For generations of great American songwriters, the music and the message have been inextricably linked. Word and deed are one in the same, and the only thing more moving than the rousing call to action is the evocative melody that transports the words like a shell casing. These are fire-breathing poets of justice who sing about ordinary people in extraordinary ways, and can turn the world inside out with three chords and the truth. These are the tenets by which STATE RADIO’s Chad Stokes Urmston, Chuck Fay, and Mike “Mad Dog” Najarian are driven, and they once again flex that strength and sense of purpose on their third album, LET IT GO. But this is no soapbox symposium.
“It’s the only way I know how to do it,” says singer/guitarist Stokes about the band’s impassioned social consciousness. “It’s the only way State Radio has done it. This has always been an organic, grassroots thing. It’s about trying to be true to what we do.”
Like Rage Against The Machine and System Of A Down before them, State Radio roll up their sleeves as they practice what they preach, whether it’s riding bikes to gigs to support Bikes Not Bombs, hosting food drives in conjunction with Rock For A Remedy, or playing shows to raise money for the Learning Center for the Deaf. How’s Your News?, a film project created by Stokes while working at a camp for adults with disabilities, where the campers are the reporters, was just a way for Stokes and company to flip the standard interview format on its head with a different viewpoint before it was picked up by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for a run on HBO and MTV.
Action is hardly a new concept for all the members of State Radio. Before the band, Mad Dog volunteered as mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, while Fay was and continues to be a powerful voice for Instant Runoff Voting and comprehensive election reform across the country. On tour, State Radio has joined with Amnesty International to expose the injustices and improprieties of the legal system by protesting the death penalty for Georgia’s Troy Davis. They’ve worked to minimize wildfire danger by removing invasive plants from areas in California, and have partnered with Oxfam America to organize home run derbies and 5K road races to raise money and awareness to help protect women against violence in Sudan. Most bands have touring schedules. State Radio have an Action Calendar.
During their sold out, 25-city tour this past February, the band performed service projects in every town they visited, from serving lunch at a homeless shelter in Houston to building a community garden at an inner city elementary school in Washington, D.C. Calling All Crows (callingallcrows.org), the group’s platform for social action started by Stokes and State Radio tour manager Sybil Gallagher, is committed to continuing the group’s socio-political dialogue once the music ends and the lights come up. In less than a year, State Radio and their fans have amassed over 1,800 hours of community service through projects that have local, national, and global impact.
“There are times when there’s a service project every morning at 9am—and we’d had a late night the night before—where it’s like, ‘Are we a service group that plays music, or are we a band that does service projects?’” Stokes laughs. “There’s a balance between the two things because they feed each other. I want to experience the stuff I’m writing about.”
That same mindset held true for Stokes’ previous band, the roots rock outfit Dispatch, who formed while Stokes was a student at Middlebury College in Vermont. Though the group disbanded in 2002, they’ve reunited three times, the most notable being a three-night, sold out run at Madison Square Garden in 2007 to raise funds and awareness for poverty-stricken Zimbabwe. It marked the first time in history an unsigned band had headlined the Garden, let alone sold it out.
“It was a progression,” says Stokes’ of the shift from Dispatch to State Radio, who formed in 2002. “I think had Dispatch stayed together, all these State Radio songs would have been Dispatch songs.”
State Radio’s first album, Us Against The Crown, introduced listeners to the band’s raw, pop-punk sound. Tracks like “Mr. Larkin” and “Black Cab Motorcade” had all the boundless energy of a vigorous protest, while “Right Me Up,” a personal account of a friend with a disability, showcased Stokes’ reggae harmonies.
Their second album, Year Of The Crow, was recorded in the UK and produced by Tchad Blake (Peter Gabriel, Pearl Jam, Soul Coughing). Featuring songs like “Sudan,” “Guantanamo,” and “Gang Of Thieves,” the album pushed the group’s socio-political motivations even further into the forefront. It also broadened their sonic palette with bigger guitars (“CIA”) and more diverse instrumentation (“The Story Of Benjamin Darling, Part 1”). But the bridge between both records has always been Stokes’ transcendental storytelling, which continues to mature and evolve on Let It Go.
The album kicks off with “Mansin Humanity,” a gripping song about the Armenian genocide, then slides into “Calling All Crows,” a one-drop groove that calls the band’s legion of fans to attention as Stokes beckons, “It’s gonna be a showdown, said the rebel to the revolutionary, come with me!” Elsewhere, State Radio invoke the spirit of the Clash on “Doctor Ron The Actor” and “Knights Of Bostonia,” a raise-yer-pints anthem to the band’s hometown. (After all, Stokes did meet Mad Dog while he was drumming on a bucket outside of the home of the Red Sox Fenway Park.) Another track, “Held Up By The Wires,” mixes classic Boston references and Civil War tales with nods to Jack London’s “The Road,” sailing pioneer Irving Johnson, and Stokes’ own time spent in Zimbabwe. The track has been in the band’s repertoire since the early days, but it wasn’t until now that it found it’s way onto an album, a fact Stokes attributes to the way in which Let It Go was recorded.
