Interview: Roddy Radiation – ‘It’s a Shame Jerry Dammers Isn’t With Us, The Specials Were His Brainchild’

As well as being the lead guitarist in one of the most inspiring bands ever, Roddy ‘Radiation’ Byers of The Specials is also a grafter. Starting out in 1975, Roddy has never stopped writing or performing with a host of groups and projects he’s put together down the years, making him as hard working as he is influential. Chatting to the Live4ever Ezine, he tells us how he got his name, gives his thoughts on Jerry Dammers‘ new project, and discusses the upcoming Specials tour this September.

Made up having you in to talk to Live4ever Roddy. The Specials must be one of the most influential UK bands of all time – the amount of times the band are cited as main influences is unreal – how does that make you feel?

It’s hard trying to take in our place in music history! Maybe it’s not good for the soul too dwell on it too much. Yes it seems like things have reverted back to those bad old days of riots and unemployment again, I wonder if our music can really help?

Looking back on your past, since the Specials broke up in ’81 you’ve never stopped have you, you did eight years with The Tearjerkers, then straight into The Bonediggers with, ‘The Specials 2’ following that, as well as being a prolific songwriter.

I’m a musician. I started guitar when I was 13 and I guess I’ll play until the man upstairs calls for me! I have written lots of songs over the years, hopefully The Specials will record some more of them.

How did you get the name ‘Roddy Radiation’?

My brother Chris called me Roddy Radiation as a joke when I was into Ziggy Stardust in the early 70s. When punk came along I used it as a stage name and it’s stuck with me ever since.

When The Specials were supporting The Clash in 1978 the band couldn’t afford hotels, so Bernie Rhodes gave you all tents – they sound like hard times.

We slept rough on The Clash tour, usually on a judo mat we had liberated on top of our equipment in the back of the van. I don’t remember a tent, and Horace says the same, so maybe that’s just one of them legends of The Clash stories. I suppose roughing it on tour in the early days toughened us up for the ordeal yet to come, I don’t think we could do that now we are in our 50s though.

You’re back on tour again with The Specials in September. Since that first reunion gig at Bestival in 2008 it’s been a total success hasn’t it?

Yes it’s been more successful than we ever could have imagined, but we still have the same internal problems, but I guess most bands do.

…and it kicks off in Amsterdam?

Love Hamsterjam! Always relaxing and the locals love their Ska and Reggae.

What are the crowds like at the shows? Guessing a spread of all ages and people?

The majority of the UK crowds have been the blokes ‘n’ gals who were just a tad too young to see us first time round, with a few of the original crowd and a lot of youngsters who are only now just discovering our music. In the USA, Canada and Japan it’s mainly youngsters, while in Australia it’s mainly ex-pats.

Wanted to ask you what your overall thoughts on the looting in the UK with the riots lately. As we all know The Specials started out during the Miners’ Strikes, three day weeks with low opportunities and high unemployment. So as someone who has seen similar things before, what do you think?

I don’t know what to think about the riots recently. It doesn’t seem politically motivated, it’s just young thugs grabbing what they can maybe? But the state Britain’s in can hardly help things.

How did it pan out in your home town of Coventry?

So far there has only been minor disturbances in Coventry.

From your point of view what is the change and difference with Jerry not being with you on these tours?

It’s a great shame Jerry isn’t with us as The Specials were his brain child, but he’s a difficult guy to work with and I doubt we would have got past the rehearsal stage with him. Terry seems to have taken his place as leader now.

What’s your thoughts on Jerry’s ‘Spatial AKA Orchestra’ album? Sounds interesting.

I’m the only one of the band who’s been to see Jerry’s new band. I thought it was really clever and very interesting, but not really the kind of thing I would like to do.

…and what keeps you going, I guess your in this for life?

Good question, it does hurt a lot more than it used to – all the jumping and running about – but I’ll still try and put on an energetic stage show for as long as this old machine can function!

(Carl Stanley)