The Galvatrons to space outTrackside09

Mon 19th Oct, 2009 in Features

The Galvatrons say they are “four maverick, interstellar transformers from the future”, but behind that robotic exterior of a band which is the 80s too late, is a pack of cartoon loving, tech-whiz, music boys (probably best known as geeks). Frontman, Johnny Galvatron takes to the phone to talk a bit into his band’s history, the geeks within, music and excitement for Trackside09.

Are you calling from space? “Yeah. I’m in space” he chuckles, “Nah! I am just in my bedroom in Melbourne which actually does have a lot of glow in the dark stickers of space on the roof.” Almost intergalatic when you turn off the light…

Space stickers? A little bit geeky. Proudly, Johnny announces “I’m a geek! That is the short answer. I did 3D computer animation and game coding. So, I am a qualified geek.”

That would explain the name. It all started when Johnny was looking to get back into music. “I wanted to get back into rock-n’roll because I’d done that in high school. I was kind of looking for direction ‘cause I wanted to use everything I’d learnt about synthersisers in electro and in pop, then someone showed me a 1986 animated Transformers film. It had the best soundtrack ever created by man.” Quickly Johnny references The Touch by Stan Bush. Quite passionately he states, “It’s an amazing track”.

The Galvatrons? Still don’t get it, not geeky enough?!? Well, Galavtron is a term used in Transformers meaning Galvanised Robot. Duh!

With that song When We Were Kids, which virtually mounted them on a pedestal and got them touring with their idols you could say they were real busy. But it’s been a year or so on and finally they are pleased to present the world with their debut album, Laser Graffiti. “It’s nice to finally have something you can hold in your hand. It was a long process making that record.”

Despite having to tour constantly to pay for the album, they were no doubt happy with the outcome. “We were happy with the end results. We got a choir on it!” Johnny exclaimed, “I got to conduct a choir which is pretty hilarious because I didn’t know what I was doing. I was just shaking my hands around going ‘YES! YES! YES!’”

The most exciting thing for The Galvatrons is definitely being treated ace. There are plenty of rocking stories one can say, but it’s best to hear it for yourself. So instead, take Cassandra as an example of how awesome these guys have it. With Cassandra ,”You can totally tell that it’s one of those filmclips where a bunch of kids got a heap of money, and just made a stupid clip I love it. It’s one of those things too, you have a record kind of meeting and go ‘I want a chick dancing in the filmclip like Molly Ringwald, then you rock up the next day and there’s a chick dancing in the filmclip.” Oh the life…

The Galvatrons will only add more excitement to the upcoming Trackside show. Not only will the festival rock musically – but there will be carnival rides, markets, and more!

“This festival has rides? Awesome! I’ll meet you on the ferris wheel!” Better pack that hair spray and get ready because The Galvatrons are going to rock Trackside!

Girls, boys, robots! Get on down to see The Galvatrons at Canberra’s only All Ages music festival, Trackside.