Brand New Day
Monday, May 28, 2007 at 09:45AM 
Happy Memorial Day, glam fans. I'm working right now, but I hope you're enjoying a day off. Today, a review of a great new glam band known as Generation Beautiful.
Guitarist Anthony Focx is anything but new to the music scene, having performed with both Bang Tango and Beautiful Creatures. With Beautiful Creatures on hiatus, Focx went looking for a new project and eventually formed Alternative outfit Generation Beautiful with singer Shelby Goff. Soon, the duo found themselves joined by guitarist Fred Nilsson, bassist Jamie Zimlin and drummer Jerry Vidal.
Generation Beautiful: Live is a unique debut effort. This isn’t the first time a band has tried to spark interest with a live release (KISS, anyone?), still, live albums can be hard to push in a fickle music market.
The disc starts off strong enough with the noises of an excited crowd. “This Is Me” is written as a dark song, but the crowd and live energy make the track come off as an upbeat rocker, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
“Borrowed Time” has a definite melodic hook, and showcases Goff’s vocal range. The tracks also features some great guitar riffs and heavy bass lines. “Borrowed Time” is one of the heaviest songs on Generation Beautiful: Live.
The band has a relentless attitude when it comes to both practicing and molding a unique sound. This perfectionist mindset has landed Generation Beautiful at several shows across the globe, including performing for troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The band wrote “Freedom” for U.S. military personnel stationed abroad. The lyrics are poignant, but not preachy.
After the heavier “Freedom” comes in the punk-inspired “Breathe.” This song serves as a throwback to Focx and his Sunset Strip roots. While the track is definitely current, it also features a melodic hook and sing-a-long chorus. “Breathe” is definitely the stand-out track on Generation Beautiful: Live and judging by the enthusiastic response, it’s also a crowd favorite.
The live album ends with the appropriately titled “Rowdy,” a down and dirty rocker with sultry vocals and a unique rhythm section. With the guitars blaring and drums pounding, it’s sometimes a little difficult to understand what Goff is singing, still, “Rowdy” proves to be a fun track and definitely worth multiple listens. While Generation Beautiful: Live may not be the perfect debut album, it is a strong effort and proves that music is still alive and well on California’s Sunset Strip.
Allyson B. Crawford
Well, apparently Anthony Focx is no longer a member of Beautiful Generation. Here's the bulletin I received just two minutes ago:
ANTHONY FOCX FIRED FROM GENERATION BEAUTIFUL!!!
AFTER MONTHS OF ONGOING PROBLEMS BETWEEN GENERATION BEAUTIFUL AND ANTHONY FOCX, GENERATION BEAUTIFUL HAS HAD TO LET HIM GO, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ATTENDED THE SAT. NITE SHOW, WE APOLOGIZE FOR HIS EMBARRASSING BEHAVIOR. WE WILL CONTINUE TO ROCK ON WITH OUT HIM. FOR ANY OTHER INFORMATION ON THE BAND PLEASE CONTACT ANY OF THE BAND MEMBERS: SHELBY, JV, JAMIE & FRED
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT WE HAVE A LOT OF EXCITING THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO!
KEEP CHECKING BACK FOR MORE SHOW DATES!
Reader Comments (6)
To bad about Anthony Focx!
I was supposed to interview these guys...I doubt that will happen now!
Allyson
According to Focx, the whole thing has dissolved. I wonder if the rest of the band agrees ?