Guest slacklet Report post Posted April 29, 2004 http://www.azcentral.com/ent/music/articles/0429fozzy29.html Rockin' rassler The Arizona Republic During his 12-year career, wrestler Chris Jericho has been a champion six times over, a bad guy and a hero. But when he comes to town on Monday, he'll be playing an entirely different part: frontman of his heavy-metal band, Fozzy, making its Valley debut at the Old Brickhouse Grill. The group, which consists of 33-year-old Jericho and Atlanta alt-metal band Stuck Mojo, has released two albums, mixing classic metal cover tunes like Mötley Crüe's Live Wire with their own heavy originals. We spoke to the longhaired Canadian from his home in Tampa about his wrestling career and his burgeoning role as heavy-metal singer. QUESTION: How did you get interested in wrestling? ANSWER: I was a big fan when I was a kid. I used to watch it at my grandmother's house in Canada. It really captured my imagination - the athleticism and characters. I just decided I wanted to do it at a young age, probably 14 years old. Q: So how did Fozzy come about? A: I've been playing in bands since about 14 years old as well. I guess I wanted to be a rock star or a wrestler, but once I started wrestling I stopped playing music. Then, I guess about 1999, I got hurt and had some time off. I met some guys who were into the same type of music I was into and we decided to have some fun playing our favorite cover songs. Then we realized we were pretty good. As time has gone on, we've worked on our original tracks until they were as good, if not better, than the cover songs we were doing. Q: Have you ever met any of the bands whose songs you've covered? A: We've met quite a few, actually, that are fans of the band. At first, they were fans of the fact that we were doing covers and I was a wrestler. But now they're becoming fans of our music. We're currently working on our third album, which will be all originals, and Zakk Wylde from Black Label Society and Ozzy Osbourne's band is playing a solo with us. Mark Tremonti from Creed and Marty Friedman of Megadeth, Bonecrusher, this big-time rapper, are all appearing. Q: So the novelty has worn off and now people are seeing the real band. A: Exactly, the novelty can only last for one or two records, and if we wanted to continue the band, it had to become all original tunes. If nobody cared about the band, nobody came to the shows, then I'd think twice about continuing. But it seems to be snowballing; we're getting an international cult following, sold about 100,000 records, played gigs in Australia, Japan and Germany. And the band just keeps getting better, gives me more of a reason to continue, to be a legitimate kick-ass rock band. Q: So when is the third album due? A: We're finishing it up now, it should be done in May and in stores in August. Q: WWE Raw is the same night as your concert. Will you be wrestling as well as performing? A: I'll be there, and I'll probably be wrestling. We don't really find out until the show starts. Q: Is it difficult performing a concert after you've been wrestling? A: It's fun actually, it's what we've been doing for a while. It means I don't have to spend any extra days away from home. It's great for my fans as well - they get the full Chris Jericho experience, all they need in one fell swoop. And after Raw you're usually pretty pumped up, adrenalized, and it's hard to just sit back and relax. Performing with Fozzy gives me a chance to go onstage and get rid of all my energy. Q: Do any of your fellow wrestlers show up at your gigs? A: All the time! Sometimes just to hang out, sometimes to get up and sing with us. Edge, Hurricane, Steve Austin all have come. It's cool to see who shows up, because it's just a big party. I use the same principles when I'm onstage with Fozzy that I do in the WWE. I want people to have a great time and leave saying, "I can't wait until the next time Chris Jericho comes." It's all about show business and entertainment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted April 29, 2004 Why is BONECRUSHER on a Rock/Metal album? I hope this doesn't mean Jericho tries to rap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChick 0 Report post Posted April 29, 2004 Is it wrong for me to really want this new CD? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A Happy Medium 0 Report post Posted April 29, 2004 Nope. I actually am interested in Fozzy again. And my opinion is all that matters...meh. *goes off to download some Fozzy* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted April 29, 2004 Nah, Fozzy is actually better then a good chunk of todays rock acts neways.... I could seriously see them getting some nice airplay... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
