Under Covers 9: Social Commentary Collaboration

posted in: FeaturesMusic NewsRock

OSBlog02_UnderCovers_MASTER1There’s no denying that musicians today are far less outspoken about political affairs than they were during the 60s. Maybe this wouldn’t be so alarming if we lived in a state of eternal peace, but we don’t. Far from it. Among the handful of musicians still giving the political scene its due publicity is roots rock band State Radio. Straight out of Boston, the group sings social commentary covering everything from Guantanamo Bay to the American government’s treatment of Native Americans. Led by front man Chad Urmston (formerly of Dispatch), the group just released their fourth album ”1/3 studio recording, 2/3 live acoustic takes. With 41 songs in total, there’s plenty of protest to go around, and Mr. Urmston’s voice never losing any hint of passion throughout all of his devoted storytelling. Given the state of heated political affairs and debates in the recent weeks, we thought it would be cool to catch up with Chad and ask him a few questions about who he would have cover his material if it could be anyone in the world. Keep reading to find out what he said!

From left: Mad Dog, Chad, and Chuck. Photo Credit: Drew Gurian.

From left: Mad Dog, Chad, and Chuck. Photo Credit: Drew Gurian.

AR: If you could have any artist cover one of your more political songs, who would it be and why? :

SR: She passed away a few years ago, but I’d like to hear Nina Simone cover “Sudan.”

AR: What would you have them do with the song musically?

SR: I’m not sure, she was amazing at adapting other people’s songs… Maybe slow it down a little with her at the piano. Bring in horns perhaps.

AR: Could you give us a brief background on the song’s inspiration?

SR: I had been inspired by the stories coming out of that part of the world. The deliberate brutality of one group against another was astounding. I wrote it from the perspective of a 10-year-old boy because I felt compelled by the idea of an innocent child reacting to a ravaged world and a family destroyed.

Check out the lyrics to “Sudan”:

Downwind there is a comin’,
A rumble in the sand.
Sets our feet to running,
For the fear of the faceless man.
For the fear of the faceless man.

But if I had an arsenal and if I was ten feet tall,
Then I would put an end to it all.
And if I had wheat to burn,
And if I had a lot to learn,
Then it still would not matter what color you were.
And if I had but one wish on which to stand,
I’d wish the weapons all turn to sand.
I’d see the gunners watch their empty hands,
Fall down to their sides.

Downwind they come up lonely,
All hungry for the kill.
The horses do the pounding,
But it’s a blood that’s going to spill.
It’s a dark blood that’s going to spill.

But if I had an arsenal and if I was ten feet tall,
Then it wouldn’t matter what color you were.
And if I had but one wish on which to stand,
I’d see the weapons all turn to sand.
I’d see the gunners watch their empty hands,
Fall down to their sides.

If I had but one wish on which to stand,
I’d have the weapons all leave Sudan.
I’d see the gunners wash their empty hands,
Down by the riverside.

Ghost town in my homeland,
I will come back again.
And if you make a ghost of me,
I will still be free.
Ghost town in my homeland,
I will come back again.
If you make a ghost out of me,
I will still be free.

If I had but one wish on which to stand,
I’d see the weapons all leave this land.
I’d see the gunners watch their empty hands,
Fall down to their sides.

If I had but one wish on which to stand,
I’d see the weapons all leave Sudan.
I’d see the gunners wash their empty hands,
Down by the riverside.
Down by the riverside.
Down by the riverside.

The guys are touring extensively in support of their latest release, check out the tour dates here to see if they’re coming to a venue near you!