A lawyer, two doctors, and two businessmen walk into a bar. Nope, it’s not the set-up for a joke, but the kickoff of a rollicking good evening with RadDad. “I see us as a band that wants to put out a show,” shares lead singer Chuck Falls. “We play music we like, and it just so happens everyone else likes that music, too.”
The beat first dropped for the middle-age musicians during Covid. Personal injury attorney Mike Melonakos recalls, “A couple of us started playing guitar in the backyard, and someone says, ‘The guy behind me plays drums.’ So, we knocked on Mike Powell’s door.” One year and a block party later, they locked in Chuck, a Marine veteran, who once sang for his country in uniform. Since then, bookings and swag, even groupies have followed.
“For me, it’s a dream come true,” reveals Chuck, who works as a logistics specialist during the week. “As a kid, dancing around my room singing Garth Brooks, pretending to be on stage and people cheering . . . To really do that and have people enjoy it, is a dream.”
Achieving that dream, in sync with a melody of five highly accomplished careers and families, creates unexpected challenges. “Oh, it takes 40 texts and 10 reminders to organize a practice,” Mike explains with a laugh. The booking facilitator (and “third best guitarist in the band, so, I play bass”) also runs RadDad’s Excel spreadsheet of songs. “That’s how dad we are! We always know the weather and love Excel charts. We’re up to 115 songs and keep the playlist varied. I guess a mix of ’90s rock, ’90s country, current stuff, and then any other bangers along the way.”
With 11 kids between them, impromptu dad jokes usually bust their way into the set list. “One hundred percent,” Mike admits. “It’s our duty, while the guitarists are turning their instruments.”
Chuck notes other changes that are present when jamming as a Gen Xer. “It’s the same vibe, but your knees hurt more,” the singer grimaces. Mike adds, “Oh, I have to sit down during practice. One thing that hasn’t changed, neighbors still complain and tell us to turn down the music.” Chuck is quick with the response: “Only difference now is, we do!”
Their growing fan base prefers they turn it up on their “World Tour” that includes appearances at Smileys on the Roxx and Fireforge. Some members would love to play every night of every weekend, yet family comes first. Mike puts it in perspective. “Some guys play golf once a week. Some guys are fishers or hunters. This is my golf trip in a way. It does make it easier that our wives support us. They’re RadMoms.”
Original songs and playing the Main Stage at Fall for Greenville are goals, but only after family honey-dos are complete. “It seems that having jobs and a family would make this harder, but it makes it easier because they support us,” Chuck says. “And to see our audience expand as we make new friends and new fans, that’s something special.”
To check out where RadDads are playing next, visit @RadDadGVL on Instagram.