While touring Year Of The Crow, State Radio enlisted Tchad Blake’s assistant, Dom Monks, as their front-of-house engineer; a critical position for a band with such a large live audience. When it came time to seek out producers for Let It Go, Monks threw his hat in the ring. He also suggested that the band record the songs in the same manner as they were performed: live off the floor, with all the instruments buzzing and howling at once.
“He has a great ear and he’s worked with the best guy,” says Stokes of his producer and friend. “He knew all our songs and he did an amazing job.”
Two-thirds of the album were recorded at Q-Division in Boston, while the remaining parts were tracked at the famous Long View Farm Studio, the preferred practice space of the Rolling Stones before all their US tours, and a location that houses just as much livestock as it does vintage pre-amps. The rustic setting provided the perfect atmosphere with which to coalesce the band’s trademark live energy, while recording straight to tape with limited tracks allowed them to be more succinct with the musical message they wanted to convey.
“We’ll take the long way around, we gather on the wall on the wrong side of town. We’ll surprise them all,” sings Stokes on “Evolution.” After years of social action and political awareness—not to mention playing in front of thousands upon thousands of fans with very little support by the mainstream—the 33-year-old Stokes knows a thing or two about how to serve up lighting in a bottle. Sometimes quiet persistence is the best way. Like when he and 15 other peers spent 28 days walking a headstone 433 miles from Sherborn, Massachusetts to Arlington National Cemetery to honor unknown civilians killed in war. (Alas, they were stopped at the bridge and not allowed to enter.) But after you’ve done the backstroke in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and shaken hands with the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, what do you do next?
“I think the dream would be to jump freights to each city,” says Stokes of their upcoming tour to support Let It Go. “Going out to the Democratic National Convention last year, my brother and I jumped freights from Massachusetts to Denver, then from Denver to California, opening up for Rage in the middle there.”
And have someone drive the gear?
“Or just get back line everywhere we go,” Stokes smiles, “and hit the rails that night.”
State Radio’s Let It Go is out September 29, 2009.
Fall of the American Empire
State Radio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The swan song of a nation,
Everyone's waiting for you inside.
We got soda pop and hickory stills.
Quinn the Eskimo in espadrilles,
And Sally makin' you feel all right.
The baroness and her bayonets,
Against the good judgment of the swinging king.
It's the fall of the American empire,
But don't you worry honey you didn't miss a thing.
Juiced up dignitaries getting' loose like Thelonious did,
We got our own sanctimonious kid,
And he can suck the diamond off a diamond ring.
Just send in the farmers in the National Guard,
We'll be in the war room gettin' hard,
Just wear your dress blues you know you look so damn dashing.
Don't be shy, Sally won't bite you,
'Cause she got her pants on fire,
And she got a rabbit baby calling your name.
Fall of the American empire,
It should've been all right,
Should've, should've.
But me, I'm just working a sound bite,
Just rolling my smokes tight.
You know they said it was all right, all right, all right.
'Cause Lucy's in the nude,
With nothing left to lose,
Except them thigh-high kiss the sky American boots.
Sally got dirty with a senator's son,
You know the one from Massachusetts,
She was pleased to come his advances,
For he was a man of wealth and taste.
But she got so cut up by the man who would not stop.
Thought all she needed was love,
But it was like nothing she thought,
And when Lucy came to get her,
In the corner she lay.
It's the fall of the American empire,
It should've been all right,
Should've, should've.
But me, I'm just working a sound bite,
Just rolling my smokes tight.
You know they said it was all right, all right, all right, all right, all right.
Where you going Mr. Holy?
All right, all right, all right
Say where you going Mr. Holy?
Lucy girl I found your diamonds,
They shine like sirens,
Singing from the shoals of buzzard's bay.
It's worse than we know,
How I wish it wasn't so,
That all tomorrow's parties have gone away.
Fall (all in for the fall) of the American empire,
They said you would never go away.
Fall (all in for the fall) of the American empire,
Lucy girl can't you just stay?
The song "Fall of the American Empire" by State Radio is a commentary on the decline of the American society and political system. The opening line "Did you get the invitation? The swan song of a nation" is an invitation to the demise of the American empire, a warning of the downfall that is imminent. The song then goes into describing the characters waiting inside, such as the baroness with her bayonets, the mad hatter hedging bets, and juiced up dignitaries getting loose. These characters represent the corrupted and immoral politicians and powerful people in the American government.
The chorus "It's the fall of the American empire, But don't you worry honey you didn't miss a thing" is a sarcastic statement that suggests that no one is really missing out on the destruction of the American society. The song goes on to reference different events and aspects of American society, like the farmer's in the National Guard going to war and dignitaries getting loose like Thelonious Monk. The verse about Sally getting dirty with a senator's son from Massachusetts represents the corrupt government officials engaging in scandalous behavior.
