The acclaimed, nationally-known punk band Radioactivity will perform at Dumb Records this Thursday, Oct 1. The veteran group, which has released three albums, boasts roots in both Denton, Texas, and Mito, Japan, and has been (radio) active since 2013.
“Definitely a band I would recommend to anyone, all fans of music,” said Dumb Records proprietor Brian Galecki, who went on to praise the undercard of Thursday’s bill, which includes Springfield bands Discern, Hard Looks and longtime local favorites Hospital Job, who are on the verge of releasing their fifth LP, entitled 1,000 Places to Die Before You See.
“I love Hospital Job because they’re somewhat of a Springfield-themed band,” said Galecki, referencing a song on their first album called “City Water, Light and Power.” In addition, the band’s 2014 album The Believer featured a photo of the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon in Washington Park on its cover and their upcoming release will reportedly display an image of the Pillsbury plant, mid-demolition. “I feel like Hospital Job is the soundtrack to living in Springfield as a punk.” Galecki pauses. “An aging punk, maybe.”
Speaking of aging, Galecki mentions that 2026 marks the 21st year since the opening of Black Sheep Cafe, a symbolically significant milestone for an all-ages, alcohol-free venue. Black Sheep may have technically closed its doors in 2018, but the original location of Dumb Records was founded as part of what had once been a cluster of thriving DIY/punk-themed businesses near the corner of Ninth Street and South Grand Avenue, including Southtown Studio (later Southtown Sound) from 2013-2018 and adjacent to the still-operating indoor skateboard ramp Skank Skates.
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When Dumb Records moved to its current location on Monroe Street eight years ago, it was important to Galecki that the store also serve as a venue to continue the Black Sheep tradition of providing a performance space for local and touring independent music artists of all genres.
And coming up Oct. 17, former Black Sheep co-owner Drew Kodrich will be opening the new Three Ducks Bookstore at 414 E. Monroe, just across the alley from Dumb.
“We’re a community here and everybody’s still doing their own thing in close proximity,” Galecki said. “And it’s really cool.”
Galecki acknowledged that most attendees of current Dumb Records shows (still all-ages and alcohol free) are under 21. “They don’t even know about Black Sheep,” he laughed. “But if anybody is wanting to come out to a show like we used to have back then, this is definitely a good one to go to.”
Radioactivity, Hospital Job, Discern and Hard Looks will perform at Dumb Records, 418 E. Monroe, beginning at 7 p.m. on Oct. 1. Tickets are $16 in advance, available at the venue or at Dumber Records in White Oaks Mall, or $20 at the door on the night of the show.
Scott Faingold is a journalist, educator and musician. He has been director of student media at University of Illinois Springfield, founding editor of Activator magazine, a staff reporter for Illinois Times and co-host of Old School Bleep, a music-centered podcast. Scott can be found a few days a week helping out behind the counter of Dumb and/or Dumber Records, but that probably doesn’t compromise his objectivity all that much. He can be reached at scottfaingold@gmail.com.
