Full Minute of Mercury

"Remember the name, Full Minute of Mercury, my favorite band on the planet."

-Jim Testa, Founder/Editor of Jersey Beat Magazine
- Jim Testa

"and, from Washington, DC, the utterly amazing Full Minute of Mercury (generally abbreviated by the cognoscenti as FMHg; even though I was forced in high school to memorize the Periodic Table - it was shorter then - it took me a little while to get it), who combine power pop, cheese metal and the choreographed moves of a Broadway dance troupe into a breathtaking and intoxicating spectacle that, sadly, because of the lateness of the hour, only a few privileged people witnessed. But they tour regularly up and down the East Coast, so there's no excuse for missing them. Indeed, you'd be foolish if you did."

-Larry Livermore, Founder of Lookout! Records (discovered Green Day, Operation Ivy, Screeching Weasel, and more!) - Larry Livermore

"FMHg are poised to blow up big . . . big time. Give a listen to "After You," "Five Days 'Till Tomorrow," "The Battle," or "Ready to Go" and you'll be just as confused as I am why these folks are not signed to Reprise and being blasted into our homes via MTV every five minutes."

-Oliver Lyons, Jersey Beat Magazine - Jersey Beat Magazine

"Not since first hearing Bang Sugar Bang have I been so impressed with an unsigned band. Diverse, fun, unpretentious, no rockstar attitudes, and from end to end, a great record."

-Lollipop Magazine - Lollipop Magazine

"Full Minute of Mercury, on tour and handing out a brand-new, free 3-song EP, proved that they've successfully survived the replacement of their lead singer. The band brings a full-on heavy-metal attack (complete with shredding technical solos, peerless musician, aggressive stage presence, and even some inspired choreography) to pop/punk. Their songs are relentlessly catchy and - as my favorite FMoM goes - get stuck in your head. This is a band that, in a more perfect universe, would be headlining arenas; they have it all, from the songs to the style. All they need is the audience. Get with the program, people. Check them out here and catch them on tour if they head your way."

Jim Testa - Founder/Editor of Jersey Beat Magazine - Jersey Beat Magazine

Full Minute of Mercury
www.FullMinute.com
In just their first five months of existence, Full Minute of Mercury has already performed 50 shows in six states. They have also packed Nation and at one point simultaneously boasted the top two most downloaded songs on WashingtonPost.com. Named for a play on words of the explosion that makes a bullet leave a gun, the band has already attracted a devoted following that usually takes years to build. On their still-untitled debut EP, the DC based sextet layers every song with the kind of depth that makes you notice something new every time you listen to them. Their outfits and logo may make them look like death metal, but this group has one of the most original and accessible sounds out there today. Make sure you see these guys now so you can brag to your friends later.


- On Tap Magazine

Full Minute of Mercury is an energetic ball of diverse influences including punk, pop, and '80s hair metal."
-- Washington Post MP3 Editor's Picks

"Pure energy!"
-- Washington Post Best of 2003

- Washington Post

Locals today, female-fronted rock icons tomorrow? All things seem possible for Full Minute of Mercury these days. Coming off a great couple of months that included two main-stage feature gigs at the Black Cat and some regional exposure up in New York City, the band is currently taking a quick breather to "regroup after our busy summer tour," according to guitarist and band mouth Chris Dixon.

Dixon's pavement pounding over the past few months exemplifies the band's DIY work ethic, building their own bridges on their own terms. They've met many kindred souls along the way, many who share their female-fronted rock band benefits and challenges. The uninitiated or curious have a great opportunity to see what it's all about: FMHg will be at the Velvet Lounge with fellow chick-rock synthmongers Karmella's Game and Rockbot. "This show is gonna rule!" exclaims Dixon.

Aside from just flat-out ruling, the show will also feature some of the band's new material—they recorded a three-song demo over the summer and will be recording their debut full-length CD over the next few months. And what comes to mind when you think '80s synth-rock influence? That's right; music video. "We're currently in pre-production for a music video for ‘Left for Dead,' one of the three tracks off the latest demo," explains Dixon. "Several other video directors have approached us about doing videos for ‘Now or Never' and ‘All Channels Clear.'"

Like who you ask? Here's where it gets good! "'All Channels Clear' is going to be featured in an upcoming Adrenalin Crew pay-per-view/DVD called ‘All Stacked Up: The Girls of Adrenalin Crew.' I am told that it will be very similar to a Playboy type video. Yay tits!" Indeed!

- On Tap

Full Minute of Mercury
November 9, 2004
Black Cat, Washington, DC
By Melissa Gilmore

Last Tuesday night reminded me that I should never judge a band by its studio-recorded tracks. I didn't know a thing about the DC-based punk band Full Minute of Mercury before the day that I went to their show. I went to my local indie-rock venue -- Black Cat -- to see Juliet and the Licks perform. Full Minute of Mercury was the first opening band that night. I found a couple of the band's tracks from their demo EP online and listened to them earlier in the day. My immediate reaction was, "If there's anything good on TV tonight, I'm totally not getting to the club early to catch this band." The songs were rhythmically complicated and interesting, but the performance was flat. As is the case with a lot of punk bands, I feared that they would create an annoying cacophony during the live show -- not my thing at all.

My anticipated reaction to the show could not have been further from reality. Luckily for me, there wasn't anything good on TV. I got to the club early and was treated to a remarkable performance.

