Chevonne and The Fuzz
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Chevonne and The Fuzz

Upper Saddle River, NJ | Established. Jan 01, 2012 | SELF

Upper Saddle River, NJ | SELF
Established on Jan, 2012
Band Rock Hard Rock

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"Chevonne and The Fuzz: Fire At WIll"

If you think Chevonne ripped it up on season 3 of NBC's The Voice, you ain’t heard nothing yet. This dirty rocker girl has teemed up with a downright nasty band of bellicose musicians and she is smacking the world hard across its ears with her explosive, hear-me-roar vocal supremacy. There is no doubt about it, Chevonne is one strikingly uninhibited, frayed denim diva.

Chevonne and the Fuzz’s just released Fire At Will is an audacious joyride. From its gravel spitting, furiously intense “Heels” to the jaw-dropping, double entendre laced “Your Guitar,” the EP delivers staggeringly fresh and volatile delight with each and every track. Chevonne confidently struts through the entire album with a fierce vocal sensuality that fires with blast furnace intensity.

When talking about the impressive writing on the album, Chevonne confessed that she has a hard time being evasive or veiled in her music. If she is singing about a guy who looks better in heels than she does, then you can be pretty sure such a guy actually exists!

On track two, Chris Ricci steps up and delivers an impressive razor-edged assault in the solid, “Burn out.” Chevonne quickly snatches back the lead vocal mic on “Glow” and performs a rousing, hard-hitting rocker with definite radio appeal. “One More Time” has equal chart-topping potential with its aggressive, attitude-in-overdrive dance beats and scathing synth licks.

The infectiously, upbeat, retro-inspired “Ugly Boy” was spawned in an airport on the way home from The Voice. “My songwriter/producer buddies Kareem and Shelby had played me a Jamaican pop song from the 1950s about a guy who only wanted to date average looking girls because they were nicer and more fun,” Chevonne related. “I was so tickled and delighted by that premise, and I felt that I could tell a similar story from a woman's perspective. I also took inspiration from 1960s pop/rock songs my mom played for me about crusty, bohemian guys, like ‘Give Him A Great Big Kiss’ and ‘Are You A Boy Or Are You A Girl.’ In my opinion, crusty is sexy.”

The provocative “Babysitter” is a personal recollection of how cool Chevonne thought her own babysitter was. She noted how her babysitter became a role model, of sorts, for the then young and impressionable version of herself.

That babysitter-inspired air of adolescent sophistication permeates Fire At Will. Chevonne performs with a captivating swagger and an alluring coming-of-age poise. With this EP, Chevonne has stepped into the pink, cheetah-print heels of the artist she was born to be . . . and those heels don’t look too bad on her either!

For more information on Chevonne and The Fuzz, visit them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr. - Examiner.com and Songwriter's Monthly


"Exclusive Song Premiere -- Chevonne and The Fuzz, "Glow""

ARTISTdirect has teamed up with Chevonne and The Fuzz to premiere the track "Glow" from the Fire at Will EP, out September 17. The EP was totally fan-funded on Kickstarter. Now, we're sharing it with you, because it's really fucking good.

Lead singer Chevonne said, "'Glow' really sums up who we are as Chevonne and The Fuzz. We're armed with guitars and big fist-pumping walls of sound, but we're also telling really personal stories and putting our hearts on our sleeves. As music fans ourselves, we wanted to create a power ballad that we'd want to listen to, and blast in our own cars on a Saturday night. The world of 'Glow' is this divey, dingy, dark shadowy bar where something shockingly beautiful and hopeful is waiting inside that'll change our lives forever. And we want you to get right in there with us."

Oh, we're taking that engraved invitation. We love the world of grimy dive bars and songs meant for Saturday night car rides.

Chevonne is a kickass, mischievous little frontwoman with world-touring background vocal gigs (Lady Gaga, Estelle) and reality TV chops, since she appeared on Season 3 of The Voice. Chris Ricci, the charismatic, tattoo-covered bad boy by her side on male vocals, is howling for his life.

Four young turk-like players --Mike Sarkissian on bass, Nick Potters on keys, Chris Bookstaver on guitar, Steve Sarkissian on drums-- surround 'em with talent, devilish charm, and style to spare. They are a hybrid of the spirited, rough-and-tumble stage presence similar to No Doubt, the timeless rock grit and vocal power of Heart, and the futuristic pop-rock kitsch of Neon Trees.

Go 'Glow.' - ARTISTDirect.com


"Exclusive Song Premiere -- Chevonne and The Fuzz, "Glow""

ARTISTdirect has teamed up with Chevonne and The Fuzz to premiere the track "Glow" from the Fire at Will EP, out September 17. The EP was totally fan-funded on Kickstarter. Now, we're sharing it with you, because it's really fucking good.

Lead singer Chevonne said, "'Glow' really sums up who we are as Chevonne and The Fuzz. We're armed with guitars and big fist-pumping walls of sound, but we're also telling really personal stories and putting our hearts on our sleeves. As music fans ourselves, we wanted to create a power ballad that we'd want to listen to, and blast in our own cars on a Saturday night. The world of 'Glow' is this divey, dingy, dark shadowy bar where something shockingly beautiful and hopeful is waiting inside that'll change our lives forever. And we want you to get right in there with us."

Oh, we're taking that engraved invitation. We love the world of grimy dive bars and songs meant for Saturday night car rides.

Chevonne is a kickass, mischievous little frontwoman with world-touring background vocal gigs (Lady Gaga, Estelle) and reality TV chops, since she appeared on Season 3 of The Voice. Chris Ricci, the charismatic, tattoo-covered bad boy by her side on male vocals, is howling for his life.

