RADIO MOSCOW - 250 Miles

RADIO MOSCOW, MONDO DRAG upcoming tour dates

With a powerful, crunching Sabbath-style chords and fiery solos that earn the right

to be called Hendrixian, Iowa power trio Radio Moscow plants its flag firmly

in the territory where psychedelic rock, cranked-up blues, and metal meet. -- The Onion

RADIO MOSCOW UPCOMING TOUR DATES

Sep 13 @ Elbo Room - San Francisco, CA

Sep 14 @ Prospector – Long Beach, CA

Sep 15 @ ZanZilla – Ventura, CA

Sep 16 @ Spaceland – Los Angeles, CA

Sep 17 @ Rogue - Scottsdale, AZ

Sep 18 @ Launchpad - Albuquerque, NM

Sep 20 @ Emo’s - Austin, TX

Sep 21 @ Nightmare – Dallas, TX

Sep 23 @ Czar Bar - Kansas City, MO

Sep 24 @ Yacht Club - Iowa City, IA w/MONDO DRAG

Oct 1 @ DG’s Taphouse - Ames, IA w/MONDO DRAG

Oct 3 @ Replay Lounge - Lawrence, KS

Oct 4 @ 3 Kings Tavern – Denver, CO

Oct 5 @ Burt’s Tiki Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT

Oct 6 @ Neurolux – Boise, ID

Oct 8 @ East End – Portland, OR

The band displays the usual plumage on New Rituals – distortion and feedback, hazy melodies, a dreamlike atmosphere, acoustic ephemera. But despite treading well-worn ground, the Draggers make it sound fresh, rather than hackneyed – likely the virtue of having no scene to get lost in. Muscular and melodic, Mondo Drag kicks out the new/old jams. – The Big Takeover

MONDO DRAG UPCOMING TOUR DATES

Sep 9 @ The Lift – Dubuque, IA

Sep 10 @ Middlewest Fest – Dekalb, IL

Sep 11 @ PJ’s Lager House – Detroit, MI w/OUTRAGEOUS CHERRY

Sep 12 @ Now That’s Class – Cleveland, OH

Sep 13 TBA Pittsburgh, PA

Sep 14 @ Golden West – Baltimore, MD

Sep 15 @ The Grape Room – Philadelphia, PA

Sep 16 @ Union Pool – New York, NY

Sep 16 @ Beyond Beyond Is Beyond, In-Studio – NY, NY

Sep 18 @ Pianos NYC – New York, NY

Sep 19 @ Loft Party – Washington DC

Sep 20 @ Strange Matter – Richmond, VA

Sep 21 @ The Cut – Atlanta, GA

Sep 22 @ Springwater – Nashville, TN

Sep 23 @ The Comet – Cincinatti, OH w/JOHN LEG

Sep 24 @ Yacht Club – Iowa City, IA w/RADIO MOSCOW

Sep 25 @ The Hideout – Chicago, IL

Oct 1 @ DG’s Taphouse – Ames, IA w/RADIO MOSCOW

Scott Morgan, Radio Moscow, Brian Olive, Hacienda

RADIO MOSCOW Spring US tour dates

Apr 1 @ Spaceland - Los Angeles, CA

Apr 2 @ Rouge - Scottsdale, AZ

Apr 3 @ Burts Tiki Lounge - Albuquerque, NM

Apr 4 @ Conservatory - Oklahoma City, OK

Apr 5 @ Rubber Gloves - Denton, TX

Apr 6 @ Emo’s - Austin, TX

Apr 7 @ Saturn Bar - New Orleans, LA

Apr 8 @ Lennys Bar - Atlanta, GA

Apr 9 @ The Jinx - Savannah, GA

Apr 10 @ Cabash / Tremont Music Hall - Charlotte, NC

Apr 11 @ The Triple - Richmond, VA

Apr 12 @ Golden West - Baltimore, MD

Apr 13 @ North Star Bar - Philadelphia, PA

Apr 14 @ Cake Shop - New York City, NY

Apr 15 @ Great Scott - Allston, MA

Apr 16 @ Bug Jar - Rochester, NY

Apr 17 @ The Summit - Columbus, OH

Apr 18 @ Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, OH

Apr 19 @ Southgate House - Newport, KY

Apr 20 @ Double Door - Chicago, IL

Apr 21 @ Turf Club - Minneapolis, MN

Apr 22 @ DG’s Tap House - Ames, IA

Apr 23 @ Yacht Club - Iowa City, IA

Apr 26 @ Replay Lounge - Lawrence, KS

Apr 27 @ Larimer Lounge - Denver, CO

Apr 28 @ Club Vegas - Salt Lake City, UT

Apr 30 @ Comet Tavern - Seattle, WA

May 1 @ East End Tavern - Portland, OR

MORE on the ALIVE SITE

Never Give Up On Your Hallucinations - Shindig!

