By Phil Allely
Former WWE wrestler Chris Jericho is as well known today for fronting rock band FOZZY as he is for performing amazing moves in the ring across the globe. After many years of dedication to the music business FOZZY are now becoming a household name and a band that are sought after for festivals and other high profile events. The band are currently preparing for the biggest gig of their career at the Sonisphere festival this Summer. Phil Allely caught up with Chris once again to ask how much opportunities like this and their regular UK/Tours mean to him and his band.
Phil: Chris last time we spoke you were on a lengthy UK/Ireland tour, the crowd in Belfast (where I saw you) seemed a very pumped up one, is that usual for UK shows?
Chris: You know that was a great tour for us. We have always considered the UK and Ireland as our second home. That is why we are looking forward to coming back in June and July. We are really looking forward to our shows this time even more so, we’ve been planning them for months. We all can’t wait to get back.
Phil: You said previously to myself that UK/Irish fans were very enthusiastic ones, even more so than U.S. ones, it that still the case?
Chris: Yes, for whatever reason, UK/Irish fans have always embraced us and that’s why we come over as much as we do, and yes we do indeed find that the crowds get a little crazier each time. Which as performers make each performance all the more special.
Phil: So what can we expect at your UK gigs this Summer, have you any tricks up your sleeve, will there be any new tracks for us to savour?
Chris: Well we are still digging playing songs from Chasing The Grail and even though we are working on a new record, we will save the new tunes for when we come back at the end of the year.
Phil: How does it feel to be on the bill for one of the UK’s most eagerly anticipated rock festivals this year? As we all know by now FOZZY will be joining a host of other renowned acts at Sonisphere at Knebworth this coming July.
Chris: It is very gratifying for us to be included on the bill for an event like this, especially after 11 years of recording and touring. To be on the same stage as Metallica, Slipknot, Anthrax etc. is why we have kept working so hard on FOZZY. We are really looking forward to tearing the house down.
Phil: Is this a dream gig for FOZZY? Will you have to raise your game on stage due to the magnitude of the event?
Chris: Of course it is. It’s a dream come true every time you get to perform on a legendary event, this will be our biggest gig to date. With that said, FOZZY play the same every night whether it’s Sonisphere or the West Coast in Margate, every gig is an honour so we are going to make sure our fans have a great time and see a great show.
Phil: Are there any of the bands on the Sonisphere bill who you personally wish to see?
Chris: For me personally I think Metallica always have an amazing show, so that’s one, but then there are also bands like Motorhead, Anthrax and Megadeth who will surely rock the place. They all bring something special to the fans and have their place in music history.
Phil: Chris you recently appeared on U.S. TV show Dancing with the Stars, did you enjoy your time on that and has it helped raise yours and FOZZYs profile?
Chris: Oh yeah, I had a blast, anytime you can do a show that 23 million people watch and have your band mentioned on it you can’t go wrong. I knew (when I signed up for dancing with the Stars) that it would help raise the profile of Chris Jericho and FOZZY and take the band to the next level.
Phil: Touching on wrestling briefly, I did want to ask you how you can seemingly juggle dual careers successfully when so many others in the same shoes have failed?
Chris: I guess it’s because I have a passion for both professions. I didn’t wake up one day and decide I was going to play in a band. As a kid I wanted to be in a band and I wanted to be a wrestler, and to this day I still have that passion for both. Being a wrestler is part of who I am, so is being a member of a rock band.
Phil: So I’m guessing with the success of FOZZY and your other projects we will have to wait a while to see you in a WWE ring?
Chris: I’m not really concerned about that right now. I am just focusing on FOZZY at present, so we’ll have to see about that. After 11 years of working hard we have more momentum that ever, it is now time to take advantage of that.
Phil: So what’s next for FOZZY?
Chris: We are touring all summer, hoping to go to Japan for the first time this fall and return home to tour the U.S. also. Then we’ll be recording our new record in September/October, for release early next year.
Phil: Well thanks so much for your time Chris, good luck for Sonisphere and your upcoming UK shows. Will we be seeing FOZZY on Irish shores anytime soon?
Chris: I’d like to think we’ll be back there before the end of the year. Keep visiting our official website for those tour details and updates on our new album. www.fozzyrock.com
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