Danger Radio Amps Up Salve

By: Angelina Berube
Posted In: Entertainment

Most people set their sights on the beautiful, historic mansions when they arrive in Newport, R.I., not the ghosts that inhabit them. For Danger Radio, one of the opening bands for the Plain White T’s on April 18, 2009, capturing a ghost on video was top priority when they learned they were playing at Salve Regina.

Andrew de Torres, lead singer of Danger Radio, grew up playing music. In the fourth grade, he began playing the trumpet and continued all through high school. In middle school Torres learned to play guitar at a family reunion when a cousin taught him a couple songs. He then met Nico Hartikainen, the drummer of Danger Radio, in his middle school jazz band. “I think the first words I think I ever said to him was like, ‘hey want to be in the talent show with me?'” Torres said. “Then we started playing together and have been playing together ever since.”

Danger Radio now has six members. In July 2008, they released a full length CD titled, “Used and Abused.” The songs range from the upbeat “Alive for the First Time” to the laid back title track, “Used and Abused.”

Torres describes his band as the ‘most eclectic group of people that you will probably ever meet,’ compared to bands that they’ve toured with in the past. “We will just notice like wow, all these guys are the same which makes perfect sense for why they would be in a band together, why they would play the music they play.”

That is not the case for Danger Radio. Each member has a different musical taste, which is one of the reasons defining Danger Radio’s sound becomes a difficult task. The band’s preferences range from hip-hop to jazz to folk music.

Torres remains open to all music.”I have no shame when it comes to music,” Torres said. “I cover the Jonas Brothers so I have no shame. For me I have a very high appreciation for a well written song more so than where the song came from. I’m not worried about who’s singing.”

Torres and the rest of Danger Radio have a close relationship with their fans. Torres explained how growing up going to shows shaped how he wanted to treat his fans. Torres frequented All American Rejects and Fall Out Boy shows where he remembers being able to hang out with the bands after shows.”It was always crazy to me that they were always down to hanging out and just chill with us,” Torres said. “I think that made a really huge impression on me and I always wanted to be like that kind of band. So we always try to stay really close to our fans.”

Torres also has another special relationship with his fans. After some concerts, Torres will play some acoustic songs from other bands or from his acoustic project, The Scene Aesthetic. Torres explains that he would become bored and randomly take his guitar outside and start playing. “I try to be outside as much as possible because we’re like stuck in a van all day,” Torres said. “I just started learning other people’s songs. People would just ask me to play songs and I just did.”

Danger Radio’s close-knit relationship with fans showed a few years back when during their last song at a packed home town show, Torres’ microphone cut out. “I think kids noticed it, but it didn’t really matter because they were singing so loud that it was totally overcoming all the music that we were playing,” Torres said. “We ended up playing the entire song like that. I didn’t sing at all.”

And the singing fans haven’t slowed down for Danger Radio, as they begin to play new places and hear the audience singing along to their music. “It’s always crazy for me, and I’m sure it’s crazy for everyone in our band, especially to come to different states and cities and play at places we’ve never been to before and see kids that know our songs and come hang out,” Torres said. “There’s something really cool and powerful and warm about it.”

After the Plain White T’s tour, Danger Radio will start a headlining tour before heading back to Seattle to begin writing and recording for their next album.