Everyone interprets the problems of the world in different ways. Some ignore them, some retaliate with emotion and some, like the members of State Radio, channel them through creation. State Radio’s reggae-rock reflects the true intensity of the human condition.
Guitarist/vocalist Chad Stokes (Dispatch), accompanied by Chuck Fay on bass and Brian Sayers on drums, incorporates his provocative lyrics with an air of melodic poignancy. Although Stokes defines his music as “politically driven,” he says he values the harmony of music over the dishonesty of politics.
As the founder of two independent music labels and a member of Dispatch, one of the most popular independent funk/rock/reggae bands of the 1990s, Stokes has maintained his down-to-earth love for music without being sucked into the mainstream. His intention is to peacefully and intelligently entertain and engage his listeners without attempting to indoctrinate them. Moreover, he says that his brush with mainstream rock stardom seemed undesirable to him because it did not correspond to his unadulterated love of music.
According to Stokes, State Radio’s show at the Middle East last year “sucked.” This year, however, the band is a little more prepared.
“We actually had a couple months to rehearse [since then],” Stokes said. “I think we have our [expletive deleted] together now.”
Stokes says that Fay is his best friend and Sayers keeps him on his toes. Besides getting along well and perfecting their sound, the band members have grown and matured intellectually, acknowledging the fact that not everyone will agree with them. Stokes may not support most of the moves of the U.S. government, but he understands that anger cannot productively instigate change.
Spending time in Latin America, and reading autobiographies of Che Guevara and Bob Marley are the main things Stokes says influenced his perspective on world politics. The more he read, however, the more he saw that, even his heroes had flaws: Che had an insatiable knack for using ammunition, and Marley was caught in a cycle of promiscuity and drugs. Stokes has much more motivation to play music from his supportive family in Shrewsbury, Mass. and from his younger brother, who leads trips in Maine. He prefers to channel that love through the strength of his music.
While some of State Radio’s biggest fans disagree with the band’s message, they still avidly adore their unique musical style, which Stokes respects. State Radio’s newest album, Us Against the Crown, was released in February, just four days after the band headed out on tour opening for Slightly Stoopid.
Check out State Radio at Avalon on April 28. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.