"Laser Graffiti" – The Galvatrons

lasergraffiti

It’s a pretty gutsy move for a band to open an album with a full choir declaring “We’re here to save the world.” When these are the first lines of your debut album, it’s even riskier. Yet something about The Galvatrons makes you believe them.

Just like that dramatic opening, Laser Graffiti is an album impossible to ignore. Everything is big: the guitars, the synth chords, and ego. But that’s the point. This is a disc which takes its cues from Van Halen, Queen’s Flash Gordon soundtrack, and the pretentious hair bands of the 80s. Some might accuse it of being derivative, but it also sounds like nothing else on the modern music landscape.

The Galvatrons wear their influences and hearts on their sleeve. They may be flamboyant, but their unwavering belief in that vision encourages listeners to go along for the ride. The band captures our imagination with lyrics about driving the car too fast, staying out all night, and skipping school. Those familiar themes are so appealing to someone of my vintage who remembers hearing them first on Poison and Bon Jovi albums, and they might just inspire today’s rebellious teens.

The Galvatrons are either crazy or geniuses. No one makes a record like this today. Yet as the closing strains of the final track “Galaxy Destroyer” repeated the refrain, “We’re here to save the world,” I believed them. They won’t do it by reversing climate change or ending any wars. But The Galvatrons compel us to punch our fists in the air and remember how good music can feel, and that’s a start.

Image source: Cream; Newscom

The Galvatrons Throw Us a Free "Molotov Cocktail"

The Galvatrons debut album Laser Graffiti is now in stores! To celebrate the release of this instant classic, the Aussie retro rockers are offering fans a free download of a brand new song, “Molotov Cocktail.”

To score the MP3 for nix, just point your browser to The Galvatrons website. While you’re there you can also watch the band’s videos, stay up to date with their news and Twitter feeds, and much more. Check it out!

Image supplied by Warner Music Australia

Q & A With Johnny Galvatron of The Galvatrons

The Galvatrons are preparing to unleash their retro rock sounds on a nation, with the release of their debut album Laser Graffiti next week, and their support slot with Something with Numbers. I caught up with the band’s flamboyant lead singer Johnny Galvatron to chat about his group’s big sound, their “ridiculous” new album, and his uncanny knack for always getting just what he wants!

Your sound harks back to the 80s, with the big synthesizers and sing-along choruses. What do you love most about that period of rock music?
I was more influenced by soundtracks than specific bands. I guess that’s kind of where the band stems from, that whole science fiction soundtrack, that whole 80s soundtrack vibe. So I think the record has that whole Breakfast Club meets The Last Starfighter kind of vibe, which is definitely what we were going for.

I caught you supporting Cheap Trick and Def Leppard last year. What was it like to be on the road with such legends?
I mean, it’s Def Leppard! How awesome’s that? I had a sweet time! And I really like Cheap Trick, I’m a massive Cheap Trick fan. They came out one night, I think it was at ACER Arena, you know like 15, 20 thousand people, and they walk out and go “Good evening ladies and gentlemen, we’re The Galvatrons!” and then played “In The Street” from That 70s Show and that was like the highlight of my life, like single tear down the side of my face. Cheap Trick just introduced themselves as my band. That was probably the most amazing thing ever.

And the Def Leppard guys, if you ever become a big stadium rock band, you want to be like those guys, because everyone who’s on tour with them loves them. They eat all the same catering as everyone else, they all sit around with the crew when it’s dinnertime and stuff, and the crew love them for it. They’re just geezers, they’re such nice guys. So I think it was a very good lesson on if you do succeed, how to treat everyone and how to do it the right way.

You have such energy on stage. How do you keep things fresh when you’re on the road for long periods at a time?
Umm, probably just drugs! (laughs) No, no. I think we really love what we do, we love playing rock and roll. We’re not one of those bands that are too serious about what we do. We know we all have a really good job and we love playing rock and roll. It is hard being on the road for a long time, and being in a band for a long time sometimes, but we love what we do. We’re very thankful for it.

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The Galvatrons Studio Diary Dishes Dirt on "Laser Graffiti"

Retro rock fans everywhere are getting excited about the release of Laser Graffiti, the debut album from The Galvatrons next month. Today I received the band’s studio diary from Warner Music and was told I could share it with you all. It’s definitely whetted my appetite for the long-play!

