Text Size
  • A
  • A
  • A
Share

Local Band Interview: Mercury Radio Theater


How can I best describe Philly’s Mercury Radio Theater?

Well, if Gogol Bordello raced around in The Dead Milkmen’s “Bitchin’ Camaro” then Mercury Radio Theater would be the skid marks left behind in the parking lot. In a city filled with artists who don’t move enough on stage, it’s refreshing to see a band like Mercury Radio Theater engage the audience in the way they do. The band’s live sets send audiences whizzing through a time warp between the swingin’ 50s and the surf punk 80s. These ritualistic parties create serious good time energy when displayed in an intimate space.Mercury Radio Theatre

Mercury Radio Theater formed in 2000 as a trio and released their first two albums, “Death and Life of the Undead Boy” and “The Blue Eyed Model”, in that configuration. Later on, in order to create more of a stage presence, the group added a vibraphone, saxophone, trumpet, organ, and violin to the standard guitar, bass and drum outfit. Today, the group stands as a full-blown punk rock exotica orchestra, putting on high-energy, theatrical live shows that dare those in attendance to dance.

I recently had a chance to speak to the band’s front man, Buddy Mercury, about the music scene in in Philly and how life here has influenced the direction of their music. “If you give to the scene, the scene will give to you,” Buddy said.

The group’s upcoming record, “Oh, This Can’t Be Good”, is due out October 2016. “We try really hard to speak to the problems most folks are feeling lately,” Buddy said. “Underpaid, overworked, out of luck, intercoursed?”Mercury Radio Theatre

Mercury Radio Theater will be performing this month on June 24th at Boot and Saddle with Big Lazy and Madelean Gauze. Gretsch Guitars will be sponsoring another Mercury Radio Theater show at Boot and Saddle on Oct. 28 and giving away prizes.

The Spirit | Hyperlocal done differently
Advertise Now

Related News