Politicks

Politicks is a six-piece, eclectic rock band that fuses elements of funk, hip-hop, jazz and R&B into a hybrid style that treads the line between artistic integrity and commercial viability. Politicks’ culturally-complex instrumentation marries the more traditional acoustic, electric and bass guitars and drum with Latin, West African and Middle Eastern percussion. The band formed in the spring of 2001 at Radford University. Since returning to Northern VA in 2003, Politicks has expanded their fanbase and played up and down the East Coast at venues and festivals such as CBGBs, The Bottle and Cork, Jammin Java, DC9, UVA, JMU, RU, Rock Bottom Brewery, Soundquilt Music Festival, and Connexion Music Festival. Vocalist Matthew Green, who has a degree in Media Studies, is an astoundingly diverse singer who developed his distinct vocal style and range singing to R&B and hip-hop music for over a dozen years. Brian Chafin is a former all-state jazz guitarist. He has been playing guitar for nine years. Brad Moore began his music career on drums, but switched to bass guitar and mandolin about six years ago to. With his degree in Art, he is the visual frontman for Politicks’ print and on-line presentation. Mike Trella has been playing rhythm and lead guitar for almost a decade. He studied classical guitar and holds a Full Sail degree in Recording Engineering. Brendan McCourt brings 13 years of experience on drums to the band. In addition to his work with Politicks, he teaches drum lessons and puts his degree in Media Studies to use for Washington DC's alternative rock radio station 99.1 HFS. Sweet William Waikart, the band’s percussionist, is completing his studies in Music Business at George Mason University, but continues to play an integral role in Politicks, performing with the band live and in the studio. He brings the laughs.

Clubs up and down the east coast. We are based out of the Washington D.C. area

Led Zeppelin, Incubus, 311, Wilco, Chrome, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Damien Rice, Van Morrison, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Faith No More, The Roots, Radiohead, Coldplay, Fun Lovin Criminals, Pink Floyd, The Grateful Dead, Beck, Bob Marley, Medeski Martin and Wood, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd, Tool, System of a Down, Soul Coughing, Primus, Wu-Tang Clan, Outkast, Jurassic 5, Blackalicious, Hans Moleman, and Neil Diamond.