Radio America (band)

Infobox musical artist
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Img_capt = L to R: Thomas Stuart, Jesse Reno
Img_size = 220
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Genre = Rock, Indie rock
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Years_active = 2002 - Present
Label = Mother West
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URL = [http://www.radioamericarocks.com Official Website]
Current_members = Jesse Reno Thomas Stuart Robby Van Sanders Gabe Wilhelm
Past_members = Jason Aubin (drums)
Notable_instruments =

Radio America is the name of a critically acclaimed rock and roll group based in New York City, currently signed to Mother West records by Charles Newman (member of Flare and producer/engineer of the Magnetic Fields, "Lemony Snicket," We Are Scientists, Kris Gruen, Lori Michaels, the Bowmans, Earlymay, etc.) In stark contrast to the radio network of the same name, Radio America are known not only for their award-winning live act but also for their openly leftist politics. [ [http://www.worcestermag.com/archives/2006/03-09-06/pm_nightlife.html 2006 Worcester Music Awards, Best Punk Act (winner), Best Rock act (2nd place)] ] After years as a three-piece (bass/drums/guitar with all members contributing vocals), the group currently performs as a four-piece act led by singer-songwriters Jesse Reno (vocals/bass) and Tom Stuart (vocals/guitar). The band's most recent release, the album "Raise High," was released in September, 2006.

The band is also well known for being fairly secretive and notoriously eccentric. Contrary to some published interviews and general rumor, Reno and Stuart are not brothers, but rather lifelong friends. However, the two have never publicly refuted the assumption for reasons unstated. Likewise, original drummer Jason Aubin is said to have left at some point during the completion of the "Raise High" recording sessions, though he is credited as a band member in the artwork for the CD. The band has never completely explained the timing or reason for his departure, though Reno did preposterously claim to the Pulse Magazine (in Worcester, MA) that the drummer had left because he quote "found Jesus." [ [http://thepulsemag.com/wordpress/2006/12/107-radio-america-the-interview-2/ Radio America: The Interview, Pulse Magazine, January 2007] ] In equally mysterious terms, there is no production credit on the album, simply crediting a one "Tintern" in Worcester, MA for having "recorded" the group.

Other extent semi-mysteries which surround the group include: the lyric jumble on the inside of the "Raise High" album sleeve; their supposedly-existent English manager 'Magnus Thompson;' the group's supposed right hand man and 'street-team' guru 'Ira Leonis;' the group's online politic/poetic/music journals and discussion page which the group refers to as the "Don't Tread On Manuals" some of the content of which the band may or may not have received in the form of handwritten notes from friends of the late political radical and fellow Worcester native son Abbie Hoffman; the group's repetitive use of the cryptic (and frankly, dubious) terms "VainGlory," "RadioAmerican," and "W.W.H.D." (the last of which is said by some to represent "What Would Hemingway Do").

Radio America is a member of ASCAP.

Discography

Albums

References

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/radioamericarocks the Band's official myspace page]
* [http://www.radioamericarocks.com Official Website]
* [http://www.thepulsemag.com/Entertainment/radioamerica.html Kicked in Fifth Gear] (The Pulse, Worcester, MA, August 2004)