September tour dates

BLACK DIAMOND HEAVIES
Lebowskifest - Speed of Sound Tour
Sep 8 @ Ogden Theatre - Denver, CO
Sep 9 @ Blue Cactus - Lead, SD
Sep 11 @ First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
Sep 12 @ Crunchy Fog - Greenbay, WI
Sep 13 @ Portage Theatre - Chicago, IL
Sep 15 @ North Side Tavern - Cincinnati, OH
Sep 16 @ Majestic Cafe - Detroit, MI
Sep 17 @ Velvet Underground - Toronto, Ontario
Sep 18 @ La Sala Rossa - Montreal, Quebec
Sep 19 @ House of Blues - Boston, MA
Sep 20 @ IM Automata Chino - Jersey City, NJ
Sep 22 @ Terminal 5 - New York, NY
Sep 24 @ Court Tavern - New Brunswick, NJ
Sep 25 @ Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA
Sep 28 @ 9:30 Club - Washington DC, Washington DC
LIVE album out November 24th on Alive records

OUTRAGEOUS CHERRY
Sept 9 @ Bay area fun time - Oakland, CA w/ Devon Williams
Sept 10 @ Spaceland, L.A. w/ Devon Williams
Sept 11 @ Che - San Diego CA, w/ Devon Williams
more dates coming soon

BRIMSTONE HOWL
Sept 9 @ Cafe Bourbon - Columbus, OH
Sept 10 @ Bruar Falls - Brooklyn, NY
Sept 11 @ The Cakeshop - NYC
Sept 12 @ Sailor Jerry - Philly, PA
Sept 14 @ The Oasis - New London, CT
Sept 15 @ The Triple - Richmond, VA
Sept 17 @ The Union - Athens, OH
Sept 18 @ Now Thats Class - Cleveland, OH
Sept 19 @ Louie‚s Trophy House - Kalamazoo MI
NEW album out November 24th

RADIO MOSCOW
Sep 8 @ Bali Satay - Ames, Iowa w/ Mondo Drag
Sep 9 @ Ribco - Davenport, Iowa
Sep 18 @ Capones - Ames, Iowa
Sep 25 @ DG's Taphouse - Ames, Iowa
more dates coming soon

BRIAN OLIVE
Sep 29 @ Northside Tavern - Cincinnati, OH w/Drummer
more dates coming soon

T-MODEL FORD w/Gravelroad
European tour :
Sep 8 @ Thelka - Bristol, UK
Sep 9 The Old Market - Brighton, UK
Sep 11 @ Luminaire - London, UK
Sep 12 @ Luminaire - London, UK
Sep 13 @ End Of The Road Festival ˆ Salisbury, UK
Sep 15 @ Arlington Arts Centre - Newbury, UK
Sep 16 @ Norwich Arts Centre - Norwich, UK
Sep 17 @ The Musician - Leicester, UK
Sep 19 @ The Boardwalk - Sheffield, UK
Sep 20 @ Brudenell Social Club - Leeds, UK
Sep 21 @ The Duchess - York, UK
Sep 22 @ The Live Theatre - Newcastle, UK
Sep 23 @ Tolbooth - Stirling, UK
Sep 24 @ King Tut's Wah Wah Hut - Glasgow, UK
Sep 26 Open House Fest. @ Black Box - Belfast, Ireland
Sep 27 @ Sandino's Cafe Bar - Derry, Ireland
Sep 28 @ Whelan's - Dublin, Ireland
Sep 29 @ Crane Lane Theatre - Cork, Ireland
NEW album out this winter on Alive records

BUFFALO KILLERS
Sept 9 @ The Bear's Place - Cambridge, MA
Sept 10 @ Nectar's - Burlington, VT
Sept 11 @ Dover Brick House - Dover, NH
Sept 12 @ Union Hall - Brooklyn, NY
Sept 25 @ The Union - Athens, OH
Sept 26 @ Southgate House - Cincinnati, OH
more dates coming soon

MONDO DRAG
Sep 8 @ The Bali Satay - Aimes, Iowa w/ Radio Moscow
Sep 9 @ Racers Edge - East Moline, IL
Sep 10 @ The Darkroom bar - Chicago, IL
Sep 11 @ Carabar - Columbus, OH
Sep 12 @ W.O. Wrights - Fairborn, OH
Sep 13 House show - Bloomington, IN
Sep 29 @ The Picador - Iowa city, Iowa
DEBUT album for Alive records out this winter

