Dispatch is an American indie-roots band founded in 1996 in Middlebury, Ver… Read Full Bio ↴Dispatch is an American indie-roots band founded in 1996 in Middlebury, Vermont.
The band originated in the early 1990s as One Fell Swoop, but changed their name to Dispatch in 1996. Chad Urmston, Braddigan, and Pete (Francis) Heimbold, who were all attending Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont comprised the band's lineup throughout their entire career. Their music has drawn on several influences, such as acoustic folk-rock, reggae, and funk.
Dispatch gained much recognition outside of New England, without any help from a label, and stuck together long enough to release seven albums, three of which were live performances. During concerts, the band had been known to improvise upon their album releases, often resulting in a song ending in twice the length of the original. The group was also fond of switching instruments and vocal duties when playing live.
Upon the announcement of its break-up in 2002, the band scheduled one final concert. The free show was performed at the Hatch Shell in Boston on July 31, 2004. "The Last Dispatch," as it was referred, is said to be the largest concert in independent music history; roughly 110,000 fans from over 20 different countries attended the show. Parts of the performance were released as a CD/DVD two-disc set later that year, entitled All Points Bulletin, along with an earlier show in Somerville, Massachusetts.
All three of the band's members are currently still in the music industry. Urmston is now the frontman of State Radio, while Corrigan (now credited as Braddigan, a nickname by which he was known since his time with Dispatch) and Heimbold (now credited as Pete Francis, his middle name) are succesfully pursuing solo efforts.
After the song Elias, written by Urmston after his experience living and teaching in Zimbabwe, the "Elias Fund" was formed to send children from the ravaged country to college.
Dispatch came out with a movie entitled "Last Dispatch" in July 2005, which documents their final 12 days together as a band and tells the story of how they became "the band that redefined independent music history". The film was released and previewed in Boston. Chad, Brad, and Pete attended the showing and celebrated throughout the weekend with their fans.
On December 22, 2005, Corrigan helped to organize a benefit concert, known as the Relief Project, at Irving Plaza in New York, New York. Along with several other performers, Corrigan invited Heimbold and State Radio to play. The three reunited very briefly, playing the song Here We Go as an encore. Corrigan stated there that he plans further Relief Project concerts featuring all three and perhaps sometime in 2007, a major Dispatch reunion concert.
Entitled "Dispatch: Zimbabwe", Dispatch arranged for one show in Madison Square Garden, with all the money sent towards relief efforts in Zimbabwe. Originally billed as a one show deal on July 14, Dispatch was surprised how quickly this first show sold out and set two more shows for the 13 and 15. After all three shows sold out, Dispatch announced another smaller show on July 11th at Webster Hall in New York, where they made their comeback debut to great success.
Dispatch had a second set of reunion concerts beginning at Red Rocks amphitheater in Denver, Colorado on June 3, 4, and 5th, 2011. These performances launched a reunion tour around the US and the release of their Dispatch EP on May 17th.
In 2017, the band released the song, "Only The Wild Ones" from their album, America, Location 12.
The band originated in the early 1990s as One Fell Swoop, but changed their name to Dispatch in 1996. Chad Urmston, Braddigan, and Pete (Francis) Heimbold, who were all attending Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont comprised the band's lineup throughout their entire career. Their music has drawn on several influences, such as acoustic folk-rock, reggae, and funk.
Dispatch gained much recognition outside of New England, without any help from a label, and stuck together long enough to release seven albums, three of which were live performances. During concerts, the band had been known to improvise upon their album releases, often resulting in a song ending in twice the length of the original. The group was also fond of switching instruments and vocal duties when playing live.
Upon the announcement of its break-up in 2002, the band scheduled one final concert. The free show was performed at the Hatch Shell in Boston on July 31, 2004. "The Last Dispatch," as it was referred, is said to be the largest concert in independent music history; roughly 110,000 fans from over 20 different countries attended the show. Parts of the performance were released as a CD/DVD two-disc set later that year, entitled All Points Bulletin, along with an earlier show in Somerville, Massachusetts.
All three of the band's members are currently still in the music industry. Urmston is now the frontman of State Radio, while Corrigan (now credited as Braddigan, a nickname by which he was known since his time with Dispatch) and Heimbold (now credited as Pete Francis, his middle name) are succesfully pursuing solo efforts.
After the song Elias, written by Urmston after his experience living and teaching in Zimbabwe, the "Elias Fund" was formed to send children from the ravaged country to college.
Dispatch came out with a movie entitled "Last Dispatch" in July 2005, which documents their final 12 days together as a band and tells the story of how they became "the band that redefined independent music history". The film was released and previewed in Boston. Chad, Brad, and Pete attended the showing and celebrated throughout the weekend with their fans.
On December 22, 2005, Corrigan helped to organize a benefit concert, known as the Relief Project, at Irving Plaza in New York, New York. Along with several other performers, Corrigan invited Heimbold and State Radio to play. The three reunited very briefly, playing the song Here We Go as an encore. Corrigan stated there that he plans further Relief Project concerts featuring all three and perhaps sometime in 2007, a major Dispatch reunion concert.
