Photo by Eric Dougherty. More on Flickr
It is somewhat rare, this day in age, to witness a genuine performance. Whether it’s a rapper who writes rhymes about living the thug life but comes straight out of middle-class suburbia, or a punk band who sings of angst despite their charmed life, we have all seen some acts that are just that…acts. But to see State Radio live is to behold a group of people who truly practice what they preach.Before each show, lead singer Chad Urmston, bassist Chuck Fay, and drummer Mike Najarian reach out to the community through Chad’s activist group “Calling All Crows.” By the time the peace-mongering trio takes the stage, their words assume a new meaning and they communicate their sociopolitical messages with style and ease.
Likewise, their February 12th show at the Pageant was nothing short of incredible. The ever-growing catalogue from which the band can choose seemed to have been written especially for their live performance, and the audience remained completely captivated from the moment that first riff left Urmston’s guitar to the final note of the encore. The songs that fans have come to know and love were given a much welcome twist with improvisations and solos. These more familiar songs, in addition to a number of songs off their recently released LP, Let It Go, made the concert enjoyable for fans both new and old. Their set list ranged from the softer reggae of their early albums to the heavier rock they have been shifting towards since Year of the Crow.
All in all, State Radio truly is the embodiment of everything they sing. When Urmston croons about the sad story of the homeless in “Omar Bay,” or the injustices of war profiteering in “Gang of Thieves,” it is clear that these are topics close to his heart, and he and the rest of the band do everything they can to spread peace and happiness, both on the stage and off.
