The Galvatrons

Melbourne band The Galvatrons are turning heads. They sound like something off the 1986 animated Transformers film soundtrack. This is a good thing in case you weren't sure.

Taking the best parts of  Van Halen, Wasp and Back To The Future, The Galvatrons are here to stay; and with the release of their new album 'Laser Graffiti' on the horizon, you are about to find out why.

Frontman Johnny Galvatron was kind enough to answer a few questions for us.

Can we start with your name, your instrument and your favorite Back To The Future movie? 

Johnny Galvatron, guitar, lead vox. Back to the Future 2. Hover board scene changed my life. 

You guys got your name from the 1986 Transforms animated film. It was a true classic. What are your thoughts on the new Michael "Ka-Boom" Bay Transformers film and will you be seeing the sequel? 

I will be seeing the sequel. I think everyone agrees Hasbro should have asked me to make the film using the original soundtrack and set it in the 80’s, made the movie about robots instead of the long draw out scenes revolving around Shia Lebeof and his damn annoying parents. Megatron is in the film for a total of 5 minutes. Megan Fox is a big plus. Original film has a hoverboard scene as well...

When I first heard "When We Were Kids" I instantly thought of the original Transformers animated movie soundtrack. Would you say that was your biggest influence?

Soundtracks definitely influence me more than actual bands or styles. They seem to evoke more emotion. Soundtracks tell a whole story and I find many bands have trouble doing that with a record.    

I saw you guys at the Evelyn (in Melbourne) a couple of years ago with some friends and we were mighty impressed. We also heckled you about time travel. Is this something that happens often? Do you get much crap from audiences? 

Just you. 

How did your deal with Warner Bros. come about? 

The old myspace story. Quincy from Warner found us on myspace, showed us to Parisi (He signed eskimo joe, Gabriella Cilmi, regurgitator) He flew the big Wigs down to Melbourne, we played a 20min set. Bada bing Forgehtaboudit! Record deal. 

You are releasing your new album 'Laser Graffiti' on July 3rd through Warner Bros. Tell us about how the writing/recording process went down?

I wrote about half of the songs before the band was formed. The other half after and Molotov Cocktail was the last song we wrote for the record and the first song we wrote as a band. We recorded the record over three months. Went a little bit insane. 

What have you guys got in the works for the rest of 2009 besides releasing the new album? 

On tour at the moment. Going on tour with Something with Numbers after that then back off overseas. 

For those who haven’t had the chance to see you guys live, what can t hey expect from a Galvatrons live show? 

We do smile a lot. You’ll see amazing rock moves. Super stallion guitars and thrash drumming. Plus everyone who comes to a show gets free LEGO. 

Is Johnny Galvatron your singers real name? 

Yep. My parents are called John and Carol Galvatron. 

The Galvatrons toured with Def Leppard last year. What was that experience like? 

Pretty freakin’ exciting. Played to 15,000 people everynight for 2 weeks. Learnt from the best. Cheap Trick came out infront of the audience and introduced themselves as the Galvatrons. Highlight of my life.

Best way to kill time on tour? 

Condor sleeps. Bozza listenes to metal until his ears bleed. Gamma and I read. We’re both writing novels at the moment. 

Favorite band(s) right now? 

Ultravox, Muse, Stan Bush, WASP, TOTO

If you could tour with any three bands, who would they be and why? 

Van Halen. They’re mega awesome. Franz Ferdinand, So much style a little has got to rub off. U2. Cus I need to borrow some sunnies cus I left mine on a tram on Collin’s street. I loved those sunnies too. Devo. 

Thanks for your time. Any partying words?

Stay METAL. Thanks for your time as well.

If you haven't already heard The Galvatrons, check them out on Myspace. The bands new album 'Laser Graffiti' is out on July 3rd via Warner Bros.