It’s no secret that, for some, a life in rock and roll can result in a seemingly glorious road of excess, full of fame and fortune. Mainstream media would have you believe that the prettiest of rockstars often sleep in beds made of dollar bills, drive pimped out rides made of gold and have millions of friends. Unfortunately, far too many are driven over the edge and end up losing their lives because of their chosen profession. It’s sad that we live in such times, where a band with a good heart isn’t making all the headlines and covers of music magazines. Meet State Radio.
The Boston-based band was formed by Chad Urmston, formerly of Dispatch, who left the band at the height of its popularity in 2002. Later that same year, with friends Pete Halby, Chuck Fay and Mike Greenfield, they would form a band driven by a punk rock sound and political activism. However, soon after the debut release of the Flag of the Shiners EP, State Radio would go on hiatus due to Urmston’s throat surgery. When the time was right to regroup in 2004, the band was with a new drummer, Brian Sayers, who would ultimately leave the band in the next couple of years.
Although a few members have come and gone, and their sound has, at various times, focused more closely on styles of pop punk, reggae and ska, there is one thing that has always remained the same with this band; Urmston and his bandmate friends have found the way to remain grounded and close to their roots and ideals. In an industry where too many bands have songwriter’s write short, catchy jingles for them, State Radio are doing things on their own terms, speaking for themselves and sending out important messages to the masses. They even managed to sell out Madison Square Gardens in 2007, not an easy task by any means, especially for a band with very little mainstream popularity, with proceeds going to benefit Zimbabwe.
By creating a group called Calling All Crows, the band and their fans have racked up thousands of hours of community service spreading globally. They’re also working with Oxfam America’s Stoves for Sudan Project, where they hope to raise enough money for five-thousand stoves for five-thousand different women in Sudan. The members of the band have worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Amnesty International, they’ve ridden their bikes to gigs benefiting the environment, and their always hosting food and clothing drives at their shows looking to help out programs like the Learning Center for the Deaf.