Four young turk-like players --Mike Sarkissian on bass, Nick Potters on keys, Chris Bookstaver on guitar, Steve Sarkissian on drums-- surround 'em with talent, devilish charm, and style to spare. They are a hybrid of the spirited, rough-and-tumble stage presence similar to No Doubt, the timeless rock grit and vocal power of Heart, and the futuristic pop-rock kitsch of Neon Trees.

Go 'Glow.' - ARTISTDirect.com


"GUEST BLOG: In Defense Of The Rock Duet"

The first rock duet I experienced was the epic “Summer Nights,” sung by rebel-turned-romantic Danny Zuko and good-girl-gone-(eventually) bad Sandy Olsson in the movie Grease.

In my 8-year-old mind, Danny was just all right (I found Kenickie’s scrappy-thug vibe much more intriguing) and Rizzo was WAY cooler than Sandy (I’m a natural brunette…and I’m Italian). But that duet had (cue Travolta/Newton-John “oh”) something special, a dreaminess and a longing that even Rizzo’s brassy, indomitable solo couldn’t achieve. Later, “You’re The One That I Want” had Sandy and Danny at the carnival in their shoulder-shimmying, cigarette-crushing duet glory. They skyrocketed in a red sports car to—where? Heaven? An orgasm? College? It didn’t matter. The rock duet became my American dream of underdog love, highway romance, and some other intangible summer breeze of a feeling that made me want to live forever.
In the 80s, rock duets were something to bank on, a chart-topping formula that was nearly infallible. Heart’s Ann Wilson and Loverboy’s Mike Reno nailed “Almost Paradise” in the box-office megaforce Footloose. Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes with “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” helped create an iconic musical vignette in Dirty Dancing.

Other artists made radio and MTV-centric history with the cinematic powers of the rock duet. Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty made spooky hippie magic on “Stop Draggin My Heart Around;” Lita Ford and Ozzy Osbourne went goth-wedding-vow on “Close My Eyes Forever;” David Bowie and Freddie Mercury gave us dystopian glam in “Under Pressure.” The rock duet seemed untouchable.

Eventually, bombastic ’80s culture fizzled out. Rock duet firepower drifted away in favor of grunge solitude, riot grrl feminist warrior-stance, virtuosic hip-hop shadefests, and bubblegum-pop sex candy. Duets were dismissed as cheese and saved for frumpy “lite” radio stations. Where was the romance? Where were the radio Romeo and Juliets – or the Romeo and Romeos?

But hark! What light through yonder YouTube breaks? It is the east, and Neon Trees is the sun! A chick drummer and a hot androgynous frontman wail “Take a bite of my heart tonight!” on 2009’s “Animal.” Duets by The Civil Wars, Of Monsters And Men, and Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros were cooler, ballsier, sexier, and rocked harder than anything I could remember! Bands are coming out with male and female vocalists, built rock-duet-equipped right out the gate! My band Chevonne and The Fuzz is one of those—big surprise, right? :)

Not only do I, a worshipper at the mixtape altar of rock duets, need this sea change in music; the world at large needs it. We need to hear people singing to each other, telling a story of two people connecting in a moment: diverging and converging in unison, dissonance and suspension, and eventually in perfect harmony.

We’ve got to leave our couchposts and touch somebody. You can’t sing a rock duet over Skype or FaceTime. It’s real and it’s raw and it’s visceral. The rock duet is love, heartbreak, hope. Am I being dramatic? Ask Sandy and Danny.

You can purchase a CD or buy concert tickets for Chevonne and The Fuzz right here. - Infectious Magazine


"File-O-Facts: Chevonne and The Fuzz"

The AltSounds File-O-Facts feature on: Chevonne and the Fuzz. Want to know more about this up and coming artist? Here you can find out loads of snappy facts about this new talent...

Name: ?Chevonne
Star Sign: Virgo. But my rising sign, Scorpio, causes me perpetual torture...it's always emotion vs logic, passion vs sensibility. It's like Captain Kirk and Spock live in my soul and bicker all day.
?Place of Birth: NYC
Now Based At:? I'm a Jersey girl through and through.
Level of Education: ?I have a degree in Music from Swarthmore College. If you want to get your academic ass kicked while experiencing the most intense forms of personal liberation, go there. Also, the cafeteria there makes the best wings.

First Instrument Played: ? Piano. When I learned the tenor sax, I figured out the riff from "Careless Whisper" and played it literally for hours. My parents wanted to kill me.
Current Instrument: ? Vocals, but I'm first and foremost a writer.
Last Venue Played: ?A huge outdoor concert sponsored by my hometown library. So. Metal.
Last Gig Attended: Ladies' night at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ. All the bands were female-fronted and they all friggin killed.
?Can't Go On Tour Without: A half-empty suitcase for vintage shopping and scouring the secret local spots for weird souvenirs. And a tease comb.

?The Best Thing About Live Music Is: Human beings connecting with each other in person, all turned-up and sweaty and freaking out. Love and adrenaline and catharsis and art all mingling together and changing people's lives at the exact same time.
The Person I Would Most To Collaboration Is: ?Dave Grohl. Oh my dear sweet lord, that man is a genius. The Foo Fighters taught me how to rock.
Worst Thing To Happen To Music Is: ...the slow death of music "scenes" in American cities. Nobody gets discovered in a club or a rock bar anymore, and nobody goes out on the weekends in search of sick new bands. That sucks.
?Best Thing About The Current Music Industry: The consolation that YouTube and reality TV competitions support indie artists...people are signed over the Internet or by winning a game show, mostly on their raw talent alone. That's pretty dope, although it's done through a laptop or a TV screen, so you feel a bit disconnected.