RADIO MOSCOW - I-94 Bar

If the opening squall of Parker Griggs’ paint-stripper lead guitar on opening cut "I Just Don’t Know" doesn’t tell you something significant about the shit that passes for high-rotation-programmed-within-a-centimetre-of-its-sad-existence commercial radio these days, go to the back of the class. You were off playing ABBA records in the home economics kitchen when the teacher broke out the sacrament and gave the rest of the class the lesson in Hendrix 101. Major Fail. To be accurate, Griggs doesn’t slavishly replicate Jimi’s distinctive overdriven tone and wah-wah wonderment across these 10 bluesy tunes, but he’s batting in the same ballpark and hitting home run after home run for the six string team regardless. Except for the "Voodo Chile" rip in "Hold On Me", it’s actually his vocal that sounds most like Hendrix (cock an ear to "No Jane" for a dose of "Electric Loudland") but who’s going to split (Afro) hairs about which guitar lick, lead-run and trill most resembles the output of which ’70s guitar hero when it all sounds this excessively good? It’s like "461 Ocean Boulevard" never existed. This is not the music (term used under advisement) that you’ll hear leaking out of ill-fitting iPod earbuds on the peak-hour train. Take that as a recommendation. Sanity can only stand so much tinny breaks or arrant rap crap on the 7.42am to Dull City. The eight-minute-plus "No Good Woman" even dares to trade in that most outdated of currencies, The Drum Solo. Far from being The Death Of Us All, the indulgence slots right in. It’s a statement of the obvious that Griggs’ quicksilver fretwork and frenetic, stuttering drums are all over "Brain Cycles." Bassist Zach Anderson goes along for the ride and pours hot asphalt into all the right potholes. Two people haven’t made this much noise together since Pamela and Tommy made their home movie. At least you can play this in front of the kids. The thunderous, acid-drenched blare of the title track might be a bigger downer than an early start on a Tuesday morning after a massive long weekend of partying, but it tastes much better than antacid and Red Bull for breakfast. Only "Black Boot" manages to interrupt the barrage of raw and righteous ’70s rawk – and that’s to dip the toe in the water of bluegrass – but the follow-up of "City Lights" gets us back on track. Sure beats "That ’70s Show" for rear vision entertainment. One of the best trips I’ve taken in 1969, sorry, 2009. – The Barman / I-94 Bar

RADIO MOSCOW - The ONION A.V. CLUB feature

Radio Moscow turns back time

by Christopher Bahn July 29, 2009

With a powerful, crunching Sabbath-style chords and fiery solos that earn the right to be called Hendrixian, Iowa power trio Radio Moscow plants its flag firmly in the territory where psychedelic rock, cranked-up blues, and metal meet. The sound is unabashedly retro (specifically, FM radio from around 1973), so it's easy to see how it caught the ear of The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach, who produced its 2007 self-titled debut. Like the Keys, Radio Moscow updates an old-school style with pure passion and a refreshing lack of irony. On a break from the band's current tour, which brings it to the Turf Club Thursday, July 30, guitarist and frontman Parker Griggs talked with The A.V. Club about working with Auerbach and self-producing the new Brain Cycles.

A.V. Club: How did you hook up with Dan Auerbach?

Parker Griggs: I was living in Colorado at the time and went to a Black Keys show in Denver. I gave my five-track demo to their merch guy, and he passed it on to Dan. I'd left it with my cell phone and everything, and I got a call that night after the show that he'd already checked it out and really dug it, and was going to pass it on to Alive Records [the Keys', and now Radio Moscow's record label]. Then it took about, maybe, half a year until I heard back from him, but he said Alive liked it and they wanted to try recording something at his home studio.

AVC: During that six-month lag, did you ever think, "God, maybe that guy forgot about me?"

PG: Yeah, I was kind of wondering. I was just hoping he'd still dig the stuff, but luckily heard back from him. By that time, it gave me more time to look for a better lineup, so that was cool.

AVC: What was it like to work with him?

PG: It was pretty cool. We did it all on this vintage recording stuff he had, so that was pretty sweet. It was this old abandoned pipe factory where he rented a small room. We recorded about 13 hours a day, just got the most of each day and did it pretty quickly—just about two or three days, I think, and we got it all done.

AVC: Given the intensity of your music, concentrated 13-hour sessions must have really helped keep up the energy level you needed.

PG: Yeah, it was a lot of work, but you totally get it pumped out pretty quick.

AVC: You produced your current disc, Brain Cycles, on your own. What did you learn from recording the first record that you wanted to expand on with this one?

PG: I wanted to use the tape again and try to get an old-school sound. [Auerbach] tried to help with the vocals a little bit and help me sing a little more confidently, so this time around I just tried to give it my all and be more comfortable with that. The first album was written all-instrumental, and the singing was just sort of [an afterthought]—we decided we needed a singer too, so I threw on the vocals. This album was written more with the vocals in mind.

