New Radicals reform after 22 years away
They will perform for Joe Biden's inauguration
1990s one-hit wonders New Radicals have announced they’re reforming 22 years after going their separate ways.
The Los Angeles indie-pop band scored a huge number five hit in 1998 with ‘You Get What You Give’ and their accompanying album ‘Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too’ peaked at no.10 in the UK.
Despite their success on both sides of the Atlantic, frontman and songwriter Gregg Alexander quit New Radicals in 1999 and the band duly called it a day.
More than two decades on, New Radicals have confirmed they’re reforming to perform for Joe Biden’s Inauguration this Wednesday (20th January). The band will perform ‘You Get What You Give’ as part of the virtual Biden-Harris ‘Parade Across America’.
Gregg Alexander says: “If there’s one thing on Earth that would possibly make us get the band together, if only for a day, it is the hope that our song could be even the tiniest beacon of light in such a dark time.
“America knows in its heart that things will get bright again with a new administration and a real plan for vaccines on the way. That’s the message of the song… this world is gonna pull through.”
Feature: The greatest one-hit wonders of the 1990s
Kamala Harris’ husband and future Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff chose ‘You Get What You Give’ as his walk-on song during the 2020 campaign trail.
Joe Biden himself is a huge fan of the track and called it an “inspirational” theme song for his late son Beau Biden during his battle with brain cancer.
The President-elect wrote in his 2018 memoir Promise Me, Dad: “During breakfast, Beau would often make me listen to what I thought was his theme song, ‘You Get What You Give’ by the New Radicals.
“Even though Beau never stopped fighting and his will to live was stronger than most – I think he knew that this day might come. The words to the song are: This whole damn world can fall apart. You’ll be ok, follow your heart.”
Gregg Alexander adds: “Performing the song again after such a long time is a huge honour because we all have deep respect for Beau’s military service and such high hopes for the unity and normalcy Joe and Kamala will bring our country again in this time of crisis.”
Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga and Jon Bon Jovi are just a handful of the many artists set to perform for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ inauguration.