FOZZY Singer, Chris Jericho Q&A FOZZY have emerged as a worldwide force on the touring circuit, conquering stages from Los Angeles to Lichtenvoorde, and everywhere in between. We saw them earlier this year at Soundwave 2013, and are excited to have them return so soon to play alongside Steel Panther and Buckcherry on Friday 6th December at Riverstage, Brisbane. We got to speak with FOZZY lead vocalist Chris Jericho, who has characterized the band by saying, “If Metallica and Journey had a bastard child, it would be FOZZY!” A: We did a festival in Wales with Q: Your set at Soundwave earlier this year was a huge hit with your loyal fans and new Buckcherry. We’ve never toured with Panther though we’ve known them for a fans. How did you rate the festival? long time. We love how they take the piss A: Man, it was like a travelling summer out of themselves and how now they’re camp, with Slayer, Anthrax, Bullet, Metallica one of the hottest bands worldwide! and everyone else (laughs). We were really There’s a lot of differences between the impressed with the organization of it; and three bands and we also have a lot of the crowd response we got for playing so common ground. early in the day! People were coming to see Q: You’ve toured the world; do you have a FOZZY on that day, and coming early to standout place or place you like to play? make sure they didn’t miss us. That’s when we realized we had a following in Australia A: I’m not just saying this, but I really feel and it’s a real honour to come back twice in a drawing in ‘Ozzy’. There’s a kindred spirit one year. between FOZZY and Ozzy! (laughs). I’m a numbers guy and whenever we play Q: How did the gig with Steel Panther and a festival I’ll scout what the crowd is like Buckcherry come about? before and after we play, and which bands A: We got the gig via the promoters get better reaction – I keep track of all that who were impressed with what we did at stuff. The response and reaction in ‘Ozzy’ Soundwave. It’s a really smart move on showed me that something has changed. their end and on our end because it gives A lot of people have heard now and I can’t us a chance to come back! The secret to stress how much of an honour it is to come success is constant touring. back twice in one year. It’s a long way away Steel Panther and Buckcherry have the but I don’t look at it like that, it’s one of the same attitude on stage as us – have fun coolest things in the band’s history. Perth is and enjoy yourself. There’s no circle pits pretty fucking cool! and moshing, it’s more of a good time Q: Do you have a favourite touring VH1981 vibe and we love that. People are memory? going to come and leave with smiles on their faces. All the best bands are like that A: Oh yeah! The Soundwave tour with – funny! Even Metallica tell jokes between Metallica – it doesn’t get any bigger than songs and their Charlie Brown theme that! Last time in Perth I got a text from (laughs). You have to have that side to you. Lars and we went and saw Gallows at a I mean, we do have songs that will incite Sidewave. The 14 year old kid inside me circle pits in a second but… Steel Panther was ecstatic hanging out with Lars. I was have a vibe straight from ’86 that people in the cockpit during their show, watching enjoy. We do too and we do what we want them change guitars and everything, and to accomplish a stage show and electricity. watching the Perth audience from behind There’s no pyrotechnics or elaborate stage Lars – for me I’ll always remember that. set-up, we ARE the show! We have a model Q: What’s your favourite track to play live? whether we’re playing to a crowd of 10 or A: From the new record, Sandpaper is 10,000, that it’s the same. a big hit and goes over great, and as a Q: Have you played with Steel Panther or singer, Sin and Bones. Buckcherry before?
Q: Your album “All that Remains” features
some pretty cool guest artists including Zakk Wylde and Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti from Alter Bridge (my personal favourite band of all time, no offence), how did that come about? A: (laughing) No offence taken! That was our first all original record. I’d met Mark a while earlier and we never exchanged numbers. Then we were recording at the same studio in Atlanta and I did it oldschool – I walked downstairs and knocked on the door. It was AB’s first record and no-one knew Myles then. Yeah, it was cool. We are very open to having our friends sit in and play a solo here or there if it’s right for the song. We get together with other musicians to play music!
Q: “Sin and Bones” is your latest album,
can we expect another one in the near future? A: Yeah, we released “Sin and Bones” last August and the tour with Steel Panther will be the last shows of 150 gigs across a lot of countries. We’re already writing for the next record, and we’ll start recording as soon as this tour is done. We’re excited to start a new record and end the tour in one of our favourite countries in the world!
FRIDAY 6 DECEMBER AT BRISBANE, RIVERSTAGE Tickets from www.ticketmaster.com.au
TIME TO STOCK UP ON PROTECTION!!! STEEL PANTHER TO INFECT AUSTRALIA ON THE SPREADING THE DISEASE (S.T.D.) TOUR
Steel Panther (left to right) Lexxi Foxx, Stix Zadinia, Michael Starr and Satchel
The Sunset Strip’s hottest exports, STEEL PANTHER, are infecting Australia this Summer on their Spreading The Disease (S.T.D.) Tour. “WALKABOUT? Don't you mean ROCKABOUT! December is a time of giving...and taking. This December, we in Steel Panther are planning on giving Australians the gift of our super bitchin songs in our super bitchin new spandex! We are also planning on taking a bunch of your super bitchin ladies backstage after these extra bitchin shows! So, join us, with our awesome friends Buckcherry, this December, as we go on a rockabout through your bush...down under!!!,” Fellow L.A. rockers BUCKCHERRY will
also appear on all shows. BUCKCHERRY have sold 3 million albums globally on the strength of a killer live set, and multiple hits including 'Crazy Bitch', 'Lit Up', and 'Sorry'. Their critically acclaimed new album "Confessions" hit stores in 2013 and BUCKCHERRY will also be releasing a Best Of compilation later this year. Not many bands can continually lay claim to constantly selling out shows whenever they tour Australia but STEEL PANTHER proudly sit amongst that elite group. Tickets are on sale now. FRIDAY 6 DECEMBER BRISBANE, RIVERSTAGE – Licensed All Ages www.ticketmaster.com.au www.thebizzgc.com.au
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