Ronnie Radke

Ronnie Radke
Ronnie Radke performing with Falling in Reverse at House of Blues, Chicago 2015
Born Ronald Joseph Radke
(1983-12-15) December 15, 1983
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Occupation
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • rapper
  • musician
  • record producer
Years active 1998–present
Children 1
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • guitar
Labels Epitaph
Associated acts
Website fallinginreverse.com

Ronald Joseph Radke (born December 15, 1983) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, musician, and record producer born in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is the founding member and lead vocalist for the rock band Falling in Reverse, and is the former vocalist and founding member of post-hardcore band Escape the Fate.

With Falling In Reverse, he has released four full-length studio albums, The Drug in Me Is You (2011), Fashionably Late (2013), Just Like You (2015), and Coming Home (2017), through their label Epitaph Records. Radke has won several awards for his participation in Falling in Reverse, including Best APTV Video and Vocalist Of the Year from Alternative Press. On July 2017 Falling in Reverse also won the award for Best Live Band at the Journey’s Alternative Press Music Awards. With his former band, Escape the Fate, he released one EP, There's No Sympathy for the Dead, and one full-length studio album, Dying Is Your Latest Fashion in 2006 through Epitaph. As a solo musician, he released his rap mixtape, Watch Me, in 2014, in which he collaborated with other artists such as Deuce, b.LaY, Tyler Carter of Issues, Sy Ari Da Kid, Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach, Danny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria and We Are Harlot, and Craig Mabbitt of Escape the Fate.[1]

Early life

Ronald Joseph Radke was born on December 15, 1983, in St. Rose Hospital Las Vegas, Nevada. He grew up in an impoverished family with his father and older brother, Anthony. Radke's mother abandoned the family when Radke was just 6 months old, leading to his resentment towards her. Songs she is mentioned in include 'The Day I Left the Womb', 'Just Like You', 'I Don't Mind', and 'The Westerner'. He posted to social media in 2014 that they met and he had forgiven her.

Radke learned to play piano and guitar in his first bands. He began by playing Blink-182 songs on guitar. The first song he could play was "Dammit". He formed several bands while in high school. Radke ran away from home to play in his first band, with his friend Mitch, called 3.0. which according to Radke "sounded exactly like Blink 182". He lived with Mitch and his mother for a time. They played a few shows at various venues such as Chain Reaction and the Huntridge in Las Vegas. After the band, Radke moved back in with his dad, re-entered school, and dropped out again. He stated in an Alternative Press interview, "I just couldn't for some reason pay attention; I just daydreamed about everything else but what I'm supposed to be doing." Radke stated that the second band was called Lefty. Radke met Max Green (from the band Almost Heroes) at a talent show. Radke's microphone fell and Max picked it up for him while they were on stage and they became friends, forming the band True Story, which recorded a demo containing the track "This Is Not the End". Radke started screaming in the band after being inspired by Thrice, then started to sing, slowly forming Escape the Fate.

"Listen Up!" was written by Radke in 1998 as well as "Besides the Issues" and "The Worst Time". In 2001, Radke, with his friend, producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette, recorded the songs "Listen Up!", "The Worst Time" and "The Departure". Both recorded instruments together and also composed the themes for "As You're Falling Down", "Make Up" and "Not Good Enough for Truth in Cliche", recorded in 2005, along with Escape the Fate.

History

Escape the Fate (2004–2008)

In high school, Radke and Max Green were close friends. In 2004, Bryan Money, looking for a vocalist, contacted Max who referred him to Radke. Bryan agreed and began auditions for a drummer. Robert Ortiz was selected, and Escape the Fate was formed. A few weeks later, Omar Espinosa, who at the time was the guitarist for Lovehatehero, joined as rhythm guitarist. The band began to play in the post-hardcore scene in Las Vegas. During that time Carson Allen joined as keyboardist. The band recorded the demo Escape the Fate EP. They signed in early 2006 with Epitaph Records after winning a radio contest judged by My Chemical Romance, which launched their career.[2]

In May 2006, recording for the EP There's No Sympathy for the Dead began, as well as some songs from the debut album, Dying Is Your Latest Fashion. Both were produced by Radke's friend Michael "Elvis" Baskette.

