In 1995, The Radio Dept. was formed by Elin Almered and Johan Duncanson (who were old school friends). The name was taken from a gas station/radio repair shop in Lund, Sweden, which had a large sign with the name Radioavdelningen, ("The Radio Department" in Swedish) hanging outside their shop.
Since 1995 members have been coming and going and at some points there has never really been a Radio Department at all.
Martin Carlberg and Johan Duncanson started playing together in 1998 and decided to use the name The Radio Dept. Since then the band has done lots of gigs and lots of recordings. The Radio Dept. recorded 4-tracks in friends' living rooms or at home, in smelly warehouse, in demo studios with blinking fluorescent lightning and at schools.
In the autumn of 2001 Lisa Carlberg and Per Blomgren (Bass & drums respectively), joined the band and they started rehearsing in the way bands so often do. Soon afterwards they were all joined by Daniel Tjader on the keyboards. Their recordings were sent to the music magazine Sonic and got a nice review. They were also on the free CD sampler that comes with the magazine. That's where Labrador Records discovered and learned to love the band. Now they're a part of Swedish indie label, Comings and goings
Original band member, Elin Almered, left the band before the recording of The Radio Dept.'s debut (lesser matters), but still made an appearance singing vocals for "Strange Things Will Happen".
Per Blomgren, Drummer, left the band before the release of Lesser Matters. The band opted instead for digital assistance with regards to drums & percussions for their songs.
Lisa Carlberg, bassist, departed from the Radio Dept soon after the release of "This past week EP". The band no longer felt the need for a member that solely specialized in bass. The band was taking a new direction and preparing for their second album, "Pet Grief", which wouldn't require a member that played bass guitar.
The current line up of the band is:
Johan Duncanson (Guitar & Vocals), Martin Carlberg(Guitar) and Daniel Tjäder (Keyboards & Synth) (2006).
More details can be found on the radio dept. website: theradiodept.com.
Record Labels.
Slottet:
Created in 2001, this is the Radio Dept's original label. Created & managed by the band themselves. They published and distributed their own recordings in order to spread their music to the world.
The "Against The Tide EP" & coveted "Annie Laurie EP" were both released on this label in 2002.
At sporadic moments over the years, whenever the band have wanted to release something quickly or for free, they'd do so through the Slottet label (e.g. bachelor Kisses in 2008).
Labrador :
After the success of the self released records and some glittering reviews in local publications, several major labels came calling. The Radio Dept. rejected most of these offers and instead signed with Labrador records. Although the band don't consider themselves connected ideologically or musically with Labrador and the other bands on the label, they have much respect for the label which has officially become the home of The Radio Dept.
Shelflife records:
Shelflife are an american indie label that operate on a similar philosophy to that of Sarah Records. They select highly innovative, creative & melodic bands and offer them transatlantic distribution. Several labrador bands had achieved success through shelflife, so it seemed an obvious choice to use them again for the distribution of 'Lesser Matters'. No futher Radio Dept records were released through shelflife.
Rex records:
Rex records was an London based experimental indie label started by an ex-XL employee. The aim was to release demos and promote leftfield indie music. Only two Radio Dept. records were released on Rex, Why Won't You Talk About It and the rare Liebling 7".
XL Recordings:
During 2004/05, XL funded, distributed and promoted The Radio Dept.
During this short partnership 4 records were released. Lesser Matters, Where Damage Isn't Already Done, Why Won't You Talk About It? and Ewan. A short european tour was organised for the band as well as lots of press and an appearance on an XL compilation with the likes of Ratatat & MIA.
Track & Field Records:
Track & Field are another London based record label that took a chance on The Radio Dept.
In 2006 Track & Field were employed to distribute Pet Grief in the UK. They also promoted the band and planned for an extensive UK tour. This plan was abandoned and a series of special one-off London shows were organised to supplant the tour.
Pony Canyon:
After years as an experienced distributor of DVD's & kids toys, Pony Canyon, tried their hand at promoting & distributing indie records. So far they've only distributed a special edition of Pet Grief in Japan.
Soundtrack
Three tracks by the Radio Dept. have been featured on the Sophia Coppola's film Marie Antoinette (2006). They are: Pulling our Weight, Keen on Boys, I Don't Like It Like This.
