Radish

Radish (band)

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Radish were a self-proclaimed "Sugar Metal" band formed in 1993 by Ben Kweller, John David Kent, and Ryan Green.

Early days

The trio played locally in and around Greenville and recorded two independent releases, Hello (1994) and Dizzy (1995), with Martin Baird at Verge Music Works recording studio in Dallas, Texas. Around the time of Dizzy's release, Ryan Green left the band to focus his attention on school. Lorin Hamilton filled in for a few months until Bryan Bradford AKA Bryan Blur joined on for most of the band's career.

Major label signing and touring

Ben sent a copy of Dizzy to Guitarist Nils Lofgren who grew up with Ben's dad in Maryland. Nils was impressed with Radish and recommended them to Roger Greenawalt who was producing Lofgren's album at the time, Damaged Goods. Greenawalt took Radish into a studio where they recorded a demo tape which was subsequently shopped around to record labels nationwide, After an unexpected bidding war, Radish eventually signed to Mercury Records to release the album Restraining Bolt. Radish made appearances on The Weird Al Show, Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Late Show with David Letterman, but despite the much-hyped signing, the band failed to strike big success. Radish earned a large cult following in England with their top 40 hit "Little Pink Stars". The band toured several times in Europe including opening slots for Faith No More and Main Stage at Reading Festival '97. Radish released three 7" singles and two CD singles.

The end

In 1998 Radish became a quartet featuring Joe Butcher (Polyphonic Spree, UFOFU) on lead guitar and Debbie Williams on bass. Radish went to Muscle Shoals Studio in Alabama to record the musically ambitious follow-up to Restraining Bolt, entitled Discount Fireworks. The band recorded with producer Bryce Goggin (Pavement, The Lemonheads). While mixing Discount Fireworks in NYC Kweller and Kent met bassist Josh Lattanzi who became Radish's 5th and final bass player. As a result of Polygram's merger with Universal Music Group, the 18-song album was never released and Radish soon secured a release from their contract with Mercury Records. After the band got released from Mercury they continued to play the occasional show around Texas. In 1999, Ben moved up north to live with his girlfriend/future wife, Liz Smith. After living in Connecticut for a few months, the couple decided to move to Brooklyn, NY where Ben began his solo career and signed with ATO Records in 2001. Back in Texas, John Kent began to write songs of his own and formed the band Pony League which is now defunct but now fronts the band John David Kent and the Dumb Angels. John Kent runs the indie label Black Land Records and The Vault Recording Studio in Celeste, TX.

Albums

Hello (1994)

Tracks:

1. Space Boy
2. Hello
3. Wooden Window
4. Leave
5. Kitty
6. You Can Run
7. Whatcha Gonna Do?
8. Rollercoaster
9. I Want You To
10. The Way

Dizzy (1995)

Tracks:

1. Chrysalis
2. Too Personal
3. Dizzy
4. Doesn't Know It
5. Bedtime
6. All Night
7. Uncle Jimmy's Theme
8. I'm Still Here
9. The Way
10. Swallow
11. I Know A Girl
12. Uncle Jimmy's Theme (Drum Solo)

Restraining Bolt (1997)

Restraining Bolt was released on Mercury Records in 1997, but failed to reach commercial success. Two singles from the album's UK release - "Little Pink Stars" and "Simple Sincerity" received some airplay in the country, and lead to the band playing at the V97 music festival.

1. Little Pink Stars
2. Simple Sincerity
3. Failing and Leaving
4. Dear Aunt Arctica
5. Sugar Free
6. Today's Bargain
7. The You In Me
8. Still I Wait
9. A Promise
10. Apparition of Purity
11. My Guitar
12. Bedtime