Radkey LIVE at The 100 Club, 05.03.14

“We’ve got one rule on this tour… Start Freakin’ Out!”

An apt proclamation from Isaiah, the middle Radke brother, as freak out you will, if you ever get the chance to see Radkey live. As they take to the stage at the world famous 100 Club, a surge of enthused energy and excitement fills the room, and – within seconds – dozens of heaving bodies surge forwards, intoxicated by the thrilling presence of these three Missouri lads.

Still in their teens, the Radke brothers have caused quite a stir over the last year, and deservedly so. What a breath of fresh air it is to come to a gig filled with such a genuinely exhilarating buzz. The minute Solomon, Isaiah and Dee burst into song, I find myself filled with such an overbearing sense of excitement that I almost find myself jumping headfirst into the crowd of moshing youths that throbs before me. Age, memories of too many bruises, and my attachment to my drink stop me; but what a pleasure it is to witness this frenzy of teenage vigour and rebellion once again.

Taking me back to my love of old-timer punk-rockers such as Bad Religion, AFI and Misfits, Radkey have reignited the flame of punk, but with a unique, youthful 21st century edge. Whilst tracks such as ‘Freakin’ Out’ and ‘Red Letter’ generate a fierce, punk-infused energy and fist-clenching power, others – such as ‘Cat And Mouse’ and ‘Feed My Brain’ – are darker offerings; whilst maintaining Radkey’s characteristic vigour and angst, live they showcase an inspiring musicality, Dee’s wonderfully deep tone and an ability to write thoughtfully crafted songs.

As Isaiah takes a lead on proceedings, with short and sweet, nostalgically youthful, snippets of chat interspersed between the blasts of song – “this song’s about drinking fizzy stuff and hitting things with baseball bats!”- the brothers’ laddish camaraderie is evident; in one interlude, for instance, Dee is referred to as ‘such a nerd’ for taking a minute to tune up. However, these little traces of cheeky charisma and boyish charm do not take away from the thrashing, angst-driven power exuding from each and every song.

The energy doesn’t falter for a second; the initial hyperactive thrill that we all felt as Radkey appeared on stage continues throughout the set. And – as ‘Romance Dawn’ signals the end of what I can only describe as one of the most electrifying offerings from a new band I’ve ever seen – I am still buzzing with all the excitement of a fourteen year old discovering punk for the first time. Pulsating drum beats, seething vocals, blistering guitar riffs and a circle pit: what more could you ask for? Radkey signal the start of something truly exciting, and I can’t wait to find out what they come up with next.

Radkey’s latest single, ‘Feed My Brain’, is out now.

Mari Lane

@marimindles