311

Punk rock trio State Radio announced today a 20-city US tour that kicks off on January 13th in Tucson, AZ. The winter 2010 “Let It Go: Lefty Rides Again” tour marks the band’s first major market tour since the release of Let It Go, which debuted at #96 in the Billboard 200 in October. The band recently wrapped up a 24-city North American tour and are taking a very short break before heading back on the road with 311 on November 22 (full list of tour dates below).

State Radio, who in addition to their hard-hitting live shows are known for their social activism, will continue with their pre-show community service projects via their humanitarian organization, Calling All Crows. Frontman Chad Stokes--who recently became a featured blogger on the Huffington Post’s new section IMPACT--wrote about the potential of musicians to inspire their fans to public service not only with words but also by example. (Check out the full piece HERE.) There is already pre-show action planned for the upcoming 311 dates; find out more by visiting the Action Calendar. Stay tuned for more information on pre-show action for the 2010 dates.

Boston-based rock trio and social activists STATE RADIO debut on the Billboard 200 this week at #96 with just under 6,000 copies of third studio album LET IT GO sold. This marks the band’s highest debut on the charts in their career so far. They also landed at #25 Alternative Album, #25 Internet Album and #44 Digital Album.

Next, the band announces they will release a special vinyl edition of Let It Go. The two-disc deluxe, 180 gram vinyl, which is accompanied by a CD of digital tracks from Let It Go, is available at indie retail stores beginning November 7 and everywhere else November 10.

State Radio have become known for their hard-hitting live show and dedicated fan base, playing headline shows to sold-out crowds of thousands from Boston to New York to Chicago to LA. They made their Austin City Limits debut last weekend and will join 311 on tour for two weeks once their current round of headline dates wrap up in November (tour dates below).

For Hope Sandoval fans, the wait is finally over. Through The Devil Softly, her first full-length album in over eight years (and second with Warm Inventions partner Colm Ó Cíosóig of My Bloody Valentine), is a rich brocade of pastoral meditations that resonate with the kind of restrained yet provocative intimacy that only these two artists can provide. Spin calls the album "...a collection of breathily perfect lullabies," while Pitchfork says "Through The Devil Softly is a quietly enveloping listen...Sandoval's husky voice and worn-down delivery are perfectly served by this open, reverb-heavy, and downtrodden background." Sandoval is taking her storied live show to intimate concert venues across North America, alongside Colm Ó Cíosóig and Irish band Dirt Blue Gene (tour dates below). DOWNLOAD "Trouble" from Through The Devil Softly. 

Rock trio and social activists State Radio release their third studio album, Let It Go, and celebrate with a sold-out hometown show tonight in Boston at the Paradise Rock Club to kick off their 35-city tour, including dates with 311 and a stop at the Austin City Limits festival. The band also releases today a special digital deluxe version of Let It Go on iTunes. For a limited time, fans can purchase the new album plus a double disc Live at The Brattle Theater—a total of 41 tracks for $14.99. Live At The Brattle Theatre not only features live, acoustic State Radio songs and rarities, but also three Dispatch tracks, including “The General.” In a review of Let It Go, the Boston Herald commented, "Fast becoming the ultimate protest band, State Radio successfully melds Bob Marley populism (‘Calling All Crows,’ ‘Bohemian Grove’) and Clash and Pearl Jam ire (‘Knights of Bostonia,’ ‘Let It Go’).(A-)" DOWNLOAD "Calling All Crows" from Let It Go.

As State Radio gear up for their 24-city headline tour, which kicks off in their hometown of Boston to celebrate the release of their third studio album Let It Go (Ruff Shod) on September 29, the band have just announced that they will join 311 on tour for 11 dates starting November 22 in Uncasville, CT.

The band, who in addition to their high-octane live shows have also become known for their dedication to social activism, also announced that they will join Anti-Flag to team up with Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) as the G20 descends on Pittsburgh later this month. “War. Crime. 2009: A G20 Welcoming Party” will take place at 7:00pm at Club Zoo in the strip district of Pittsburgh on September 24. The concert will celebrate the resistance of communities in Pittsburgh and around the world to the failed economic policies of the G20, with all proceeds benefiting SDS’s legal defense and organizing efforts. Tickets to this all ages show go on sale through Ticketmaster this Saturday, September 6, at Noon ET.