"Hidden Track" Picture Show: The Radiators @ Sullivan Hall

By Jeremy Gordon

Back in 1978, Ed Volker, Dave Malone and a few fellow musicians turned a few beers and five hour jam in his garage into a 33 year career together. As The Radiators they played with such luminaries as Gregg Allman, Maceo Parker, George Porter, Jr. and Bob Weir, to name a few, and in such long gone NYC venues as The Ritz, Tramps and Tobacco Road. Along the way, fellow musicians became brothers and fans became family as the Radiators became affectionately known as “The World’s Best Bar Band”. Playing two packed evenings at Sullivan Hall, fans from as far away as Boston and Washington, DC came to share in what was expected to be the final appearance for beloved keyboardist “Zeke” and this lineup in New York City.

[All photos by Jeremy Gordon]

Treated to a mix of covers from The Beatles and Van Morrison and personal favorites of their own, many of the songs including How Do You Feel, Funeral March and The End Is Not in Sight were filled with deeper meaning and tinged with both euphoria and sadness in a truly New Orleans way. Even the final song of the run, Train Kept A Rollin’, speaks to the future of the band and its remaining band members. Even if you’re not a member of the loyal Fishheads, we suggest you check out one of their New Year’s run shows in Ardmore, PA or as a real treat, their final appearance at the upcoming New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on May 8th.

Sullivan Hall
New York, NY
11/17/10

Set 1: Tuning – Intro, Sunglasses On, Between Two Fires, Oh La La, Domino > All The Good Ones Are Gone > Everybody’s Got Something Hide Except Me & My Monkey > Linin’ Track > Domino, Falling Through The Bottom Line, Danang, Daddy’s Coming Home, Grief Snafu, Good Things, Going Up To The Country, City Of Refuge, Outro

Set 2: Tuning – Intro, Down By The River, Circus Life, The Man Who Lost His Head, Honey Bee > Keep On Popping That Shine, Hide You Love Away (false start), Hide Your Love Away, Number Two Pencil, Fools Go First, Lovely You, Kenny’s Call Em’ Back, St. James Infirmary, Party Ain’t Over Till I Say It So > Whole Lotta Shakin’, Outro

Sullivan Hall
New York, NY
11/18/10

Set 1: Tuning, Young Neil Intro, Dreaming Out Loud, Texas Chainsaw Massacre > Willie & The Hand Jive > Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Brand New Tennessee Waltz, How Do You Feel, Funeral March (riff), Automatic, One Eye Jack, JigSaw, Last Time, Sparkplug, You Can’t Always Get Want, Monkey In Her Heart > Screwloose, Outro

Set 2: Tuning – Intro, Brown Eye Girl *, March On Down To Valentine, Gimmie A Rainbow That’s For Real, I’ve Got A Feeling > Midnight Special > I’ve Got A Feeling, Empire Getaway, Where Is The Soul Of The World ?, Lila, The End Is Not In Sight, Soul Kitchen, Kenny’s Call Em Back, Ride Captain Ride, Train Kept A Rollin’

* Young Neil On Vocals

[Setlist via Kevin Cawley]