Los Angeles-based rockers, Generation Beautiful, possess a sound that is tailor-made for modern day radio, as evidenced by any number of tracks from their self-titled live debut album, on Interline Records. The band was formed when Beautiful Creatures guitarist Anthony Focx began writing music with female singer Shelby Goff. As the project progressed, lead guitarist Fred Nilsson, drummer Jerry Vidal, and bassist Jamie Zimlin came aboard with their own, unique musical backgrounds to complete the dynamic quintet.
Generation Beautiful - 'LIVE' is now available exclusively in all the major online music stores, including iTunes, Napster, and Rhapsody. The Rocker and I wanted to get the 411 on the band. So, GB guitarist, Anthony Focx gave us the lowdown. Here is what he shared with us.
AAM: On a musical level, how different is Generation Beautiful to Beautiful Creatures?
ANTHONY FOCX: I think the biggest difference is that BEAUTIFUL CREATURES has a male singer and GENERATION BEAUTIFUL has a female singer, obviously. Musically, BEAUTIFUL CREATURES is more guitar driven and GENERATION BEAUTIFUL is more vocal driven. I have definitely found that musical chemistry that people always talk about with the musicians in GB as I did BC.
AAM: Your debut release is a LIVE recording. Why release a LIVE album before releasing a studio recording?
AF: We decided to release the LIVE album first because the studio record was not quite finished and we wanted to give something to our fans; especially for the ones overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. We've been touring over there for the military and we wanted to give them something to enjoy. We also have such a great energy in our live show and we knew this would be a great way to showcase it.
AAM: Eight songs appear on the LIVE album. How many songs have you actually written together as a band?
AF: We've written a few songs together as a band but most of the writing comes from Shelby and I. She also collaborated with a few other talented guitar players and writers.
AAM: What other projects do you have going on outside of Generation Beautiful? You've done some work with ESPN and also Katherine McPhee, right?
AF: Yeah I've done some work for Aerosmith, the remake of "Back in the saddle" for ESPN, it's the new song for nascar. I also did some work on the new Katherine McPhee record “Home” as well as mixed EMI's new recording artist Cinder Road.
AAM: How did you find out about your singer, Shelby Goff? As a singer does she remind you of any other female rockers? i.e. Janis Joplin, Ann Wilson or Beth Hart.
AF: Shelby and I met a few years ago through a friend. She was interested in me producing her solo record. We then started working on music and writing, realizing we were a great team and started Generation Beautiful. She is very unique as a person and artist but she has some similar elements of Pat Benetar and Pink. She's powerful, captivating, and charismatic. It's great working with her!
AAM: What was it like playing for our troops in Iraq? That must have been some experience. Any memorable moments?
AF: Playing for the troops is as rewarding as it is exciting. We got to do so many amazing things like travel in black hawk helicopters, and stay in one of Sadam's 65 palaces. We played for thousands of troops that were so thankful and grateful to see us. We loved playing for them and the energy was explosive! We completely fed off the crowd, they were out of control!
AAM: What can we expect to hear and see from Generation Beautiful in 2007?
AF: We will be releasing our studio record the first week of August, followed by a tour to Japan, Korea, Okinawa, Hawaii followed by a US tour in the fall.
All Access magazine, The Rocker and I would like to thank Anthony Focx for sharing his time with us. We are looking forward to seeing you guys live! Cheers!
For more information on the band visit www.generationbeautiful.com