Turn On: Owning it.
?Turn Off: ?Faking it.
Biggest Influence: Sexuality and longing. The right combination of both is the essence of music, in my opinion.
My Favourite Person On TV Right Now Is: ? Marceline The Vampire Queen from Adventure Time. Yeah I know, she's a cartoon.
Childhood Hero: The Little Mermaid. She had an awesome junk collection, a killer voice, a hot boyfriend and her best friend was a little skate-punk fish. I mean, come on.
When I Was Younger I Wanted To Be: Just like my babysitter Amy. She had massive curly hair and wore ripped jeans, crop-tops, and a piano-key scarf. Her voice was raspy and she drove a hot sports car. I wanted to know all of her badass secrets. Actually, we wrote a song about it on our EP called Babysitter.

Last Album Bought:? The new Queens of the Stone Age.
Last Song Listened To On MP3 Player: "Blowin' Smoke" by Kacey Musgraves. I'm kind of obsessed.
?The Music I'm Into Is: ?From the Civil Wars to Janelle Monae to Thin Lizzy, if it's got a beat and a feeling, I'm down.
Favourite Current Band: Haim. They're so mysterious and weird, but also kind of girly and cute. Danielle is the sexiest frontwoman I've seen in a while.
My Favourite Drink Has To Be: Pig and Prince in Montclair, NJ makes this cocktail called the Sixth Borough with tequila and tobacco bitters; it's insane. But my go-to is Jameson on the rocks.

My Favourite Book Is: ?Tie between Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk and The Rules Of Attraction by Bret Easton Ellis. I love stuff that's screwed up and dark, with a quietly funny side-eye.
My Favourite Website Is: Jezebel. It's a feminist news and pop culture blog with a humorous twist. I want to hang out with those writers.
My Favourite Item Of Clothing Is: ?My boyfriend's ripped-up old gray t-shirt with a skeleton pirate face on it.
My Favourite Shop Is: ?This one vintage store in Nebraska. They had the most amazing collection of men's flannel shirts and velvet blazers. The Topshop flagship store in London is also mindblowing, as far as corporate chain stores go. They have a mini boutique on the top floor with upcycled vintage leather pieces and indie designer kiosks.
The Best Boredom Buster Is: Making moodboard collages. We're renting a house so I'm doing one for design inspiration for each empty room that's still loaded up with boxes and crap.
?My Ultimate Snack Is: ?I love a good meat snack. Really any kind of meat snack -- wings, bacon-wrapped dates, leftover short ribs.

?The Best Film I Ever Saw Was: This Is Spinal Tap. Although my favorite film-related experienc - AltSounds.com


"File-O-Facts: Chevonne and The Fuzz"

The AltSounds File-O-Facts feature on: Chevonne and the Fuzz. Want to know more about this up and coming artist? Here you can find out loads of snappy facts about this new talent...

Name: ?Chevonne
Star Sign: Virgo. But my rising sign, Scorpio, causes me perpetual torture...it's always emotion vs logic, passion vs sensibility. It's like Captain Kirk and Spock live in my soul and bicker all day.
?Place of Birth: NYC
Now Based At:? I'm a Jersey girl through and through.
Level of Education: ?I have a degree in Music from Swarthmore College. If you want to get your academic ass kicked while experiencing the most intense forms of personal liberation, go there. Also, the cafeteria there makes the best wings.

First Instrument Played: ? Piano. When I learned the tenor sax, I figured out the riff from "Careless Whisper" and played it literally for hours. My parents wanted to kill me.
Current Instrument: ? Vocals, but I'm first and foremost a writer.
Last Venue Played: ?A huge outdoor concert sponsored by my hometown library. So. Metal.
Last Gig Attended: Ladies' night at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ. All the bands were female-fronted and they all friggin killed.
?Can't Go On Tour Without: A half-empty suitcase for vintage shopping and scouring the secret local spots for weird souvenirs. And a tease comb.

?The Best Thing About Live Music Is: Human beings connecting with each other in person, all turned-up and sweaty and freaking out. Love and adrenaline and catharsis and art all mingling together and changing people's lives at the exact same time.
The Person I Would Most To Collaboration Is: ?Dave Grohl. Oh my dear sweet lord, that man is a genius. The Foo Fighters taught me how to rock.
Worst Thing To Happen To Music Is: ...the slow death of music "scenes" in American cities. Nobody gets discovered in a club or a rock bar anymore, and nobody goes out on the weekends in search of sick new bands. That sucks.
?Best Thing About The Current Music Industry: The consolation that YouTube and reality TV competitions support indie artists...people are signed over the Internet or by winning a game show, mostly on their raw talent alone. That's pretty dope, although it's done through a laptop or a TV screen, so you feel a bit disconnected.

Turn On: Owning it.
?Turn Off: ?Faking it.
Biggest Influence: Sexuality and longing. The right combination of both is the essence of music, in my opinion.
My Favourite Person On TV Right Now Is: ? Marceline The Vampire Queen from Adventure Time. Yeah I know, she's a cartoon.
Childhood Hero: The Little Mermaid. She had an awesome junk collection, a killer voice, a hot boyfriend and her best friend was a little skate-punk fish. I mean, come on.
When I Was Younger I Wanted To Be: Just like my babysitter Amy. She had massive curly hair and wore ripped jeans, crop-tops, and a piano-key scarf. Her voice was raspy and she drove a hot sports car. I wanted to know all of her badass secrets. Actually, we wrote a song about it on our EP called Babysitter.

