Full Out Freak Performs at the Continental Airlines Arena in December 2005

Things can’t be much better for Full Out Freak. The band just opened for Bon Jovi at the Continental Airlines Arena (East Rutherford, NJ) and has maintained a steady stream of gigs at the remainder of New Jersey’s top clubs.

While the band’s clever mixture of melodies will continue to evoke Foo Fighters comparisons, Full Out Freak’s ability to create structured, yet innovative songs will set it apart from the East Coast’s present talent crop.

In August 2005, the band was XM Satellite Radio’s unsigned artist of the week. With that selection came a two-night stint at Randall’s Island, NY, supporting Staind on XM’s Honda Civic Tour. Not bad for a band which originated with members of the mega-popular Jersey shore cover band Big Orange Cone.

Success will most likely continue for the band which has also appeared at the Asbury Park’s Stone Pony and New York’s CBGBs, two clubs which are legendary in their respective states. The band’s recent self-titled compact disc is packed with consistently sharp, power chord-based performances.

Chorus and Verse recently asked Full Out Freak’s vocalist/guitarist Joey Aparicio about the band’s history and future.

When and how did you Full Out Freak form?

The band informally started around three-and-a-half years ago. I had always been writing songs, kind of building an arsenal of material. I partnered up with my long-time friend and bass player Eric Berkowitz and together we started trying out different musicians. The goal was to find a group of guys that all could contribute to the writing process and help establish this band as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. I can sincerely say that we all feel the band is at that point.

Full Out Freak opened for Bon Jovi at the Continental Airlines Arena.

Who are some of your influences? How does the music of your influences find its way into your music?

All the guys in the band would probably cite different influences and there are just so many. Without taking up three pages let me name of few.

As far as the classic bands go, I would say The Beatles, Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi - that’s right, we consider them classic - to modern artists like Foo Fighters, Butch Walker, Lenny Kravitz. The list goes on and on. I think all musicians carry their influences with them. One of the coolest things about music is being able to keep your influences close to you, but at the same time create something that is completely your own.

Does your band's members have a lot of common influences?

We do, but we also have influences that are quite different. Collectively, in the band, we are influenced from everything from Classic Rock to Reggae to Metal to '80s hair band stuff to Motown to Classical to Pop and everything in between. Quite a melting pot, if you will.

Which are some of your uncommon influences?

I really like some different female artists like Liz Phair and Sheryl Crow. I love their choice of vocal melodies, the way they write and the emotion with which they sing. It’s a great perspective for me to listen to. I know Justin [N., drummer] is really into some old school Motown cats like Stevie Wonder, Al Greene, Aretha Franklin; Soul music ya know. You can really see it in his playing. The kid has crazy feel and groove. I am sure some of that comes from listening to those artists.

As far as Eric goes, he loves boy bands. Just kidding!

What does each band member bring forth to the creative process?

I usually bring very structurally sound songs to the rehearsal room. I also usually have a sense of what type of feel I am going for. I think Eric, Tim [Quick, guitarist] and Justin really like this. I am able to give them a sense of where to start. From there everyone is free to express his ideas.

We have no ego as far as songwriting goes in this band. Other than that, depending on the song, each person can contribute in a different way.

Sometimes Eric will come up with a slammin' sub-rhythm for a song or maybe Justin will think of a cool arrangement or an ending that will translate really well live. It is organic. That’s the way we like it.

What are some of your favorite places to play and why?

We recently opened up for Bon Jovi at the Continental Airlines Arena (NJ).  I'd say that is our new favorite place to play for the obvious reasons!

Joey Aparicio of Full Out Freak

On the local circuit some of our favs are CBGBs (NYC), Arlenes Grocery (NYC), The Saint (Asbury Park, NJ), Maxwell's (Hoboken, NJ) and the list goes on and on. We just love to play, man; doesn’t matter where it is.

How does a good audience make for a good show?

I don’t really look at it like a good audience or a bad audience. I look at it like we are either good performers or we are bad performers.

We are there to entertain them. These people pay their hard-earned money to watch us up on that stage. If we do our job, there is no such thing as a bad audience. They will respond.

Each time we take the stage we want to put on a show. That is what all of our favorite artists have always done and that is what we want to do. It is a beautiful thing. Once we start getting into the flow we can always see the faces in the crowd light up.

That energy comes right back to us and that’s where it gets exciting. It just keeps goin', man. We pass back the energy all night. It feels great and we are really thankful to do what we do and we are thankful that people give us the opportunity to do it. What can I say, man, life is good!

[ Website: www.fulloutfreak.com ]

Full Out Freak performs at Maxwell’s (1039 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ) on Feb. 18.