Entitled "Dispatch: Zimbabwe", Dispatch arranged for one show in Madison Square Garden, with all the money sent towards relief efforts in Zimbabwe. Originally billed as a one show deal on July 14, Dispatch was surprised how quickly this first show sold out and set two more shows for the 13 and 15. After all three shows sold out, Dispatch announced another smaller show on July 11th at Webster Hall in New York, where they made their comeback debut to great success.
Dispatch had a second set of reunion concerts beginning at Red Rocks amphitheater in Denver, Colorado on June 3, 4, and 5th, 2011. These performances launched a reunion tour around the US and the release of their Dispatch EP on May 17th.
In 2017, the band released the song, "Only The Wild Ones" from their album, America, Location 12.
Rice Water
Dispatch Lyrics
It’s time to wake up
We’re already underway
See the moon in the river, she chases the train so close
To where we want to be
Keep it tight
Hold your head in
There are eyes on the road that’ll do us in
(and I can’t go back again)
We don’t even need rice, like we don’t need water,
We don’t even need eyes, we don’t even need God
We don’t even need peace, like we don’t need laughter,
We don’t even need guns, we don’t even need war
Are you ok?
That was a rough one you had the other day
Do you care for a cup of tea
It’ll get you high
And where you want to be
Keep it tight
Hold your head in
There are eyes on the road that’ll do us in
Keep it tight
Hold your head in
There are eyes on the road that’ll do us in
(and I can’t go back again)
We don’t even need rice, like we don’t need water,
We don’t even need eyes, we don’t even need God
We don’t even need peace, like we don’t need laughter,
We don’t even need guns but they love their war
Pull me up hard like, like I was your last friend in the world
Let me down easy, hurt my arm trying to save that girl
You think that she’s alright, you think someone grabbed her knees
You think she can make it, 2 days to go ‘til the river please
Keep it tight Hold your head in
There are eyes on the road that’ll do us in
Keep it tight
Hold your head in
There are eyes on the road that’ll do us in
(and I can’t go back again)
We don’t even need rice, like we don’t need water,
We don’t even need eyes, we don’t even need God
We don’t even need peace, like we don’t need laughter,
We don’t even need guns but they love their war
We don’t even need flags, like we don’t need color,
We don’t even need lies, but the lie’s alright
We don’t even need roads,
I’ll see you there after,
Faster than the highest wall they’ll build
We’re already underway
See the moon in the river, she chases the train so close
To where we want to be
Keep it tight
Hold your head in
There are eyes on the road that’ll do us in
(and I can’t go back again)
We don’t even need eyes, we don’t even need God
We don’t even need peace, like we don’t need laughter,
We don’t even need guns, we don’t even need war
Are you ok?
That was a rough one you had the other day
Do you care for a cup of tea
It’ll get you high
And where you want to be
Keep it tight
Hold your head in
There are eyes on the road that’ll do us in
Keep it tight
Hold your head in
There are eyes on the road that’ll do us in
(and I can’t go back again)
We don’t even need rice, like we don’t need water,
We don’t even need eyes, we don’t even need God
We don’t even need peace, like we don’t need laughter,
We don’t even need guns but they love their war
Pull me up hard like, like I was your last friend in the world
Let me down easy, hurt my arm trying to save that girl
You think that she’s alright, you think someone grabbed her knees
You think she can make it, 2 days to go ‘til the river please
Keep it tight Hold your head in
There are eyes on the road that’ll do us in
Keep it tight
Hold your head in
There are eyes on the road that’ll do us in
(and I can’t go back again)
We don’t even need rice, like we don’t need water,
We don’t even need eyes, we don’t even need God
We don’t even need peace, like we don’t need laughter,
We don’t even need guns but they love their war
We don’t even need flags, like we don’t need color,
We don’t even need lies, but the lie’s alright
We don’t even need roads,
I’ll see you there after,
Faster than the highest wall they’ll build
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bradley Corrigan, Chad Urmston, Peter Heimbold
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Brandon Seagert
You've done more for me (and I'm sure others) than you'll ever know. Your lyrics come from the heart, and your hearts are gold. Oh, you're pretty good with the instruments as well. You're Inspired for a Reason. There's something you're doing now, or are about to do, that doesn't involve music as the reason or basis, instead it's about changing lives. DO IT, whatever it is. You'll know what I'm talking about when it is in front of you, if it isn't already. I hope your publicist passes this on (or whoever reads these comments for you).
Spiritual Dread
This will forever be my favorite song from the entire album..
Maybe even of all time.
Maggy Zunk
By far one of my most favorite songs. The lyrics are so powerful. All I can think about when I hear this is all the people struggling to get a better place. <3
Joey
Caught an epic show in Dallas last month and ever since, I just can't get enough of this song. Well done, keep it up guys!
Benjamin Bond
Especially with everything happening at the US border with Mexico right now, this song brings me to tears. Beautiful guys, honestly. Good job.
Alain Joseph
Would love to know the inspiration for this song. Lovely melody, thoughtful lyrics. Awesome.
Alain Joseph
sweet, thanks for letting me know!
El Grande
This one is so hauntingly beautiful... Thanks!
Kevin C
Needs and wants.. With thought provoking lyrics, this song messed me up in the best possible, most harmonious way.
Brandon Seagert
God Bless You, Sirs.