“If you feel like you need it…”

 

Full Stack proudly presents their first full-length CD, Venus, a 10-song celebration of women, living on the edge (and living to talk about it later) and real rock (rawk) music.

 

“…give in to Venus.”

 

Full Stack -- John Funk (lead vocals/guitar), Billy Hipps (bass/backing vocals), Brandt Williams (guitar/backing vocals) and Paul ‘the Rog’ Rogne (drums) – is based in Minneapolis and writes original music full of hard rock elements that don’t go out of style:  big drums, driving bass lines, gritty guitar riffs, searing solos and vocals and three-part harmonies that can be understood and are easy to sing along with.

 

As the title suggests (Venus, the Roman goddess of love), women, sex, love, desire and some of the unfortunate side-effects – pain, anger and depression – are themes throughout.

 

Venus starts off with “Run With Me,” a thunderous opening track that cautions a young woman about the perils of a life of stripping and partying:  “Shake and bake can break you down baby/faster than a gun,” sings vocalist/lyricist John Funk.

 

“Breathe” is perhaps the most somber and most powerful song, as its title is Funk’s exhortation to his hospital-bound mother while she struggled with a life-threatening illness. 

 

The riffs keep coming in “Echoes Stir,” and the title track, “Venus” which features the band’s unique three-part vocal prowess and the tag-team solo guitars of John Funk and Brandt Williams.

 

Full Stack’s sledgehammer rhythm section of bassist Billy Hipps and drummer Paul “the Rog” Rogne shines in “Along the Way” and Rogne’s abuse of his Ludwig kit is featured in “Strip it Away.”

 

And fans of heavy rock riffs – a la Judas Priest and Alice and Chains will dig songs like “Evil,” “As Good as it Gets” and “On the Rise.”

 

Venus leaves the listener with the stripped down, bluesy acoustic guitars of “Heavy Wings,” a tune John Funk wrote about surviving the “rock and roll lifestyle.”

 

Full Stack recorded Venus between May and October, 2006 at Winterland studios under the wise ears of Todd Fitzgerald and Brian Johnson.

 

The disc is available locally at Cheapo and very soon will available nationwide through CD Baby and iTunes.