| State Radio | |
|---|---|
State Radio performing live at Terminal 5 in New York City on November 23, 2007 |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Sherborn, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Genres | Alternative rock, Reggae Post punk |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | Fenway, Nettwerk, Ruff Shod |
| Associated acts | Dispatch Barefoot Truth |
| Website | stateradio.com |
| Members | |
| Chad Stokes Urmston Chuck Fay Mike Najarian |
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| Past members | |
| Brian Sayers Pete Halby Matt Shardlow Nikki Glaspie |
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State Radio is an alternative rock band from Sherborn, Massachusetts, consisting of Chad Urmston (lead vocals, guitar), Chuck Fay (bass) and Mike Najarian (drums). The band's first full-length album, Us Against the Crown, was released in December 2005, their second, Year of the Crow in September 2007, and their most recent album, Let it Go, in September 2009.
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A Boston based trio band led by singer and primary songwriter Chad Urmston (a former member of Vermont jamsters Dispatch), State Radio largely managed to avoid the usual post-Phish clichés, injecting a punk-influenced sound and politically charged viewpoint while staying true to the tenets of the band's chosen style, which infuses a blend of Roots-Reggae, Ska, Punk and Rock.
Urmston, who disbanded Dispatch at the height of its popularity in 2002, formed State Radio later the same year. Focusing exclusively on guitar and vocals instead of the instrument switching he was previously known for, he brought in second guitarist Pete Halby, bassist Chuck Fay, and drummer Mike Greenfield to round out the lineup. After the exploratory debut EP Flag of the Shiners was released by Fenway Recordings in late 2002, State Radio went on a temporary hiatus throughout 2003 as Urmston recovered from throat surgery. Returning to active duty in 2004 as a slimmed-down trio with new drummer Brian Sayers, State Radio followed a second EP, Simmer Kane, with the release of 2005's Us Against the Crown. Another personnel change occurred before State Radio toured in support of the album, with drummer Mike Najarian replacing Sayers.
The sophomore effort Year of the Crow followed in fall 2007, bringing with it an emphasis on louder guitars and sociopolitical themes. State Radio reinforced such themes by launching service projects in each city the band visited, and Urmston briefly reconvened Dispatch for a three-night charity performance at Madison Square Garden, with funds going toward Zimbabwe relief. State Radio maintained such political awareness on 2009's Let It Go.
Official recording sessions for their third album began on November 3, 2008 in North Brookfield, Massachusetts at Long View Farm Studios. The album, entitled Let It Go, was released on September 29, 2009.
Following the release of "Let It Go" State Radio launched their winter tour. The winter 2010 tour was titled "Lefty Rides Again" and visited many cities across the United States. State Radio also completed a small European tour during the last two weeks of March.
At the beginning of Summer 2010, State Radio embarked on a huge cross-country tour opening for John Butler Trio during their April Uprising North American Tour. This tour featured sold-out shows at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater, Central Park Summerstage, and Boston's own Bank of America Pavilion. The latter 2 were co-headlining shows, while State Radio closed the last set in their hometown. At the end of the summer, the band returned to Germany for several more festival dates.
The band's song "Keepsake" was featured in the season three finale of Showtime's dark comedy Weeds. "Keepsake" was also featured at the end of an episode of Cold Case, and at the end of the 7th episode of the 2010 version of Hawaii Five-0.
State Radio opened for Dave Matthews Band on May 30–31, 2008 in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, and on June 3–4, 2008 in Camden, New Jersey.[2]
State Radio played at a concert near the 2008 Democratic National Convention alongside Rage Against the Machine and other politically active bands as an act of protest.
More Recently, Kayem Foods, based in Chelsea, Mass.,has used their songs "Right Me Up" and "Sybil I" in a series of hot dog commercials.
In one of the most recent episodes of Eureka, Zoe Carter, Harvard student and daughter of the main character, had State Radio banners in her dorm room, which is an accurate reference to the band's popularity in the Boston area.
Winner 9th Annual Independent Music Awards: Social Action Album "Calling All Crows".
"Knights of Bostonia" off the album "Let it Go" was featured in the beginning of surf cinematographer Taylor Steele's latest film, "Innersections." The song was played during the opening section, in memory of Andy Irons.
In 2008, State Radio started an activist group called Calling All Crows to "inspire public service" and "promote human rights." Currently, they are working with Oxfam America's Stoves for Sudan Project. Calling All Crows is hoping to raise money for 5,000 stoves for 5,000 different women in Sudan through fan activism before concerts.