In Conversation: Chatting Radiohead with Robbo

In the lead up to their first Australian shows in over 8 years, I sat down with a treasured friend to discuss all things Radiohead.  Ladies and gentleman, I give you Matt Robinson - actuary, Robert Pattinson look-a-like and music fan extraordinaire.  

 C.  When did you first hear Radiohead?

MR.  It was 2006.  OK Computer was the record.  I was coming out of a long phase of listening to Pink Floyd, so it fit in with the whole concept album thing - the album as a self-contained entity. 

C.  That's so interesting!  I've always linked 'Lucky' and 'Breathe' - same chords (Em, A) and incredible guitar crescendos. 

MR.  I don’t listen to it (OK Computer) much now.  Gravitating towards different albums. 

C.  Which ones do you mean?

MR.  In Rainbows and Kid A.  Kid A is this moody electronic album that you can really immerse yourself in.  I think In Rainbows is a social record, one you can play for new fans to enjoy. 

C.  For me, it's Radiohead's most relaxed record.  All the albums up to that point had a vibe of angst or conflict.  Songs like 'Nude' and 'House of Cards' just feel so chilled and at peace. 

MR.  It seemed like they didn't need to make a 'transaction' on that record (without a record label), so maybe that meant that they were more relaxed.  The second disc is amazing too. 

C.  Totally.  Have you seen Thom have a go on the drums on 'Bangers n Mash'?

MR.  No.

C.  You saw Radiohead at a festival in Bilbao earlier this year.  What was that like?

MR.  Festival audience, Festival-friendly setlist.  Really varied crowd.  Spanish hipsters, of which there are a fair few. 

Aforementioned Spanish hipsters at Bilbao festival

C.  What songs are you looking forward to seeing in Sydney?

MR.  'House of Cards',  'Bullet Proof..Wish I Was)', 'Drunken Punchup At A Wedding'.  

C.  I wanna hear Punchup too !  So many great songs on the second side of Hail To The Thief - 'Wolf At The Door', 'Myxomatosis', 'Scatterbrain'.

C.  See you in the mosh, man.


Robbo and I will be attending the Radiohead show on Tuesday 12 November.  I will also be attending the show on Monday 11 November.  There may be tears and manhugs on both evenings.