state radio

gosh I love music. it just has such amazing power to make you feel differently and think differently. lately many band have taken a more political stance to their music. I call it 'when good bands go political' because not many do it well. they just don't have the power and ability that bands did in the 1960s. well I found one that does. More than political, they sing about personal experiences, injustices that they have witnessed, problems in the world, etc. and they actually DO something about it.


if you have heard of dispatch (which I have and LOVE) and were upset when they broke up, it's okay!!! the singer of dispatch, Chad Urmston, started this new band: State Radio. they have a lot of the same style of songs as dispatch. every style. Their songs range from ska and reggae to alternative, from slow to "raise yer pints" drinking songs. and EVERY song is about something they have seen, heard about, or known. the music: chad's voice is great. clear, not whiny, strong and powerful- this is the kind of voice that should be the head of a band. not only does he have a great voice, but he can change his style of singing to fit the style of the song. the other two members, Chuck Fay and Mike Najarian, of the band are talented as well. The band has 4 albums out now, and all can be found on itunes!! All of the links below are to songs that I don't just like but love! If you are more of a pop fan, I suggest listening to "Right Me Up" more than the others because I think YOU will like it the best.

• "Knights of Bostonia"- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OcaK2THE-Q&feature=related
• "Right Me Up"- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jza3P3PBeQ4
• "Gang of Thieves"- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvm3FqtrmJw&feature=channel
• "Camilo"- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BkvRnUZJys&feature=fvw
  

the message: like I said earlier, most of their songs have some political motivation behind it. DO NOT let that make your opinion. They make wonderful songs; great music, and when it comes down to it.... that's all that really matters anyway. "Right Me Up" is about a friend of theirs with a disability, and "Camilo" is about another friend who served in Iraq.

the activism: this band practices what they preach!! not only do they talk about injustices in their songs and say that they support things, they do them. On their last tour they made it a point to do a service project in every town they stopped in, whether it be serving food at homeless shelters or building a playground! And they always want their fans to do the same. They encourage them to not only hope for and want change, but to BE the change they want to see. for more info: www.stateradio.com/about

bottom line: CHECK THEM OUT!!! it will really be worth your time!