AVC: Do you still feel more comfortable as a guitarist than as a singer?

PG: Yeah, that's what I'd originally planned to do, but, I mean, singing's all right.

AVC: Would you want to hook up with a singer at some point to let you focus on guitar?

PG: I think we're comfortable staying a power trio, but I don't know. I think for this band, we're comfortable with how it is.

AVC: You grew up in a small town of around 3,000 people in Story City, Iowa. What spurred your interest in music?

PG: Well, what I was into growing up is kind of different from what I'm into now. I was growing up with the whole grunge thing. I was really young and was all into sports, and then I started turning all anti-. I didn't like what I saw from those kids in school and just became the musician kid. I quit sports and spent all my time trying to learn guitar and drums. When I was more around 18, I started getting into the more garage-rock stuff, the Nuggets boxes, and that inspired me to do this more old-style [rock].

AVC: How has touring and playing with a lot of different bands changed your own approach to music?

PG: We're still pretty influenced by a lot of the old '60s and '70s stuff, but some of the bands that we've played with on tour that just jam out, like Earthless, have been pretty inspiring to see.

RADIO MOSCOW SET TO KICK OFF U.S. TOUR DATES IN SUPPORT OF NEW ALBUM ‘BRAIN CYCLES’

BLISTERING PSYCH ROCK TRIO RADIO MOSCOW SET TO KICK OFF U.S. TOUR DATES IN SUPPORT OF NEW ALBUM ‘BRAIN CYCLES’

Electrifying psychedelic hard rock band RADIO MOSCOW has announced summer, 2009 U.S. tour dates in support of its shining new album Brain Cycles (Alive Records). Fresh from a successful European tour, RADIO MOSCOW will kick off a U.S. trek on June 15 in Lawrence, Kansas and will remain on the road through mid-August, bringing its intoxicating live show -- which blends the dirty, romanticized feelings of blues-rock’s lament and the acidic and addictive fluorescence of psychedelic rock -- to as many music fans as possible.

Hailing from Story City, IA, RADIO MOSCOW is the brain child of 22 year old guitar prodigy Parker Griggs, who formed the band in 2003. Soon after, Griggs attended a Black Keys show and handed a RADIO MOSCOW demo to guitarist Dan Auerbach who loved what he heard and subsequently produced the band’s eponymous debut. Named for the pre-Cold War precursor to the propaganda outlet ‘Voice of Russia’, RADIO MOSCOW’s amped up, captivating sound harkens back to the glory days of the power trio, when Cream and Blue Cheer ruled the earth and the power of the Marshall stack was unquestioned. Live, Griggs' unbelievable blues-driven, wah-wah heavy riffs and smoking guitar solos have drawn oft-comparison to the great Jimi Hendrix, a flattering compliment that gains conviction with each and every new RADIO MOSCOW live performance.

As Griggs’ guitar prowess and front man live legend continues to grow, RADIO MOSCOW as a unit consistently receives praise for its mind-blowing live performances. The power trio is a true blues-driven rock band in every sense of the phrase and has boiled its lineup down to the essentials: bass, guitar and drums, encouraging extroverted playing from the band members, often at very high volumes. RADIO MOSCOW’s self-proclaimed “Guitar Music” has been called “throwback rock blues as a wall of sound,” that is “at times a romp, trying to uncover that secret to the brilliance of Led Zeppelin II.”

The brand new RADIO MOSCOW track “Broke Down” has been posted online – check out the new song now at this location. Live footage of RADIO MOSCOW recent performance as part of Holland’s famed Roadburn Festival can be viewed now by visiting this location.

RADIO MOSCOW will remain on the road through mid August. Along the course of the tour’s trail, the band will perform as part of the 2009 Deep Blues Festival in Minneapolis, MN and will support legendary doom metal band Pentagram on July 3 at Los Angeles’ House of Blues. A full listing of upcoming RADIO MOSCOW tour dates follows this message.

RADIO MOSCOW’s Parker Griggs is available to speak with interested media now. To chat with the band / attend a live performance, simply contact Carl Schultz at ACTION! PR via any of the means listed below. Updated RADIO MOSCOW news and tour information will be made available via the RADIO MOSCOW online domains: www.radiomoscow.net / www.myspace.com/radiomoscow, the Alive Records website: www.alive-totalenergy.com and the ACTION! PR website: www.action-pr.com.

