State Radio

Last updated
State Radio
Sr live.png
State Radio performing in 2007
Background information
Origin Sherborn, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres
Years active2002–2013
Labels Fenway, Nettwerk, Ruff Shod
Members Chad Stokes Urmston
Past membersChuck Fay
Mike Najarian
Brian Sayers
Pete Halby
Matt Shardlow
Nikki Glaspie
Website stateradio.com

State Radio was a Boston-based rock trio comprising singer and primary songwriter Chad Stokes Urmston (also a member of Dispatch), bassist Chuck Fay, and, formerly, drummer Michael Najarian. The band's songs focus on social and political issues and have been musically described as a combination of reggae, punk and rock. [3]

Contents

Biography

Chad Urmston, whose previous band Dispatch disbanded in 2002, formed State Radio later the same year in Sherborn, Massachusetts with second guitarist Pete Halby, bassist Chuck Fay, and drummer Mike Greenfield. The band, originally known as Flag of the Shiners, released an eponymous debut EP on Fenway Recordings in late 2002. The EP was later re-released under the band's current name, however the title remained the same. [4]

State Radio went on a temporary hiatus throughout 2003 as Urmston recovered from throat surgery. They returned to touring and recording in 2004 as a slimmed-down trio with new drummer Brian Sayers. The band released a second EP entitled Simmer Kane in March 2004. [5] This EP was a departure in style from the debut EP Flag of the Shiners as it featured acoustic guitar and Erin Lashnits Coughlin ("Ras LC") on vocals. In December 2005, State Radio released its first LP, Us Against the Crown . After touring for a few months in support of this album, drummer Michael Najarian was brought in to replace Brian Sayers, [6] playing his first show at Emo's in Austin, Texas. With this lineup, the band recorded and released their second album Year of the Crow in September 2007.

State Radio opened for Dave Matthews Band on May 30 and 31, 2008 in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, and on June 3 and 4, 2008 in Camden, New Jersey. [7] In August of that year, 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 against the Iraq War. [8]

Official recording sessions for State Radio's 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. In support of the album, State Radio launched their winter 2010 U.S. tour, titled "Lefty Rides Again." State Radio also completed a small European tour during the last two weeks of March 2010. At the beginning of summer 2010, State Radio embarked on a cross-country tour, opening for John Butler Trio during their April Uprising North American Tour. [9] The latter two were co-headlining shows. At the end of the summer, the band returned to Germany for several more festival dates.

In 2010, the band won Best Social Action Song from the 9th Annual Independent Music Awards for "Calling All Crows". [10]

The band's fourth album Rabbit Inn Rebellion was released on October 23, 2012. Guest appearances on the album include backup vocals by Matt Embree, Darren Buck and Kevin Kinsella, violin by Sarah Parkington on "Take Cover," guitar by Johnny Trauma on "Black Welsh Mountain" and Milt Reeder on "Freckled Mary," and vocals as well as additional lyrics by Mackie Cromwell on "H.A.C.K.I.N. (Yeah Man)." A music video for "Freckled Mary" was released on October 15, 2012, directed by Michael Parks Randa.

In September 2013, it was announced on State Radio's website and on their Facebook page that Mike "Maddog" Najarian had left State Radio to pursue a career in finance. Chad wrote, "Above all, he drummed his ass off every night and it was an honor to share the stage with him and feel that mac truck energy coming from the kit." [11]

Discography

Studio albums

Live Albums/EPs

EPs

Singles

Compilation appearances

In the media

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 the "Bullet" episode of Cold Case, and at the end of the seventh episode of the Hawaii Five-0 reboot.

In 2012, Kayem Foods, based in Chelsea, Massachusetts, used State Radio's songs "Right Me Up" and "Sybil I" in a series of hot dog commercials.

"Knights of Bostonia" was featured in the beginning of surf cinematographer Taylor Steele's film Innersection. The song was played during the opening section, in memory of Andy Irons.