Falling in Reverse (2008–present)

Since late 2006, Radke had a new band in mind, due to personal issues within Escape the Fate. With the help of Nason Schoeffler, Radke formed a band called From Behind These Walls,[3][4] which was renamed as Falling in Reverse.[5] Upon his release from prison in December 2010 Radke announced his return to recording. Falling In Reverse released their first single "Raised by Wolves" in 2010, followed by the album The Drug in Me Is You[6][7] which was released on July 26, 2011, through Epitaph Records.[8]

Solo and Watch Me (2013–present)

On May 31, 2013, Radke launched his YouTube channel and released a solo song, "Fair-Weather Fans". The song is described as "a song Ronnie made dedicated to all the people who didn't believe in him."[9][10] On June 1, he released a second song, called "What Up Earth?".[11]

In part 3 of his interview with Alternative Press, Radke stated that he is creating a rap mixtape, produced by Charles Massabo (Kallaghan Records)[12] that will feature some well known rap artists, the mixtape will be released in December 2013 for free.[13] The first single off that mixtape, "Blacklist", which features b.LaY, was released on July 5, 2013 on YouTube.[14]

A diss track titled "I Wash Cars" (also featuring b.LaY), which attacks Sumerian Records and its founder Ash Avildsen, Lorenzo "The Main Event" Antonucci, and electronicore band I See Stars, was leaked online. Ash and Lorenzo released a diss track in reply to "I Wash Cars" titled "When Ronnie Met Sally" attacking Radke. The feud between the two groups has since been resolved, and Radke is now on good terms with I See Stars, Sumerian Records, and Antonucci. On October 28, 2013, it was announced that Ronnie Radke and Craig Mabbit of Escape the Fate had made up and are now on good terms. Also the two mentioned their two bands will be touring together in early 2014.[15][16]

"Well, I'm doing a mix tape right now with everybody on the scene that's doing well. Danny [Worsnop] from Asking Alexandria, Andy [Biersack] from Black Veil Brides is singing on it. It's all rap, but they're singing all the choruses on it. There's Jacoby [Shaddix] from Papa Roach. There's Deuce, and we've got Craig Mabbitt [from Escape the Fate] singing on it. There's more too, but every track is going to be someone."

In an interview with Loudwire

In an interview with Loudwire, he has stated that he is in the process of making a rap mixtape, which according to Radke will include an artist on every song. He has also stated that the mixtape may be released for around Christmas.[17] On Christmas Day, he revealed a website through which subscribers received a new song, "Destiny", from the mixtape, now titled Watch Me. The track-list was also revealed but some songs did not contain feature other artists like he originally claimed.

Personal life

Radke was in a relationship with Sally Watts from 2009 to 2011, then he was arrested for beating her in 2012.[18] Later in 2012 he was engaged to aspiring model Crissy Henderson, who broke off the engagement in 2013 after he confessed to having an affair during her pregnancy. Their daughter, Willow Grace Radke, was born on June 11, 2013.[19] In 2014, Radke was dating reality TV personality Jenna King from Southern Charm, then in 2015 he dated Caroline Burt, from the reality TV show Dash Dolls.[18]

Radke is against religion for what he feels is its treatment of homosexuals. He also felt bitter about religious groups changing their minds about how to treat homosexuals, saying that Christians were discriminatory against homosexuals before the 1990s but became accepting of them later on.[20]

On August 10, 2013, Ronnie's brother Anthony was killed in a vehicle accident.[21] The Falling in Reverse songs "Brother" and "Chemical Prisoner" were written in his memory.

Radke has been arrested on three occasions.

In May 2006, Radke was involved in an altercation in Las Vegas that resulted in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Cook.[22][23] While Radke was indicted only on battery charges, the man who shot Cook claimed self-defense. Radke received a sentence of five years' probation.[24] Radke was arrested in June 2008 for failing to report to his probation officer and was sentenced to four years in prison. However, he only served two and a half years before being released.

