Interview with Full Tone Generator

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

My parents and older brothers got me into music, my parents had a modest vinyl collection consisting of bands like ELO, Zeppelin, Van Morrison and the Beatles, that’s where it all started, then my older brother started collecting CDs in the late 80’s and I would raid his collection after school listening to Faith No More, Nirvana, Hendrix, Sabbath and a whole mix of other stuff. I picked up the guitar at 13 and my other brother gave me a Kyuss mix take and the rest is history! IF I had not got into music I think I would have been playing football and working as a tradie!

 What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I love reading and literature as well as watching films, I also love riding motorcycles which just clears my head, all these things influence creativity, especially the inspiration I draw from other artforms.

 How long has your band been around?

This band has been around since 2018 but I have been playing in bands for 25 years

 Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

 We are based out of Melbourne which has influenced our music in a big way, Melbourne is a great live music city and we are lucky to be able to go to gigs any night of the week and see amazing bands, this filters through into our own songwriting, drawing influence from other local bands is rad.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

 It’s a name we used to use back in the day when we would just rock up to a venue without rehearsing and Jam with friends, when this band came together that seemed like a fitting name, the band is about jamming, having fun and just doing what comes naturally to us, we try not to fit into any one specific genre although we get associated with the desert rock / stoner rock scene which is cool with us.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

Festivals are always great, I think it was a highlight to play Ripplefest in texas a few years back and play with some rad bands, that would be a highlight, also touring here in Australia with Brant Bjork was super cool and memorable.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

There are so many places we would love to play at, there are some cool venues here in Melbourne we have played like the Gasometer Hotel, Max Watts and Singing Bird Studio, I have never played a big theatre though, like an old school art deco vibe kind of theatre, would love to play a venue like that.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

I think original lineup KYUSS reunion would have to top that list

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

It probably sounds cliché but just try not to fit yourself into a box so that someone can “sell” your music, just be yourself and do what comes naturally, also remember, success is what you make it, to me, success is writing a good song and knowing it’s a good song, when I look back now I realize I was writing good songs when I was very young but I was never able to acknowledge it, you can only control what you do, not what others do or say so just focus on the art and rock the fuck out.

 If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

See above lol

 Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

I think off the new album its “Dark Eyes”, the lyrics tell a narrative story from both the masculine and feminine perspective around the breakdown of a relationship, its kinda deep and I dig that.

 Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

I love playing “Juan Carlos” from the new album, the most requested song would have to be “Let the good times roll” or “preacher man” both from our first album

 What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

 One of us usually comes into the Jam room with a riff or idea and we work on that pretty organically just by jamming on it, some songs get written by me at home and I layer all the instruments and do demo’s in my home studio and bring them to the band. Some songs have been written completely in the studio while recording albums in a really organic way so it’s a little bit of everything. I am inspired by everyday life.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

 It’s a bit of a mix of just good time rock n roll as well as some deeper themes and meaning, which is a reflection of us as people really, we love to have a good time but were also not scared to tap into our emotions and bring that through in the music a bit.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

 Not really actually, we might disagree on which beer is going on the rider but that’s about it! Lol, its actually the most drama free band ive played in, we love hanging out together, were there for each other when we need and no one really cracks the shits at anyone else.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

 We have our new album out now “Refuge Of Sinners” and we have a European tour coming up in November, dates to be announced soon!