Those looking for a bit of politics with their reggae-rock should consider stopping by Lulu's Nightspot this weekend.

This Saturday, State Radio will perform at Lulu's Nightspot, 129 ½ Pugh St. The band features Chad Urmston, former lead singer and guitarist from Dispatch. State Radio plays on the same reggae elements Dispatch featured but with a faster, almost punk feel.

Urmston, the main songwriter for the band, writes mostly politically charged songs that touch on issues such as the war in Iraq, American policies overseas and genocide in Darfur, to name a few.

"With State Radio, the option to be really outspoken is there," Urmston said. "So sometimes we take that liberty, where it wasn't quite the case with Dispatch."

Urmston's interest in politics dates back to the early days of Dispatch. He said it is important for people to be aware of current events.

"I think it's important for people, not just musicians ... to stand up for what they believe in," Urmstron said. "I have the opportunity to say things through music. We have a platform, and there's a lot of corruption and a lot of lies ... We feel like it's important to have people know what's going on and can be part of a movement that brings a higher standard to our government."

Because State Radio is so politically driven, it is a fair question to ask if fans of the Dispatch era might be put off by Urmston's predilection toward politics. Lara Espin (freshman-biobehavioral health) is not in that category.

"One of the things I like about them is that they have a political stance in their songs," Espin said. "Not necessarily that I agree with them, but I think it's neat that they do that."

Lulu's promoter Ted Swanson said the band does a good job of integrating politics and music during their shows.

"[Urmston] has views that he likes to express, but it works in such a way that it's kind of a part of what State Radio is," Swanson said. "It's there. You can't avoid it if you wanted to. To not talk about it is almost like denying a part of what we are."

Part of Urmston's political interest also stemmed from time spent in Zimbabwe after he graduated high school.

"Music is a big part of life down there. There's also a simultaneous struggle and appreciation for life that I never witnessed [before]," Urmston said. "That had a big influence on me."

Politics aside, State Radio is no stranger to rocking State College. The band performed at now-defunct Crowbar and headlined a Lulu's gig last year.

"Considering how small the band is, they're probably the tightest band I've ever seen," Swanson said. "They just kept playing song after song. It doesn't generally happen with headliners, but they played a lot of music."

Last year's show also marked a historic first for Lulu's.

"The coolest thing about [the show] was that it was the first time I ever heard a crowd sing with the band in Lulu's," Swanson said. "It happened in the Crowbar many times, but that's the first time it ever happened at Lulu's. It was special ... The kids knew the songs; they crammed in real tight to the stage. It was intimate ... Those are the kind of shows that I like to do anywhere in any room."

Because the band had usually performed at the Crowbar, Urmston was surprised at the turnout at Lulu's.

"Initially, when we were loading in, we were worried, but the same people who saw us at the Crowbar came to Lulu's," he said. "It put our worries aside because it was just a great crowd. People were getting into it, so we always enjoy coming to State College."