thePULSEKicked in fifth gear
Radio America knows how to punch it
“This kid can recite any book you give him to read,” says Aubin, pointing to band-mate Stuart. Turning to Reno, he laughs, “You just do drugs, and I hang around and work on cars. We’re all completely different people, but we have that one thing in common: we can make a song and really feed off each other when it comes to music.”
And their sound speaks for itself. Comparing the group of 22-year-old Sterling natives to Weezer, who enjoyed brief popularity in the 1990s, or the Australian rock group Jet, whose hard-rock anthem, “Cold Heart Bitch,” dominated the airwaves this spring, would do Radio America, no justice. Let’s just say the local punk rock group is a little of both, only kicked up a couple of notches.
“Some think I’m the anti-Christ/ They can think whatever they like/ Who needs hope when we can sell you fear?” croons Stuart in a characteristic punk-rock whine, distinguished by elongated, pleading wails. The lyrics of “On the Subject on Why Punk Rock is Dead” strike at the heart of the capitalist recording industry, pointing fingers at those who produce music just for the material benefits. Radio America’s sound is calculated but aggressive and their lyrics display a sly sophistication. Although their songs often attack capitalism, consumerism and exploitation, they are satirical, not menacing. And they have a soft side too; some songs tap at the heart of that fundamental human emotion: love.
“Somewhere between 2 and 10 years ago,” the three men began rehearsing together in junior high school. Now they play venues in Worcester and New York City, where Stuart spent four years studying at Fordham University. On August 14, Radio America will play a show at Ralph’s, decorating the barroom to an interactive theme: “Now That’s What I Call Capitalism.” Charts and graphs, a stock ticker, live CNBC feed and mock stock bell, which signals the opening and closing of the stock market, will be used to set the mood.
With their third album in the works, a follow-up to “This is Radio America,” the guys flirt with the idea of reaching celebrity status, but remain realistic about their odds. “We all have back-up plans,” comments Reno, “so it’s not like it’s either the gutter or the stage.”
Seated at a picnic table behind Vincent’s, Stuart reflects on Radio America’s unique quality, highlighting the group’s dynamics and each member’s enthusiasm for the music. “A lot of bands don’t have a fifth gear,” he says, citing the finale to The Who’s “My Generation” when the band ‘dismantles’ on a binge of guitar chords, riffs and solos. “A really great band at the end of a set or song can just punch it. And we’re able to do that.”
