For fans of the Hoboken band Full Out Freak, it is no surprise that they made it to the semi-final round for the “Have A Nice Gig” unsigned band competition.
What is strange is that before they opened for Bon Jovi at Continental Arena on December 22, they were featured on two separate compilation CDs with Bon Jovi.
Full Out Freak has even been compared to Bon Jovi.
But will that help them win?
The Semi-finals
The “Have a Nice Gig” contest, which is being run by XM radio and Bon Jovi, will award the winner a major label contract and another opening night for Bon Jovi this summer.
After beating out several hundred bands from around the country, the band won a slot to open for Bon Jovi. It is now down to 24 bands, six per week in a vote off to see who goes to the finals. Another area band, Queen V, has also made it to the semi-finals.
Only four will make it and then Bon Jovi will pick the winner.
This is the week to vote for Full Out Freak. You can vote for them online here: http://bonjovi.xmradio.com.
The band
The four-man band was formed in 2003. The original members include: Joey Aparicio, lead vocalist and guitarist and bassist Eric Berkowitz. The band established its final four with the addition of Tim Quick on guitar and Justin Neighbour on drums.
Last January the band released their self-titled album.
Aparicio describes their sound as pop rock.
“It’s melody driven music and sincere lyrics written from life experience,” said Aparicio. “I think our music is accessible for most people who appreciate heartfelt music regardless of what kind of music they prefer.”
“I’ve had girls come up to us and say, ‘I could listen to your music all day long,'” said Berkowitz.
The band works together on the songs, although Aparicio usually comes to rehearsal with a nearly finished song. Then they try to figure out what works best for their respective parts. Members put their own stamp on the material.
The band has been told that their music has “radio sound.” And it does. The most striking quality about their music is that it sounds finished. Listening to it you wonder if you have heard it before, which is possible because several of the songs have already had air play on stations WDHA, WAXQ, WRAT, and more.
The songs are catchy, particularly on songs: “After All,” and “I’ll Be Damned,” which were included in the fore mentioned CD compilations with Bon Jovi, Wheezer, 3 Doors Down and others.
According to Berkowitz, “After All” is being used to promote a Blockbuster video game. There are plans on using future songs to promote more games.
This past fall, XM Radio called the band to open for the band Staind in New York. The show was part of the Honda Civic XM Radio tour.
In the studio
Full Out Freak is currently at work on their next album. Right now they are in pre-production with 15 songs.
According to Aparicio and Berkowitz, the new album will still be in the same genre but the music has more of an edge to it. They are feeling more confident as a band and feel that their music has grown.
When the album is finished they plan to place the music with their new digital distribution partner, IODA, who deals with ITunes, Yahoo, Launchcast, Rhapsody, MSN, Napster and more.
Future plans
Their first area performance will be at Maxwell’s on February 18.
Full Out Freak plans to finish their album first, even if they win.
“Honestly we aren’t even thinking about that,” said Quick. “If that happens it would be amazing, but music is not really about competition for us. All the bands that were fortunate enough to be apart of this are great. With that said, we really want to beat the other bands!”
For more information, please visit: www.fulloutfreak.com. Cast your vote for the band at: http://bonjovi.xmradio.com