The Radiohead Story (1986-1991)

Radiohead were formed in the mid-Eighties at Abingdon School, a boys-only public school located just outside the city of Oxford, which drummer Phil Selway, guitarist Ed O’Brien, guitarist/vocalist Thom Yorke, bassist Colin Greenwood and Colin’s brother Jonny all attended. They began practicing in the school’s music room, which led to the formation of their first band On a Friday, so named because of their customary rehearsal date. The band played their first gig in September 1986, at Oxford’s Jericho Tavern. Jonny was the youngest member, and played harmonica until he could persuade the others to allow him on guitar. Ironically, he soon developed into the band’s lead player.

When the five band members left Oxford to attend university they temporarily paused activity in On a Friday, continuing to practice on holiday breaks, always planning to return to the band. After four years of inactivity, On a Friday began releasing demos, (i.e. the Manic Hedgehog Demo), and performing live again in Oxford in 1991. Their popularity in the region reached the point of their appearing on the cover of Curfew, a local music magazine. Though Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley had an active independent music scene in the late 80s and early 90s, it centred around shoegazing bands like Ride and Slowdive. Radiohead was not seen to fit into this trend, and commented that they had missed it when they returned from university.