The Radke brothers of St. Joseph, Missouri, could be tapped as an alternate power source. Living on the festival circuit has honed the trio’s kinetic attack and nasty chops. Second act on the headlining Black stage Friday, they wowed a modest midday Fun Fun Fun Fest crowd that had waltzed into Butler Park/Auditorium Shores once gates finally opened.
Three brothers – Dee Radke on guitar, vocals, and dreadlock-shaking fury; Phil Lynott look-alike bassist Isaiah Radke; and mohawked drummer Solomon Radke – locked as one in pursuit of The Ultimate Sonic Barrage. It’s a battering ram with caress, at its most potent recalling the ferocity of 1982 Bad Brains attacking the Misfits’ songbook. Dee’s post-Danzig croon has everything to do with that.
Fat chunks of Les Paul aggression, gut-throbbing bass, whiplash drums, and that golden croon fondled airtight songwriting. Two EPs and a handful of singles have yielded a deep, high-quality set-list most bands would kill for. “Out Here in My Head,” “Le Song,” “N.I.G.G.A. (Not Okay)” – instant classics.
The waltz-tempo “Feed My Brain” offered some variety, though it’s doubtful Richard Strauss would’ve ever written anything that pounds this hard.
Around third and heading for home with the rousing pounding of “Romance Dawn,” Radkey owned the deed to Auditorium Shores:
“Hey hey, there’s a fire/ And it’s running/ Coming in here….”
Check out our complete Fun Fun Fun Fest coverage.
This article appears in November 7 • 2014.