Studio Diary for the making of Laser Graffiti Or When Keyboards try to be Guitars
Chapter 1 – Pre- Production, or how the bloody hell are we gonna do this?
The first week of December 2008 we spent doing pre‐ production for the album at Deluxe Studios in South Melbourne. During this time we met with great anticipation and trepidation our producer, Scott Horscroft. Scott previously worked with The Presets, The Panics, and silverchair, and we were keen to see what would come of our collaboration with this eccentric man (which for all descriptions he is …)

Scott flew down from Sydney for the week to get a vibe for what we wanted to do for the record, telling us his vibe, just a lot of vibing really in South Melbourne, which really has no vibe at all. Most of what we worked at was re‐ jigging structures for the songs, and where the extra bits would come into it. It was a fairly relaxed week, jamming in the studio live and getting the structure right for tracking. Notable was the writing of “Molotov Cocktail” during this time (the albums “party” track … maybe the chorus lyrics have something to do with that … moving on …)

Continue reading “The Galvatrons Studio Diary Dishes Dirt on "Laser Graffiti"”

New Song Obsession: "Cassandra" by The Galvatrons

The Galvatrons are back with “Cassandra,” the latest single tiding us over until the lads release their debut album Laser Graffiti on June 5. The synthesisers give this a distinctly Van Halen feel, which is a very good thing. I have no clue how much the lads are spending on their clips these days, but the floating cubes in this one are impressive! Play it loud!

The Galvatrons Ready for Another Aussie Tour

One of Australia’s most energetic live acts, The Galvatrons, are heading back on the road. The Melbourne lads will tour the East Coast in support of “Cassandra,” the latest single from their upcoming debut album Laser Graffiti.

“Cassandra” picks up right where “When we were Kids” left off, with its chunky guitar chords and sing-along chorus. The track, like the rest of the album, was produced and mixed by the formidable Scott Horscroft (The Presets, The Panics, Silverchair, The Sleepy Jackson).

“Cassandra” will be available online from April 6, with Laser Graffiti to follow on June 5. If you’ve never seen The Galvatrons play live, make sure you catch them this time around. And if you have seen one show, I know you’ll be back for more! Here are all the dates!

6 May 2009 – The Karova Lounge, Ballarat
8 May 2009 – Revolver, Melbourne
9 May 2009 – Ed Castle, Adelaide
13 May 2009 – Queens College Uni Ball, Melbourne University
15 May 2009 – Waves, Wollongong
16 May 2009 – Spectrum, Sydney
21 May 2009 – ANU Bar, Canberra
22 May 2009 – Mynt Lounge, Werribee
23 May 2009 – The Pelly Bar, Frankston
29 May 2009 – The Step Inn, Brisbane
30 May 2009 – Swell Tavern, Gold Coast
5 June 2009 – Snowball, Newcastle Uni
6 June 2009 – The Laurieton Hotel, Laurieton

Image source: Newscom

Def Leppard, Cheap Trick, and The Galvatrons @ Brisbane Entertainment Centre, 8 November 2008

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve just returned from a holiday in Brisbane. What was I doing there? Seeing bands of course! When my husband had a lukewarm reaction to Def Leppard and Cheap Trick’s Aussie tour, I decided to hop on a plane and have a girly weekend with my best friend Lisa.

Aussie retro rockers The Galvatrons scored the support slot for this vintage double act, and they couldn’t have been a better fit. Johnny Galvatron is a born performer, with bucketloads of energy and personality. The crowd might not have known most of their songs, but they clapped enthusiastically in time with the music anyway. For a support act to inspire such a response from the crowd is a massive achievement. Look out for these guys. They are so much fun, and they deserve to be huge.

Cheap Trick were up next, with a performance that made me appreciate The Galvatrons that much more. Technically I couldn’t fault them. The set list was jam packed with hits. But that passion, that sense of fun, that energy, was missing. All those elements are needed to really engage a crowd. Guitarist Rick Nielsen did his best to give the show a shot in the arm, but he was just one man and could only do so much. So I happily sang along to “The Flame,” “I Want You to Want Me,” “Dream Police,” and countless other hits but there was always this sense that it could have been so much better. Perhaps these guys have just been doing these same songs for so long they’re tired of them. I think it’s a mark of a great band though to keep that energy level up no matter how many times you’ve performed those hits.

All those things that I felt Cheap Trick lacked, Def Leppard had in spades. Like Cheap Trick, they’ve been around for nearly thirty years. But you wouldn’t know it. Joe Elliott strutted out on the catwalk, every inch the rock star, compelling us to clap along to the smash hit “Rocket.” Those massive songs just kept coming with such passion and enthusiasm it was almost as if they were being played for the first time. The band is filled with amazing musicians who know how to entertain. And the sounds that Rick Allen gets from his drum kit with just one arm would put most two-armed drummers to shame! A highlight of the set was the acoustic section, where the whole auditorium joined in singing “Two Steps Behind” and were just as excited about “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak.” Def Leppard haven’t played in Australia for 16 years, but were genuinely touched that we haven’t forgotten them. When they still play such fun, exciting sets, how could we? When they finished up that last song, a blistering version of “Let’s Get Rocked” we all rose to our feet for the longest standing ovation I can remember. They earned it.