Activism

During a tour in support of the band's 2007 album Year of the Crow, State Radio launched service projects in each city the band visited, and Urmston's former band Dispatch briefly reconvened for a three-night charity performance at Madison Square Garden, with funds going toward Zimbabwe relief. [13]

In 2008, State Radio started an activist group called Calling All Crows to "inspire public service" and "promote human rights." In 2009, the organization worked with Oxfam America's Stoves for Sudan Project, raising $100,000 through fan activism at concerts to purchase 5,000 stoves for Sudanese women. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nickelback</span> Canadian rock band

Nickelback is a Canadian rock band formed in 1995 in Hanna, Alberta. Throughout its history, it has consisted of lead guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, rhythm guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist Ryan Peake, and bassist Mike Kroeger. It went through several drummer changes between 1995 and 2005 before Daniel Adair joined.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Black Crowes</span> American rock band

The Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1984. Their discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the following year. Their follow-up, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, reached the top of the Billboard 200 in 1992. The albums Amorica (1994), Three Snakes and One Charm (1996), By Your Side (1999), and Lions (2001) followed, with each showing moderate popularity but failing to capture the chart successes of the band's first two albums. After a hiatus from 2002 to 2005, the band regrouped and toured for several years before releasing Warpaint in 2008, which reached number 5 on the Billboard chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Godsmack</span> American rock band

Godsmack is an American rock band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The band is composed of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Sully Erna, bassist Robbie Merrill, lead guitarist Tony Rombola and drummer Shannon Larkin. Since its formation, Godsmack has released eight studio albums, one EP, four DVDs, one compilation album, and one live album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Counting Crows</span> American rock band

Counting Crows is an American rock band from the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Formed in 1991, the band consists of guitarist David Bryson, drummer Jim Bogios, vocalist Adam Duritz, keyboardist Charlie Gillingham, multi-instrumentalist David Immerglück, bass guitarist Millard Powers, and guitarist Dan Vickrey. Past members include the drummers Steve Bowman (1991–1994) and Ben Mize (1994–2002), and bass guitarist Matt Malley (1991–2005).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graham Colton</span> American singer-songwriter

Graham Colton is an American singer-songwriter from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His most recent album, Inside Out, was released on August 14, 2020. Colton's songs have been featured on numerous TV shows including American Idol, Pretty Little Liars, Kyle XY, Oprah's Big Give, Newport Harbor, Castle, Wildfire, October Road Fall promo, HBO Winter promo, Sundance promo, and many others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Face to Face (punk band)</span> American punk rock band formed in 1991

Face to Face is a punk rock band from Victorville, California, formed in 1991 by frontman Trever Keith, bassist Matt Riddle and drummer Rob Kurth. The band rose to fame with their 1995 album Big Choice, featuring the radio hit "Disconnected" which received heavy rotation on KROQ radio in Los Angeles and appeared in the movies Tank Girl and National Lampoon's Senior Trip.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dispatch (band)</span> American indie rock band

Dispatch is an American indie/roots band. The band consists of Brad Corrigan and Chad Urmston. The band's original bassist, Pete Francis Heimbold, left in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Trews</span> Canadian hard rock band

The Trews are a Canadian rock band from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, consisting of vocalist Colin MacDonald, guitarist John-Angus MacDonald, bassist Jack Syperek, and drummer Theo Mckibbon. The band is currently based in Hamilton, Ontario. From their formation in 1997 to 2016, The Trews were among the top 150 best-selling Canadian artists in Canada and among the top 40 best-selling Canadian bands in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chadwick Stokes Urmston</span> American musician (born 1976)

Chad (Chadwick) Stokes Urmston is an American musician and a human rights activist. He is the frontman for the Boston-area bands Dispatch and State Radio, and released solo music under the name Chadwick Stokes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marc Ford</span> American guitarist

Marc Ford is an American blues-rock guitarist, songwriter and record producer. He is a former guitarist of the rock and roll band The Black Crowes, the former lead guitarist of The Magpie Salute and the leader of his own bands: Burning Tree, Marc Ford & The Neptune Blues Club, Marc Ford & The Sinners, Fuzz Machine, and Jefferson Steelflex.

Vanna was an American hardcore punk band from Boston that was formed in 2004. On December 15, 2017, the band played their final show at the Worcester Palladium.

