Radio 4 (band)
Encyclopedia
Radio 4 is a band from Brooklyn
who formed in 1999. They claim that their sound, which has been described as "danceable punk
", is "made in New York, is about New York, and sounds like New York".
The band was a five-piece, comprising Anthony Roman (Vocals/Bass) (formerly of Garden Variety
), David Milone (Vocals/Guitar) (who replaced original guitarist/singer Tommy Williams in 2005), Gerard Garone (Keyboards), Greg Collins (Drums), and P.J. O'Connor (Percussion) until April 2008 when Gerard Garone left the band.
The band was originally a trio, comprising Anthony Roman, Tommy Williams and Greg Collins.
They cite a variety of influences, including Gang of Four
, Mission of Burma
, Primal Scream
and Zero Zero
, though their lively punk
sound combined with their militant political stance inevitably draws a strong comparison with The Clash
.
Their name comes from a Public Image Ltd.
song from that group's second album, which is itself a reference to BBC Radio 4
.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
who formed in 1999. They claim that their sound, which has been described as "danceable punk
Dance-punk
Dance-punk is a music genre that emerged in the late 1970s, and is closely associated with the post-punk and No Wave movements.-Predecessors:...
", is "made in New York, is about New York, and sounds like New York".
The band was a five-piece, comprising Anthony Roman (Vocals/Bass) (formerly of Garden Variety
Garden Variety (band)
Garden Variety was an American post-hardcore band active in the 1990s. During their time together, the band created two LPs and several 7" singles between 1991-1996...
), David Milone (Vocals/Guitar) (who replaced original guitarist/singer Tommy Williams in 2005), Gerard Garone (Keyboards), Greg Collins (Drums), and P.J. O'Connor (Percussion) until April 2008 when Gerard Garone left the band.
The band was originally a trio, comprising Anthony Roman, Tommy Williams and Greg Collins.
They cite a variety of influences, including Gang of Four
Gang of Four (band)
Gang of Four are an English post-punk group from Leeds. Original personnel were singer Jon King, guitarist Andy Gill, bass guitarist Dave Allen and drummer Hugo Burnham. They were fully active from 1977 to 1984, and then re-emerged twice in the 1990s with King and Gill...
, Mission of Burma
Mission of Burma
Mission of Burma is an American post-punk band formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1979. The band was formed by Roger Miller , Clint Conley , Peter Prescott and Martin Swope...
, Primal Scream
Primal Scream
Primal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
and Zero Zero
Zero Zero
Zero Zero is a synth band, formed out of the New Jersey punk band Lifetime by Lifetime members Dave Palaitis-guitar & vocals , Ari Katz-vocals & drums, and Katz's wife Tannis Kristjanson -vocals & keyboards...
, though their lively punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
sound combined with their militant political stance inevitably draws a strong comparison with The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
.
Their name comes from a Public Image Ltd.
Public Image Ltd.
Public Image Ltd are an English post-punk band formed by vocalist John Lydon , guitarist Keith Levene and bassist Jah Wobble, with frequent subsequent personnel changes. Lydon is the sole constant member of the band....
song from that group's second album, which is itself a reference to BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
.
Albums
- The New Song & DanceThe New Song & DanceThe New Song and Dance is the debut album of dance-punk/post-punk revival band Radio 4The album was released under low-budget circumstances in 2000, making for a messy but angry and fast sound...
(May 2000, Gern Blandsten RecordsGern Blandsten RecordsGern Blandsten Records is an independent record label based in River Edge, New Jersey.The label's acts have included The World/Inferno Friendship Society, Canyon, Chisel, the Van Pelt, Radio 4, The Flesh, and Rye Coalition...
) - Gotham!Gotham!Gotham! is the second album by the dance-punk/post-punk revival band Radio 4Released in 2002, Gotham! became mildly famous in underground club and dance scenes through the release of the single Dance to the Underground. In a similar way to their 2000 debut, The New Song & Dance, Gotham! was a...
(April 2002, Gern Blandsten RecordsGern Blandsten RecordsGern Blandsten Records is an independent record label based in River Edge, New Jersey.The label's acts have included The World/Inferno Friendship Society, Canyon, Chisel, the Van Pelt, Radio 4, The Flesh, and Rye Coalition...
) - Stealing of a NationStealing of a NationStealing of a Nation is the third LP by the NYC Dance-punk band Radio 4. It was released on September 7, 2004.-Track listing:#Party Crashers#Transmission#State of Alert#FRA Type 1 & II#The Death of American Radio#Nation#No Reaction...
(September 2004, AstralwerksAstralwerksAstralwerks is a New York-based record label that releases primarily electronic music. It is owned by Virgin Records/EMI and distributed by Caroline Distribution in the United States....
) - UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#157 - Enemies Like ThisEnemies Like ThisEnemies Like This is the fourth LP by the NYC Dance-punk band Radio 4. It was released on May 16, 2006.-Track listing:#Enemies Like This#Packing Things Up on the Scene#Too Much To Ask For#Grass Is Greener#Everything's In Question#This Is Not A Test...