You Fear the Wrong Thing Baby
The Radio Dept. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To end all end times
Still can't keep everyone down
Some hijackers
Will prove the shackles
Are wasted on the young
So courageous
Who could leave them unsung
If they're too vatic for your taste
Or just too radical
I don't mean maybe
You fear the wrong thing baby
You may be purging
But always re-emerging
These weeds will soon stain the burned ground
Without trying
They keep multiplying
Oh, how I long for that sound
If they're too vatic for your taste
Or just too dramatic
No I don't mean maybe
You fear the wrong thing baby
You fear the wrong thing baby
How come
You're so hung up on looking strong
Nowadays
Yeah, you're so far gone
You need to redefine that song
The Radio Dept.'s song "You Fear the Wrong Thing Baby" is a commentary on society and the fear of change. The lyrics suggest that even in the "end time to end all end times," people will still find a way to rise up and rebel against their oppressors. The song speaks of hijackers who prove that the shackles placed on young people are a waste, as their courageous acts of rebellion are highly contagious and inspiring.
The chorus repeats the line "if they're too vatic for your taste, or just too radical, you fear the wrong thing baby." This implies that those who are afraid of change and progress are misguided, and that their fear is misplaced. Throughout the song, there is a sense of longing for the sound of rebellion, as the singer recognizes that change is necessary for growth and progress.
The bridge of the song questions why people are so hung up on looking strong and suggests that society needs to redefine what it means to be strong. The overarching message of the song is that fear of change is not only misguided but ultimately futile, as change is inevitable and necessary for growth.
Line by Line Meaning
In the end time
When everything comes to an end
To end all end times
The final end
Still can't keep everyone down
Not everyone will be defeated or subdued
Some hijackers
Some who take control
Will prove the shackles
Will demonstrate the chains
Are wasted on the young
Are ineffective on the young
So courageous
Very brave
It's highly contagious
It spreads quickly and easily
Who could leave them unsung
Who wouldn't praise them
If they're too vatic for your taste
If they speak in a prophetic or mystical way that you don't like
Or just too radical
Or they have ideas or actions that are extreme and not accepted by society
I don't mean maybe
I'm not uncertain
You fear the wrong thing baby
You're afraid of the wrong thing
You may be purging
You may be removing or getting rid of things
But always re-emerging
But they keep coming back
These weeds will soon stain the burned ground
These unwanted plants will grow and damage the already destroyed land
Without trying
Without putting in any effort
They keep multiplying
They keep increasing in number
Oh, how I long for that sound
The author desires to hear a specific sound
How come
Why
You're so hung up on looking strong
You're so focused on appearing strong to others
Nowadays
In current times
Yeah, you're so far gone
You're so lost or confused
You need to redefine that song
You need to change your way of thinking or acting
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jens Carlberg, Karl Duncanson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rorykillian749
I enjoy the radio dept because their sound has stayed so consistent through the years
@StopDropandLOL
What a tune. Goosebumps all over
@scottrleblanc
Thank you guys. Your music means the world to me...even more so right now.
@Benjamin-zr9zw
Still gives me the same feels Radio Dept. gave me the first time I heard their music back in 2006.
@chickeroo223
Easily one of the most underrated bands that I’ve listened to. So glad I found these guys.
@geeraaframik
Su música siempre mantiene esos sonidos tan buenos, divertidos y hermosos hacen q mi corazón baile💗
Siempre serán algo en especial para mí ya que ustedes brillaron en una amistad que jamás olvidaré. Hace más de 10años y jamás voy a olvidar a esta gran banda.
@BriannaShockley
I love you guys. Since I was 12. I'm 22 now, and David was the first song that hypnotized me in your ephemeral trance. I also listed to you a lot when I started tripping acid, and even exclusively for a while, just your albums on repeat <3 thank you for being such a huge part of the soundtrack of my life
@John-xh6ry
Esta canción me recuerda a cuando caminaba por el centro de la ciudad con una persona muy especial. Hope to see you guys again in Peru :)
@grumpygorman4579
Currently doing a deep dive into your music and they've helped kick-start my own writing. The vibes really connect. Thanks for the great tunes.
@busterabcat
During these currently terrible (in)humanitarian times, where there is so much fear and hatred and prejudice and incrimination in the world, I have no other means of escape from the daily horrors and injustices, but to shut myself away from the world outside and dive back into my own little sanctuary and cocoon - my very own private world where music is the panacea, the drug and the ultimate therapy and catharsis ...... and these guys for me have provided the most blissful of all comfort soundtracks to much of the last two years ..... I can't express my gratitude and unconditional love for The Radio Dept. any more than that!