Band: Fozzy
Venue: Ollie’s Point
Show Date: 10-26-12
Review By: Bonnie Lawerance
Photographer: Bonnie Lawerance
More show Photos: HERE
Recent album Review: HERE
My first encounter with Chris Jericho was in the wrestling world. When he entered into the music world I knew he would blow everyone away and he and his band Fozzy have certainly done just that. With much anticipation, the fans tightly packed into Ollie’s Point with stage lights turning from dim to bright red, the band members took their spot up front, with the “Spider in My Mouth.” Jericho controlled the stage with the same energy, enthusiasm and charisma that has served him well in a wrestling ring. He is surrounded on stage by an extremely talented group of musicians that will visually simulate you and musically mesmerize your soul. His vocals were spot on and he did everything he could to fire up the already very excited crowd.
While wrestling t-shirts could be spotted all over the audience and with Jericho the likely draw to the show, it was the backing band of Fozzy that deserves much of the praise. Guitarist Rich Ward effortlessly laying down ear-splitting riffs on songs like “Eat the Rich” and “To Kill a Stranger,” while Paul Di Leo’s killing the bass skillfully backed each track of the set. Fozzy’s strongest suit is meshing some of hard rock music’s sweetest licks with catchy, tuneful choruses, which the front man has described as a ‘Metallica meets Journey’ collaboration.
Jericho meanwhile, vocals shined especially on display throughout. The awesome “She’s My Addiction” was prefaced by Jericho’s musings: “Who’s got ‘Sin and Bones?’ If you don’t have it, lie and say you do. Now who’s got ‘Sin and Bones?’ (raucous applause). Just what I thought- every one of you.” The highlights of Fozzy’s performance revolved around cuts from the new album as the “Sandpaper,” despite being performed second, awoke the crowd quickly and energetically, while the infectious “Blood Happens” and “Sin and Bones” sandwiched a brief encore break. When it became clear the band’s final song was upon us, the crowd erupted, begging Jericho and company to play their undisputed biggest hit, “Enemy.”
Meet the Band:
CHRIS JERICHO
RICH WARD
PAUL DILEO
FRANK FONTSERE
BILLY GREY
Setlist
1. Spider In My Mouth
2. Sandpaper
3. Eat The Rich
4. Pray For Blood
5. Inside My Head
6. She’s My Addiction
7. Grail
8. God Pounds His Nails
9. Let the Madness Begin
10. Whitechapel 1888
11. To Kill A Stranger
12. Martyr No More
13. Blood Happens
14. Sin and Bones
15. Enemy
