Reggae, rock and punk band hits a controversial and powerful spot for many UConn students

Their music is a medley of rock, reggae and punk. Their politically-infused lyrics deal with issues surrounding the Bush administration and the crisis going on in Darfur. The band's lead vocalist is known for his participation in the late rock band Dispatch. The group whose music is controversial, powerful and hits a soft spot for college students is State Radio.

The band performed outside the Student Union to a mass of spectators on Saturday evening.

Lead guitarist and vocalist Chad Stokes, (onetime member of Dispatch), bassist and vocalist Chuck Fay, and drummer Mike Najarian (a.k.a Mad Dog) make up the band. Mad Dog has been with the band two-and-a-half years, while Fay and Stokes have been together since the band formed five years ago.

State Radio, who is now on tour, were asked by the university to play a show and because of a break in their schedule, were able to perform. Stokes said the band is touring for a month, traveling as far as Minnesota.

When asked about the troubles of being away from family and friends, Stokes said "You just deal with it."

"This is our replacement family, our new family," said Mad Dog.

Mad Dog has his nickname simply because he is the angriest band member, the drummer said.

Mad Dog said it was only the night before that he got in trouble with the law. He was carrying some band equipment through a parking lot and by accident he bumped into a Ford Explorer's tail light, breaking it. The cops got involved and Mad Dog was charged with a felony because it was believed he caused the damage intentionally.

"It wasn't on purpose; it wasn't malicious," Mad Dog said. The police thought differently and the drummer was charged.

"A lot of influence comes from Bush and the lies he's handed us over the years," Stokes said. "We find out the dark truths under the agenda."

"Year of the Crow," the band's most recent album is comprised of tracks that express their opinions on such political issues. Songs like "Guantanamo," "C.I.A" and "Gang of Thieves" all deal with American issues while the song "Sudan" is about Darfur.

Even the name of their sophomore album is politically fueled. Year of the crow stands for year of the scavenger.

"The crow is smart and family oriented," said Stokes. "It's like the crow rising up from the big bad wolves." (The Bush administration being the wolves and the people being the crow).

Stokes spoke briefly on the 2008 political election and how he believes Obama is the better choice of the two, "the lesser of the two evils."

"He [Obama] has the potential that could be great," said the vocalist.

State Radio spent four weeks in England recording their second album at musician's Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios.

"It was really serene. Nice farmland," said Fay describing Bath, England, where the band stayed.

Stokes said the studio was nice, "we had really good food." The accommodations at the studio provided the band with a personal chef.

"We were at the fancy studio for two weeks, and then had to move to this shack," explained Stokes. "If you're on a budget that's the way to do it."

The band talked about their first night in England when they had to walk four miles to a bar only to find out they stopped severing dinner so spent the night eating Twix candy bars and drinking Guinness beer. They then had to walk the four miles back.

State Radio's advice to young people living today in the world was a combination of things. Fay suggested to "party your brains out" while Stokes said to "form your own opinions."

"Think for yourself, believe in yourself, and don't let the world get you down," said Stokes.

State Radio also suggested checking out websites such as moveon.org and avaaz.org, a Human Rights website that Stokes said discusses some of the bad going on in the world that maybe some young people would want to know about.

The band concluded with saying that before going on stage they'll do some stretches, eat, drink and turn whatever anger they have into love.