If you want to get signed, start a fight at a gig. That’s the message from Fonzy and Company…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Bristol, baby.
How did you meet?
A few of us have known each other for years in our day jobs, Fonzy and Zack (Keys) have known each other for about 13 years now.
How long have you been playing as a band?
Only since February 2019 we decided to do this, not our first rodeo but very new with this band.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
Fonzy is a play on Fonzie played by Henry Winkler on TV’s Happy Days. It’s been my nickname for a while so figured along with ‘The Company’ band, it was an OK kinda name.
What are your influences?
Pixies, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, Brian Fallon Ash, Travis, Green Day, The Muffs.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
Good and wholesome song writing is hard to come by, it wasn’t way back when and somehow a lot of the industry lost their way and forgot about rock and what it’s all about. The unique thing is being able to capture those moments and keep you hooked while telling a story that is completely relatable. No two songs are the same and we have that variance in sound that just makes that sound track to your life fresh and interesting.
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
I keep it broad, I want everyone to be able to depict their own meaning to the songs. I usually use language I would use in day to day rather than make it overly poetic to keep it real.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
One, we have played one show as a band, our EP launch. We know we can play live we just pick and choose our battles carefully. A lot of festivals booked next year so keep an eye out for that.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Once upon a time, I jumped off stage in Portsmouth after seeing a guy in Southampton shirt being push about by four dudes. Myself and my bass player at the time, while winning the fight got back onstage, he had broken his finger and had a black eye and I had a huge cut on my head and a busted lip. They show was going awful before then but immediately after the place was jumping, we got signed shortly after.
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
Gretsch S type Hollow body and Epiphone Wild Kat, Fender Strats and Jazz Bass, Roland keys
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
Our new EP Last Birth is out now on Spotify, iTunes/Apple music, Amazon, Deezer, YouTube Music and other major platforms. New video and single out in December.
What are your plans for 2019?
Get the year out the way, 2020 will be our year, again loads of festivals booked along with a new EP.
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be ing and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
We actually put on a festival in Bristol, Howlfest. And always try and pick bands we have never heard of. Right now even though the genres are very Clashing would have to go with Bristol locals Drip Fed Empire and Haunted By Wolves.
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