“If you love classic guitar parts and blues-injected, Trans Am-driving rock, RADIO MOSCOW is right up your road. In fact, you may fall in love with its fist-pumping brand of rock.” – POPMATTERS

“Some think RADIO MOSCOW could be the next Des Moines band to generate some national buzz. They’ve got a record deal, a promising tour, a unique sound (for these times), and a whole lot of talent. Think Peter Green, Cream, Jefferson Airplane.” - METROMIX

“Singer/vocalist Parker Griggs displayed serious chops, pulling off the type of guitar work Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton (Cream) patented. His Orange amp produced the right sound for making blues-based, heavy jam music.” – BLISTERING.com

“Muscular riff rock à la the Jeff Beck Group” – ALL MUSIC


RADIO MOSCOW tour dates:

June 15 Lawrence, KS Replay Lounge
June 17 Denver, CO Three Kings (w/ Space In Time)
June 18 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge (w/ Dusty Rhodes)
June 20 Boise, ID Neurolux (w/ Deer Tick)
June 23 Seattle, WA Sunset Tavern
June 25 Portland, OR East End Tavern (w/ Danava)
June 27 Oakland, CA Uptown (w/ Howlin’ Rain)
July 3 Los Angeles, CA House Of Blues (w/ Pentagram)
July 4 Los Angeles, CA The Nomad Gallery (* FREE all ages show w/ Radio Moscow, Imaad Wasif, Ancestors, Weird Owl, Night Horse and Farflung)
July 9 Austin, TX Red 7
July 10 Fort Worth, TX Lola's Sixth
July 11 Oklahoma City, OK The Conservatory (w/ The Golden Animals)
July 16 Minneapolis, MN The Cabooze (* As part of the 2009 Deep Blues Festival / www.deepbluesfestival.com)
July 18 Ames IA Old Maine Brewery
July 30 Minneapolis, MN Turf Club
July 31 Fargo, ND The Aquarium (Dempsey's Upstairs)
August 3 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle (w/ Blue Song)
August 4 Detroit, MI Hamtramck (w/ Blue Song)
August 6 Rochester, NY The Bug Jar
August 7 Boston, MA The Church of Boston
August 9 New Haven, CT BAR (w/ Heavy Hands)
August 13 Philadelphia, PA The Khyber (w/ Vincent Black Shadow)
August 14 Richmond, VA Nara Sushi (w/ Vincent Black Shadow)
August 15 Baltimore, MD Talking Head Club (* As part of Filth Fest 2009)

Carl Schultz
ACTION! Public Relations/Media & Marketing

RADIO MOSCOW on Scented Vinyl Special

RADIO MOSCOW - Disc Exchange

Ah, remember a day when rock and roll was in its prime and just plain sounded the way it should; a day when guitars weighed a ton, hair was long, and the amps had knobs that were as big as pie plates. This was a day when you could still hear the hiss of the 2 inch tape on albums and bands could venture to the heavy end of the spectrum and not scare off the good spirited masses who were merely looking for a new album to throw on the turntables, space out, and expand both their mind and musical pallets. Fortunately for us, there are still musicians out there who abide by these creeds of the late 60's and early 70's, and could easily be considered contemporaries of their heroes, keeping great rock and roll alive in a world in which the majority of popular music has gone to shit. Hailing from Ames, Iowa of all places, Radio Moscow is one of these bands that does things right, from playing through vintage gear and joining forces with Alive Records, a label that can do no wrong in my book. Their newest album out of the oven, Brain Cycles, is a step above their 2007 debut with a greater confidence in both song-writing and musicianship.
I might be beating a dead horse by comparing Radio Moscow to Hendrix, however there is no denying the obvious influence that this music has on this album, from the guitar leads, tones, and effect choices. At the same time, Brain Cycles reminds me a great deal of other behemoths from back in the day including Cream, Blue Cheer, and the Groundhogs. Front man and guitarist Parker Griggs comes from a school of thought in which fuzz and wah are kings and the guitars are loud. Its a good thing too, because this young man has massive chops and an ear for the way rock and roll songs should be written. Chalk another one up in Griggs' column for his percussive work on the album, playing all of the drum parts himself. This leads me to the question, what can't he play? No kidding, there are hundreds of artists out there that would kill to have drum sounds like this, part Mitch Mitchell, part Carmine Appice. On the low end of things, Zach Anderson's bass lines are prime, tasteful, and in the pocket, perfectly complementing the guitar and drum work at hand. Brain Cycles is all about the driving riffs and psychedelic swells that will make the brain swim, swirl with an Are You Experienced? production quality. In fact I would almost require it to ingest Brain Cycles via a great pair of headphones.
Let's raise our glasses once again to Alive Records for bringing another of this year's best to the listeners. And most definitely hats off to the Radio Moscow boys for tapping into something that was in or added to the water back in the days when rock and roll was all about throwing on the cans, lighting some incense, and freeing ones mind. - Andrew Bryan / DiscExchange

