Fozzy
by Jonathan Geddes © Evening Times
He’s a cocky, charismatic villain in the pumped-up world of the WWE.
But now WWE star Chris Jericho is grappling with a different kind of success – he’s bringing his heavy metal band to Glasgow.
Jericho’s outfit Fozzy have just released their fourth album, and will be rocking the Garage tonight as part of a whistle-stop UK tour.
It’s a situation the Canadian is delighted with.
“I’ve always wanted to be a rock star and be a wrestler, ever since high school” he says.
“I started playing in bands aged 12, but growing up in Winnipeg, that’s a bit of a wasteland. It doesn’t have a great music scene, and Calgary was only 10 miles away, so I decided to train for wrestling there.
“But I never stopped playing music, or writing songs. So it was a natural progression, and seeing the band reach this level has been really cool, because I’ve been successful with both.
“I’m at the top of the ladder in wrestling, I’ve done everything I could do and still do it, but the thrill with Fozzy is very gratifying in that you’re starting from scratch.
“At times I get jaded in wrestling because I’ve done so much, but with Fozzy we played a sold-out show in Phoenix last week – that was a first in America for us. So they are both very rewarding, and I can’t imagine my life without both at this point.”
Fozzy’s new album Chasing The Grail shows that the band are ready to rumble with the heavyweights in the metal world too.
Having originally formed as a project between Jericho and Rich Ward, the guitarist in rap-metal act Stuck Mojo, Fozzy began life as a covers band heavy on puns, but have evolved into a group who write all their own material.
On Chasing The Grail, there are several different styles present, including a gargantuan, 14-minute epic entitled Wormwood, and no less an authority than Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson has hailed the album.
“This record is much more cohesive” Jericho says. “There’s a lot of different styles there, but it’s still very much a Fozzy record, so we’re really happy with it.”
As might be expected from a man who’s been involved in the world of pro wrestling, Jericho is a charismatic speaker.
But it’s not been plain sailing for the band, with Jericho’s background meaning that scorn was often heaped on the act.
“It was never easy for Fozzy, just because of the fact that Chris Jericho was in the band, and a lot of people will think ‘Chris Jericho can’t possibly be a singer’ and the fact we started as a cover band.
“So a lot of people were wondering what is Fozzy, are they a novelty act?
“I think we dealt with that on the first record, but for all the people who checked out the band, there was just as many who stayed away from us, because of that idea.
“We’ve had to fight with it, but I honestly think Chasing The Grail is one of the better metal records you’ll hear all year. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a butcher, baker or candlestick maker, at the end of the day it’s either good music or it’s not.”
And when the band decided to fit in a few UK shows, Glasgow was always high up the big Canadian’s list.
“Glasgow was one of the first places that we wanted to go, so we’re very happy that we’re returning there. We’re excited, especially as the Glasgow show was moved to a bigger venue as the original sold out so quickly, and it’s a great vibe. I can’t wait to return to the stage.
“England was good, but Ireland and especially Scotland are just great countries for us.
“We just didn’t know what to expect when we went over there, as at home we can play to 500 people, or we can play to 50 people. Over there, every show was sold out, and that’s why we wanted to come back and do some shows, just as a thank you.”
Jericho’s touring commitments have to be fitted around his wrestling schedule. The 40-year-old has competed in the WWE for 11 years, after spending nine years before that wrestling in promotions all over the world.
“From an accomplishment standpoint, I don’t see anything else I could accomplish. I mean, I could be world champion again, or have another great match, but the most important thing I could do at this point, in the last stages of my career, whether it’s another two years or five years or whatever, is to try and help younger guys.
“A lot of guys are being put in places they’re not prepared for, and I’d like to help pass the torch to them and make things as good as they can be before I leave.
“Wrestling is showbiz, like acting or singing, and you have to able to feel the emotions that in the crowd so you can sell that to the crowd. That’s a lot more than just doing some moves.”
But he sees good things in the company’s young Scottish wrestler, Drew McIntyre, who hails from Ayr.
“Drew’s doing great. He’s learning a lot. He’s like a foal in that he’s very gangly, and still learning how to put things together, but he’s in the perfect place for his career, and he needs to keep learning and take some chances. He shouldn’t be afraid to try something different.”
“I’ve never been afraid – that’s why I got so much heat when I joined the WWE. I wasn’t afraid to go against the grain and that’s the one most important reason I ever made it – because I did things that might get me in trouble backstage, but that’s what made my character so engaging.”