This article is part of a new series highlighting the brilliant minds and voices of idobi radio. We know some of the people highlighted may be known as musicians, publicists, or other industry professionals, but for these features we will focus solely on their passion for [digital] radio. Follow Haulix on Twitter and Facebook for regular updates, including new content and upcoming features.
It may seem hard to believe, but Alex Garskath and the boys turned men of All Time Low have been actively working in the music industry for twelve years at this point. Along the way, they have made many great accomplishments, including touring the world and releasing a series of increasingly successful pop punk records. We admire the band’s hard work and have a fondness for several of their singles, but to be completely honest this interview has very little to do with All Time Low and their plans for the future.
You may or may not know this, but for the last several years Alex Garskath and fellow All Time Low member Jack Barakat have hosted an internet radio show through idobi called ‘Full Frontal.’ This is not a weekly show, but rather a series which has already compiled three seasons worth of material (all of which is currently available, for free, through iTunes). Fans have been demanding a fourth season, and just last week we had the chance to speak with Garskath about the potential for the show’s return. You can read his thoughts on this, as well as his history with radio, below.
H: Hey there, Alex. Thank you for taking time to speak with us. How are you today?
A: I’m very well! Just hangin’ out and killing time before soundcheck in Glasgow.
H: We are doing an entire week of cross-promotion with idobi radio, which is a company you have been associated with for a number of years. Can you tell me how you first became familiar with their programming?
A: We met the folks at Idobi a very long time ago, when we were first breaking into the scene, they pulled us aside and interviewed us at some of our very first shows in the in DC / VA area. They hosted a hand full of really cool online radio shows that catered to the genres of music I was actually into, so I gravitated towards the station and eventually ended up doing more and more together.
H: I guess knowing about a company and becoming a part of their radio team are two entirely different things. When did you initially begin discussions about having your own show, and who approached who?
A: Tom, the founder of Idobi, came to us with the idea. Jack and I had talked about doing some kind of show or podcast in the past, and when Tom came to us and offered to provide a home for some kind of show, we jumped on it, and Full Frontal was born. He basically said, just be yourselves for an hour and we’ll see how it goes. I don’t think he knew what he was getting himself into… Or maybe he did. Haha
H: Up to that point, had you ever considered having your own program? One would think the band provides you a pretty big platform to share your perspective on things, so I’m curious as to whether or not you had been consciously seeking another outlet of some kind.
A: Yep! As I said before, we had talked about a few different ideas, just kindof testing the water to see what we could potentially do it… To be honest, with our schedule, a lot of ideas just didn’t pan out because they weren’t conducive to being on tour all the time. But with a podcast, especially one that we’re able to pre-tape and produce up a little bit, the possibilities became nearly endless, and we’re able to tape it all from the road. If anything, I think it makes the show extra special, having access to people and places all around the world to incorporate into each episode.
H: You and Jack host the show together, but was that always the plan?
A: Jack and I are certainly the biggest shit talkers in the band… Haha! And we’ve always had a good chemistry when it comes to back n’ forth banter, which is really important for a show like ours. We take what we learned on stage and bend it to work in the context of Full Frontal, and we have a damn good time doing it. I don’t really know if we’re funny, annoying, or what, but if people are enjoying it, we have
H: It has been nearly a year since the season 3 premiere of the show, and almost 10 months since the season 3 finale. Given how busy 2014 was for ATL, it’s easy to understand your lack of time for the show, but can you provide an update as to when we might see ‘Full Frontal’ return?
A: We’re absolutely planning on bringing it back! We’ve just started touring together again, and at some point soon, I expect us to kick off a new season. It’s much easier to do the show when we’re all traveling together. 🙂
H: Keeping the show’s return in mind, will there be anything new in season 4 that may surprise listeners?
A: There will be plenty of new segments, debauchery, but obviously right now I don’t really want to give too much away. Haha! The show is extremely off-the-cuff anyway– Sometimes new segments and bits come together out of nowhere, so we’ll have to wait and see.
H: The show is often filled with discussions that feel so natural it seems obvious that you two have similar conversation when the microphones are turned off. Is that true?
A: Haha, yea, pretty much! It’s definitely an extension of our every day conversations, laced with our weird and possibly terrible sense of humor.
H: As a member of one of the alternative scene’s biggest bands, your stamp of approval on any band on the rise carries a lot of weight, so it’s not really a surprise that the songs played on ‘Full Frontal’ has helped the careers of the artists behind them. Are there any young bands on the rise right now that you think people should check out?
A: We’re always trying to give new bands and artists a little bit more exposure if we can, plus we just like playing music that we actually enjoy listening to ourselves; We’d be spinning lots of Neck Deep if we were to tape a show today!
H: What is the most rewarding part of doing ‘Full Frontal’?
A: Just getting to do something that’s a change of pace– There’s a lot of down time on tour, and taping the show is a nice outlet when we’ve got nothing to do on a day off, or before a show.
H: You’ve made your mark in music, and I think it’s safe to say you’ve done the same with podcasting. What I find interesting, is that it’s largely the stories and experiences from performing that fueled your success in radio. People love to learn about your adventures, regardless of how they are presented. Do you think there will come a day when you pen a book, or perhaps explore another format of broadcasting to further engage with fans?
A: Anything’s possible! We’re all driven people, and we’re always trying to find ways to connect with our audience, so it could happen.
H: Well we’ve covered the history of the show, the hiatus, and what you find most rewarding, so I think we’re running out of things to discuss. I am curious, however, as to what you’re looking forward to most about the show’s new season?
A: I wouldn’t call it a hiatus so much as a maternity leave while we gave birth to our new album, Future Hearts. Hah! As far as what I’m looking forward to most about season 4? Hopefully another “Drinking with Dans”… Just because I enjoy getting people drunk and encouraging them to say offensive things.
H: Before we go, do you have any final thoughts or comments that you would like to share with our readers?
A: Just that I’m really thankful for every single person who’s taken the time to check out our band, and our show Full Frontal! Thanks guys.