Overall, "Fall of the American Empire" is a criticism of the decline of the American society and government, and the corrupt and immoral leaders that have led the nation to this point.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you get the invitation?
Did you hear the news that the empire is falling?
The swan song of a nation,
The end of an era for America.
Everyone's waiting for you inside.
Everyone is a part of this decline, no one is immune.
We got soda pop and hickory stills.
We have superficial distractions and contrived, outdated traditions.
Quinn the Eskimo in espadrilles,
Laughable and ironic imagery mocking American society's superficiality and stereotyping.
And Sally makin' you feel all right.
People trying to find happiness in this bleak moment in time.
The baroness and her bayonets,
Military force being touted while the society crumbles.
The mad hatter hedging bets,
People in power exploiting the turmoil for selfish gain.
Against the good judgment of the swinging king.
The ignorant actions of those in power causing the empire's downfall.
It's the fall of the American empire,
The clear reality of America's decline.
But don't you worry honey you didn't miss a thing.
You won't miss America's downfall because it's happening right now.
Juiced up dignitaries getting' loose like Thelonious did,
Politicians engaging in hedonistic behavior.
We got our own sanctimonious kid,
A self-righteous individual who is blind to the truth.
And he can suck the diamond off a diamond ring.
People being fooled by swindlers and false symbols of wealth.
Just send in the farmers in the National Guard,
Turning to inexperienced, untrained people to handle the crisis.
We'll be in the war room gettin' hard,
Those in power faking bravado to mask their incompetence.
Just wear your dress blues you know you look so damn dashing.
Focusing on superficial appearances instead of the bigger issues at hand.
Don't be shy, Sally won't bite you,
Desperate people trying to find comfort in each other in a time of crisis.
'Cause she got her pants on fire,
Sally is willing to engage in reckless behavior as a form of escape.
And she got a rabbit baby calling your name.
A reference to Alice in Wonderland, where people abandon reality for fantastical worlds.
Fall of the American empire,
Reiteration of America's downfall.
It should've been all right,
America had potential to be great, but it was wasted.
But me, I'm just working a sound bite,
People in power focusing on their own appearances and superficial popularity.
Just rolling my smokes tight.
A mundane, meaningless task used as a form of escape from the harsh reality.
You know they said it was all right, all right, all right.
People in power deceiving the public and painting a false picture of stability and prosperity.
'Cause Lucy's in the nude,
A reference to The Beatles' Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, emphasizing the surrealism of the current moment.
With nothing left to lose,
People have lost everything dear to them, leading to desperate measures and disregard for consequences.
Except them thigh-high kiss the sky American boots.
A sarcastic statement about American society's outdated obsessions with material objects.
Sally got dirty with a senator's son,
Exposing the reckless behavior of people in power.
You know the one from Massachusetts,
A nod to Senator Ted Kennedy's Chappaquiddick scandal.
She was pleased to come his advances,
The naive willingness to please those in power and participate in corruption.
For he was a man of wealth and taste.
The people in power have become more corrupt and indulgent in their behavior.
But she got so cut up by the man who would not stop.
The negative repercussions of engaging in reckless behavior with people in power.
Thought all she needed was love,
People chasing after quick fixes to solve their problems.
But it was like nothing she thought,
The reality of the situation not matching people's ideals and expectations.
And when Lucy came to get her,
The surreal and chaotic nature of the moment culminating with Lucy's arrival.
In the corner she lay.
The negative consequences of indulging in escapism and recklessness.
Where you going Mr. Holy?
Questioning the actions of those claiming to be righteous and pious.
Say where you going Mr. Holy?
An accusation of hypocrisy and the failure of those in power to truly lead and guide society.
Lucy girl I found your diamonds,
A metaphor for finding the beauty and value that still exists in America amidst the turmoil.
They shine like sirens,
The beauty and allure of America's potential, even in its downfall.
Singing from the shoals of buzzard's bay.
Wishing for better times and a brighter future for America.
It's worse than we know,
The reality of America's downfall being more severe than people realize.
How I wish it wasn't so,
The sadness and regret for what America has lost.
That all tomorrow's parties have gone away.
The loss of hope and the end of the American Dream.
They said you would never go away.
The false belief that America's greatness would never fade.
Lucy girl can't you just stay?
A plea to hold on to what little goodness and beauty is left in America.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pablo Z
Even without listening to the lyrics, just the beat of this song always gets to me
Ethan Rummel
Love this song and band, so sad they broke up
Matt Fitzgerald
the scream at 3:30 gets me every time. thanks for putting this song up man. all the other ones are live
Trey Brandenburg
Its like the modern Sgt. Pepper.... Love the song and love the band, man!
acmeextra
one of their best. of course, i say that about ALL their songs...
Jeffrey Kostecki
Witnessing it in front of our own eyes
Oge Gorky
I love you state radio <3
Masu Cult
On my channel is an video, where a friend of me played a Cover from this song. I love how he interpret it.
Eric Koboski
haha i love the anotation. great song, amazing band
Mixaela Corona
This is the soundtrack as our ship is sinking