State Radio is an
alternative rock band from
Boston, MA, consisting of former
Dispatch member
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 on February 7, 2006, their second,
Year of the Crow, was released September 2007, and their most recent album,
Let it Go, was released September 29, 2009.
Biography
A Boston-based trio 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.
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 2006'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 29th, 2009.
Discography
Studio Albums
Live Albums/EPs
EPs
In the Media
The band's song "Keepsake" was featured in the season three finale of Showtime's dark comedy
Weeds.
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.
State Radio played at a concert near the 2008
Democratic National Convention alongside
Rage Against the Machine and other politically active bands.
Their songs "Sybil I" and "Right Me Up" were featured on commercials for Kayem Hot Dogs.
Fall 2009 State Radio will be opening for 311
Activism
In 2008, State Radio started an activist group called
Calling All Crows to "inspire public service" and "promote human rights."
- Over 441,000 more 16-24 year olds volunteered in 2008 than 2007.
- Young adults contributed an additional 96.9 million service hours in the last year.
- 31% more Americans reported having worked with their neighbor in 2008 than the year before.
- Calling All Crows is dedicated to inspiring public service to transform our community, nation, and world.
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. ,
"Calling All Crows: Mobilizing Musicians and their Fans to Promote Human Rights".
