Interviews: Fonzy & Co

This is a new interview with the Alternative Rock/Pop Punk band Fonzy & Co from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or came out just like that?

'Fonzy' (Lead Vocals and guitar) grew up looking a little like Henry Winkler's character in 'Happy Days' so it stuck around, just changed the spelling a bit - can't take that from the king. 'Company' came when the project was only supposed to be a recording project with friends, but it developed into something much more once the first full lineup was complete and we've been here ever since (2019).

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Rock has its ups and downs, like, we get what Gene Simmons is saying that 'Rock is dead' - but at the same time you can't deny there are artists out there doing their part on a commercial level. We want to be a part of that revival, we grew up listening to those same compilations, getting singles in Woolworths (RIP), and tuning into Kerrang and MTV to know what was new. We want to ignite that passion of intimacy and honesty of songwriting and rock reflects that at its purest.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Lane (Bass) and Lauren (Lead Guitar) were both happy outcomes when we needed a new lineup, but they are family now. Olivia (vocals) and Bennett (Drums) have been a couple now for years, Fonzy met Bennett while working at a local burger joint seven / or eight years ago in Bristol, but the stars never aligned to start a band until 2019.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Fonzy - Green Day

Lane - Thundercat

Bennett - Tool

Olivia - Dance Gavin Dance

Lauren - John Mayer

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Everything and anything. When music just speaks to you, no matter the subject matter - it just makes life that much better. When Fony writes, whilst most tracks do have a personal meaning to him, the lyrics are kept obscure so the listener can find their own meaning. Being able to hear our music has helped people through their problems is such a motivator.

6. Where was your last gig?

As of this interview Bristol, Exchange - though we will have just played London Spice Of Life, Birmingham Sunflower Lounge, and Percy's Bar Whitchurch within the next week.

7. Where would you like to play?

We would love to tour America. Our music definitely takes a lot of inspiration from American bands and to be able to perform to them in their roots would be awesome, to say the least.

8. Who would you like to support?

How much time do you have? Think we would have gone down well on the Hella Mega tour as we carry a similar vibe to that entire lineup.

9. Who not?

Machine Gun Kelly, The dude represents everything we are against in music - hanging on to trends, making feuds to gain traction, musically muted and generic in his content and doesn't seem to care who he is or what he puts out as long as he's famous... We aren't a bitchy band but it needs to be said this guy is mocking rock and its veterans. Not saying if the opportunity came up in a festival line up we would refuse, but still wouldn't approve of his behavior.

10. Have any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

We have members panic more than others for sure. However, we have all had our fair share of experience by now - so it's more or less dealt with. Saying that, playing in front of a handful of people is scarier than 5,000 people, you can see every face judging you.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Ok, let's quickfire: Pixies, Green Day, Jimmy Eat World, Weezer, Norah Jones, The Muffs, Teenage Fan Club, The Front Bottoms, Audioslave, The Clash, The Runaways, Goldfinger, The Offspring, The Red Hot Chili Peppers (breath) The Interrupters, Rush, Aerosmith, Gin Blossoms, Ash, Travis Feeder, The Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, American HI-Fi. Queens Of The Stone Age, Blink 182......This is the tip of the iceberg,

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

We have been quite fortunate in Fonzy and Company so far. In previous bands we've all had a few unusual goings-on from fans, guess we are getting old and people are getting more reasonable.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Our guys are so unique. We are outspoken in our feelings towards social media and how it's affected music and our fans for the most part get that. They email, call, text us and not live in the public eye within comment sections in order to make us look popular because it's about the music for them. They will travel far and wide to see us live and we appreciate their support so much it's insane.

14. What do you think of our site?

What's not to like? Upcoming artists with in-depth interviews and insight into bands that are arguably better and more deserving of some of the trash there is out there on a more mainstream scale right now. It's great to see platforms like this thrive. Breathing The Core..........You guys are hella sweet.

15. Something to add?

We are touring throughout the UK in 2022 in promotion of our new EP 'Touche' out on 17th June 2022, single 'The Kids Stay Home' is out on 13th May with a new music video. We will be pushing out more episodes of 'The Fonzy and Company Podcast' and we have a very big and very special collaboration to announce later this year with Moor Beer.