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FULL STACK - VENUS
Run With Me / Echoes Stir / Venus / Breathe / Along The Way / On The Rise / As Good As It Gets / Evil / Strip It Away / Heavy Wings
FULL STACK MUSIC
Based in Minneapolis, Full Stack are a four piece hard rock band making similar slick rock noises to Nickelback or Creed, album VENUS sees the quintet dealing in songs that set their sites on mainstream radio; big blustering choruses and crunching powerchords set firmly in place.
Its all very well done and Full Stack certainly know how to make the right big rock noises, but nothing can really hide the fact that VENUS is a record of generic hard rock that's a little too generic to really make that much of an impact. The likes of RUN WITH ME and ECHOES STIR, finds the band dishing out melodic hard rock that bristles in all the right places and hits the choruses with military precision, rocking, but about as clinical and professional as they come. With a lead singer who emotes like Eddie Vedder mainlining Scott Stapp and a guitarist schooled in classic hard rock, VENUS makes for anthemic if predictable listening, the kind of thing you'd expect to hear soundtracking this summers latest blockbuster movie. Solid and dependable rather than particularly thrilling or exciting, a decent enough stab at hard rock glory.
With precious little in the way of variety or spice here, songs such as BREATHE, ON THE RISE and STRIP IT AWAY are about as generic and unassuming as they come; sure, you'll be able to sing along to all the choruses, but they're hardly the most inspiring of listens. Closing number HEAVY WINGS is a subdued acoustic ditty that proves Full Stack can do sensitive folk as well as they do heavy rock, VENUS is an album that climaxes with a whimper rather than a bang.
An average sounding hard rock album that struggles to distinguish itself apart from its obvious influences, VENUS makes for decent if generic listening on the whole from Full Stack.
BIOGRAPHY
John Funk (lead vocals, guitar)
Besides his voice, John Funk's fawn Marshall amps and cabinets are an integral part of Full Stack's sound. John cut his teeth with Sinister Grin and 57 Stitch - two Minneapolis-based original hard rock outfits. John counts UFO/MSG guitarist Michael Schenker as one of his many influences. He's also played and recorded for many years with bassist Billy Hipps.
Brandt Williams (guitar, vocals)
Brandt decided that he wanted to play guitar at the age of 12. His older brother brought home two albums that changed his life: Van Halen I and AC/DC's Back in Black.
"Over the years I've been influenced by a lot of players: EVH, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Nuno Bettencourt, Jimi Hendrix, John Frusciante, but I've only ever really wanted to sound like Angus Young," says Brandt. "Obviously, that never happened."
Billy Hipps (bass, vocals)
"Billy like thump and whump," says the four string slinger of Full Stack. Billy's bladder-loosening, big-ass bass sound is thanks to Kustom, Ashdown, Fender and S.I.T. His playing style has evolved due to steady doses of Talas, King's X, Spinal Tap, caffeine and Ritalin. Billy has played and toured nationally with Paragon/Wonderland as well as White Widow.
Paul "The Rog" Rogne (drums)
Paul developed a huge drum sound as a tribute to some of his favorite drummers: Frankie Banali, Bobby Blotzer, Bobby Rondinelli, Tommy Aldridge and John Blackwell. Paul has provided the smashing percussion for Hatecrime, Malicious Intent, Domain, Sweet Cheater, Blind Side, & Jealous. He has also recorded and performed with various bands and players. He abuses RDH Drumz, Ludwig and Pearl and DW Snares, DW hardware, Gibraltar Hardware, Paiste Cymbals, Wuhan china's, EFX cymbals and gongs.
Biography
A lesson in history………
It all started a little over three and half years ago, when three friends who were all musicians went golfing. By the end of the round the idea was firmly in place that we wanted to put a band together. John Funk, Bill Hipps, and Scott Savage had all at one time or another been in a band with each other. Bill and Scott were the obvious rhythm section to build a rock band around, and John had played guitar with some of the best guitar players in town.
As far as who would sing lead, we had all had our fill of dealing with pain in the A$$ vocalist, too drunk, lazy or stupid to rely on. John Funk was a long time song-writer but more of an acoustic based style of singing. Conversation was that we would try some of John’s songs electrified, with a full blown PA system and see if everyone liked what they heard. Ironically, Bill called his life long friend and current Full Stack guitar player Brandt Williams to ask if we could use his bands rehearsal space to give it a try.
The first rehearsal was a little on the rough side, but the magic was strong enough for the three musicians to commit to going in on a rehearsal space of their own. Over the next year they forged the bases for what is known today as Full Stack. At that time the band was more of a blend of AC/DC with a dash of pop. After they crowned their one year anniversary it was decided that drummer Scott Savage would be moving on due to previous commitments he had with another local band, Crashmatic. Once again Ironic, Brandt Williams had joined the band just prior to Scott’s exit.
The decision was made to go toward a bigger band sound. One with giant guitars and a massive three part vocal harmony, shoes that Brandt Williams was born to fill. To Brandt’s many credits; including guitar playing and backing vocals that both come from the heart. Brandt also took on a band that had no drummer, so the three remaining band mates started running advertisement for a new drummer. The first crack at finalizing the band turned up a drummer that would hold the spot for the next 9 months was Mike Bourgeois. Mike ended up leaving the band for personal reasons.
Full Stack’s next crack at finding their drummer yielded a rock power-house by the name of Greg Brown. Who helped the band greatly in carving out their heavy sound over the next 9 months. Ultimately being the 1st incarnation of Full Stack to hit the stage and establish them selves as a hard edged rock band on the local scene. Greg ended up leaving the band due to his deep commitment to his wonderful wife and family. This mishap was starting to weigh heavily on the band members who were starting to feel as if they were cursed.
Bill Hipps, undoubtedly the most focused and resourceful band member had one last poker hand left to play. Luckily for the band, Bill was holding four aces. He placed an add on local Rock Station 93x web site, like a flair in the night Paul Rogne answered the call. And so once again the band was able to beat the odds and move forward better than ever. Paul Rogne proved to be the shot of adrenaline needed to propel Full Stack forward, once again escaping the inevitable death that finds most bands half their age. Some how the band had found another giant rock drummer and is now able to forge yet another chapter in their journal. Now bigger than ever, with screaming vocals, giant guitars, and a thunderous rhythm section, the future looks better than ever.
LINE UP
John Funk
Billy Hipps
Brandt Williams
Paul Rogne
DISCOGRAPHY
VENUS (Full Stack Music>2007)
Run With Me
Echoes Stir
Venus
Breathe
Along The Way
On The Rise
As Good As It Gets
Evil
Strip It Away
Heavy Wings
LINKS
Full Stack>www.fullstackrock.com
FURTHER LISTENING
Velvet Revolver
Pearl Jam
Creed
Review date: February 2007 |
