Viva La Cola!

Founded in January 2009, PubliCola is a blog about Seattle written by journalists who are dedicated to non-partisan, original daily reporting that prioritizes a balanced approach to news. Started by longtime local editor and award-winning reporter Josh Feit, PubliCola is the first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol.

PubliCola was off and running. In June 2009, PubliCola hired another award-winning journalist, super-sourced Seattle city hall reporter Erica C. Barnett.

People were afraid that blogging would change journalism. Instead, we believe journalism can change blogging. Twenty-first century journalism may look and feel different, and yes Erica isn't afraid to get cranky, but we're committed to making sure online news still delivers independent, reliable, even-keeled coverage. And most of all, we're committed to making sure the coverage sparks honest civic debate.

Bringing you cola for the people, PubliCola is named after Publius Valerius PubliCola, the alias for the authors of the Federalist Papers—the original bloggers.

x close
The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Terry Radjaw of Mad Rad Being Charged With Assault

Arts & Culture, News   March 18, 2010 at 12:39 pm Jonathan Cunningham

Mad Rad is back in the news again. And like usual, it’s not for good reasons. City prosecutors have decided to file assault and theft charges against rapper/DJ Terry Radjaw (born Gregory Smith) and his lady friend, Krystina Borland, stemming from an incident that happened earlier this year. PubliCola pal and overall crime writing ace, Jonah Spangenthal-Lee, broke the story yesterday afternoon.

According to police reports: Smith and Borland were riding in a cab in the early hours of New Years Day when the taxi driver claimed they tried to start having sex. The taxi driver slammed on the brakes and Smith and Borland exited the cab without paying and walked away. The cab driver confronted Smith and Borland about paying for the fare, and according to police reports, Smith allegedly threw the cab driver down on the hood of the car and tried to choke him.

It’s a juicy story and only seems to get juicier from there on out. A knife was allegedly involved, the cops were called, and a woman was pulled out of bed stark naked shortly afterward. For the full details, head to Seattle Crime.

I know Smith fairly well and despite all the bad press Mad Rad gets for being assholes, most people will tell you that he’s the lone member of the band that doesn‘t cause trouble. They’re actually all good guys if you get to know them, but when they drink, they can turn into a group of rudeboys real quick.

Mad Rad plays the Crocodile’s one year anniversary party on March 27.




  • giffy

    Well then perhaps they shouldn't drink. Yeah, anyone can mess up once or twice while drinking, but when you keep getting in trouble with the law and causing trouble when you drink then if you keep doing it you are not a good guy. You are in fact an asshole.

    And really, people who are nice people might get a little stupid when they are drunk, might spill stuff or say dumb things, but they don't beat up cab drivers or pick fights.

  • Jonathan C

    Giffy…
    I agree with the bulk of this. A touch of sobriety would do all the guys in Mad Rad some good! But they love to party and it is what is is. Likewise, they keep paying the consequences.

    However, Greg truly is a nice dude. He might of beat up a cab driver, but if that's true, that just makes him a good dude who did a really dumb thing. Everyone has multiple personalities and sometimes nice people can be assholes. It happens.

  • WenG

    “Everyone has multiple personalities and sometimes nice people can be assholes. It happens.”

    Jonathan, I'm waiting for your argument to be applied to the mayor.

  • Yowza

    Every asshole has a good side to them. A dick, is a dick, is a dick. Have respect for working people, and the people trying to drive you home. He just comes off as a spoiled brat.

  • Hanz

    He's a spoiled brat for sure. Don't beat up the cabbie…however, were they REALLY having sex in the back of a cab. Making out and having sex are not the same thing! And maybe there's a cultural difference. Just because folks starting kissing doesn't mean you slam on the brakes either!

  • giffy

    I guess I have a hard time making excuses for people who are hurting others. Yeah you want to get plastered and make a fool of yourself or whatever I got no reason to judge. But when you start hurting others its a different matter. No different that someone who only beats his wife when drunk and is a loving caring husband when he's sober.