Last Album Bought:? The new Queens of the Stone Age.
Last Song Listened To On MP3 Player: "Blowin' Smoke" by Kacey Musgraves. I'm kind of obsessed.
?The Music I'm Into Is: ?From the Civil Wars to Janelle Monae to Thin Lizzy, if it's got a beat and a feeling, I'm down.
Favourite Current Band: Haim. They're so mysterious and weird, but also kind of girly and cute. Danielle is the sexiest frontwoman I've seen in a while.
My Favourite Drink Has To Be: Pig and Prince in Montclair, NJ makes this cocktail called the Sixth Borough with tequila and tobacco bitters; it's insane. But my go-to is Jameson on the rocks.

My Favourite Book Is: ?Tie between Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk and The Rules Of Attraction by Bret Easton Ellis. I love stuff that's screwed up and dark, with a quietly funny side-eye.
My Favourite Website Is: Jezebel. It's a feminist news and pop culture blog with a humorous twist. I want to hang out with those writers.
My Favourite Item Of Clothing Is: ?My boyfriend's ripped-up old gray t-shirt with a skeleton pirate face on it.
My Favourite Shop Is: ?This one vintage store in Nebraska. They had the most amazing collection of men's flannel shirts and velvet blazers. The Topshop flagship store in London is also mindblowing, as far as corporate chain stores go. They have a mini boutique on the top floor with upcycled vintage leather pieces and indie designer kiosks.
The Best Boredom Buster Is: Making moodboard collages. We're renting a house so I'm doing one for design inspiration for each empty room that's still loaded up with boxes and crap.
?My Ultimate Snack Is: ?I love a good meat snack. Really any kind of meat snack -- wings, bacon-wrapped dates, leftover short ribs.

?The Best Film I Ever Saw Was: This Is Spinal Tap. Although my favorite film-related experienc - AltSounds.com


"Zimbio Exclusive Song Premiere: Chevonne and The Fuzz's 'Burn Out' - Super Catchy Tunes"

Chevonne has been dancing around the spotlight for a few years now. The New Jersey-based performer spent a couple of years singing backup for the likes of Lady Gaga and Estelle, followed by a three round stint on The Voice's third season. Now, with the release of her debut EP Fire at Will due in just a month, Chevonne is ready to take center stage — but not as a solo artist, as she'd originally planned.

"I've always wanted to front a band. I have pop, funk, and soul in my bones, but if you look deep into my heart you'll see that I really want to rock," Chevonne explains via email. "I was planning on doing a solo project with the boys as my backing band, but in our early rehearsals and jam sessions, I encouraged everyone to express themselves and be creative. Eventually that led to straight-up writing riffs, melodies and lyrics together. The chemistry was undeniable and so were the songs we wrote, so we all just looked at each other, nodded our heads, and marched on as the band we were always meant to be."

On September 17, Chevonne and the Fuzz will release Fire at Will, an EP that vocalist Chris Ricci calls "a kickoff to our debut as a band."

"We're inviting our listeners to go as hard as they can in whatever direction they want — rocking out in their rooms to our album, screaming along at our shows, or even rattling off obnoxious comments on our Facebook page," Ricci asserts. "We're not afraid of any reaction, as long as it's a passionate one. Fire At Will is an exclamation of empowerment and an invitation to feel as bold and fearless as we do about what we've created."

Today, Chevonne and the Fuzz are releasing their sophomore single "Burn Out," the first song they wrote as a band.

"It's a great representation of us as a whole and what we are and will become on this musical journey we've started," bassist Mike Sarkissian says. "I mean, the song has literally made me smile, laugh and then cry, all in one sitting. On more than one occasion, too. Tears of joy of course! I'm just excited for the rest of the world to hear what we've created!"

Check out the song below, and check out the band's official website for future updates. - Zimbio.com


"Zimbio Exclusive Song Premiere: Chevonne and The Fuzz's 'Burn Out' - Super Catchy Tunes"

Chevonne has been dancing around the spotlight for a few years now. The New Jersey-based performer spent a couple of years singing backup for the likes of Lady Gaga and Estelle, followed by a three round stint on The Voice's third season. Now, with the release of her debut EP Fire at Will due in just a month, Chevonne is ready to take center stage — but not as a solo artist, as she'd originally planned.

"I've always wanted to front a band. I have pop, funk, and soul in my bones, but if you look deep into my heart you'll see that I really want to rock," Chevonne explains via email. "I was planning on doing a solo project with the boys as my backing band, but in our early rehearsals and jam sessions, I encouraged everyone to express themselves and be creative. Eventually that led to straight-up writing riffs, melodies and lyrics together. The chemistry was undeniable and so were the songs we wrote, so we all just looked at each other, nodded our heads, and marched on as the band we were always meant to be."

On September 17, Chevonne and the Fuzz will release Fire at Will, an EP that vocalist Chris Ricci calls "a kickoff to our debut as a band."

"We're inviting our listeners to go as hard as they can in whatever direction they want — rocking out in their rooms to our album, screaming along at our shows, or even rattling off obnoxious comments on our Facebook page," Ricci asserts. "We're not afraid of any reaction, as long as it's a passionate one. Fire At Will is an exclamation of empowerment and an invitation to feel as bold and fearless as we do about what we've created."

Today, Chevonne and the Fuzz are releasing their sophomore single "Burn Out," the first song they wrote as a band.

"It's a great representation of us as a whole and what we are and will become on this musical journey we've started," bassist Mike Sarkissian says. "I mean, the song has literally made me smile, laugh and then cry, all in one sitting. On more than one occasion, too. Tears of joy of course! I'm just excited for the rest of the world to hear what we've created!"