Destroy the Runner is an American melodic metalcore band from San Diego, California. The band released two full-length albums via Solid State Records prior to going on hiatus in 2010. In 2016 the band's original members reunited and independently released the band's latest effort Void.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Job for a Cowboy</span> American death metal band

Job for a Cowboy is an American death metal band from Glendale, Arizona. Formed in 2003, the band's debut album Genesis was released in 2007, peaking at No. 54 on the US Billboard 200 and selling 13,000 copies in its first week of release. The second album, 2009's Ruination, sold 10,600 copies in the United States in its first week to debut at position No. 42 on the Billboard 200 chart. The band comprises vocalist Jonny Davy, guitarists Tony Sannicandro and Al Glassman and bassist Nick Schendzielos. Davy is the only remaining founding member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DecembeRadio</span> American Christian rock band

DecembeRadio was an American Christian rock band formed in 2003 and composed of bassist and lead vocalist Josh Reedy, lead guitarist Brian Bunn, rhythm guitarist Eric Miker and drummer Boone Daughdrill.

<i>Peace Between Nations</i> 2005 studio album by State Radio

Peace Between Nations EP is a 2005 album by reggae rock band, State Radio, headlined by former Dispatch vocalist, Chad Urmston. It features some of the more mellow acoustic work that characterized their last album, the Simmer Kane EP, along with some throwbacks to their original rock style of Flag of the Shiners, such as 'The Diner Song' and 'Democracy in Kind'. The EP was originally released as a four-song disc, without the Simmer Kane tracks or the live takes, and with the version of 'Calvado's Chopper' that later appeared on The Barn Sessions, then rereleased with the current track list.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ra Ra Riot</span> American indie rock band

Ra Ra Riot is an American indie rock band consisting of vocalist Wes Miles, bassist Mathieu Santos, guitarist Milo Bonacci, violinist Rebecca Zeller and drummer Kenny Bernard.

<i>Flag of the Shiners</i> 2002 EP by State Radio

Flag of the Shiners EP is the 2002 debut release by reggae-rock band, State Radio, headlined by former Dispatch vocalist/guitarist, Chad Urmston. It features a much heavier sound than Urmston's previous Dispatch material.

<i>Let It Go</i> (State Radio album) 2009 studio album by State Radio

Let It Go is the fourth full-length LP from reggae rock band State Radio. It was released on September 29, 2009. It is notable for being the first State Radio release available in vinyl format.

<i>Calling All Crows</i> 2009 EP by State Radio

The Calling All Crows EP was released by reggae rock band, State Radio on August 11, 2009 as a preview for the upcoming album Let It Go, which was released September 29, 2009. It features three finished songs from Let It Go, and was released exclusively on Apple's iTunes Store as a showcase of that material.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">10 Years (band)</span> American alternative metal band

10 Years is an American alternative metal band formed in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1999. The band consists of lead vocalist Jesse Hasek, lead guitarist Brian Vodinh, rhythm guitarist Matt Wantland, bassist Chad Grennor, and drummer Luke Narey. The group has gone through multiple line-up changes since their inception, with Vodinh and Wantland being the only remaining founding members. To date, they have released ten studio albums, their most recent being Deconstructed in 2022.

References

  1. ↑ Mason, Stewart. "State Radio – Artist Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network . Retrieved 22 April 2015. Massachusetts reggae rockers with a jam-band background take a political stand with deceptively laidback grooves.
  2. ↑ "State radio". Boston.com. 2 August 2008. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  3. ↑ Duguay, Rob (19 December 2014). "Interview: Chadwick Stokes on Calling All Crows, Social Activism, and Always Having a Guitar Ready". Vanyaland.
  4. ↑ "STATE RADIO: Flag of the Shiners".
  5. ↑ Mason, Stewart. "State Radio Biography". AllMusic.
  6. ↑ Mason, Stewart. "State Radio Biography". AllMusic.
  7. ↑ Tady, Scott. "State Radio opens for Dave Matthews Band", Beaver County Times & Allegheny Times , 2008-05-30. Retrieved on 2008-06-03.
  8. ↑ Tsai, Catherine (August 14, 2008). "Rage Against the Machine in Denver amid convention". USA Today.
  9. ↑ "New York Concertpalooza". The Music Court. 12 April 2010.
  10. ↑ "IMAtv: You're Tuned In". Independent Music Awards.
  11. ↑ "Drummer Mike "Maddog" Najarian Leaving State Radio". Jambands.com. 20 September 2013.
  12. ↑ "Music Albums, Top 200 Albums & Music Album Charts". Billboard.com. 2011-09-24. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
  13. ↑ Sanneh, Kelefa (16 July 2007). "Post-Jam Postscript: Regrouping for Charity". The New York Times.
  14. ↑ Thomson, Kristin. "Calling All Crows: State Radio mobilizes fans for "Green Summer of Service" tour". Future of Music.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.