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.

The past 16 months have been nothing short of an intense journey for State Radio.  The Boston-based trio toured relentlessly, bringing their blend of rock infused with reggae/ska influences to sold-out crowds of thousands from New York to Boston to Chicago to Los Angeles. They were hand-picked by Tom Morello to open for Rage Against The Machine at the August 2008 Democratic National Convention. They launched their “Take Back The Country Tour” in support of the 60th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, and along the way played Bonnaroo, Rothbury and the Mile High Festivals.  They did service projects in every city they played, from planting trees to protesting in the streets. They penned a song, “State Of Georgia,” for Amnesty International’s viral campaign to free Georgia death-row inmate Troy Davis.

In the midst of all this, State Radio—Chad Stokes (singer/guitarist), Chuck Fay (bass) and Mike “Mad Dog” Najarian (drums)--spent time in their home state of Massachusetts with producer Dom Monks to record their third studio album, Let It Go, which is set for release on September 29 (Ruff Shod). Let It Go was recorded live to tape, with the intention of combining the trio’s penchant for storytelling with their raw and hard-hitting live shows.

With their fans always at the top of their priorities, State Radio will offer two deluxe packages of Let It Go.