Despite their longevity, they are the only rock band that has been in existence for over three decades with the same original members, their vast repertoire—they can play a half a dozen shows without repeating a song, their rabid fan base and unerring dedication to the musical traditions of New Orleans, The Radiators still get no respect in their hometown.
Not only is the band celebrating thirty-three years together at Tipitina’s—a tradition that stretches back to very close to their beginnings in 1978 (the same year the iconic club opened)—but they also announced in November that they are disbanding this coming June. Yet, there is no mention of this weekend’s concerts and the final anniversary shows for this legendary group in the local press.
Tonight’s opener is the Honey Island Swamp Band. This band of talented musicians is clearly influenced by the Radiators. Chris Mule’s searing slide work and his interplay with A–ron Wilkerson’s mandolin and Sam Price’s funky bass combined with their compelling original compositions, suggest a sound that is rooted in the same Americana that gave birth to the Radiators a generation earlier.
Saturday night’s opener is the Walrus. Dig back in the blog for further info on this new band, but suffice it to say that this group approaches the music of the Beatles with a fresh 21st century perspective. The Radiators’ Dave Malone’s daughter, Darcy, fronts the group, which also includes members of Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes—another local band will a clear debt to the Radiators.
The Rads have covered hundreds of songs over their long career. They have mined the depths of New Orleans music from the junker blues of Champion Jack Dupree and the lyricism of Smiley Lewis to the effervescent island-influenced rhythms of Professor Longhair and the bottomless funk of the Meters. When is someone going to start covering songs from the deep catalog of the Radiators?
Here’s some vintage Rads from 1984-
