Radio Birdman formed in 1974 and began recording in 1976 when the single Burn My Eye was released. They took their name from a misheard lyric in The Stooges song, 1970. (The actual line is "Radio burnin'") Their first LP, "Radios Appear" showed diverse influences, including Blue Öyster Cult and Detroit bands of the late 1960s, such as The MC5 and The Stooges. The album was totally ignored by commercial radio but was championed by Sydney station 2JJ (Double Jay) and became sufficiently successful in Australia to lead to a contract with Sire Records (US label, home of The Ramones), who released a different version of Radios Appear internationally. It took three years to record a follow-up, Living Eyes, and by then, the Australian punk scene had diversified and the band broke up before the LP was released in 1978.
The band's lyrics reference US-born guitarist/main songwriter Deniz Tek's home state of Michigan, with lyrics from tracks such as "Murder City Nights" referring to Woodward Avenue in Detroit:
"Cruising down Woodward gotta find me some action/Looking for a lover with a power reaction."
Many of their other songs, such as "Hand Of Law" & "Descent Into The Maelstrom" deal in apocalyptic images of war and violence, but these are more than balanced by the lighter pop culture references of tunes such as "Aloha Steve & Danno", an ode to the TV show Hawaii 5-0. "Man With Golden Helmet" (which Tek wrote in high school) is one of their most cryptic efforts: "Man with golden helmet/drinks water from the faucet..plays with tiny children/on his way home from work...he's a top man/in the language department". Deniz Tek wrote most of the lyrics and music for the band
All members went on to other bands. Younger's New Christs would be more oriented towards hard-edged, blues-based rock and roll. Tek and Keeley and keyboardist Pip Hoyle's band, The Visitors, and guitarist Chris Masuak and bass guitarist Warwick Gilbert's The Hitmen continued the Radio Birdman sound. Tek, Younger & Gilbert played in a one-shot touring band called New Race, with Dennis Thompson of the MC5 & Ron Asheton of the Stooges.
In the 1996, the band reformed sporadically to play gigs, but a full-fledged reunion didn't surface until the 00's, with the 2006 album Zeno Beach being enthusiastically received. The band split once again in 2008.
In 2014, the band announced that Younger, Tek, Hoyle and Dickson announced that they would tour Australia as Radio Birdman to coincide with the reissue of their back catalogue.
TPBR Combo
Radio Birdman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On a 727
And I need a TPBR
Now we're getting loaded
In an all night cocktail bar
Don't wanna go
But we don't wanna miss that plane
Dean Martin on the tape
Better hold on now
It's getting serious
Back off Jack
If you don't wanna get shot down
I got a V8 fist
And I don't wanna mess around
(Mess your face)
You go a skullbone head
And a razor on your tie
I got a skull on fire
And a laser on my mind
Give me a chili dog
With lots of onions
Mustard and grease
All oozin' out the side
Do the TP: Do the TPBR
All the kids are doing the TPBR
Sol and Tanya are doing the TPBR
Down in Pittsburgh they're doing the TPBR
Hold on now
Hold on now
It's getting serious
The lyrics to Radio Birdman's song "TPBR Combo" depict a scene in which the singer and their friends are getting loaded in a cocktail bar before boarding their flight. The urgency of the situation is established with the mention of a TPBR, likely an acronym for a crucial item they need before boarding the plane. The song also references Dean Martin, whose music is playing in the bar, and the effect it's having on the singer's state of mind. The second stanza features the singer warning someone named Jack to back off before they get hurt, and then boasting about their own power and razor-sharp mind. Finally, the song ends with a mention of a chili dog and a repetition of the phrase "Do the TPBR," indicating that it has become some kind of popular trend.
Line by Line Meaning
On a 727
The singer is on a Boeing 727, a commercial airplane that can travel long distances.
And I need a TPBR
The singer is in need of a "TPBR" which refers to a type of dance move or lifestyle associated with the punk rock community. It represents rebellion and going against societal norms.
Now we're getting loaded
The singer and his/her friends are drinking alcohol, getting drunk.
In an all night cocktail bar
They are drinking in a bar that serves fancy and expensive mixed drinks, and is open throughout the night.
Don't wanna go
They don't want to leave the bar.
But we don't wanna miss that plane
They are aware that they have a plane to catch, so they cannot stay in the bar for too long.
Dean Martin on the tape
The music playing in the background is Dean Martin's song, probably from a tape cassette.
He's driving me half insane
The artist is getting annoyed or frustrated with the sound of Dean Martin's voice.
Better hold on now
The artist is warning his/her friends to pay attention, probably because something important or exciting is about to happen.
It's getting serious
The situation they are in is becoming more intense or dangerous - this line might indicate that the artist is starting to feel the effects of the alcohol and is concerned about their safety or ability to catch the flight.
Back off Jack
The singer is telling someone named "Jack" to move away and not interfere.
If you don't wanna get shot down
Jack is warned that he might get hurt if he continues to provoke the artist.
I got a V8 fist
The singer boasts that his/her punch is very powerful, possibly referring to a car engine that has eight cylinders.
And I don't wanna mess around
The singer doesn't want to engage in a fight or conflict, but will defend him/herself if necessary.
(Mess your face)
The singer might verbally or physically harm Jack's face.
You go a skullbone head
Jack has a head shaped like a skull, possibly due to a bald or shaved head.
And a razor on your tie
Jack's tie has a razor or blade attached to it, indicating that he might use it as a weapon.
I got a skull on fire
The singer is wearing an item (probably a shirt or tattoo) that has a skull design that looks like it is on fire, symbolizing a fearless and rebellious attitude.
And a laser on my mind
The singer is very focused on something, possibly a mission or goal that he/she wants to accomplish.
Give me a chili dog
The artist wants a hot dog made with chili (a spicy meat sauce) as a filling.
With lots of onions
The artist wants a lot of onion toppings on the hot dog.
Mustard and grease
The artist wants mustard, a tangy condiment, and grease (possibly from bacon or sausage) dripped on the hot dog, making it more flavorful and messy.
All oozin' out the side
The singer wants the toppings to overflow on the sides of the hot dog, making it look appetizing and indulgent.
Do the TP: Do the TPBR
The artist is encouraging everyone to do the TPBR dance or lifestyle. It could mean being free and unconventional.
All the kids are doing the TPBR
The singer observes that many young people are attracted to the TPBR, probably seeing it as a way of expressing themselves and rebelling against the norms.
Sol and Tanya are doing the TPBR
The singer knows two specific people named Sol and Tanya who are doing the TPBR.
Down in Pittsburgh they're doing the TPBR
The singer mentions Pittsburgh, a city in Pennsylvania, as a place where the TPBR is also popular.
Hold on now
The artist reminds his/her friends to be careful or patient.
Hold on now
Repetition of the phrase can indicate increasing tension or anxiety.
It's getting serious
Repeating the same line indicates that the situation is not yet resolved and might have gotten worse.
Contributed by Samantha H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.