For all that don’t know who Fozzy is you can read the bands bio on their website www.fozzyrocks.com
Last Friday August 6th Fozzy hit up Toronto’s Tattoo Rock Parlour as a part of Hyacinth Group and Molson Canadian Rocks ‘Loud’ Summer concert series. Fozzy the band is: Chris Jericho (Yes, the Wrestler) on Lead Vox, Rich Ward (Stuck Mojo) as Lead Axemaster, Frank Fontsere (Stuck Mojo) slamming those Drums, Sean Delson (Stuck Mojo) rocking the Bass and Billy Grey also on the Axe. Special Thanks goes out to my girl Jaylyn Todd for helping out with the photos, check out her amazing work www.JAYLYNPHOTO.ca and Hyacinth Concerts and Promotions www.HYACINTHGROUP.ca
The Tattoo plays host to many bands, some do well others flop hard, some are well-known others are trying to break. The worst band I have seen at the Tatt comes down to ‘Creed’ but there are many others I don’t remember for a good reason, they deserve to be right up there on the shit list with ‘Creed’. As for the best band, I have yet to see one at the Tatt. The singer is the focal point of the band, if they can’t entertain a crowd in unison with showcasing their talent, the rest of the band can’t save them. For Fozzy that is not a problem, their front man is Chris Jericho of WWE Wresting Entertainment, his job was to entertain millions of wrestling fans for years.
I was going in blind, only heard ‘Eat the Rich’ when it was on rotation and have caught a few WWE Raw episodes. We’re talking way back in the day when you could smell what ‘The Rock’ was cookin’ but I have yet to see Fozzy live.
During my interview with Winnipeg’s own, he said he’s always wanted to be in a band, it was either Wrestling or a band, he accomplished both. That is not an uncommon dream for guys, I have met many a larry who wanted to be a Wrestler/Athlete and a Musician/Actor. Chris J happens to be the first I’ve met of his kind who has followed through.
My least favorite part of being a Music Journalist is doing reviews of any kind because people get the wrong idea and misconstrue many words, I hate breaking dreams and hearts when it comes to their art. I give out constructive criticism when I write a review to help the artists polish their talents and reach those dreams. Some can’t handle my honesty, I am just trying to lend a hand but the truth does hurt. Due to my natural ability to read people, it has become very easy to pick up on insecurities, if I don’t write a review it’s because I can’t help them and would rather not talk about it but sometimes I can’t refrain from expressing my opinion. To be a diamond in the rough you must already possess the talent to work with, otherwise stick to your day job. This band was extremely down to earth including lead vox, I didn’t pick up any arrogance or superiority complex as most assume coming from his WWE persona.
The thirteen track set started in with the fans cheering Fozzy! Fozzy! Fozzy! Of course the band egged them on to feed their egos adding to the adrenaline rush. The opening track was ‘Under Blackened Skies’ and they closed with ‘Freewheel Burning’. You can find the set list along with links to videos from the show and my interview with Chris J at the end of the article. Most of the crowd was male but there were some women, many of which were waiting to catch a glimpse of the band before and after the set by standing outside “The Dressing/Green room”. The Tatt was packed, filled with energetic Fozzy fans who knew the words to every track. During ‘Wanderlust’ Chris J let the crowd sing the chorus, soon after it went into Ward’s Guitar solo, he jumped into the crowd ending the tune with the fans. He handed his Axe to one of the audience larries just to hold as he got back on stage, someone then asked the dude holding the guitar to play it, he gladly took on the challenge.
Vocals were alright he needs to work on those high notes, they were a little pitchy during some of the tacks and sounded a bit too nasally. For the most part of the set he was doing better than many bands who have been on that stage actually giving the crowd what they wanted. If he were to do a few sessions with a vocal coach that would take his vocals to the next level. Ward on the Axe was magical I love seeing guitarists who are truly into their music because once they play you can see the passion transmitting through song. If you don’t vibe to your own music with your heart and soul people won’t buy it and your career is over before it begins. Fozzy does not have that problem, every member in the band delivers the music with conviction, they all have great chemistry playing off each other like the pros they are. Fozzy’s new record ‘Chasing the Grail’ is available to buy now and they will be hitting the road once again to Europe in the fall. Would I go see Fozzy again, yes I would and so should every fan of Rock and Metal.
COPYRIGHT © 2010 FRIDAE MATTAS FOR FRIDAE TV™
Videos From The Set
FRIDAY THE 13TH (PARASKEVEDEKATRIAPHOBIA)
Chasing The Tour 2010
Toronto Set List
Under Blackened Skies
Martyr No More
Crucify Yourself
Eat The Rich
Friday The 13
Wanderlust
Daze Of The Weak
God Pounds His Nails
Let The Madness Begin
Enemy
To Kill A Stranger
Stand Up And Shout
Freewheel Burning
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