Live From Oxford, On A Friday! Geoff Trainor

Many of you probably think you know Radiohead. Nineties prog-rock, riding the waves of the post-punk electronica. You are partially right, but their story goes back further than that. In was a cool summer morning in Oxford, England, 1990, three years before Radiohead as you know them would take the world by storm with their hit debut. A young Thom Yorke was waiting at a barstool for his audition for vocalist lead in some local house band, when he stumbled upon a newspaper ad. Wanted: Back-up vocalist for new band, "On a Friday." Have a record deal! Willing to do anything to get his foot in the door, Yorke went to meet the band, fronted by Geoff Trainor. The Original Line-Up For On A Friday Little did Trainor know that the rest of the band, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway, were looking to replace their tyrannical frontman. Canadian born Trainor never quite fit in with the rest of the band, despite having written all their songs. It was Greenwood who came up with the plan. They had all the material they needed for numerous releases, so all they had to do was find a replacement singer. Greenwood convinced Trainor that the band needed another voice to add a bit of harmony to the group. When Yorke arrived, Greenwood knew instantly that he would be the one to replace Trainor, mostly because he thought his name sounded better, more rock and roll. So Yorke was in, and Trainor slowly faded out. They changed their name to Radiohead and by 1992, it was as if he never existed. The band, with Yorke at the helm, released their first stolen single, Creep, in 1993. Radiohead, years later, pretend not to know Geoff As far as Radiohead goes, the rest you already know. Trainor on the other hand was forced to go solo. He waited 20 or so years and attempted a come back with a friend of his, Jack. With Yorke's solo album being released on July 10th, maybe the band will ask for Geoff's return. I'm sure they feel scorned. But will he have them back? Here are some other offenders: Download: The Cure - Creep Pedro the Lion - Let Down Tallywood Strings - Optimistic Dresden Dolls - Karma Police Brad Mehldau - Paranoid Android Husky - Idioteque Lunasect - How To Disappear Completely The Willies - Creep Jamie Cullum - High & Dry Mountain Goats - No Surprises Mayfield - Fake Plastic Trees Tori Amos - Karma Police Osunlade & Erro - Everything In Its Right Place Steve Jaunzemis - Kid A Buy: Radiohead - OK Computer Thom Yorke - The Eraser Various Artists - Exit Music: Songs for Radio Heads Various Artists - Engmatic: The String Quartet Tribute to Radiohead