It’s been a long time since I’ve travelled interstate for a show, but the brilliance of The Galvatrons and Def Leppard made it worth my while. I only hope Def Leppard keep their promise and return to our shores soon. Until then, I might just have to check out a few more Galvatrons shows!

Image source: own photos

The Galvatrons Tour Crazy!

No one can accuse the lads from The Galvatrons of being lazy. They’ve just returned from Europe where they toured the festival circuit, and they’re set to take off again supporting Def Leppard and Cheap Trick around Oz. But that’s not all. They’re also embarking on their own headline tour at the same time!

The Robots are Cool tour will take in capital cities and regional centres along the East Coast throughout October and November. Some nights they’re doing shows in completely different cities – you’ve got to admire that kind of dedication!

Get out and show your support at the following shows!

23 October 2008 – NUSA Rocks @ Bar on the Hill, Newcastle University
24 October 2008 – Roi Bar, Albury
25 October 2008 – The Commercial Hotel, Benalla
1 November 2008 – Mojo’s, Perth
7 November 2008 – The Annandale Hotel, Sydney
8 November 2008 – Djerriwarrh Festival, Melton
13 November 2008 – Wollongong University
20 November 2008 – The Globe Theatre, Brisbane
21 November 2008 – The Hard Rock Café, Gold Coast
22 November 2008 – The Sands Tavern, Sunshine Coast
23 November 2008 – The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
27 November 2008 – Adelaide Uni Bar on the Hill
28 November 2008 – The Gershwin Room, Melbourne
29 November 2008 – Foreshore Festival, Canberra

Image source: Newscom

Def Leppard and Cheap Trick Plan to Rock Oz

Attention all hair band fans. Please join me in celebrating the announcement of the tour to end all tours. Def Leppard and Cheap Trick are joining forces for a show that’s sure to have more hits than the State of Origin.

Think about it. We’ve got Def Leppard with “Love Bites,” “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” “Let’s Get Rocked,” “Photograph” and stacks more. Then there’s Cheap Trick with “The Flame,” “I Want You to Want Me,” “Dream Police” … you know I could go on.

The Galvatrons were always the natural choice for the support slot, so I’m thrilled they’re also on the bill.

If you’re as excited about all this as me you’ll want to grab your tickets when they go on sale on June 20. You can see these two massive acts the following venues.

31 October 2008 – Members Equity Stadium, Perth
3 November 2008 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
5 November 2008 – Acer Arena, Sydney
7 November 2008 – Newcastle Entertainment Centre
8 November 2008 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
10 November 2008 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
11 November 2008 – AIS Arena, Canberra

Image source: Rob Kennedy @ Wikimedia Commons 

The Galvatrons Headline First National Tour

The buzz surrounding synth-rock outfit The Galvatrons has been building, and it’s going to explode in the coming months.

The Melbourne lads have just come back from some showcase gigs in London where they played to packed rooms of industry heavyweights. They must have impressed the right people, because they’re set to head back to the UK to join Kiss and The Police on the festival circuit.

But before they do you can see The Galvatrons back on their home turf as they embark on their first national tour. The gigs will support the release of their EP When We Were Kids which will hit stores on 3 May.

Here are all The Galvatrons tour dates.

19 April 2008 – The Pelibar, Frankston
20 April 2008 – Cherry Rock Festival, Melbourne
24 April 2008 – The Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy
25 April 2008 – The Carlton Hotel, Geelong
26 April 2008 – Groovin the Moo, Maitland
27 April 2008 – The Beach Road Hotel, Bondi
30 April 2008 – The Park Hotel, Bathurst
1 May 2008 – Transit Bar, Canberra
2 May 2008 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
3 May 2008 – The Mona Vale Hotel, Sydney
4 May 2008 – Chili Lounge @ The Grand Hotel, Wyong
9 May 2008 – Empire Hotel, Brisbane
10 May 2008 – The Elsewhere Bar, Surfers Paradise
15 May 2008 – The Karova Lounge, Ballarat
16 May 2008 – Rocket Bar, Adelaide
17 May 2008 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide
22 May 2008 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
23 May 2008 – The Railway Hotel, Fremantle
24 May 2008 – Shape, Perth
29 May 2008 – The Republic Bar, Hobart
30 May 2008 – Sirocco’s, Burnie
31 May 2008 – Batman Faulkner, Launceston
6 June 2008 – The Espy, St Kilda
7 June 2008 – Come Together Festival, Sydney

Image source: Supplied by Warner Music Australia