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Rocker, doctor, flight surgeon – the many lives of Radio Birdman's Deniz Tek
Deniz has squeezed more than most into his life. From pioneering punk rock in Australia, to performing improvised neurosurgery aboard a naval ship, to retirement growing Macadamias in Hawaii.
Deniz is a founding member of Radio Birdman, Australia’s seminal punk rock band.
He was also an emergency doctor in Australia and the United States.
But that wasn’t enough for Deniz.
He decided to join the U.S Marines as a flight surgeon – a type of pilot who can perform improvised neurosurgery aboard a naval ship.
Deniz is also a husband, a father, an adopted member of the Crow Tribe, and most recently, a macadamia farmer.
Despite his big story, Deniz has of course made mistakes along the way, in his headstrong and unexpected trajectory through life.
Further information
Full Throttle is published by Pan Macmillan.
This interview was made on Turrbal and Jaggera country.
It was produced by Meggie Morris. The Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.
It covers punk rock, neurosurgery, US Navy, Veteran, First Nations Americans, Crow Tribe, macadamia farmer, advocate, Turkey, Ataturk, Michigan, music, band, The Rationals, rock n roll, UNSW, international students, gigs, Lou Reed, Montana, White Swan