Radke has been arrested twice since being released from prison in 2010. The first instance was an August 6, 2012 arrest for alleged domestic violence against his girlfriend Sally Watts. Three hearings were scheduled, none of which Radke attended.[25] According to Sergeant Tom Lorenz, the prosecutor of County of Los Angeles issued the arrest warrant after Radke's girlfriend told police that he had hit her on May 1. Radke was released after paying $30,000 bail. In a May 14, 2014 court appearance, Radke pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace, while the domestic-violence charges were dropped.[26]

The second instance was on September 29, 2012, when Radke was arrested and charged with simple and aggravated assault following a Falling in Reverse show at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey. Towards the end of the band's performance, Radke threw three microphone stands into the crowd; two fans were hit and sustained head injuries. One victim was a 16-year-old girl who was taken to the hospital; the other was a 24-year-old man who was treated at the scene.[27] Radke posted bail and was released.[28] In the aftermath of the incident, Six Flags Great Adventure banned any hard-rock or heavy-metal bands from performing at the theme park in the future.[29] Radke has apologized profusely for the incident in several interviews, admitting it was a stupid, adrenaline-driven action not at all intended to injure fans.[30][31]

In June 2015 Radke was accused of group sexual assault after a concert, but police found no evidence of rape and have taken no action against Radke. In turn, Radke sued the accuser for defamatory declaration.[32]

Discography

with Falling in Reverse

Year Album Label
2011 The Drug in Me Is You Epitaph Records
2013 Fashionably Late
2015 Just Like You
2017 Coming Home

with Escape the Fate

Year Album Label
2005 Escape the Fate EP Self-released
2006 There's No Sympathy for the Dead Epitaph Records
Dying Is Your Latest Fashion
2007 Situations EP

Solo career

Mixtape

YearDetails
2013Watch Me

Singles

Year Song Album
2013 "Fair-Weather Fans" Non-album single
"What Up Earth?"
"I Wash Cars" (featuring b.LaY)
"Blacklist" (featuring b.LaY)
2014 "Destiny" Watch Me
"Stupid Boy"
"Never the Same"
"Already Dead"
"Devil"
"Asshole" (featuring Andy Biersack)
"Who Can Stop Us?" (featuring Deuce and b.LaY)
2014 "Armor" (featuring Tyler Carter and Sy Ari Da Kid)
2015 "Brother" (featuring Danny Worsnop)
2018 "Losing My Mind" Non-album single
"Losing My Life"

Collaborations

Year Song Contribution Artist Album
2012 "Nobody Likes Me" Vocals Deuce Nine Lives
2013 "Thank You"[33] A Smile from the Trenches TBA
"The Life You've Chosen" Production/vocals Survive This! The Life You've Chosen
"Wrong Direction (Hey You)"
"Where I Belong"[34]
"For You" Songwriter Get Scared Everyone's Out to Get Me
2014 "Days Go By"[35] Vocals b.LaY Initiation II
2015 "Getting Over You"[36] Metro Station Savior

Accolades

Year Nominated work Award Result Ref
2011 Ronnie Radke Revolver Magazine's 100 Greatest Living Rock Stars Won [37][38]
2012 Kerrang's 50 Greatest Rock Stars in the World Today Won
Kerrang! Awards Hero of the Year Nominated [39]
Alternative Press's Vocalist of the Year Nominated [40]
2015 "Getting Over You" with Metro Station Best Collaboration — Kerrang! Music Awards Won