RADIO MOSCOW - Adequacy

“Best Played Very HIGH.” This quote is found on the back cover of Radio Moscow’s new album Brain Cycles and compliments the mildly trippy, illustrated, album artwork fairly predictably. Inside is an image of no less than 21 vintage guitars stacked in front of a wall of equally vintage looking amps. Band leader, singer, guitarist, and drummer Parker Griggs is barely into his 20’s. I wonder how he has already acquired so much equipment. Who knows, but in addition to displaying the cultural signifiers of stoner rock, he’s also digested the history of psychedelic blues-rock and mastered producing fun and energetic originals in this style.
Obscure artists like the Groundhogs, Flower Travellin’ Band, and Peter Green are name-checked in the press release, but this stuff sounds tighter, craftier, and more bombastic than any of that stuff. More popular artists like Blue Cheer, Cream, and Hendrix are better touchstones for the sounds on Brain Cycles. Regardless, Griggs and bass-player Zach Anderson play in the classic power-trio, blues-rock style, and prove to be fairly versatile and playful players. Griggs’ guitar playing takes the spotlight and is magnificent, both in melody and sound. It screams, noodles, cries, and echoes all over the place. The guy’s got some serious skills, not just in his playing, but in getting the right sound out of his effects. The rhythm section is agile and loud throughout, laying a thunderous and propulsive bed, jerky and smooth in equal doses. Anderson’s bass flexes just the right amount of muscle, and follows the guitar, drums, or its own path in equal doses. Griggs’ drumming is capably aggressive and jazzy in the typical hard rock Ginger Rogers-aping style, which of course is a blast to listen to. The singing and lyrics are pretty typical and work more as a structural piece than as any sort of expression or communication. It’s typical blues fare, with ruminations about breaking down, holding on, not knowing, not understanding, and getting tired of shit, told from the first person.
It should be noted that none of these songs overstay their welcome and never really devolve into proggy grandeur. The album leads off with three pretty straight rockin’ songs. Although somewhat of a fixture of the style, there’s only one drum solo on the Brain Cycles and it arrives just as the proceedings start to edge into sameness on the fourth track, “No Good Woman”, so it’s a welcome change when it arrives. The next track is the title track and the only instrumental on the album. It continues the variety, starting with a race between the guitars and the rhythm section, segueing into a keyboard workout that stops the music in its tracks for a minute to admire something more feminine passing through, and finishes with a section of shape-shifting guitar work. This is followed by “250 Miles”, which breathes in more languid space before finishing with speed and volume. Two of the last three tracks also show some stretching out, as “Black Boot” and “City Lights” hearken further back into history for some delta blues. These tracks provide some jauntiness lacking at the beginning of the album and wish they’d have been split up for the sake of pacing. The final track rumbles in rambunctiously and burns out gloriously.
There’s plenty here for fans of both blues and psych, although it’s definitely more of a blues-rock record than a psychedelic record. After listening to Brain Cycles, I really look forward to the chance to see them play live. They get in, do their thing, and get out, without drawing things out. This stuff is straight-up homage, no doubt about it, and doesn’t claim to be anything but. It’s done lovably and quite adeptly, so just sit back, turn it up, and enjoy. - Greg Argo / DOA

RADIO MOSCOW - Pajiba

Call it blues rock, call it psychedelic, call it hard-grooved stoner rock. Call it whatever the hell you want, as long as you just call it ROCK. Iowa-based Radio Moscow’s second album, Brain Cycles, crashed onto my horizon a couple of weeks ago and shows no indication of departing any time soon. Discovered by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, their sound bears unquestionable similarities. But whereas The Black Keys play a noisy, stripped-down two-man blues rock, Radio Moscow is something else entirely — the rebirth of the power trio.
Comprised of singer/songwriter/guitarist Parker Griggs, drummer Corey Berry and bassist Zach Anderson, Radio Moscow plays like Cream on steroids. It’s pounding, grooving, blissed-out rock, full of whammy bar and wah-wah. Their sound doesn’t call for ass-shaking — it demands it. What’s even better is they’re showing signs of evolving. Their first eponymous album was decent, if uneven. Their sophomore effort maintains the dirty, throwback-to-Marshall-Stack sound, but shows polish in their playing and songwriting.
Brain Cycles grabs the listener right from the get-go, with it’s brilliant opening track “I Just Don’t Know,” a squelching, fuzzy guitar riff running through it, full of crescendoing segments that are rock and roll glory. Right around the end of the first minute, there’s one of those great pauses, immediately followed by Griggs giving a “WOO!” signaling the song kicking into a higher gear. It’s filled with rolling basslines and glorious guitar solos.
It doesn’t really let up the gas, either. It’s not fast paced rock, but it’s undeniably heavy — the second track, “Broke Down,” proves that beautifully. Similarly, “250 Miles” is somewhere a drawn out, instrumental affair that emphasizes what feels like a five-minute guitar solo, replete with crashing cymbals and bass that’s good for humping. The eight minute-plus epic, “No Good Woman” is bluesy, stoner rock nirvana, complete with vocal effects, a kickin’ drum solo, and a filthy guitar. Think Zeppelin meets Cream meets Mastodon… or something like that.
However you want to spin it, whatever you want to label it, Radio Moscow rocks. No doubt, they’re a throwback to another age. But in many they also have a sound that has to appeal to any guitar rock fan of any era. The lyrics are good, but they’re merely the dressing. The sound is the near-perfect formula of guitar+bass+drums=rock. Don’t let it pass you by.
— TK / Pajiba

RADIO MOSCOW - Organ

This second album is Radio Moscow really coming alive. If their 2007 self titled debut lacked that spark, then they more than made up for it here with Brain Cycles. This second album is right there in that spot that bands like Groundhogs or Cream took you to, those acid drenched stoner blues of Hendrix, Ten Years After or early Fleetwood Mac. No musical revolution going down here then, no, just righteous real deal old school psychedelic blue rock - sometimes, when things are done this well then that’s more than enough, revolutions aren’t always needed. - Organ magazine

RADIO MOSCOW - HearYa

When we first discovered Radio Moscow, we were all immediately floored by the guitar playing of Parker Griggs. For those unfamiliar with the story, Parker went to a Black Keys show and handed a demo to Dan Auerbach. Auerbach loved it and subsequently produced the Radio Moscow debut.

While their eponymous debut is excellent (#29 in the HearYa top 50 of 2007), it has a rough feel to it. Parker played most of the parts on the album himself and it came across as a one man project. In contrast, on Brain Cycles, Radio Moscow is a much more cohesive band. After listening to the album a few times, there are three things that really make this a more complete and balanced effort:

1. Parker’s vocals. On the first album, the vocals sometimes seemed as if they were just filling room between blistering guitar solos. Griggs is a guitar prodigy so it works, but on Brain Cycles, Parker is more confident as a front man and has some swagger.
2. The rhythm section is staggering. They move in lockstep with Parker while pulling off some of their own crazy shit. As I mentioned in my SXSW recap, Zach Anderson on bass has made tremendous strides and is every bit the equal to Parker.
3. On the debut, the songwriting was about showcasing Parker’s guitar work, which was fine by me. But Brain Cycles shows a more mature effort in his songwriting.

A couple of my favorites include "Broke Down" that has a Sabbath inspired riff and "No Good Woman," complete with 90 second drum solo by Parker (it actually kind of works).

Radio Moscow is growing up, but they don’t abandon their blues-psychedelic sound that is sure to fuel bong circles in smoky dorm rooms all over college campuses. - Woody /Hear Ya

RADIO MOSCOW announce SXSW shows and European tour dates

NEW album "BRAIN CYCLES" out April 14th!
Not in stores for weeks, get it from Bomp mailorder first
LISTENING PARTY March 27 @ Smash - Des Moines, Iowa

RADIO MOSCOW SXSW shows :
Mar 19 SXSW - Austin TX @ Smokin' Music Lounge with the Flower Travellin' Band
Mar 20 SXSW - Austin TX @ Spider House FREE SHOW
Mar 21 SXSW - Austin TX : HIGH TIMES 2009 DOOBIE AWARDS - Show at 2 PM

