Music

Is This Long-Lost Radiohead Song Really a Hoax? Or Is It Legit?

Would Radiohead–one of the most erudite bands of a generation–really record a song called “Putting Ketchup in the Fridge?” Well, this is a band with songs like “Subterranean Homesick Alien” and “Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box,” so I wouldn’t put it past them.

But there are those who smell a rat.  Or at least think they do.

Yes, the song has received covered on a number of sites, including Spin and the NME, describing it as early 90s Radiohead.  Rumour had it that the song was stolen by someone who used to work at EMI and thoughtfully burned it to CD for future distribution.

Before we go any further, let’s have a listen.  Is this Thom and the guys?

However, Gawker suggests that the recording is actually from a band called The Figures and this meme has been propagated by the 4chan communitiy.  The Figures, though, beg to differ.

Interestingly, there’s been no word from Radiohead on the subject.  At least not as I’m writing this.

 

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38006 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

3 thoughts on “Is This Long-Lost Radiohead Song Really a Hoax? Or Is It Legit?

  • After a listen I'm fairly sure that's not Radiohead. The singer sounds like Thom Yorke in the higher registers, but not so much when he's singing lower — I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think he enunciates differently, possibly because of a different regional British accent.

    Reply
  • The most likely explanation is that it's one of a gazillion super-talented bands that we've never heard of because they never got their break. They're probably living mundane lives now, running a bakery, or working in insurance, and every once in a while they get together and jam, or do a gig down at the legion.
    Imagine what it must feel like for them right now to be reading these stories online, getting these fantastic reviews, and even getting radio play… it's everything they dreamed about when they were young, but no one would give them the time of day. And now they are the darlings of the elite music world, at least for a week or so, but only because everyone thinks it's Radiohead.
    What happens to them when the truth comes out? Do you still think this song is great? Do you still play it on the radio?

    Reply

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