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| Radkey in Paradiso 2019, Photo by Susana Martins |
I want to write about a band I have very high hopes for, they’re one of my favorite bands around right now (and I’m not just saying that because as of writing this they’re my first & only twitter followers), they make great records and kick-ass & take names live.
Radkey are three brothers from St. Joseph, Missouri who say they are on a quest to help save the world from false rock.
They’re doing great so far.
Dee Radke (guitar and lead vocals) Isaiah Radke (bass) and Solomon Radke (drums) formed their band in 2010 and have been gradually knee-sliding and pogoing towards a bigger fanbase. They cut their teeth playing festivals & going on tour, releasing singles & E.P.’s on their own label Little Man Records. These first releases are mostly no-nonsense punk reminiscent of early Misfits and Ramones. Dee’s baritone voice and chainsaw riffs, Isaiah’s 200mph basslines and Solomon’s super-tight drumming make them a force to be reckoned with.
In 2014 a Spotify Sessions live recording was released, it perfectly showcases Radkey’s capability and sheer energy of their live shows. What it fails to convey though is the fullness of Radkey’s sound, I’ve seen them live twice in Paradiso, Amsterdam and both times I was engulfed in the richness of their guitar & bass sound.
2015 saw the release of their first full length record “Dark Black Makeup”. Producer Ross Orton helped the band to polish their sound and, (I can’t remember where I read this) taught the band it’s okay to slow some songs down. The result is a more mature, but in no way less fun, record on which Radkey really found their own sound. Title track “Dark Black Makeup” is an instant classic for a new generation of punk kids. For “Hunger Pain” the band went out of their comfort zone & it paid off. They slowed things way down here and get groovy in the verses followed by a big chorus perfect to sing along to. There’s enough high octane tracks to be found though, “Le Song”, “Song of Solomon” & especially “Glore” will get crowds off their feet anywhere.
The following year, Another Century Records reissued the album with two bonus tracks under the titel "Delicious Rock Noise".
Last year Radkey started putting out new singles online, later combining them in the “No Strange Cats…P.A.W” E.P. The songs once again show great progress in their writing and more variety in their songs. Tracks like “Junes” and “Basement” have big hit potential. “Spiders” and “Rock & Roll Homeschool” can and will melt your face off. Opening track “P.A.W” is the perfect protest song for this age of hate-mongering politicians and the increasing gap between rich & poor.
"'P.A.W.' is a song mostly about “Redlining” and how shitty it feels to be considered less than others. It’s about the times when you’re reminded of that fact. The feeling that you’re always being watched." - Isaiah Radke.
Radkey is a hard working band that tours non-stop their sound a breath of fresh air while not shying away from the music that inspired them, this creates their own unique sound which I’m sure a lot of people will start hearing more of sooner rather than later.
When you see their name on a marquee or poster at your local venue I urge you to go check them out while you can because I honestly believe Radkey is one more album away from, say, opening a stadium tour for a band like Foo Fighters.
Get their records: https://radkey.merchcentral.com/
Listen to "Strange Cats...P.A.W" on Spotify (I hope there will be a physical release of this):
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