Jet became Radio Stars, with guitarist Ian Macleod replacing Jet's Davey O'List and drummer Steve Parry, and later Jamie Crompton, completing the line up.
The first Radio Stars single ‘Dirty Pictures’ was championed by John Peel; their first EP, inspired by Germans and entitled ‘Stop It’, contained two tunes which were to become legendary live favourites, ‘No Russians in Russia’ and ‘Johnny Mekon’. Their first album ‘Songs For Swinging Lovers’ was described as ’sticking out from the fetid morass of garage bands on fly-by-night labels like Nureyev's whatsit through his leotard’, which seems to sum it up rather well.
They toured endlessly, audiences invaded the stage, they even had hits and gained critical acclaim. Tickets for the shows were printed with the slogan ‘No riff-raff’ - no matter, the riff-raff turned up in droves, eager to get an earful of the band and an eyeful of Gordon’s soft-porn model girlfriend who stood obtrusively at the side of the stage. Their second album ‘Holiday Album’ contained equal amounts of pop gems for grown-ups, but the writing was on the wall, and molars were being ground down. Exhausted by touring continuously, the band broke up and reformed the following day without bassist/writer Martin Gordon.
Trevor White, also ex-Sparks,was later added to the line-up but Gordon's departure in December 1978 undermined any lingering potential and Radio Stars disbanded the following year. Ellison and White subsequently undertook several low-key projects and the singer later revived the group's name, but to little success due in the main to Trevor White's increasing problem with transvestism and gerbils.
However, in a recent development in November 2007, they had this to say: "Canoe group claim to have no recollection of disbanding: British band Radio Stars who disappeared in a mysterious boating incident in 1979 and who were declared officially dead by the Performing Rights Society, turned themselves over to the proprietor of London's Blow Up club at the weekend. They claimed to have no recollection of having broken up over thirty years ago, and to be 'completely in the dark' about the release of a new CD featuring live performances from the late seventies".
They performed in London on March 1st 2008, and repeated this unique one-off event at London's Forum on December 13th 2008, and also in Southampton the following day. They also performed on January 22nd 2010 in a once-only 32nd anniversary of their tour with Eddie and the Hotrods as special guests of that band at the 100 Club, London, UK.
More on www.radio-stars.com,www.martingordon.de and www.radiantfuture.eu
Nervous Wreck
Radio Stars Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been around through thick and thin, now what can I say? my mental health is long gone. You said you'd change but it's always the same - is this love? I don't think so
I know in future this won't happen again. I'll close my eyes and I'll just count to ten. And when I'm tempted then I know I'll resist cos you made me a nervous wreck
In Radio Stars' song "Nervous Wreck," the lyrics provide a clear depiction of a mentally exhausted and haggard individual who has been emotionally dismantled by the actions of another person. The lyrics describe how the person's confidence has been destroyed, and their fragile mental state has been broken down to the point where they have become a nervous wreck. The singer wishes their tormentor could see what they are doing to them. Their hands deal with tremors, they suffer from an extreme case of itching scalp, and their eyes are wildly erratic. Even their nail-biting habits have been heightened under the immense stress they are experiencing.
The song is about someone who has been subjected to a repetitive cycle of games and tricks played by another person, which has ultimately left them in a fragile state of mental turmoil. The individual has endured years of this treatment, and even though there have been promises of change, it is always the same outcome. The lyrics suggest that the person has had enough and that they will be more cautious in the future, indicating that they have ultimately realized the impact of the other person's actions. The song ends with a vow never to be made a nervous wreck again, and that they will resist temptation to maintain their emotional well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
You destroyed my confidence, you broke my nerve.
You shattered my self-assurance and strength.
I've gone to pieces, now this I don't deserve.
I've completely fallen apart, and I don't believe I deserved this.
Wish you could see what you're doing to me - you made me a nervous wreck.
I wish you could comprehend what impact you have had on me, triggering me to become a frightened wreck.
My hands are twitching and I can't settle down.
I have tremors in my hands, and I just can't seem to calm down.
My scalp is itching and my eyes roll around;
I have a tickly scalp, and my eyes constantly roll around.
I chew my nails right down to the quick - you made me a nervous wreck.
I nervously chew on my nails down to the quick, thanks to you!
Now I've endured for years and years your tricks and your games: my confidence is long gone.
I've suffered through several years of your pranks and games; as a result, I'm no longer confident.
You said you'd changed but it's always the same - is this love? I don't think so
Even though you promised to change, everything has stayed the same. I'm not sure this qualifies as love.
I've been around through thick and thin, now what can I say? my mental health is long gone.
I've stayed by your side through everything, but now my mental well-being has taken a hit.
You said you'd change but it's always the same - is this love? I don't think so
Despite your assurances, you haven't changed at all. Is this really love? I'm skeptical.
I know in future this won't happen again. I'll close my eyes and I'll just count to ten. And when I'm tempted then I know I'll resist cos you made me a nervous wreck
I'm optimistic that this won't happen again in the future, and I'll use breathing exercises to help me become calmer. And if I'm ever tempted in the future, I'll resist, because you're the one who made me so anxious.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARTIN GORDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamesmcquarrie3329
25 yrs later, my brother and I still agree that the best gig (and he became stage manager at SECC in Glasgow) we ever went to was Squeeze, Radio Stars, and Eddie and the Hot Rods in Cardiff Top rank, 1978.By far the best band on the bill were Radio Stars! They were so unbelievibley entertainingly brilliant. Gods bless 'em. The best of Rock and Roll.
@Crottly
I was at that gig as well.
@philiprobinson256
Strange to think that ten years previously, lead singer Andy Ellison was in a cult 60s psychedelic band called John's Children...with a certain Marc Bolan on guitar no less!!!
Met and saw Andy quite a few times at various Marc Bolan conventions and he was still acting the total nutter on stage even then.
@RadiantFutureRecords
He used to watch the test card on the BBC. "What on earth are you doing watching the test card (on the BBC)?" queried a friend who had come round to pick him up. "Well, there might be something on in a moment..." he said. Or was that the anteater? #anteater
@volcano-catonyoutube8706
So I'm fifty, coked-up and bored off my fucking mind in some pub and this comes on last night; if I heard it in the seventies it's slipped my mind, but I suddenly woke up and thought; I'll have a bit of this. Quality!.
@RadiantFutureRecords
We would have a bit of what you're having. Quantity!
@IdleAl
Wow....this has been lodged in my mind for so many years...the punk band where the girl says "I dont know" was my memory. Now I have finally found it, and I am wrong! Great video.
@RadiantFutureRecords
Hmm, I don't know.
@stephh.7314
First gig I ever attended - Radio Stars at Nashville Rooms, North End Road.
@RadiantFutureRecords
We almost lived there, during 1977.