Both critics and rock fans alike were understandably suspicious of Ben Kweller's youthful inexperience and relative ease of entry into the notoriously ruthless music industry. Not much of a historical record remains from the relatively pre-Internet era music scene at the time, but Radish's debut album "Restraining Bolt," was panned by at least one critic who wrote the record had "very little joy or real rock 'n' roll spirit" per All Music.
After a record label merger and some natural growing pains, Radish decided to split in the late '90s. And so, Ben Kweller launched his solo career in 2001, consistently producing records from 2002 to 2012, the latter of which was released through his own label, The Noise Company, as reported by the New York Times.
"Music is all I've been good at it. I put all my eggs in that basket, and I've done everything I can to keep them as safe as possible," Kweller said, "The mistakes are going to be mine, too. That's a good feeling. I'd rather know that I tried and failed but knew we gave it 100% than hand it off to someone else and see what happens."
A year after this interview, Kweller's world turned upside down. A near-death experience almost severed his connection to music.
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