Check out the song below, and check out the band's official website for future updates. - Zimbio.com


"Bassist Mike Sarkissian, Bass Musician Magazine Q&A"

Name:
Mike Sarkissian
Born In What City:
New Hyde Park, NY
Current Band(s) I Play With:
Chevonne and The Fuzz
Former Bands I Have Played With:
Carleigh Jade
Victoria Herrmann
The Better World

CD’s I’ve Released/ Been a Part Of:
(That actually matter…)
Fire At Will- Chevonne and The Fuzz
Describe The Way You Play Bass:
Hard, rhythmic and to the point. I wouldn’t consider myself a fancy bass player by any means, but I like to think all of my parts mesh well and compliment everything else in the song. My friend Kevin Walters (drummer for Those Mockingbirds) once told me he feels like I’m a drummer trapped in a bass players body. I think that’s because I’m more focused on bass drum hits and drum fills to line up with as opposed to the more melodic approach.
What Made Me Decide to Play Bass:
Growing up my brother Steve, from the time he was six years old, was playing drums. Excuse me, owning the drums. He is hands down one of the most talented people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing, playing with, and in this case, being related to. My cousin Nick, who’s mainly a self taught guitar player, Steve and I wanted to start a band and you know, revolutionize music like every other twelve year old out there thought they would do. The bass was the missing link, so who better than the drummer’s brother to play bass? With some previous training on piano and Steve teaching me drums over the years, I picked up pretty quickly and instantly fell in love.
Musical Influences:
I’ve been subjected to all types of music over the years, which I think is one of the best things that could have happened to me. Classical with my aunt, 50's doo wop with my nana, disco with my mother and everything from Latin to Metal with my uncles, has made me have such an appreciation for all types of music. But if I had to specifically name people they would be Alex Katunich (Dirk Lance) formerly of Incubus, Flea, Jaco Pastorius, Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire, Ryan Martinie of Mudvayne and Mark Klepaski formerly of Breaking Benjamin.

Favorite Musical Styles:
Anything that makes my head bob and anything progressive.
My Bass(es):
Warwick Thumb 5
Music Man Stingray 5
Music Man Stingray
Music Man Sterling
Fender Precision Bass
My Amps and Other Gear:
Ampeg SVT Classic
Ampeg SVT 410 HLF
Fender Rumble 350 2×10 combo
Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver
Ashdown Lomenzo Bass Hyper Drive
Mark Bass Compressore
EBS OctaBass
Dunlop 105Q Cry Baby Bass Wah
Ernie Ball Volume Pedal
Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner
Best Bass Advice You Ever Received:
Simple and cliche, but stay in that pocket, man!

One Piece Of Advice For Other Bassists:
Surround yourself with exceptional musicians and try to learn, understand and listen to every instrument in your band. If you have time, jam on a guitar for a bit or have your drummer teach you some stuff. Being able to know exactly what’s going on with each instrument will make you be able to write the best lines for each part. And remember, we’re not lead guitar players. So there’s nothing wrong with just pumpin out quarter notes every now and again. However, we’re arguably the second most important element of the music (drums take first, sorry guitarists). So be creative, be experimental, don’t be afraid to hit a wrong note and just lock in with that drummer!
Favorite Quote or Life Philosophy:
“When life give you lemons, just say ‘F*#$ the lemons,’ and bail.”
-Paul Rudd
Most Amazing Gig so Far:
I had the opportunity to play the Highline Ballroom in NYC a few years ago. Great stage!
Dream Gig:
I don’t care what city, what venue, who we open for or who opens for us. I just want to see Chevonne and Chris hold their microphones to the crowd and watch every face there sing our songs.
Most Embarrassing Moment on Stage:
I played guitar in a hardcore band in high school (surprising). There was a measure break in one song where the other guitar player and myself would throw our guitars around our bodies and catch them right as the next part came in. Well, in that first break, my wireless system went flying off my strap and the body pack just burst into pieces. I made a quick recovery, but then the same thing happened to the other guitar player later in that same song. Pros.

Favorite Tip to Share on Traveling With Your Bass:
Let’s face it, no one wants to show up to a gig looking like an amateur. We all want to show up looking like “the real deal” with our stacks of amps and triple tiered pedal boards. Now you just look impractical. Travel light, bring only the necessities for that particular gig and don’t be afraid to bust out your 2×10 combo, even though the guy after you is running two 8x10s.
What Would You Be Doing If You Weren’t A Musician:
Bartending at good old Restaurant L in Allendale, NJ.
The Question No One Ever Asks Me, But I Have Been Dying to Share:
The first album I bought: Millennium…Backstreet Boys….
What You Can Look Forward to From Me Th - Bass Musician Magazine


"Exclusive Song Premiere -- Chevonne and The Fuzz, "Heels""

Today, GuitarWorld.com presents the exclusive premiere of "Heels," a new song by Chevonne and The Fuzz.

The song, the opening track from the band's upcoming EP, Fire At Will, features the guitar work of Kareem Devlin from Lady Gaga's Monster Ball tour.

After releasing a solo record, Chevonne's songs began to change and evolve. She eventually took off in a new direction, adding Chris Ricci (vocals), Mike Sarkissian (bass/vocals), Chris Bookstaver (guitar/vocals), Steve Sarkissian (drums) and Nick Potters (keyboard, percussion, vocals).

"Now I'm rocking in the company of the down-est guys ever, in the way only we can," Chevonne said. "We're a rock and roll outlaw family."

"Fire At Will is our leather-pants-wearing, whiskey-swigging, finger-snapping tease of a daughter who stays out too late and teaches her goody-two-shoes friends all the fun bad stuff, and her mom and five dads are just as delightfully crazy as she is," she added. "This family has some real stories to tell, but we do it — as the title hints — with zero apologies, complete candor and vulnerability."

Fire At Will will be released September 17.

