The protagonist behind the Radio Rats was Jonathan Handley, a man with an unusual (some people might say 'warped') view on life and music. Handley was the chief songwriter for the band, played guitar and bass, and sang.
He was born in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) on 5 June 1954. His family moved to Springs when he was almost three. Handley explained: 'Being a geologist, my father oscillated between Welkom and Springs from the Fifties to the Seventies'.
Handley learnt to play guitar in Springs and Welkom. After leaving Welkom High School, he studied Medicine at Wits University. His first band in 1977 was known as the Warehouse Rats (because they rehearsed in an old warehouse). This band evolved into Slither with the addition of fellow medical student John Griffith. Griffith went on to record under the name John Ireland.
Slither drummer Niall Bell introduced Handley to vocalist Dave Davies and the two have remained close friends ever since. It was then that the band changed its name from Slither to the Radio Rats. When their first bassist Dion Coetzee (known as 'Shorty', because he was tall) left for a banking career, David Parkin joined and stayed until October 1981. Dave Davies gave Parkin the nickname 'Herbie', because he didn't want a band with 2 'Daves', and it stuck.
The Rats (as they are affectionately known) had many influences including John Cale (not JJ Cale!), David Bowie, Iggy Pop & The Stooges, The Rolling Stones, The Sex Pistols and even the early Dr Feelgood, although live they performed mostly their own songs.
'Big Beat' was released in 1991 on the Shifty label and featured the following musicians:
- Jonathan Handley: Vocals, guitar, organ
- Dave Davies: Vocals, sax
- Herbie Parkin: bass
- Hannepoot van Tonder: drums, trombone
- Steve Howells: drums
- Gil Marais-Gilchrist: guitar
- James Phillips: piano
- Gary Herselman: guitar
- Willem Moller: guitar
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