STATE RADIO

10/01/2009

Visulite Theatre (16+ must have id - under 16 with parent only)

Doors Open: 8:00 - Headliner Begins: 10:00

ONLINE SALES HAVE ENDED - THERE ARE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOORS AT 8PM


Few bands are as outspoken and thought-provoking as State Radio, the musically inventive, socially and politically charged trio fronted by Chad Stokes. With its sophomore album, Year Of The Crow, the group–rounded out by bassist Chuck Fay and drummer Mad Dog–matches its conscience-raising messages with an inspiring amalgam of rock, punk and reggae that is as distinctive as it is sublime.

For U.S. concert-goers, Stokes was first known as the voice behind agit-prop outfit Dispatch, a band that sold a whopping 600,000 albums by word of mouth. Although the outfit’s six-year tenure ended in 2002, its members have reunited for noble causes, including 2007’s epic three-night sold-out stand at Madison Square Garden to benefit the plight in Zimbabwe. In lieu of college, Stokes lived in Zimbabwe during his eighteenth year, and the experience not only galvanized his songs, but it also shaped his life with a commitment that is as strong as ever.

Simply stated, it is impossible not to be moved by the sounds emanating from State Radio, whether it’s the genocide in Darfur, which is told through the eyes of a young boy on the alluring, rhythmic “Sudan,” the explosive, edgy, reggae-laden “C.I.A.” or the steamrolling rallying cry for justice known as “Unfortunates.”

“The ultimate goal of State Radio is to have people consider what I’m saying as they enjoy the music we create,” Stokes says of the trio’s objective on Year Of The Crow. “I’m not looking to alienate anyone, but I hope I can enlighten some people.”

The frenetic, piercing, punkish, proclamation “Guantanamo” does just that, as Stokes seethes, taking aim at the current administration while looking back on the Bush clan’s sordid history.

“Reading about it over the years, my frustration just built up,” Chad says. I think that’s what I do with a lot of my songs. The subjects just build up in me for a while and then they need to find a way out. And it’s really just a method of keeping me sane. It’s basically about the tragedy that the Bush family has inflicted upon us over the years. That song is also loosely tied into Indian rights and how [President Bush’s grandfather] Prescott Bush dug up Geronimo’s skull in 1918 so that his secret society at Yale could rub it as part of their initiation.”

The next step in the Bob Dylan-Bob Marley-Clash-Rage Against the Machine lineage, State Radio is an unusual but effective conduit to information. Its inspired, aggressive and progressive musical brew is most often accompanied by lyrics that prompt listeners to dig deeper. And fans have indeed combed Wikipedia about song topics (“The Story of Benjamin Darling Part I”) and educate themselves about cases like the West Memphis Three (“Unfortunates”) where justice has clearly faltered.

Unconcerned with major label deals and radio exposure, State Radio thrives by living and giving as charitable men who play outstanding live shows. Developing a following from the ground up, Stokes is a unique fixture who defies music industry traditions. He’s also proof through his efforts with Dispatch, his forthcoming TV series “How’s Your News?” and State Radio, that a loyal and engaged cult following is arguably the best of all business models.

www.stateradio.com

AMONG CRIMINALS

Start Time: 8:45