“London Isn’t Burning” but Fuzz Skyler set Athens ablaze

A packed rock bar in downtown Athens. It’s late, close to midnight. The crowd has been warmed up by sterling performances from local favourites, and they’re curious to see what the headline act will bring to the show. Five London-based musicians take to the stage. They are Fuzz Skyler, and this is their first ever gig outside the UK.

The clarion call from their opening song – “Oh, what we do for a minute or two of fame” - rings out, and the crowd roars approval. Even jaded bar staff who’ve heard it all raise their eyebrows in delighted surprise.

It’s the start of an energetic set of piano-driven rock supported by dynamic dueling guitars, passionate yet precise percussion, and a bass line delivered by the epitome of cool. The charismatic lead singer and keys player is all big hair, big eyes, big stage presence and a big voice reminiscent of Freddie, but more – there’s something else that’s all his own.

The crowd isn’t fazed by the fact they haven’t heard their songs before – Recall, London Isn’t Burning, Greed and Fortune, the more reflective Solitude and other Fuzz Skyler originals are all welcomed with red-hot Greek passion, whilst a handful of covers including the band’s take on the traditional Greek Misirlou, Muse’s Hysteria and even Adele’s Rolling In The Deep are welcomed like old friends.

It’s after 1am by the time the band finishes their set, but the crowd wants more, chanting “Fuzz, Fuzz, Fuzz, Fuzz” until the sound engineer nods permission for a full-throated reprise of Recall which most of the audience seem to have learned by heart already.

On stage, the band are hot, sweaty, stripped to the waist, and grinning like maniacs. Their Athens debut has been everything they’d hoped for – and then some.

Fuzz Skyler was formed just over a year ago. Its members are all former or current students of the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) in North London. The band is a real melting pot with five different mother tongues - Persian, English, Greek, Portuguese and Lithuanian - but it’s the common language of music that provides the chemistry that produces their unique sound.

Piano and a strong narrative element form the backbone of most of their songs, with guitars playing a dynamic supporting role with energetic riffs to drive home the melody and the message. It’s a “big” sound supported by first class musicians who are passionate about what they do.

If forced into a genre, Fuzz Skyler would probably sit in the same box as some of their key influences such as Muse, Queen, Keane, Coldplay, Elton John and David Bowie. It’s a theatrical genre of rock of enduring popularity, grand, anthemic and packed with personality.

Fuzz Skyler have a lot to say. They have the vision, the energy, the musicality and the sheer talent to say it well. And if their international debut in Athens is anything to go by, it’s a message that audiences beyond their home fanbase want to hear.

Gig Details
HOT FUZZ
Where: The Crow Club, 27 Sinopis, Athens
When: 1 September 2018
On stage: Fuzz Skyler
With: Wash of Sounds, Konstantinos Tourlis and Friends, Heavenblack and Dimitris Gasparatos & The Double Vision.

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www.twitter.com/fuzzskyler 
www.soundcloud.com/fuzzskyler