| Fozzy | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Origin | San Antonio, Texas, US |
| Genres | Heavy metal, hard rock |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | Megaforce, ASH, Riot Entertainment |
| Associated acts | Stuck Mojo, Dangerous New Machine, Sick Speed, Adrenaline Mob, The Duke |
| Website | www.fozzyrock.com |
| Members | |
| Chris Jericho Rich Ward Frank Fontsere Paul Di Leo Billy Grey |
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| Past members | |
| Dan Dryden Andy Sneap Ryan Mallam Mike Schneider Keith Watson Eric Sanders Mike Martin Sean B. Delson |
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Fozzy is an American heavy metal/hard rock band, formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1999. The lead singer, Chris Jericho (real name Chris Irvine), who is also a professional wrestler, resides in Florida, while the rest of the band live in Georgia. The band is currently signed to Riot! Entertainment. The band consists of Jericho, along with members of Stuck Mojo including Rich Ward and Frank Fontsere, Paul DiLeo (Adrenaline Mob) and Billy Grey (Dangerous New Machine/formerly of Sick Speed).
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Fozzy started out as Fozzy Osbourne, a play on the name of the singer Ozzy Osbourne, and was a cover band assembled by Ward from whatever musicians he could find in a given week. In 1999, Jericho and Ward met in San Antonio after a wrestling show, and Jericho was invited to play with the band. Their first show was held at the now-defunct club "The Hangar", in the downtown square of Marietta, Gorgia. Jericho sat in on a few sessions, but did not plan to play with them permanently. In 2000, unable to wrestle for four months due to a severe ankle injury, Jericho rejoined the band and became its front man under the persona of Moongoose McQueen, and the band went on tour.
The band shortened its name to Fozzy, and adopted the satirical back-story that they had signed a 20-year contract to stay in Japan and be huge rock stars, only to discover on their return to America that many famous artists had ripped off their songs.
Soon afterward, Fozzy produced their first album, self-titled and featuring mostly covers of bands such as Dio, Krokus, Twisted Sister, Iron Maiden, Mötley Crüe and Judas Priest. Also, at one time the band considered changing their name to Big City Knights.
Fozzy's second album, Happenstance, was produced in 2002, again with mostly covers of bands such as Black Sabbath, Scorpions, W.A.S.P. and Accept.
In 2004, the band dropped its back-story and Chris Jericho's McQueen persona. A year later, they produced their third album, All That Remains, which had entirely original tracks, including the singles "Enemy" and "Daze of the Weak". All That Remains included guest appearances by musicians such as Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne, Pride and Glory), Bonecrusher, Mark Tremonti (Creed, Alter Bridge), Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge, Slash) and Butch Walker (Marvelous 3). The album sold over 100,000 copies. In 2005, "Enemy" was the theme song for WWE No Way Out and in 2006 for a promotional video for TNA Bound for Glory. In 2005, the band played the Download Festival at Donington Park, England.
Soon after the release of All That Remains, plans for a fourth album were announced.
On March 4, 2009, MetalUnderground.com reported that Fozzy had signed a worldwide record deal with Australian based Riot! Entertainment to release their fourth album, Chasing The Grail. The album's lead single, "Martyr No More", was announced as an official theme song for 2010 WWE Royal Rumble. The album was released in America in January 2010, followed by Australia (February) and Europe (March).
On February 19, 2011, Jericho said during an interview with Active Rock radio station WBSX in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, that he had completed lyrics for a brand new Fozzy album and that Ward was beginning work on writing the music.[1] The band hoped to have the new album released in February 2012.[2] Fozzy's live album Remains Alive was released on May 3, 2011, through Amazon.com. Fozzy released a brand new music video on June 7, 2011, which was shot at the Golden Gods Awards for the track "God Pounds His Nails".[3] In July 2011, Fozzy played the Sonisphere Festival at Knebworth, England.[4] The band recently announced a headlining tour of the United Kingdom for November, 2011.
On September 9, 2011, Sean Delson announced his "retirement" from Fozzy as their bass guitar player to resume work with Agent Cooper. Fozzy have since announced Paul Di Leo, the bass guitarist for Adrenaline Mob, as the man who will replace him.
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