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The Fullblast

Contagious Movement Theory (2004)
Black Box

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Contributed by: TheMarc
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on January 18th 2005

Some time last year I went to see Moneen in a little bowling center we have here at Illinois State University. Even though it’s possibly the worst place ever to see a show (there’s a large pole in the middle of the floor!), I left satisfied and armed with a new discovery.

Hailing from Canada, the Fullblast has been around since 2000. Although they’ve slipped under the radar for years, they’re not really helping themselves: sure, they’re on pureVOLUME, but their website has been down for an extended period of time, and if you try and order this record from their label site, it has a habit of never arriving. However, if you somehow do manage to find this somewhere, you’ll find a very tight band that plays ridiculously fast punk similar to fellow Canadians Belvedere and Propagandhi.

“All I Need Is A Jetpack And Roller-skates” pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the album: blistering speed and spiraling riffage. Vocally, it’s comparable to the Get Up Kids or Moneen with a slightly higher pitch. The harmonies were well done live, but this recording holds some moments where you can’t help but cringe at some of the higher harmony attempts. In keeping with production, Rainer Wiechmann plays to the band’s strengths, keeping the rhythm section loud, and getting nice bass tone.

The Fullblast may have the most talented drum and bass combination in the genre. Go see these guys live and try to not be impressed by the bass player. Seriously, the guy is amazing. What really stands out about this band is the presence of technicality and stop-and-go song structure without the feeling of “complex for complexity’s sake.” The riffs are loud, fast, and heavy, but if someone calls them “Thrice-like”, I’m going to freak out. Like Thrice invented guitar riffs. Christ.

“No One Says Anything Funny Anymore” is the high point of the album, with an excellent melody and a terrific bass-driven breakdown. Almost every song (“Phase One: The Epidemic” in particular) ends in grandiose fashion, and it’s hard not to feel the adrenaline rush. “You Came Out Of The Closet And You Were Wearing A Hoodie” and “It's Cool, But Moneen Already Did It” are other standout tracks, and all feature obnoxious titles, great sing-a-long choruses and drumming that resembles a hummingbird on crack. While the slower songs aren’t necessarily slow, they definitely are weaker. “Why Does Banana Get Shotgun?” is all well and good, but doesn’t really go anywhere. “I Dislocated my Shoulder for Rock and Roll” sounds disjointed, and is pretty boring in comparison to the other songs.

So basically, the Fullblast are a mix between the big rock-out style of Moneen and the warp-speed tendencies of skate punk bands like Belvedere. Their label site says they should have some big announcements and updates soon, and are already working on the follow-up to this album. Seeing them live is a good time, as they perform exactly at the intensity their name indicates. Hopefully these guys don’t stay unknown for much longer.

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Anonymous (March 23, 2006)

They broke up today :(

Trauma16 (November 13, 2005)

Fullblast are great, they have skills, energy and put on a hell of a show.
Winning combination.

Anonymous (June 27, 2005)

awesome all around! These dudes go off live

Anonymous (April 23, 2005)

ohh i see you don't like em? well... go fucking cut yourself!

Anonymous (January 24, 2005)

The Full Blast are awesome, I've seen them live five times and they get better and better

Anonymous (January 23, 2005)

if you get a chance, check out their Constructing Fidelity ep. There are better versions (in my opinion) of songs on this record.

Anonymous (January 23, 2005)

Great band, great album, great live show. If you listen to this album and to not like it, listen again. I remember the first time i heard them i thought they were more of a fast punk rock type band but as you listen they feal like they have more of an emo presence. This band is good, so check em out.

Anonymous (January 21, 2005)

i know exactly what you mean...one of the bands i need to see before i die or they break up.

moneenerd (January 21, 2005)

FDLS will never die.
Ever.
One of my all-time faves too, so they better not! I have yet to see them live, and I want to see them at least once here in the Maritimes before I fucking expire.

CallingLondon (January 21, 2005)

eh. maybe it's the production that gets to me but i didn't like it so much. and honestly i don't see what "breath" of musical styles they're pulling from. sounds like punk to me.

Anonymous (January 21, 2005)

so since brian is in boys night out and pud is in the fullblast, is fordirelifesake officially done? that would be pretty shitty. although, i'm super excited for a new fullblast album and pud only adds to that excitement.

oh, and why does banana get shotgun is one of the best tracks.

moneenerd (January 20, 2005)

These guys are def. rad, especially now that they have Pud from Fordirelifesake playing guitar for them!

Their EP was much more well produced, however.

Anonymous (January 20, 2005)

Reviewer -

Unfortunately, ISU has my Peace Corps masters program...its either that or stay in Michigan....andl FUCK THAT.

Thanks though!

-Ken