For more about the band, visit their official website and ?Facebook page. - Guitar World


"Exclusive Song Premiere -- Chevonne and The Fuzz, "Heels""

Today, GuitarWorld.com presents the exclusive premiere of "Heels," a new song by Chevonne and The Fuzz.

The song, the opening track from the band's upcoming EP, Fire At Will, features the guitar work of Kareem Devlin from Lady Gaga's Monster Ball tour.

After releasing a solo record, Chevonne's songs began to change and evolve. She eventually took off in a new direction, adding Chris Ricci (vocals), Mike Sarkissian (bass/vocals), Chris Bookstaver (guitar/vocals), Steve Sarkissian (drums) and Nick Potters (keyboard, percussion, vocals).

"Now I'm rocking in the company of the down-est guys ever, in the way only we can," Chevonne said. "We're a rock and roll outlaw family."

"Fire At Will is our leather-pants-wearing, whiskey-swigging, finger-snapping tease of a daughter who stays out too late and teaches her goody-two-shoes friends all the fun bad stuff, and her mom and five dads are just as delightfully crazy as she is," she added. "This family has some real stories to tell, but we do it — as the title hints — with zero apologies, complete candor and vulnerability."

Fire At Will will be released September 17.

For more about the band, visit their official website and ?Facebook page. - Guitar World


"Voice contestant fronts rock group Chevonne and The Fuzz, praises collaborative nature of band"

WHO: Chevonne and the Fuzz.

WHAT: Rock.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25.

WHERE: Sullivan Hall, 214 Sullivan St., Manhattan; sullivanhallnyc.com.

HOW MUCH: $10

As a contestant on the third season of NBC's "The Voice," singer Chevonne experienced firsthand the power that fans have. So when the Upper Saddle River native formed a rock group with old bandmates last fall, she knew that a Kickstarter campaign would be the perfect way to launch their first EP. "Fire at Will," a seven-track effort by Chevonne and the Fuzz, is out today, and an album release party is planned for next week.

Chevonne impressed the celebrity coaches with her big hair, big voice and fiery attitude during her stint on the reality singing competition. The former Lady Gaga and Estelle backup singer joined Team CeeLo, then moved to Christina Aguilera's group before being eliminated.

In an interview during her time on the show, Chevonne explained that her ideal style of music would combine soul and rock, with "a bit of pop glittered on top."

The band's sound is tricky to explain, vocalist/songwriter Chris Ricci said, but it sounds a lot like what Chevonne had in mind. "It's left of center, with different influences."

Chevonne added, "Musically, we try to put zero labels on anything. Whichever the best songs were, those are the ones we put on the album."

For the most part, though, "Fire at Will" is a rock record, with plenty of guitar riffs and a smattering of dance-y moments throughout.

On the lyrics front, Chevonne and Ricci have qualities that they said complement each other — Chevonne is straightforward and sensible when it comes to songwriting, while Ricci is more of a wordsmith and good with detail.

In "Burn Out," the first song the group collaborated on, Chevonne said she wrote a line that went "You'll see me shine." "And Chris said no!" she said. "He said it was awkward and changed it to 'You'll watch me shine.' It's much catchier and easier to drink down, so to speak."

It's a dynamic they sensed when they initially teamed up. Chevonne, who had been working on producing a solo album, said she always secretly hoped they would become a band.

"This is how it has to be," Chevonne said. "There would be no me without them."

What's the deal with the name?

"We're all kind of wacky, so it's a throwback term for the police," Ricci said. They landed on the name after a recording session at a local college ended with a "less than nice" confrontation with a campus officer. "We joked that we were busted by the fuzz."

In an artistic sense, Chevonne said, "the fuzz" can mean a number of things. "Like the static sound on TV that's very amorphous, we're very much a cloud that fits wherever it wants."

The members of the Fuzz — Ricci, bassist Mike Sarkissian, guitarist Chris Bookstaver, drummer Steve Sarkissian and keyboardist Nick Potters — are all from the North Jersey area, hailing from Wayne, Ramsey and Pompton Lakes.

The group has played local gigs in support of fundraisers and benefits, as well as events like this year's North Jersey PrideFest in Maplewood; they also performed with Season 4 contestant and Ringwood native Garrett Gardner. Sullivan Hall in New York, where Chevonne and The Fuzz first played together, will be the location of the album release party at 8 p.m. on Sept. 25.

The Kickstarter campaign, however, will likely be a one-time thing.

"It was amazing," Ricci said of the crowd-funding effort that raised $10,000, "but after this, hopefully we won't need it again."

Email: toribioe@northjersey.com - The Bergen Record (print newspaper, cover of Better Living arts section), NorthJersey.com online


"Voice contestant fronts rock group Chevonne and The Fuzz, praises collaborative nature of band"

WHO: Chevonne and the Fuzz.

WHAT: Rock.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25.

WHERE: Sullivan Hall, 214 Sullivan St., Manhattan; sullivanhallnyc.com.

HOW MUCH: $10

As a contestant on the third season of NBC's "The Voice," singer Chevonne experienced firsthand the power that fans have. So when the Upper Saddle River native formed a rock group with old bandmates last fall, she knew that a Kickstarter campaign would be the perfect way to launch their first EP. "Fire at Will," a seven-track effort by Chevonne and the Fuzz, is out today, and an album release party is planned for next week.

Chevonne impressed the celebrity coaches with her big hair, big voice and fiery attitude during her stint on the reality singing competition. The former Lady Gaga and Estelle backup singer joined Team CeeLo, then moved to Christina Aguilera's group before being eliminated.

In an interview during her time on the show, Chevonne explained that her ideal style of music would combine soul and rock, with "a bit of pop glittered on top."

The band's sound is tricky to explain, vocalist/songwriter Chris Ricci said, but it sounds a lot like what Chevonne had in mind. "It's left of center, with different influences."

