State Radio

The combination of indie rock songwriting, socially conscious lyrics, and roots reggae rhythms is definitely a staple within the jam band world, and State Radio delivers on all counts. A Boston-based trio led by vocalist and principal songwriter Chad Urmston (a previous person in Vermont jamsters Dispatch), Condition Radio largely were able to avoid the normal post-Phish clichés, injecting a punk-influenced audio and politically billed viewpoint while keeping accurate to the tenets from the band’s selected design. Urmston, who disbanded Dispatch on the elevation of its reputation in 2002, produced State Radio afterwards the same yr. Focusing specifically on acoustic guitar and vocals rather than the device switching he once was known for, he earned second guitarist Pete Halby, bassist Chuck Fay, and drummer Mike Greenfield to circular out the lineup. Following the exploratory debut EP Flag from the Shiners premiered by Fenway Recordings in past due 2002, Condition Radio continued a short-term hiatus throughout 2003 as Urmston retrieved from throat surgery treatment. Returning to energetic responsibility in 2004 like a slimmed-down trio with fresh drummer Brian Sayers, Condition Radio adopted another EP, Simmer Kane, using the launch of 2006’s Us Contrary to the Crown. Another staff change happened before Condition Radio toured to get the recording, with drummer Mike Najarian changing Sayers. The sophomore work Year from the Crow adopted in fall 2007, getting with it an focus on louder guitars and sociopolitical styles. State Radio strengthened such styles by launching services tasks in each town the band went to, and Urmston briefly reconvened Dispatch for any three-night charity overall performance at Madison Square Backyard, with funds heading toward Zimbabwe alleviation. State Radio managed such political consciousness on 2009’s IGNORE IT.