Review: Full Tone Generator & Nick Oliveri 7”

Australian rockers Full Tone Generator are back and they’ve brought a friend from the Californian desert with them this time, Mr Nick Oliveri. Listening to Nick talk about this on Kyuss World Radio a few weeks back, you know you’re getting something special here.

Stoner Rock mixed with Punk Rock, that is short, sharp, like a kick in the head, and if you’re wondering what side of the pond the Punk Rock will favour? Think GBH, The Damned and Sub-Humans.

Without A Sound starts with the riff, the slight feedback of the instruments plugging in, the classic drum roll build up, Nick’s trademark scream and we’re off. Imagine Full Tone Generator removing any effects pedals and just plugging in and turning it up to eleven. Classic punk rock riffs pummel you and Nick’s voice sounds even more demonic than normal. The repetitive riff with added clapping appears a couple of times, like what Nick always did with Mondo Generator and Queens of the Stone Age, and I dare you not to clap along. Throw in the odd early 80’s five second guitar solo, and it’s all packed in to two minutes and three seconds.

Clocking in at less than 2 minutes on If You Want Me, there’s full on raw riffs from the beginning with slightly more guitar work this time. Nick’s vocals are abrasive and in your face (like you’d expect anything else?) and the chorus isn’t something you will be blasting out the car window when you’re picking the kids up. There’s even a quick punk rock ‘out of control’ solo in there.

Released between Tuff Cuff Records and Ruined Vibes, there’s a limited vinyl run of black and orange editions and a couple of deluxe versions. By the time you read this I expect everything will already be sold out, so happy hunting.

Full Tone Generator - Nick Oliveri - Tuff Cuff – Ruined Vibes

Review: Nick Oliveri and The Black Armada – Up and Down Under

Australia’s The Black Armada have barely been together a year and have already been dishing out their big groove driven stoner rock supporting the likes of John Garcia & The Band of Gold, Earthless and 1000 Mods. It looked as though music was to be put to tape until the departure of their vocalist a few months back and the current situation around the world has obviously adjusted their plans a bit. I have no doubt through, that after watching their latest live recordings, good things will be coming out The Gold Coast soon.

Back to the song on hand, a twist of fate saw them cross paths and play with a certain Nick Oliveri as he toured Australia last year and a musical friendship was formed, which turned into the track we have here, Up and Down Under.

Starting with a few formidable punk rock chords backed with Nick’s in your face vocals, the riffs kick in early and don’t let up for the next three minutes. Switching between Christian Tryhorn’s big “hit the pedal” driving guitar grooves and the more melodic guitar work entwined with the driving basslines. Up and Down Under tells the tale of Jekyll and Hide which is very fitting for the two musical styles coming together so well, and hearing Nick scream the words is oh so him. Everything is held together with some big drum work from Liam Burgan and the production/mix only makes it sound bigger. I also have to mention how Nick’s voice seems to be getting stronger with every new recording he does lately. 

Head over to Bandcamp to get yourself a digital copy for the collection.