I knew their set was going to be interesting as soon as they walked on and began their first song, "Ready to Go," with their backs to the audience. I hopped off my bar stool and made a beeline to the front of the audience immediately after I saw Kelly Landers (lead vocals), Michele Maurer (bass/vocals), Tom Benca (guitar), and Chris Dixon (guitar) jump 180 degrees around in perfectly rehearsed coordination. Full Minute of Mercury continued their choreographed moves throughout the show with air punching, more jumping, and pointing. Cindy Atkinson's (keyboards and vocals) and Dan Cord's (drums) solid performances made up for the fact that they were prevented (due to the nature of their instruments) from participating in most of the onstage action. Landers, with her girl-next-door looks (her hair was even in braided pigtails) jumped, danced, and yelled into the mic with as much gumption as any other punk vocalist I've seen.

Full Minute's live show is different from most others because each band member seems really happy to be there. I couldn't help but smile and laugh as I watched them do the same. The audience showed a similar reaction. The small crowd of 30 or so people grew quickly after the second song, "Five Days." People cheered, clapped, and danced to the electrifying tunes. They readily participated in "All Channels Clear" when Landers asked everyone to yell, "And I don't like it," at her prompt.

Full Minute's charisma would mean nothing if they couldn't back it up with solid music. While their punk songs are wild, the musicians are obviously serious artists. They're adept musicians who contributed tight performances. I hope that their upcoming full-length album captures their onstage energy so that those who can't get to a live gig can appreciate the talent of this young band.

- Earlash Music Site

The DCeiver spent Friday night down on U Street, for an evening of rock at the Velvet Lounge. After hearing the hivemind of the DC Blogspiracy stand and applaud local faves Full Minute of Mercury, I thought that I had to see what they'd do for an encore at their headlining gig. Beginning the evening at Polly's, we had the opportunity to meet up with FMHg guitarist Tom and lead chanteuse Kelly, who were impressive in how well they had scouted Juliette Lewis' filmography and in their patience for the smattering of references that only the Futurama obsessed would go around spouting.

There was a terrific crowd at the VL that evening. Apparently, Big Yawn's Masthead of the Obvious had decided en masse to attend the Pedro the Lion show, because I didn't run into any 4'3" indie rock critics who wanted to scowl and shove a red hot pair of fireplace tongs up my ass. (We look forward to hearing about the PtL show from them, and have heard they're trying to decide whether it's getting a 7.4 or a 7.6. on the Big Yawn Rating Scale of Super Awesomeness.) Many of the patrons that night supported me in my courageous campaign of Being Nice to Sex Workers, as well as my fervent belief that if U2 can have their own iPod, then certainly someone should make a custom one for Gweneth Paltrow's kid Apple. (It's just the right thing to do, Mr. Jobs!)

We caught the lion's share of the opener, Rockbot, who are from The DCeiver's semi-ancient stomping grounds of Richmond, Virginia. While I didn't think they were quite up to the level of Full Minute or second-on-bill Karmella's Game, this was a great band to start this bill off--fun, loud, and loaded with analog synth with a little humorous bravado thrown in for good measure. They were very reminiscent of The Rentals--so I was basically won over because it called to mind the Weezer family of rock (and I've been known to bust a track or two from the Chopper One CD, my bitches). I think that they've got a dark side somewhere in their sound that they might be smart to explore more further that could potentially knock their audiences off their guard. But I give them their props--I've seen plenty of amateur crap on local bills in DC, and Rockbot were steady in performance and confident in what they came to do.

Really, I only have one quibble. On their website, they state that they hail "from the unlikely streets of Richmond, Virginia." Forgive me for saying, but what's so unlikely about Richmond's streets? Sure, they celebrate civil war heroes and call Jeff Davis "the President" and they occasionally flood, but Richmond has a proud tradition of paved roads dating back to at least the month before I moved there. I will say this: making a left turn in Richmond on said streets is unlikely.

Next up was Karmella's Game. These guys have one of the cutest websites around, though I have to admit, I spent hours trying to win on the website, until I realized that the theme was only, like, a metaphor, and there weren't any fabulous prizes to be had. But I digress. Would I recommend Karmella's Game to a friend? Damn skippy I would. I would recommend Karmella's Game to an enemy in the hopes I would make a new friend. Shit, I would recommend Karmella's Game to John Ashcroft, because this music would turn him into one sodomy-happy little puppy dog after about four songs. I can tell you that this is one of those bands that made me just want to lick rocketsauce off of somebody's ass. Tight, tight, rock, with harmony vocals pleasing the ears even as the high-energy analog synths and laser pointed guitars were shredding them to wee pieces.

And what can I say about your conquering heroes in Full Minute of Mercury. Yeah, they brought it, and I caught it, and they blew my mind before I thought it. They are full of punch, just tireless in their devotion to hunting fun down and serving it up to the audience before it can run away. Based on some previous MP3's the band made available, they've grown to be a really great band. I have no idea right now if lead singer Kelly was the vocalist on some of the stuff I heard before, but if so, she's gotten 300% better, and if not, then welcome Kelly, who's like every fun girl friend you ever had on college rolled into one. We're sorry to hear that FMHg will be losing their excellent bass player--who ranks pretty highly on the Official Mary Prankster Rock Charisma scale. The call-out of the evening was definitely the dude who shouted "No more turnover!" It'd be interesting to hear from Chris if FMHg is locked into needing a female voice at that position for the sake of sound or not, and how soon they make have a new bassist installed. This band's next gig is the first week of December--but if history is any guide, Full Minute just keeps on trucking. Chris has coached the band up pretty well, perhaps to the point that they can plug and play pretty readily. But at any rate, FMHg is fucking madcap, pyrotechnic abandon. I think you've got to put these guys on DC ba - The DCeiver