Chevonne added, "Musically, we try to put zero labels on anything. Whichever the best songs were, those are the ones we put on the album."

For the most part, though, "Fire at Will" is a rock record, with plenty of guitar riffs and a smattering of dance-y moments throughout.

On the lyrics front, Chevonne and Ricci have qualities that they said complement each other — Chevonne is straightforward and sensible when it comes to songwriting, while Ricci is more of a wordsmith and good with detail.

In "Burn Out," the first song the group collaborated on, Chevonne said she wrote a line that went "You'll see me shine." "And Chris said no!" she said. "He said it was awkward and changed it to 'You'll watch me shine.' It's much catchier and easier to drink down, so to speak."

It's a dynamic they sensed when they initially teamed up. Chevonne, who had been working on producing a solo album, said she always secretly hoped they would become a band.

"This is how it has to be," Chevonne said. "There would be no me without them."

What's the deal with the name?

"We're all kind of wacky, so it's a throwback term for the police," Ricci said. They landed on the name after a recording session at a local college ended with a "less than nice" confrontation with a campus officer. "We joked that we were busted by the fuzz."

In an artistic sense, Chevonne said, "the fuzz" can mean a number of things. "Like the static sound on TV that's very amorphous, we're very much a cloud that fits wherever it wants."

The members of the Fuzz — Ricci, bassist Mike Sarkissian, guitarist Chris Bookstaver, drummer Steve Sarkissian and keyboardist Nick Potters — are all from the North Jersey area, hailing from Wayne, Ramsey and Pompton Lakes.

The group has played local gigs in support of fundraisers and benefits, as well as events like this year's North Jersey PrideFest in Maplewood; they also performed with Season 4 contestant and Ringwood native Garrett Gardner. Sullivan Hall in New York, where Chevonne and The Fuzz first played together, will be the location of the album release party at 8 p.m. on Sept. 25.

The Kickstarter campaign, however, will likely be a one-time thing.

"It was amazing," Ricci said of the crowd-funding effort that raised $10,000, "but after this, hopefully we won't need it again."

Email: toribioe@northjersey.com - The Bergen Record (print newspaper, cover of Better Living arts section), NorthJersey.com online


"Chevonne and The Fuzz: Where Talent Meets Class"

On Wednesday night, Joonbug was invited to indie pop/rock band Chevonne and the Fuzz’s CD release party at Sullivan Hall. The seven-member band just completed their first recording earlier this year and played for an intimate yet enthusiastic group of family and friends. We sat down with the band for a few minutes before the show began.

Chevonne is a petite woman with large eyes peeking from behind a curtain of curls flowing down her back. She greeted us with a sincere hug before perching on a barstool surrounded by her bandmates. There is not a drop of ego in her demeanor, nor in anyone else’s. She speaks of her time on The Voice with humility and gratitude, and of her band with respect. Even though she is nominally the front woman, she shares the role of lead singer with the talented Chris Ricci, lending a secure balance to the band's sound. During the interview Chevonne claimed that all members share the spotlight, and she was right--it wasn’t a drippy line. Watching the band perform, it was evident that every member of the band was both valued and integral to the sound.

It’s not often that we get to see a band whose skill and dedication is rivaled only by a passion for performing. During the interview, Chevonne mentioned they’d love to open for Foo Fighters, but their performance had the energy of playing for a crowd of thousands. It’s clear that these guys are not in it for the money or fame. They genuinely love their music, and that will take them far. We wish them the best of luck!

Without further ado, here they are in their own words.

So let’s go ahead and get started. Chevonne, you’ve toured as a background singer for Estelle and Lady Gaga. What made you decide to strike out on your own as a frontwoman?

Chevonne: Well, I really had never planned to front my own project. It was definitely something that felt like very a faraway dream that I would never actually realize. But after going on The Voice and hearing my coaches Cee-lo [Green] and Christina [Aguilera] tell me that I should be an artist, when I got eliminated from The Voice I just felt very motivated. I saw the wonderful response I got when they aired the episodes and I saw all this fan love that I had never gotten before, because I was always focused on whatever artist I was working for. When I saw all that love I thought: okay, now there are people that have expectations. These young girls and these people my age they're all saying on Twitter and Facebook “we want to hear your stuff! What’s your album going to be like?” So, I decided to just go for it!

You’ve described your album “Fire At Will”, as “our leather-pants wearing, whisky-swigging, finger-snapping tease of a daughter who stays out too late and teaches her goody two-shoes friends all the fun bad stuff. And her mom and five dads are just as delightfully crazy as she is." That sounds like a conventional bad-girl stereotype combined with an unconventional upbringing. Do you feel your album has conventional and unconventional aspects to it?

Chevonne: That’s a really good question. I think that the unconventional part—unconventional parts, I should say—number one, that we have two singers, me and Chris [Ricci]. You don’t see that duet thing often, although it is on the rise, which I love seeing. There are a couple of bands that do that duet stuff, but we’re really pushing it to the forefront. Our lyric stuff is also pretty unconventional. There’s a song about a babysitter, there’s a song about ugly boys. We really try to push the limits of what you can and can’t do a pop song about, and what you can and can’t do a rock song about, so that’s another unconventional thing. I can’t really think of anything conventional that we do. I mean we’re from New Jersey, that’s kind of conventional. [Laughter] We’re a New Jersey rock band. Lots of [the band members'] names are Chris…[more laughter]. I would say from start to finish, we are more unconventional than we are conventional.

The track “Heels” has to do with loving a man in heels. Do you feel that as a frontwoman you are turning objectification of the opposite sex on its head or are you just expressing raw desire?

