A Resurgence of Radiation

Over the past year, the Radiators have received more national and international exposure than at any point since their late-'70s launch — but the attention has come at a heavy price. The bayou-rock band calls New Orleans home, and after that city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, reporters sought out folks like bassist Reggie Scanlon, whose quotes subsequently turned up in London's Guardian newspaper and other far-flung publications. In addition, the group was placed on the bill of ReAct Now: Music & Relief, a Katrina benefit, alongside Alicia Keys, Trent Reznor, Maroon 5, and plenty of other big names. (The telethon was broadcast on several major cable networks, including MTV, a channel that wouldn't have spotlighted the Radiators under normal circumstances unless the performers had broken into the studio armed with M16s.) Things have improved slightly since then; the band is scheduled to perform at Tipitina's, one of the Big Easy's most legendary venues, shortly before its batch of local dates. Publicity aside, Scanlon and company undoubtedly prefer such gigs to the sort spurred by catastrophe.

The Radiators perform with King Bee on Friday, August 11, and Saturday, August 12, at the Culture Room, 3045 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $19.99. Call 954-564-1074, or visit www.cultureroom.net.