Star Radio definitely has a buzz going. Nothing illegal. Nothing immoral. The buzz they’re riding high on is the kind that makes this awesome foursome one of the hottest commodities in Central Pennsylvania. This buzz is so Herculean that it took them all the way to WXPN’s World Café — and they’re not even signed to a label!

Often filling smoky barrooms up and down the eastern seaboard, Star Radio is quickly becoming known as one of the brightest new talents to hit the music scene in a long time. Loyal fans are flocking to venues to hear this emotionally charged band with incendiary live performances and incredible, powerful song writing.

They haven’t always been the talented entertainers that they are today, however. According to bass player John Walter, “We’ve paid our dues. Every one of us has played in really horrible bands. All of us but our beloved drummer, Ralph, have known and played in bands with each other for years.”

And it’s a good thing that they know each other so well. These guys don’t have much time these days to mess around learning the idiosyncrasies of the others. “We’re constantly on the move,” comments a contemplative but always-smiling Paul Keaveney. “We have no time to waste because we’ve all got day jobs and we practice and gig all night.”

Sounding like a cross between Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, and a touch of Son Volt, these blue-collar-by-day fellows are shy about embracing comparisons to great artists such as these. “We started taking ourselves very seriously, and this is what happened. There are no pretensions with us. How could there be? We started out playing at the Lancaster Gun Club!” says drummer and lead booking agent
Ralph Bagnato.

Chuckling about definitely not being inspired by their parents’ taste in music, drummer Bagnato said, “I was inspired by the fact that my family tried to stop me from playing. If you give a kid drums, he’ll play them. I bought a drum set for 20 bucks and haven’t stopped playing since then.”

“I think that the first person who made me want to pick up a guitar and play was The Edge from the band U2,” chimed Keaveney. “I can say that I play the way I do totally because of what he does. Also, another person who greatly influenced me is a local guy named Big Mike Fisher. He did more for me than anybody in terms of watching how he did things as a musician. He was a big influence on every one of Star Radio.”

In addition to being friends and musical collaborators, three of the four band members are roommates. “Living together saves money so that we can focus on our music and don’t have to worry as much about money,” says Troy Beiser, lead songwriter and guitar aficionado. “We can’t quit our day jobs, but when we’re together at night, we can write, practice, and work on the band. I can’t imagine it being any other way!”

Star Radio, just three months after the band’s formation in June of 1997, made a CD. Armed with a slew of glowing reviews, the band’s self-titled debut is gaining ever-increasing radio support from the likes of WXPN (88.1), and the band has done a live, in-studio acoustic show on 97.3 The River.

Beiser, eager to talk about the making of the CD, said, “Jay Sorrentino (from major-label band Suddenly, Tammy!) got a tape of our band and called us and asked us to come to his studio in Lancaster. We went down for a three day session, and on the third day, Jay told us that he wanted to spend more time with us and encouraged us to stick around and perfect the CD. It took a little bit longer, but it was worth it.” He says, “Radio stations are getting regular requests for the track ”Paris Street,“ and WXPN in Philadelphia has added us to their regular play list.”

While Star Radio normally plays to a packed house whenever they play, they do recognize the lack of public support at all local live performances. “Compared to when I was in high school, people always went out to see local bands. Now, it seems that people aren’t generally interested in a local music scene. I just doesn’t seem to happen anymore and it’s really a shame,” said Walter. “I think that a lot of it has to do with some of the people who are running the scene. With a few exceptions, most people involved in the music scene are simply in it for money as opposed to supporting good music.”

Keaveney comments, “When I was a kid, I used to search out new local music. I don’t think that kids do that anymore.” He clarifies, “But The Wire … What an incredible place for kids to hang out and hear the best music in Central PA.”

Paying homage to No Depression-type acts such as WILCO and Son Volt, these twangsters have a bright future and will be re-entering the recording studio again in 1999. If you haven’t had the opportunity to see them perform live, go to their website: starradio.home.ml.org, and check their schedule, then run as fast as you can to a really great show!