Search - Martin Gordon :: Mammal Trilogy

Rocking with the Herring!

07/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Despite the fact that singer Andy Ellison had the physique of a budgie and the voice of an aardvaark, Radio Stars were one of the brightest bands of the late seventies. Eccentric, muscular and, above all, witty, they were directed from the front by songwriter/bassist/producer Martin Gordon (see his 2003 solo release THE BABOON IN THE BASEMENT). They garnered a hit or two, played hundreds of gigs and then dissolved in a welter of ill-feeling. Here they reform, albeit temporarily. Now it gets confusing. For Radio Stars were also Jet, somewhat earlier (the mid-seventies, in fact) and, earlier still, most of them were John's Children. On this live recording, therefore, they go through material from all three bands, and even throw in stuff by Sparks (Gordon's first band) and a solo cut from Tee White, also, and incestuously, from Sparks. It's as loud as they claim, funny and rocks like a demented herring... for lovers of English pop music with loud guitars, this is IT!"