(May 2006, Astralwerks)
EPs
- Dance to the Underground (June 2001, Gern Blandsten RecordsGern Blandsten RecordsGern Blandsten Records is an independent record label based in River Edge, New Jersey.The label's acts have included The World/Inferno Friendship Society, Canyon, Chisel, the Van Pelt, Radio 4, The Flesh, and Rye Coalition...
) - Electrify (August 2004, AstralwerksAstralwerksAstralwerks is a New York-based record label that releases primarily electronic music. It is owned by Virgin Records/EMI and distributed by Caroline Distribution in the United States....
) - Enemies Like This Remixes (September 2006, AstralwerksAstralwerksAstralwerks is a New York-based record label that releases primarily electronic music. It is owned by Virgin Records/EMI and distributed by Caroline Distribution in the United States....
) - Packing Things Up on the Scene (October 2006, AstralwerksAstralwerksAstralwerks is a New York-based record label that releases primarily electronic music. It is owned by Virgin Records/EMI and distributed by Caroline Distribution in the United States....
/EMIEMIThe EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
)
Singles
- "Beat Around the Bush" (1999, Gern Blandsten RecordsGern Blandsten RecordsGern Blandsten Records is an independent record label based in River Edge, New Jersey.The label's acts have included The World/Inferno Friendship Society, Canyon, Chisel, the Van Pelt, Radio 4, The Flesh, and Rye Coalition...
) - "Dance to the Underground" (June 2001, City Slang) - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#94 - "Struggle" (May 2002, City Slang) - UK #84
- "Eyes Wide Open" (May 2002, City Slang) - UK #182
- "Start a Fire" (August 2003, City Slang) - UK #130
- "Party Crashers" (July 2004, AstralwerksAstralwerksAstralwerks is a New York-based record label that releases primarily electronic music. It is owned by Virgin Records/EMI and distributed by Caroline Distribution in the United States....
/City Slang) - UK #75 - "Absolute Affirmation" (September 2004, City Slang) - UK #61
- "State of Alert" (November 2004, City Slang) - UK #121
- "Transmission" (March 2005, City Slang) - UK #153
- "Enemies Like This" (May 2006, AstralwerksAstralwerksAstralwerks is a New York-based record label that releases primarily electronic music. It is owned by Virgin Records/EMI and distributed by Caroline Distribution in the United States....
) - UK #162 - "Packing Things Up on the ScenePacking Things Up on the Scene"Packing Things Up on the Scene" is a song by Brooklyn-based band Radio 4. It was released as the second single from their 2006 album Enemies Like This...
" (October 2006, AstralwerksAstralwerksAstralwerks is a New York-based record label that releases primarily electronic music. It is owned by Virgin Records/EMI and distributed by Caroline Distribution in the United States....
/EMIEMIThe EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
) - UK #175 - "As Far as the Eye Can See" (August 2007, AstralwerksAstralwerksAstralwerks is a New York-based record label that releases primarily electronic music. It is owned by Virgin Records/EMI and distributed by Caroline Distribution in the United States....
/EMIEMIThe EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
)
Songs in other media
- Radio 4's song, "Caroline" is featured in "Rooney - Heart" in Nike's Joga Bonito series of advertisements.
- "Dance to the Underground" is featured in the musical score of Grandma's Boy, produced by Adam Sandler's production company Happy MadisonHappy MadisonHappy Madison Productions is an American film/television production company founded by actor/comedian Adam Sandler in 1999 that is best known for comedy films. Happy Madison takes its name from the films Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison, two box office successes starring Sandler himself, both...
in 2006. - "Start a Fire" from the album Gotham!Gotham!Gotham! is the second album by the dance-punk/post-punk revival band Radio 4Released in 2002, Gotham! became mildly famous in underground club and dance scenes through the release of the single Dance to the Underground. In a similar way to their 2000 debut, The New Song & Dance, Gotham! was a...
has been featured in Warren Miller'sWarren Miller (director)Warren Miller is an American ski and snowboarding filmmaker. He is the founder of Warren Miller Entertainment and produced, directed and narrated his films until 1988. His credits include over 750 sports films, several books and hundreds of published non-fiction stories...
Journey, and commercials for FX's show Rescue MeRescue Me (TV series)Rescue Me is an American television drama series that premiered on the FX Network on July 21, 2004, and concluded on September 7, 2011. The series focuses on the professional and personal lives of a group of New York City firefighters in the fictitious Ladder 62 / Engine 99 firehouse.The show... - "Enemies Like This" has been featured in commercials for the National Geographic ChannelNational Geographic ChannelNational Geographic Channel, also commercially abbreviated and trademarked as Nat Geo, is a subscription television channel that airs non-fiction television programs produced by the National Geographic Society. Like History and the Discovery Channel, the channel features documentaries with factual...
's documentary series Critical Situation. - "Calling All Enthusiasts" was used in commercials for the new Schwinn Sting-Ray bikes in 2004.
- A pre-release version of "Give it to Me" was featured in Sharpie marker'sSharpie (marker)Sharpie is a manufacturer of writing instruments whose products are sold in over 20 countries. Originally a name designating a single permanent marker, the Sharpie brand has been widely expanded and can now be found on a variety of previously unrelated permanent and non-permanent pens and markers...
TV commercial with David BeckhamDavid BeckhamDavid Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
in the summer of 2008.