References

  1. ↑ "Falling in Reverse's Ronnie Radke Offers Free Song Download From Star-Studded Mixtape". Loudwire.
  2. ↑ "MTV Artist's, Escape the Fate Bio". MTV.com.
  3. ↑ Zaleski, Annie (December 22, 2010). "Ex-Escape The Fate vocalist Ronnie Radke breaks his silence after prison release". Alternative Press. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Alternative Press Interview with Ronnie Radke". Altpress.com.
  5. ↑ "Ronnie Radke returns with Falling in Reverse". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  6. ↑ "The Drug in Me Is You Hits the selves". Blabbermouth.net.
  7. ↑ "Onesheet announces The Drug in Me Is You premiere". Onesheet.com. 2011.
  8. ↑ "The Drug in Me Is You". www.blabbermouth.net.
  9. ↑ Cassie Whitt (May 31, 2013). "Ronnie Radke launches YouTube channel, releases solo song "The Fairweather Fans"". Alternative Press. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  10. ↑ Simonk (June 1, 2013). "Ronnie Radke post's new solo song 'Fairweather Fans'". KillYourStereo.com. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
  11. ↑ Cassie Whitt (June 1, 2013). "Ronnie Radke posts second solo song, "What Up Earth?"". Alternative Press. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Kallaghan Records". Kallaghanrecords.com. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  13. ↑ Brandon Waddell (June 6, 2013). "Part 3". Alternative Press. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  14. ↑ Video on YouTube
  15. ↑ "Ronnie Radke/Sumerian Diss Tracks Disappear: The Beef is Over, But We've Got Full Lyrics Right Here - Alternative Press". Altpress.com. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  16. ↑ "UPDATE: "It's not how I feel anymore" Ronnie Radke on I See Stars diss track; ISS call "truce" - Alternative Press". Altpress.com. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  17. ↑ "FALLING IN REVERSE'S RONNIE RADKE TALKS UPCOMING TOUR WITH ESCAPE THE FATE, MIX TAPE + MORE" (Interview). Loudwire. Chad Childers. November 20, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013. I'm giving it away for free to the fans. I just wanted to do something different in our scene that nobody's ever done...
  18. 1 2 http://liverampup.com/entertainment/ronnie-radke-s-ex-girlfriend-alerts-past-filled-drugs-being-arrested-dating-anyone-now.html
  19. ↑ Ryan J. Downey (June 4, 2013). "APTV Exclusive! A Conversation with Ronnie Radke part two: Fatherhood And Relationships". Alternative Press. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Falling In Reverse's Ronnie Radke: "Fuck Religion"". The PRP. September 18, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Rest in Peace Anthony James Radke, older brother of Ronnie Radke - Music Junkie Press". Music Junkie Press. August 11, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Las Vegas CityLife". February 16, 2013. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013.
  23. ↑ "[Tragedy] Murder, suicide, music and drugs". Lasvegasweekly.com. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  24. ↑ Jon Wiederhorn (September 28, 2011). "Ronnie Radke Reveals Six Things Not To Do in Jail". Revolver. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  25. ↑ "The Drug in Me Is You". Associated Press.
  26. ↑ "Ronnie Radke Domestic Violence Charge Dropped, Releases New Song With Deuce=May 16, 2014". Loudwire.com.
  27. ↑ Chichester, Sammi (October 3, 2012). "Falling in Reverse Singer Ronnie Radke Arrested for Injuring Two Fans, But He Did Pay The Girl's Hospital Bill". Revolvermag.com. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Singer Ronnie Radke of Falling in Reverse accused of throwing microphone stands at Great Adventure". Dailyrecord.com. October 1, 2012. Archived from the original on February 15, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  29. ↑ Angermiller, Michele (October 3, 2012). "Six Flags Great Adventure Bans Metal Concerts Following Microphone Stand Throwing Incident". Hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  30. ↑ "APTV Exclusive a Conversation with Ronnie Radke=June 6, 2013". altpress.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013.
  31. ↑ "An Honest Conversation with Ronnie Radke". soundrock.com.
  32. ↑ "Falling in Reverse Ronnie Radke sues sexual assault accuser=June 9, 2015". Loudwire.com.
  33. ↑ "Thank You Feat. Ronnie Radke". Soundcloud. A Smile from the Trenches. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
  34. ↑ "Video Premiere: Survive This!, "Where I Belong" (ft. Ronnie Radke) - Alternative Press". Altpress.com. September 10, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  35. ↑ "b.Lay – "Days Go By" (feat Ronnie Radke)". YouTube. July 2, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  36. ↑ "Metro Station Feat. Ronnie Radke - Getting Over You". YouTube. June 9, 2015.
  37. ↑ Brandon Geist (December 13, 2011). "Revolver's Mega 100th Issue—Featuring the 100 Greatest Living Rock Stars". Revolver Magazine. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  38. ↑ "Escape the Fate - Biography". Billboard.com. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  39. ↑ "Kerrang! Hero of The Year". Kerrang. May 2, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  40. ↑ Cassie Whitt (December 28, 2012). "Readers Poll: Vocalist of the Year". Alternative Press. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
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