State Radio
The mixture of indie rock songwriting, socially conscious lyrics, and roots reggae rhythms has long been a staple in the jam band world, and State Radio delivers on all counts. 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.
© Stewart Mason /TiVo
Discography
18 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Us Against The Crown (Bonus Track Version)
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Nov 30, 2005
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Let It Go
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Sep 29, 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Simmerkane II (Deluxe Edition)
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Jun 28, 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Live At The Armory (Live At The Armory)
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Nov 29, 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rabbit Inn Rebellion (Bonus Track Version)
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Oct 23, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Year of the Crow
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Sep 18, 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Peace Between Nations
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Feb 14, 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Simmer Kane
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Apr 2, 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Simmerkane I and the Fall River Sybils
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Aug 21, 2012
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rabbit Inn Rebellion (with Track by Track Commentary)
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Oct 23, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Flag Of The Shiners
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Nov 5, 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
State Radio & Chadwick Stokes
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on May 18, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Live In Boston (Live)
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Nov 13, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Barn Sessions (The Barn Sessions)
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Apr 17, 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Year of the Crow (Bonus Track Version)
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Sep 18, 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Fall Of The American Empire (Radio Edit)
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Oct 7, 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wicker Plane
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Jul 16, 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Live At The SYNC-Vancouver: Nov. 28, 2005 (Live)
Alternative & Indie - Released by Ruff Shod Records on Jul 18, 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo