Free Radicals (band): Difference between revisions

Free Radicals
Free Radicals
	Free Radicals Core Band Members in 2024
Background information
Origin	Houston, Texas, U.S.
Genres	Jazz, funk, ska, reggae, klezmer, hip hop, world
Years active	1996–present
Members	Pete Sullivan; Nick Cooper; Al Bear; Marcos Melchor; Chuy Terrazas; Jacob Breier; Chelsea Rangel; Jonathan Grantham; Jason Jackson; Luis; Bob Selcoe; Kye Loh; Tristan Eggener;
Website	www.freerads.com

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Free Radicals is an American band from Houston, Texas, that combines elements of several genres: jazz, funk, ska, reggae, hip-hop, African, and Indian music.

History

The Free Radicals live band includes six or seven members.^[3] On recordings — The Rising Tide Sinks All (1998), Our Lady of Eternal Sunny Delights (2000), Aerial Bombardment (2004), and The Freedom Fence (2012)^[4] — Free Radicals invites a group of 50 or more musicians and vocalists into the studio.

Drummer Nick Cooper founded the group in 1996, with a goal of specializing in improvised music.^[3] In 2000, The New Yorker wrote, "The horn-heavy, continually evolving collective Free Radicals produces a wildly eclectic fusion that has as many influences as there are items in the Houston, Texas, pawnshop in which they honed their sound during all-night jam sessions."^[5] In 2010, Dawn wrote that the artwork and message about underwater oil-leaks, oil-wars, and bank-crashes on the band's first CD was like a "premonition waiting to become true."^[6] Free Radicals frequent collaborators and guest musicians include Al Pagliuso, Dan Cooper, Harry Sheppard, Gloria Edwards, Nelson Mills III, Subhendu Chakraborty, and Karina Nistal.

The Free Radicals perform many concerts,^[7] marches, and fundraisers for anti-authoritarian and radical groups like food not bombs, peace festivals, and charity events including a continuous 24-hour concert in November 1999 to raise money for Kid Care, a health program for children.^[8] They have protested against Halliburton, and participated in marches for immigrant rights and for a Houston janitor's union.^[8]

Awards and honors

Free Radicals has won the following 21 awards in Houston

^[9]

1998: Best Jazz, Best Unsigned Band^[10]
1999: Best Jazz, Best Funk, Best Drummer^[10]
2001: Best Jazz^[11]
2002: Best Jazz^[10]
2003: Best Jazz^[10]
2004: Best CD by Local Musicians^[12]
2008: Best Jazz^[13]
2009: Best Jazz, Best Drummer^[14]
2010: Best Jazz,^[15]
2011: Best Jazz,^[16]
2012: Best CD "The Freedom Fence", Best Song "Ben Taub Blues", Best Jazz ^[17]
2013: Best Jazz ^[18]
2014: Best Jazz ^[19]
2015: Best Jazz ^[20]
2020: #1 Best Local Album 2020: "White Power Outage" ^[21]

Discography

1998: The Rising Tide Sinks All
2000: Our Lady of Eternal Sunny Delights
2004: Aerial Bombardment
2012: The Freedom Fence
2015: Freedom of Movement
2017: Outside the Comfort Zone
2018: No State Solution (with DJ Sun) (compilation/remix album)
2020: White Power Outage, Vol. 1
2022: White Power Outage, Vol. 2

Notes

^ Rowland, Hobart. "The Free Radicals". AllMusic. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
^ Radic, Randall (April 8, 2022). "Interview: Free Radicals Talk about New Single and Their Forthcoming Album — 'White Power Outage Volume 2'". Pop Off. p. 1.
^ ^a ^b Okuhara, Greg (June 1, 2006). "Music Notes: Free Radicals set to bombard Bryan". Knight Ridder News. p. 1.
^ Dansby, Andrew (June 15, 2012). "Free Radicals Tear Down Fences". 2995. Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
^ "Music". The New Yorker. March 27, 2000. p. 1.
^ Ghazi, Sahar Habib (July 12, 2010). "Jewish music for Palestine". Dawn.
^ Serrano, Shea (April 29, 2009). "Fresh Fruit: Mango's attempts to resurrect Westheimer's bohemian past". The Houston Press.
^ ^a ^b Okuhara, Greg (July 5, 2007). "Musical reaction to Houston's Free Radicals". Knight Ridder News. p. 1.
^ Rouner, Jeff (January 28, 2011). "Free Radicals Blend Break-Dancing, Capoeira Into Fitz's Show". Houston Press. Archived from the original on February 2, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Lomax, John (July 27, 2006). "Bring Back the Jams!". Houston Press. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013.
^ "Mount Coy". Houston Press. July 26, 2001.
^ "Best CD by Local Musicians". Houston Press.
^ "2008 HPMA Winner List". Houston Press. July 30, 2008. Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2008.
^ "The 2009 Houston Press Music Award Winners". Houston Press. July 31, 2009. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
^ "Like Hell Yeah". Houston Press. August 19, 2010.
^ "Your 2011 Houston Press Music Awards Winners". Houston Press. November 16, 2011.
^ "The 2012 Houston Press Music Award Winners". Houston Press. August 8, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
^ "The 2013 Houston Press Music Award Winners". Houston Press. August 7, 2013. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
^ "The 2014 Houston Press Music Award Winners". Houston Press. August 8, 2014. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
^ "Suffers Dominate But Hpmas Celebrate Every Corner Of Houston Music Scene". Houston Press. August 21, 2015.
^ "Houston music 2020: The best of the local albums". Houston Chronicle. January 4, 2021.

References

Houston Press articles: 1, 2, 3

External links

Official website

[Rowland-1] Rowland, Hobart. "The Free Radicals". AllMusic. Retrieved July 15, 2018.

[Popoff-2] Radic, Randall (April 8, 2022). "Interview: Free Radicals Talk about New Single and Their Forthcoming Album — 'White Power Outage Volume 2'". Pop Off. p. 1.

[Knight_Ridder1-3] Okuhara, Greg (June 1, 2006). "Music Notes: Free Radicals set to bombard Bryan". Knight Ridder News. p. 1.

[29.95-4] Dansby, Andrew (June 15, 2012). "Free Radicals Tear Down Fences". 2995. Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2012.

[NewYorker2-5] "Music". The New Yorker. March 27, 2000. p. 1.

[Dawn-6] Ghazi, Sahar Habib (July 12, 2010). "Jewish music for Palestine". Dawn.

[Mangos-7] Serrano, Shea (April 29, 2009). "Fresh Fruit: Mango's attempts to resurrect Westheimer's bohemian past". The Houston Press.

[Knight_Ridder2-8] Okuhara, Greg (July 5, 2007). "Musical reaction to Houston's Free Radicals". Knight Ridder News. p. 1.

[HoustonPress6-9] Rouner, Jeff (January 28, 2011). "Free Radicals Blend Break-Dancing, Capoeira Into Fitz's Show". Houston Press. Archived from the original on February 2, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2011.

[HoustonPress-10] Lomax, John (July 27, 2006). "Bring Back the Jams!". Houston Press. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013.

[HoustonPress1-11] "Mount Coy". Houston Press. July 26, 2001.

[HoustonPress2-12] "Best CD by Local Musicians". Houston Press.

[HoustonPress3-13] "2008 HPMA Winner List". Houston Press. July 30, 2008. Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2008.

[HoustonPress4-14] "The 2009 Houston Press Music Award Winners". Houston Press. July 31, 2009. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2009.

[HoustonPress5-15] "Like Hell Yeah". Houston Press. August 19, 2010.

[HoustonPress7-16] "Your 2011 Houston Press Music Awards Winners". Houston Press. November 16, 2011.

[HoustonPress8-17] "The 2012 Houston Press Music Award Winners". Houston Press. August 8, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2012.

[HoustonPress9-18] "The 2013 Houston Press Music Award Winners". Houston Press. August 7, 2013. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2013.

[HoustonPress10-19] "The 2014 Houston Press Music Award Winners". Houston Press. August 8, 2014. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2014.

[HoustonPress11-20] "Suffers Dominate But Hpmas Celebrate Every Corner Of Houston Music Scene". Houston Press. August 21, 2015.

[HoustonChronicle1-21] "Houston music 2020: The best of the local albums". Houston Chronicle. January 4, 2021.

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@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 {{Infobox musical artist
 |name            = Free Radicals
-|image           =
+|image           = FreeRads2024.jpg
-|caption         =
+|caption         = Free Radicals Core Band Members in 2024
 |background      = group_or_band
 |origin          = [[Houston, Texas]], U.S.
@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 |years_active    = 1996–present
 |website         = {{URL|www.freerads.com}}
+|current_members = Pete Sullivan<br/>[[Nick Cooper]]<br/>Al Bear<br/>Marcos Melchor<br/>Chuy Terrazas<br/>Jacob Breier<br/>Chelsea Rangel<br/>Jonathan Grantham<br/>Jason Jackson<br/>Luis<br/>Bob Selcoe<br/>Kye Loh<br/>Tristan Eggener<br/><ref name="Popoff">{{cite news| last =Radic| first =Randall| title =Interview: Free Radicals Talk about New Single and Their Forthcoming Album — 'White Power Outage Volume 2'| url=https://popoff.us/interview-free-radicals-talk-about-new-single-and-their-forthcoming-album-white-power-outage-f071337c5b81 | page =1| publisher =[[PopOff|Pop Off]]| date =2022-04-08}}</ref>
-|current_members = Pete Sullivan<br/>[[Nick Cooper]]<br/>Al Alexander Jr.<br/>Jacob Breier<br/>Chris Valero<br/>Chris Davis<br/>Jason Jackson<br/>Muhammad Jafari
 }}
@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 The Free Radicals live band includes six or seven members.<ref name="Knight Ridder1">{{cite news| last =Okuhara| first =Greg| title =Music Notes: Free Radicals set to bombard Bryan| page =1| publisher =[[Knight Ridder|Knight Ridder News]]| date =2006-06-01}}</ref> On recordings — ''The Rising Tide Sinks All'' (1998), ''Our Lady of Eternal Sunny Delights'' (2000), ''Aerial Bombardment'' (2004), and ''The Freedom Fence'' (2012)<ref name="29.95">{{cite news| last =Dansby| first =Andrew| title =Free Radicals Tear Down Fences| url =http://www.29-95.com/music/story/free-radicals-tear-down-fences| publisher =[[2995]]| date =2012-06-15| access-date =June 16, 2012| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120619024135/http://www.29-95.com/music/story/free-radicals-tear-down-fences| archive-date =June 19, 2012| url-status =dead}}</ref> — Free Radicals invites a group of 50 or more musicians and vocalists into the studio.
-Drummer [[Nick Cooper]] founded the group in 1996, with a goal of specializing in improvised music.<ref name="Knight Ridder1" /> In 2000, ''[[The New Yorker]]'' wrote, "The horn-heavy, continually evolving collective Free Radicals produces a wildly eclectic fusion that has as many influences as there are items in the Houston, Texas, pawnshop in which they honed their sound during all-night jam sessions."<ref name="NewYorker2">{{cite magazine|title =Music| page =1| magazine =[[The New Yorker]]| date =2000-03-27}}</ref> In 2010, ''[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]'' wrote that the artwork and message about underwater oil-leaks, oil-wars, and bank-crashes on the band's first CD was like a "premonition waiting to become true."<ref name="Dawn">{{cite news| last =Ghazi| first =Sahar Habib | title =Jewish music for Palestine | url =http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/culture/35-jewish-music-for-palestine-ak-03| newspaper =[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]| date =2010-07-12}}</ref> Free Radicals frequent collaborators and guest musicians include Al Pagliuso, Dan Cooper, [[Harry Sheppard (musician)|Harry Sheppard]], Gloria Edwards, Nelson Mills III, and Subhendu Chakraborty.
+Drummer [[Nick Cooper]] founded the group in 1996, with a goal of specializing in improvised music.<ref name="Knight Ridder1" /> In 2000, ''[[The New Yorker]]'' wrote, "The horn-heavy, continually evolving collective Free Radicals produces a wildly eclectic fusion that has as many influences as there are items in the Houston, Texas, pawnshop in which they honed their sound during all-night jam sessions."<ref name="NewYorker2">{{cite magazine|title =Music| page =1| magazine =[[The New Yorker]]| date =2000-03-27}}</ref> In 2010, ''[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]'' wrote that the artwork and message about underwater oil-leaks, oil-wars, and bank-crashes on the band's first CD was like a "premonition waiting to become true."<ref name="Dawn">{{cite news| last =Ghazi| first =Sahar Habib | title =Jewish music for Palestine | url =http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/culture/35-jewish-music-for-palestine-ak-03| newspaper =[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]| date =2010-07-12}}</ref> Free Radicals frequent collaborators and guest musicians include Al Pagliuso, Dan Cooper, [[Harry Sheppard (musician)|Harry Sheppard]], Gloria Edwards, Nelson Mills III, Subhendu Chakraborty, and Karina Nistal.
 The Free Radicals perform many concerts,<ref name="Mangos">{{cite news| last =Serrano| first =Shea| title =Fresh Fruit: Mango's attempts to resurrect Westheimer's bohemian past.| url =http://www.houstonpress.com/2009-04-30/music/fresh-fruit/| newspaper =[[The Houston Press]]| date =2009-04-29}}</ref> marches, and fundraisers for anti-authoritarian and radical groups like [[food not bombs]], peace festivals, and charity events including a continuous 24-hour concert in November 1999 to raise money for [[Kid Care]], a health program for children.<ref name="Knight Ridder2">{{cite news| last =Okuhara| first =Greg| title =Musical reaction to Houston's Free Radicals| page =1| publisher =[[Knight Ridder|Knight Ridder News]]| date =2007-07-05}}</ref> They have protested against [[Halliburton]], and participated in marches for immigrant rights and for a Houston janitor's union.<ref name="Knight Ridder2" />
@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 ==Awards and honors==
 Free Radicals has won the following 21 awards in Houston
-:<ref name="HoustonPress6">{{cite news| last =Rouner| first =Jeff| title =Free Radicals Blend Break-Dancing, Capoeira Into Fitz's Show| url =http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2011/01/free_radicals_blend_break-danc.php/| newspaper =[[Houston Press]]| date =2011-01-28}}</ref>
+:<ref name="HoustonPress6">{{cite news| last =Rouner| first =Jeff| title =Free Radicals Blend Break-Dancing, Capoeira Into Fitz's Show| url =http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2011/01/free_radicals_blend_break-danc.php/| newspaper =[[Houston Press]]| date =2011-01-28| access-date =January 28, 2011| archive-date =February 2, 2011| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110202061701/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2011/01/free_radicals_blend_break-danc.php| url-status =dead}}</ref>
 * 1998: Best Jazz, Best Unsigned Band<ref name="HoustonPress"/>
 * 1999: Best Jazz, Best Funk, Best Drummer<ref name="HoustonPress"/>
 * 2001: Best Jazz<ref name="HoustonPress1">{{cite news| title =Mount Coy| url =http://www.houstonpress.com/2001-07-26/news/mount-coy/4| newspaper =[[Houston Press]]| date =2001-07-26}}</ref>
 * 2002: Best Jazz<ref name="HoustonPress"/>
-* 2003: Best Jazz<ref name="HoustonPress">{{cite news| last =Lomax| first =John| title =Bring Back the Jams!| url =http://blogs.houstonpress.com/houstoned/2006/07/bring_back_the_jams.php| archive-url =https://archive.is/20130103101335/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/houstoned/2006/07/bring_back_the_jams.php| url-status =dead| archive-date =2013-01-03| newspaper =[[Houston Press]]| date =2006-07-27}}</ref>
+* 2003: Best Jazz<ref name="HoustonPress">{{cite news| last =Lomax| first =John| title =Bring Back the Jams!| url =http://blogs.houstonpress.com/houstoned/2006/07/bring_back_the_jams.php| archive-url =https://archive.today/20130103101335/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/houstoned/2006/07/bring_back_the_jams.php| url-status =dead| archive-date =2013-01-03| newspaper =[[Houston Press]]| date =2006-07-27}}</ref>
 * 2004: Best CD by Local Musicians<ref name="HoustonPress2">{{cite news| title =Best CD by Local Musicians| url =http://www.houstonpress.com/bestof/2004/award/best-cd-by-local-musicians-31554/| newspaper =[[Houston Press]]}}</ref>
-* 2008: Best Jazz<ref name="HoustonPress3">{{cite news| title =2008 HPMA Winner List| url =http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2008/07/2008_hpma_winner_list.php| newspaper =[[Houston Press]]| date =2008-07-30}}</ref>
+* 2008: Best Jazz<ref name="HoustonPress3">{{cite news| title =2008 HPMA Winner List| url =http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2008/07/2008_hpma_winner_list.php| newspaper =[[Houston Press]]| date =2008-07-30| access-date =August 3, 2008| archive-date =December 17, 2014| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20141217172532/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2008/07/2008_hpma_winner_list.php| url-status =dead}}</ref>
-* 2009: Best Jazz, Best Drummer<ref name="HoustonPress4">{{cite news| title =The 2009 Houston Press Music Award Winners| url =http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2009/07/the_2009_houston_press_music_a.php| newspaper =[[Houston Press]]| date =2009-07-31}}</ref>
+* 2009: Best Jazz, Best Drummer<ref name="HoustonPress4">{{cite news| title =The 2009 Houston Press Music Award Winners| url =http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2009/07/the_2009_houston_press_music_a.php| newspaper =[[Houston Press]]| date =2009-07-31| access-date =July 31, 2009| archive-date =March 5, 2012| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120305223359/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2009/07/the_2009_houston_press_music_a.php| url-status =dead}}</ref>
 * 2010: Best Jazz,<ref name="HoustonPress5">{{cite news| title =Like Hell Yeah| url =http://www.houstonpress.com/2010-08-19/music/like-hell-yeah/| newspaper =[[Houston Press]]| date =2010-08-19}}</ref>
 * 2011: Best Jazz,<ref name="HoustonPress7">{{cite news| title =Your 2011 Houston Press Music Awards Winners| url =http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2011/11/your_2011_houston_press_music.php?page=2/| newspaper =[[Houston Press]]| date =2011-11-16}}</ref>
-* 2012: Best CD "The Freedom Fence", Best Song "Ben Taub Blues", Best Jazz <ref name="HoustonPress8">{{cite news| title =The 2012 Houston Press Music Award Winners| url =http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2012/08/2012_houston_press_music_award_2.php| newspaper =[[Houston Press]] | date =2012-08-08}}</ref>
+* 2012: Best CD "The Freedom Fence", Best Song "Ben Taub Blues", Best Jazz <ref name="HoustonPress8">{{cite news| title =The 2012 Houston Press Music Award Winners| url =http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2012/08/2012_houston_press_music_award_2.php| newspaper =[[Houston Press]]| date =2012-08-08| access-date =August 9, 2012| archive-date =August 12, 2012| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120812063022/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2012/08/2012_houston_press_music_award_2.php| url-status =dead}}</ref>
-* 2013: Best Jazz <ref name="HoustonPress9">{{cite news| title =The 2013 Houston Press Music Award Winners| url =http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2013/08/2013_houston_press_music_award_2.php?page=2| newspaper =[[Houston Press]] | date =2013-08-07}}</ref>
+* 2013: Best Jazz <ref name="HoustonPress9">{{cite news| title =The 2013 Houston Press Music Award Winners| url =http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2013/08/2013_houston_press_music_award_2.php?page=2| newspaper =[[Houston Press]]| date =2013-08-07| access-date =August 7, 2013| archive-date =October 6, 2014| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20141006144920/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2013/08/2013_houston_press_music_award_2.php?page=2| url-status =dead}}</ref>
-* 2014: Best Jazz <ref name="HoustonPress10">{{cite news| title =The 2014 Houston Press Music Award Winners| url =http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2014/08/the_2014_houston_press_music_a_1.php| newspaper =[[Houston Press]] | date =2014-08-08}}</ref>
+* 2014: Best Jazz <ref name="HoustonPress10">{{cite news| title =The 2014 Houston Press Music Award Winners| url =http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2014/08/the_2014_houston_press_music_a_1.php| newspaper =[[Houston Press]]| date =2014-08-08| access-date =August 8, 2014| archive-date =January 13, 2015| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150113232530/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2014/08/the_2014_houston_press_music_a_1.php| url-status =dead}}</ref>
 * 2015: Best Jazz <ref name="HoustonPress11">{{cite news| title =Suffers Dominate But Hpmas Celebrate Every Corner Of Houston Music Scene| url =http://www.houstonpress.com/music/suffers-dominate-but-hpmas-celebrate-every-corner-of-houston-music-scene-7690465| newspaper =[[Houston Press]] | date =2015-08-21}}</ref>
 * 2020: #1 Best Local Album 2020: "White Power Outage" <ref name="HoustonChronicle1">{{cite news| title =Houston music 2020: The best of the local albums| url =https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/music/houston-music-2020-the-best-of-the-local-albums-15836087| newspaper =[[Houston Chronicle]] | date =2021-01-04}}</ref>
@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 * 2018: ''No State Solution'' (with [[DJ Sun]]) (compilation/remix album)
 * 2020: ''White Power Outage, Vol. 1''
+* 2022: ''White Power Outage, Vol. 2''
 == Notes ==
@@ Line 55: / Line 56: @@
 ==References==
-* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070108120418/http://enjoymusic.com/freeradicals/names.shtml Band member list]
 * Houston Press articles: [http://www.houstonpress.com/2006-07-06/music/houston-band-cartography/ 1], [http://www.houstonpress.com/2004-09-23/best-of-houston/best-cd-by-local-musicians/ 2], [http://www.houstonpress.com/2004-01-22/music/songs-of-freedom/ 3]

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