Popular bands with a political message may be nothing new, but rarely does a band translate its message into action as fully as Boston’s State Radio.

Founded by guitarist and vocalist Chad Stokes Urmston after the breakup of his former band Dispatch, State Radio carries an unapologetically forthright message.

“I personally feel a responsibility to shout out against things that aren’t in the regular media,” Urmston said. “I think it was [Russian novelist Alexander] Solzhenitsyn who said artists have their obligation to try to right what’s wrong, and I take that to heart.”

State Radio’s beliefs translated into their development of Calling All Crows, a nonprofit human rights organization with the goals of inspiring public service and ending violence against women.

The state of Georgia holds special significance for State Radio’s activist stance: It is the home of Troy Davis, a former sports coach who has been incarcerated on death row since he was convicted of murder in 1991.

Davis maintains he did not commit the crime, and his case has attracted international attention, with high-profile organizations from Amnesty International to the European Parliament calling for a new trial.

Last month, the Supreme Court ordered a Georgia federal district court to reconsider Davis’ case in light of new evidence that may prove Davis’ innocence.

“It’s a case that already has national exposure as far as highlighting what’s wrong with the death penalty,” Urmston said. “It’s just been a really special crusade to be on.”

State Radio’s song “State of Georgia” discusses Davis’ case, and the band has also taken action in hopes of raising awareness about him. The band has conducted teach-ins in Boston and cities across the nation about Davis’ case and has protested Davis’ treatment outside courthouses while on tour.

In Athens, State Radio will distribute information about Davis’ case outside Five Guys the day of the show from noon to 1:30 p.m.

“It’s only for a couple of hours; the more the merrier,” Urmston said.

State Radio rarely comes into conflict with its fan base over politics, but it has happened before. Drummer Mike Najarian recalled a specific instance in Ohio in 2007 when the band’s tires were slashed.

“We realized it was slashed and we ended up stopping halfway up a hill,” Najarian said. “[The car] rolled off the jack and almost killed [bassist] Chuck [Fay].”

Although Najarian said the band’s message sometimes conflicts with fans at festivals, most fans who attend a State Radio show know the music comes with a political side. Urmston also pointed out the band rarely encounters hostility in college towns like Athens.

“College kids are just either all about partying and just being a college kid and enjoying themselves, or, if they have a notion to get involved, it’s usually on similar terms as the band,” Urmston said. “You rarely come up against someone who’s a college kid who’s fiercely right or red or Republican.”

In addition, Matt Wilhelm, the service project coordinator for Calling All Crows, pointed out that the organizations’s two main goals of inspiring public service and ending violence against women are largely apolitical and doesn’t believe State Radio has a particularly provoking political position.

“Lots of different bands play the role of activist,” Wilhelm said. “State Radio’s approach is one of ‘This is where we stand; let’s have a conversation.’”

State Radio’s newest album, “Let It Go,” released on Wednesday, contrasts with its previous album, “Year of the Crow,” which was intended to have more of a live energy. Urmston describes “Let It Go” as less harsh-sounding than the band’s sophomore effort. In addition, “Let It Go” will be the first State Radio album to be released on vinyl.

“I think you get a little bit of a warmer sound, maybe a little bit more of an older sound, kind of a ’70s-sounding record than ‘Year of the Crow,’” Urmston said.

State Radio also supports an organization called Bikes Not Bombs by cycling to some of its shows, but it plans to use a different method of transportation in Athens.

“We’ll probably be on skateboards,” Urmston said. “Those pack a little bit better.”