama as the sixth Radiator (pictured together). Mullins and the other trombone players in the world’s only trombone-fronted band have been sitting in with the Radiators for years including at this year’s Jazz Fest performance.
While the Radiators were performing their last three shows at Tipitina’s on June 9-11, Bonerama was playing in New York City at Sullivan Hall. Evidently, they were thinking about home and their friends at Tipitina’s.
They played five songs by the Radiators beginning with the opening song of the first night. “Where Was You At?” segued directly into “Confidential.” Those two classic Rads songs then morphed into Bonerama’s own, “Shake Your Ruglator.”
Later in the set, the horns played the melody of “Suck the Heads” in a medley that led to everyone in the band chanting the chorus.
The highlight of the night for the Fishheads in attendance was a full version of “Soul On Fire.” Jon Gros, June Yamagishi and Jason Mingledorff from Papa Grows Funk joined Bonerama on organ, guitar and saxophone respectively. The Fishheads in the crowd made themselves known by lustily adding the “hey” that has become a requisite bit of audience participation when the Radiators perform the song.
The following night, Bonerama opened their show with another Rads classic, “Cocktail Music.” The also played another version of “Soul On Fire.” Zach Deputy, a special guest, laid down some trippy guitar leads, which hinted at Jerry Garcia’s work. The song segued directly into the Grateful Dead’s “The Other One.” Later in the set, they reprised “Confidential.”
I have been arguing since the breakup of the Radiators that the band’s place in the grand scheme of the history of New Orleans music will only grow as time passes. The fact that Bonerama has been playing these songs only makes me believe that more bands will begin to cover many of the gems from the Radiators’ catalogue.
Click the links to listen or download these performances.
