As a music fan and a writer, I suppose there are a few terms/word/phrases I’m not a fan of. At the moment the big one is “Sleep on”. I will admit I have used it a few times but it is starting to get out of hand. I cannot count how many times a week I hear this term, be it on social media or at a show. So I’m going to go ahead and use it right now if that’s ok with you. I feel that Radkey, a garage/punk band of 3 brothers from Missouri is a group that I “slept on” for far too long and many others are doing that now. This is a band that has been around since 2010, releasing their first EP in 2013. In their time as a band, they have played with the likes of Rise Against, Touché Amore, and played such festivals as Afropunk, Riot Fest, SXSW, and Download. So one could say in their time as a band they have played some really big shows.
Radkey is one of those bands I have known about for a few years but never really gave them a shot until I saw them live last year at Rumba Café, a 150-200 cap room here in Columbus. Watching them live I remember being in awe of their performance but I still didn’t listen to them after the show. Fast forward to now. A few weeks ago I was asked if I would like to review their latest album, Delicious Rock Noise. I, of course, said yes, as I am always up to write about different bands and genres as I tend to stick to pop punk and emo bands.
When it comes to music I tend to look for three things; lyrics, feelings, and vocals. Upon first listen I only felt one of the three, vocals, which I am still a fan. Dee Radke has vocals very reminiscent of Glenn Danzig, which was with first pulled me in. I will admit I was not too sure after the first listen, so as any writer would and should do I listened to it more and more. Eventually, it stuck with me. The next thing to appear out of the three was the lyrics. When it comes to lyrics I like to be able to relate. Or be entertained. Radkey does both of those. In the song “Dark Black Makeup”, they talk about the youth of today and the way they say it is very entertaining to me. They also cover The Teens Titan Theme in their own special way and it’s really good. Then there are the ones I can relate to, “Parade It” deals with love. I’m a sucker for songs that talk about love, not sure why. “Song of Solomon” is one that really hits home for me, as I feel what he is singing about most days. The last part is feelings. This album makes me feel and I really dig that, along with those feelings I am also transported to different places and times. Mostly when I listen to this album I tend to envision myself in the 70s, early 80s skateboarding in pools wearing short shorts and high socks with my buds. And then at night hanging out at a park getting into all sorts of mischief. This is one of those albums I can see myself listening to more and more. And as I do I see myself discovering more things about it that I enjoy. My only regret is that I wish I had given it a chance in 2016 as it came out late in the year. I promise you this album would have made my top ten list. After seeing them in a small venue, I’m looking forward to seeing them at Rock on the Range in May. I highly suggest if you are going, check them out. Until then go listen to Delicious Rock Noise. See you at the shows!!!!! 🙂
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