New Radicals

New Radicals
New Radicals touring group c. 1998. Left to right: Jim McGorman, Gregg Alexander, Stuart Johnson, Sasha Krivtsov, Danielle Brisebois, and Brad Fernquist.
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
GenresPop, rock, power pop
Years active1997–1999, 2021, 2024
LabelsMCA
Past membersGregg Alexander
Danielle Brisebois

New Radicals (stylized as Иew Radicals) was an American pop/rock band formed in 1997 in Los Angeles. The band was centered on the duo of Gregg Alexander (lead vocals, guitar, songwriting, production) and Danielle Brisebois (keyboards, percussion, backing vocals), and augmented by session and touring musicians.

The band released only one album, 1998's Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too, heavily influenced by the rock and soul of the 1970s,[1] containing—among radio-friendly modern rock tracks and love songs—strong criticism of corporate America.[2][3] The band is known for their debut single "You Get What You Give". The song topped the charts in Canada and New Zealand, became a top 5 hit in the United Kingdom, and was in the top 40 in the US.[4][5]

Tired of touring and promotional interviews, Alexander disbanded the group in mid-1999 before the release of their second single, "Someday We'll Know", to focus on writing and producing songs for other artists. Alexander and Brisebois' songwriting partnership continued following the disbanding of the group, with the two being nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2015 for their composition "Lost Stars" from the film Begin Again.

Since their disbandment, the group has received numerous offers for a reunion tour or new album, but Alexander has repeatedly turned these down. New Radicals did however reunite for a one off performance on January 20, 2021 to mark President Joe Biden's presidential inauguration.[6] They came together again in support of the Democratic National Convention in August 2024, releasing two newly-recorded versions of "Lost Stars" and "Murder on the Dancefloor".[7]

  1. ^ "Allmusic Guide Review of "Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too"".
  2. ^ "New Radicals Song Misunderstood, Singer Says". VH1.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2002. Retrieved August 6, 2005.
  3. ^ Austin Clarke (1999). "It's the End of the World as We Know It (and New Radicals are going to kick your a$$?!?)". Watch (Winter '99): 16–18.
  4. ^ "New Radicals Discuss Slighting Marilyn Manson And Courtney Love, Manson Responds". MTV.com. Archived from the original on October 30, 2004. Retrieved August 6, 2005.
  5. ^ "No turning Beck". The Sunday Times. July 10, 2005. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2013-09-11.
  6. ^ Carr, Debbie (2021-01-18). "New Radicals to reform after 22 years for Joe Biden's Inauguration". NME. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  7. ^ Monroe, Jazz (2024-08-23). "New Radicals return to cover Murder on the Dancefloor". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-08-23.