WWE wrestler, actor and hard-rock hero; to say Chris Jericho has made stages around the world his own fronting Fozzy is understatement.
Fozzy own each and every stage they ever set foot on with an equal balance of great sound and great personalities.
From the moment Fozzy took to the stage at Manning Bar (11 November) in Sydney, their energy was nothing short of electric. Sultry and sensual, every member loves the spotlight, none more so than Chris.
Opening with the absolute banger ‘Judas’ from their latest album of the same title, Chris pummelled the audience with affection and energy.
The sound system at Manning Bar is never the best, yet Fozzy performed their first two or three songs with studio-like quality: heads nodding, arms flying, rhythm guitarist Billy Grey gently pumping against his guitar in time with his riffs, drummer Frank Fontsere laying down a foundation of absolutely riveting rhythms on which Fozzy grew and grew, and lead guitarist Rich Ward, what a player.
Taking an extended solo, it wasn’t enough for Rich to hear the audience, he had to feel them. Launching himself into the crowd Rich surfed the loving arms of the fans, shredding away at his instrument before being scooped out by a member of security. This was hard-rock entertainment at its ultimate best.
As they tore through crowd favourites like ‘Burn Me Out’, ‘Elevator’ and a particularly great rendition of ABBA’s ‘SOS’, each song was bookmarked by Chris taking time to interact with his audience, rallying them against each other to see which section of the venue could cheer louder than the other.
Fozzy’s command over their fans is utterly hypnotic, the obedience and the love given by the band reciprocated by the crowd in equal measure.
Chants of “You still got it” boisterously voiced by the crowd, on more than one occasion in the evening, had Fozzy smiling in appreciation, Chris jokingly saying: “We never didn’t have it!” – and he’s not wrong.
Fozzy brought it and then some: Chris pumping a CO2 gun over the audience, costume changes for more glam-rock leather jackets with working lights – this was a well-structured circus of the best kind.
Leading a band of like-minded masters in their craft, Chris has an unmatched confidence that is goes beyond appreciation by Aussie fans. Fozzy are nothing if not showmen, and boy what a show.