RADIO MOSCOW European tour dates ˆ US dates to be announced soon :
Apr 1 @ Le Saint Des Seins - Toulouse, France
Apr 5 @ Garorock Festival - Marmande, France
Apr 7 @ Living Room - Belgrade, Serbia
Apr 8 @ Klupche - Zenrajanin, Serbia
Apr 9 @ Kset - Zagreb, Croatia
Apr 11 @ Lebowski - Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Apr 12 @ Novi Sad Lazino Tele - Serbia
Apr 15 @ Sala Stereo - Alicante, Spain
Apr 16 @ Savoy Club - Gijon, Spain
Apr 17 @ Helldorado - Vittoria, Spain
Apr 18 @ Rock Sound - Barcelona, Spain
Apr 19 @ Durango Club - Valencia, Spain
Apr 21 @ La Mecanique Ondulatoire - Paris, France
Apr 22 @ Inside - Dortmund, Germany
Apr 23 @ Roadburn Festival - Tilburg, Germany
Apr 24 @ Db's - Utrecht, Netherlands
Apr 28 TBC - Strasbourg, France
Apr 29 @ Clubkeller - Frankfurt, Germany
Apr 30 @ Queen Days Festival - Rotterdam, Netherlands
May 1 to May 10 : Sweden, Denmark, UK - DATES TBA
May 12 @ Bohemien - Bari, Italy
May 13 TBA - Tuscany, Italy
May 14 @ Magnolia - Milan, Italy
May 15 @ Stoned Hand Of Doom Festival - Rome, Italy
May 16 @ Festintenda - Mortegliano, Italy
May 17 TBA - Rovigo, Italy
May 19 @ Rock Palace - Madrid, Spain
May 20 @ Mardi-Gras - La Coruna, Spain
May 21 @ Orfeau Club - Velo, Portugal
May 22 @ Plano B - Porto, Portugal
May 23 @ Castrus Bar - Foreas, Portugal
May 25 @ Rockadelic - Gandia, Portugal
May 27 @ Gallion - Lorient, France
May 28 @ Heretic - Bordeaux, France
May 29 @ Astrolabe - Orleans, France
May 30 @ Festival Mixed Up - Beauvais, France
May 31 @ Art Rock Festival - St Brieuc, France

RADIO MOSCOW - HIGH TIMES 2009 DOOBIE AWARDS

RADIO MOSCOW playing the HIGH TIMES 2009 Doobie Awards
Mar 21 @ Red7 - SXSW - Austin, TX

RADIO MOSCOW - PopMatters

I’m about 100% positive that I’m not the only sucker out there for some vintage psychedelia. Radio Moscow is the type of down-home bred band we all imagine. You know, the no name town (Story City, Iowa), the direct influences (Peter Green, Nuggets compilations, really any psychedelic guitar god), and the boy prodigy (insert Parker Griggs). But make no mistake, these boys are the real deal, and the proof is coming on their upcoming album, Brain Cycles, releasing April 14th.

Having the backing of the Black Keys and Alive records, the band has recently been able to find themselves in a perfect position to stone minds all around the country and have a little fun in the process. But hear, hear! Don’t come into this with a nasty attitude against psychedelic music, because if you do, then a band like Radio Moscow will never be for you. But if you want to sit back and let the wah-wahs and blues-driven guitar solos blow your mind, do yourself a favor, and check out the new single “Broke Down”. - John Bohannon / PopMatters

RADIO MOSCOW on tour with Sweden's Dead Man

Radio Moscow on tour with Dead Man
Feb 1 @ The Wedge - St Louis, MO
Feb 2 @ W.O.
Wrights - Dayton, OH
Feb 4 @ Velvet Lounge - Washington DC
Feb 5 @ Union Pool - Brooklyn, NY
Feb 6 @ Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia PA
Feb 7 @ Talking Head Club - Baltimore, MD
Feb 8 @ Nara Sushi - Richmond, VA
Feb 9 @ Nightlight - Chapel Hill
Feb 10 @ The Earl - Atlanta, GA
Feb 11 @ JJ Bohemias - Chatanooga, TN
Feb 12 @ Skull Alley - Louisville, KY
Feb 13 @ Bottom Lounge - Chicago, IL
Feb 14 @ Riveria Theatre - Three Rivers, MI
Feb 15 @ Bourbon Street Cafe - Columbus, OH
Feb 17 @ Bug Jar - Rochester, NY
Feb 19 @ the Middle East Club Upstairs - Boston, MA
Feb 21 @ The Cake Shop - New York, NY
Feb 23 @ Dantes - Frostburg, MD

RADIO MOSCOW - June tour dates

May 31 @ Dam to Dam Des Moines, Iowa
Jun 11 @ Back Porch Spearfish, South Dakota
Jun 12 @ The Filling Station Bozeman, Montana
Jun 13 @ Neurolux Boise, Idaho
Jun 14 @ Fun House Seattle, Washington
Jun 15 @ The Space Salem, Oregon
Jun 16 @ Aunty Mo's Arcata, California
Jun 17 @ Caspar Inn Caspar, California
Jun 18 @ Rickshaw Stop San Francisco, California
Jun 19 @ Mr. T's Bowl Los Angeles, California
Jun 20 @ Zombie Lounge San Diego, CA w/ the Bloody Hollies
Jun 21 @ Plush Tucson, Arizona
Jun 23 @ House SHOW! Las Cruces, New Mexico
Jun 24 @ Ralli's Pub Albuquerque, New Mexico
Jun 25 @ The Conservatory Oklahoma City
Jun 26 @ The Continental Tulsa, Oklahoma
Jun 27 @ Crosstown Station Kansas City, Missouri
Jun 28 @ The Blue Fugue Columbia, Missouri