Toledo band too punk rock for the ambulance

What do you get when you throw pitchers of Pabst Blue Ribbon, a bunch of crazy kids and loud music into a room? A punk show.

Full Scale Panic began in Toledo in the summer of 2006 as a three-piece Punk/Ska band that emerged out of members Tyler Russell and Malori Izbinski's previous band, Disaster Will Strike.

After attending a U.S. Bombs show, Russel and Izbinski decided to start a band that played similar music as their previous band but with a harder edge. Jas O'Connor jumped aboard as the drummer and Full Scale Panic was formed.

Their first show was at the 2006 Great Lakes Anarchist Gathering in Bowling Green. Shortly after this event they recorded their first album, the "Glass City Riot" EP. After this, FSP played numerous local shows and toured for a short time throughout the Midwest and parts of the South. Three years later, in early 2009, FSP added Chris Scheufler on vocals, then the greatly anticipated "You Create The Poor" EP was released. In early 2010 Izbinski left the band to pursue other ventures.

This was the atmosphere at the Ottawa Tavern last night at FSP's CD release show. NRR of Toledo, Under Anchor of Michigan, Iron Minds and SixSixSick of Cleveland opened for FSP last night. After bad-mouthing ensued between bands, a fight broke out between about twenty people. Glass was broken, blood was spilled, beer slicked the floor--but the show went on. FSP played a couple classics, along with songs from their new album to close the evening.

Although they sound violent and slightly spastic, which they undeniably are, they still hold very sound, ethical morals.

According to their band profile, "Full Scale Panic will not play shows booked with any bands/promoters, or play at venues that promote or support any type of racism, sexism and homophobia.

"We are against these things and will not, and do not want to be associated in any way with those that house these types of ideals. So if you have any of these ideals then please, don't try to book us, don't try to add us as friends, and most importantly, don't support any of that bullshit."

The members are very adamant about their beliefs and they express their opinions in their music, conversation and actions without reservation. The band is also closely tied with The Black Cherry — the Anarchist Collective of downtown Toledo that is a "Do it yourself" performance space, bookstore, coffee shop and community center with merchandise focused on radical or progressive politics.

Global Punk Review's publisher, Michael Rys, blogged the BONI Award winners for 2009 where underground music from the Detroit and Toledo areas is considered. Full Scale Panic won one of the "Best Hardcore Bands of the Year" and "Favorite Performance" of the year for their show at the Punk Fest for Children's Hospital at The Old Miami Detroit. Izbinski won one of the "Best Bassist" awards.

FSP was also recently signed to the independent record label S.B.S Records out of Cleveland.

According to the band, "Full Scale Panic is a blending of punk, hardcore, metal, thrash and just about everything else under the sun." They play an energetic, spontaneous, strong and loud show using the audience and friends to fuel the verve.

One of the better anecdotes the band had to offer was when they were asked to play at Skatopia in Athens, Ohio. They found a vintage ambulance and purchased it for $1,200, using almost all the money they had, but it was the perfect vehicle for all their equipment and seating for the members. About two hours outside of Athens, the ambulance broke down and they were unable to make it to their performance.

Luckily a friend picked them and all of their stuff up and they made it home, but without the ambulance, $1,200 down the drain and they weren't able to play at Skatopia. There is something to be said about a group of people who have next to nothing and put everything they do have into being able to perform, do what they love — then when it all falls through, come home as if nothing was lost or wrong and carry on.

FSP is returning to the old way of asdvertising, before the Internet took over the music industry. They are committed to street work such as posting flyers around Rama Lama Records and Culture Clash. The band is currently working on a full-length album to be released through S.B.S. Records. Their music is available at www.MySpace.com/FullScalePanic.