Red City Radio – The Dangers of Standing Still

Red City Radio first came to my attention at the tail end of ’09, with the release of their debut EP To the Sons and Daughters of Woody Guthrie and despite wearing their influences firmly on their sleeve, it was clear this was a band to watch.

The Dangers of Standing Still sees the Oklahoma punk rockers release their debut full-length on Paper + Plastick records, a label that is quickly gaining a reputation for releasing records by exciting artists, and whilst it doesn’t re-invent the wheel, Red City Radio have provided enough evidence across two EPs and one LP, that maybe the Latterman sized hole is about to be filled.

Lead single ‘Spinning is a Gateway Drug’ is a fantastic entry point as well as the stand out track on the record, in 4:04 it sums up everything about the band that has allowed them to pick up plaudits with every release. Red City Radio build on this momentum the further you get into The Dangers of Standing Still, with both ’50th and Western’ and album closer ‘Nathaniel Martinez’ in particular highlighting the positivity that radiates throughout the record.

Ultimately, Red City Radio aren’t offering anything more than high energetic punk rock, and to some that may be a huge mark against them. We’ve heard everything they’re doing before but what I feel is key, is that there have been several Latterman-esque bands since their demise, but none have captured that feel-good factor as well as Red City Radio have, and for that they deserve some credit.

If you’re looking for a band that marries 4-way vocals with hooks-a-plenty and a great, positive vibe, you could do worse than checking out Red City Radio.