| Socially and politically vocal rock-reggae band State | | | | same year (when the band was at the height of its |
| Radio recently unveiled plans to tour across the nation | | | | success). Urmston abandoned Dispatch's signature |
| in early 2009. First State Radio frontman Chad Stokes | | | | instrument switching and focused on guitar and vocals |
| Urmston will embark on a pair of solo shows Dec. 6-7 | | | | and enlisted second guitarist Pete Halby, bassist Chuck |
| at the Brattle Theatre near the band's Boston | | | | Fay and drummer Mike Greenfield to complete the |
| hometown before the whole band takes the stage in | | | | lineup for State Radio. The burgeoning band released |
| Washington D.C. at the 9:30 Club Dec. 26 for a | | | | the experimental EP Flag of the Shriners via Boston's |
| "welcome to the neighborhood" party for | | | | Fenway Recordings label in late 2002 and then went |
| President-elect Barack Obama. The tour will then hit | | | | on a temporary hiatus to allow Urmston to adequately |
| The Rock in Tucson, Ariz. Jan. 14 before concluding | | | | recover from throat surgery that left him unable to sing |
| Feb. 19 at Lupo's in Providence, R.I. Other stops on | | | | for a short time. |
| State Radio's upcoming tour will be the House of Blues | | | | In 2004 State Radio reappeared on the scene as a |
| in West Hollywood, Calif. (Jan. 15), The Underground in | | | | stripped down trio with new drummer Brian Sayers |
| Reno, Nev. (Jan. 21), El Corazon in Seattle (Jan. 26), | | | | and a sophomore EP titled Simmer Kate followed. |
| Fox Theatre in Boulder, Colo. (Jan. 30-31), Antone's in | | | | With two EPs under their belt, State Radio finally |
| Austin (Feb. 6), The Orange Peel in Asheville, N.C. (Feb. | | | | released their debut LP, Us Against the Crown in |
| 11), NorVa in Norfolk, Va. (Feb. 15) and Pickle Barrel | | | | February 2006, after nearly four years as a band! |
| Night Club in Killington, Vt. (Feb. 19). Try for State Radio | | | | Drummer Mike Najarian replaced Sayers before State |
| tickets and ticket information to see the band when | | | | Radio hit the road in support of their debut full-length |
| they hit the road in the new year! | | | | and then the trio released their sophomore LP, Year of |
| State Radio began delivering their powerful blend of | | | | the Crow, in 2007. The record was less jam-bandy |
| roots reggae rhythms, socially conscious lyrics and | | | | than their debut full-length, and went in a more punk |
| rock song formats after emerging out of the ashes of | | | | and politically conscious direction. The band is currently |
| Vermont jam band Dispatch in 2002. The | | | | hard at work on the follow-up to Year of the Crow |
| Boston-based trio formed when signer and primary | | | | and are expected to release a new album sometime |
| songwriter Chad Urmston dissolved Dispatch in that | | | | next year. |