Chris Ricci: What a great question.

Chevonne: Yeah, I know! That's probably the best question I’ve ever been asked. Oh, and it’s really hard because I won’t want to give away why I wrote the song, or what inspired me because I think everybody should come up with their own interpretation or attach it to their own memory, that’s what I love about music. I do think that the song is about sex, it's about love, it's about fashion, it's about desire, it's about acceptance, and it's about being free.

How did Kickstarted help this album come together? Do you think Kickstarter is essentail for bands these days?

Chris Ricci: I don't know if it's essential, but it was certainly for us. Look, if it wasn't for Kickstart - Joonbug.com


"Chevonne and The Fuzz: Where Talent Meets Class"

On Wednesday night, Joonbug was invited to indie pop/rock band Chevonne and the Fuzz’s CD release party at Sullivan Hall. The seven-member band just completed their first recording earlier this year and played for an intimate yet enthusiastic group of family and friends. We sat down with the band for a few minutes before the show began.

Chevonne is a petite woman with large eyes peeking from behind a curtain of curls flowing down her back. She greeted us with a sincere hug before perching on a barstool surrounded by her bandmates. There is not a drop of ego in her demeanor, nor in anyone else’s. She speaks of her time on The Voice with humility and gratitude, and of her band with respect. Even though she is nominally the front woman, she shares the role of lead singer with the talented Chris Ricci, lending a secure balance to the band's sound. During the interview Chevonne claimed that all members share the spotlight, and she was right--it wasn’t a drippy line. Watching the band perform, it was evident that every member of the band was both valued and integral to the sound.

It’s not often that we get to see a band whose skill and dedication is rivaled only by a passion for performing. During the interview, Chevonne mentioned they’d love to open for Foo Fighters, but their performance had the energy of playing for a crowd of thousands. It’s clear that these guys are not in it for the money or fame. They genuinely love their music, and that will take them far. We wish them the best of luck!

Without further ado, here they are in their own words.

So let’s go ahead and get started. Chevonne, you’ve toured as a background singer for Estelle and Lady Gaga. What made you decide to strike out on your own as a frontwoman?

Chevonne: Well, I really had never planned to front my own project. It was definitely something that felt like very a faraway dream that I would never actually realize. But after going on The Voice and hearing my coaches Cee-lo [Green] and Christina [Aguilera] tell me that I should be an artist, when I got eliminated from The Voice I just felt very motivated. I saw the wonderful response I got when they aired the episodes and I saw all this fan love that I had never gotten before, because I was always focused on whatever artist I was working for. When I saw all that love I thought: okay, now there are people that have expectations. These young girls and these people my age they're all saying on Twitter and Facebook “we want to hear your stuff! What’s your album going to be like?” So, I decided to just go for it!

You’ve described your album “Fire At Will”, as “our leather-pants wearing, whisky-swigging, finger-snapping tease of a daughter who stays out too late and teaches her goody two-shoes friends all the fun bad stuff. And her mom and five dads are just as delightfully crazy as she is." That sounds like a conventional bad-girl stereotype combined with an unconventional upbringing. Do you feel your album has conventional and unconventional aspects to it?

Chevonne: That’s a really good question. I think that the unconventional part—unconventional parts, I should say—number one, that we have two singers, me and Chris [Ricci]. You don’t see that duet thing often, although it is on the rise, which I love seeing. There are a couple of bands that do that duet stuff, but we’re really pushing it to the forefront. Our lyric stuff is also pretty unconventional. There’s a song about a babysitter, there’s a song about ugly boys. We really try to push the limits of what you can and can’t do a pop song about, and what you can and can’t do a rock song about, so that’s another unconventional thing. I can’t really think of anything conventional that we do. I mean we’re from New Jersey, that’s kind of conventional. [Laughter] We’re a New Jersey rock band. Lots of [the band members'] names are Chris…[more laughter]. I would say from start to finish, we are more unconventional than we are conventional.

The track “Heels” has to do with loving a man in heels. Do you feel that as a frontwoman you are turning objectification of the opposite sex on its head or are you just expressing raw desire?

Chris Ricci: What a great question.

Chevonne: Yeah, I know! That's probably the best question I’ve ever been asked. Oh, and it’s really hard because I won’t want to give away why I wrote the song, or what inspired me because I think everybody should come up with their own interpretation or attach it to their own memory, that’s what I love about music. I do think that the song is about sex, it's about love, it's about fashion, it's about desire, it's about acceptance, and it's about being free.

How did Kickstarted help this album come together? Do you think Kickstarter is essentail for bands these days?

Chris Ricci: I don't know if it's essential, but it was certainly for us. Look, if it wasn't for Kickstart - Joonbug.com


"Chevonne and The Fuzz plays CMJ on October 16 and 18"

Rising up from the fertile sonic breeding grounds of New Jersey, alt rock band Chevonne and The Fuzz presents arena-ready pop rock via their debut EP "Fire At Will.” Larger than life track “Burn Out” is sung as a boy/girl duet between Chevonne and co-front-vocalist Chris Ricci, using the poetic imagery of a stage or film performance to mirror the internal conflicts churning within us all. “Maybe you’ll burn out but I’ll never fade away” are the central lyrics of its hook-laden chorus. Experiencing the band performing this live at their recent record release show at Sullivan Hall drove home the powerful efficiency of it. CMJ attendees will have an opportunity to check out the band at the first of two Big Picture Media official showcases on Wednesday, October 16th at Tammany Hall. Admission is free for this show, which also includes performances by Love Crushed Velvet, Jodi Good, Viv and the Revival, Lily & the Parlour Tricks, Ashley Allen, and The Lawsuits. A second Big Picture Media showcase at Sullivan Hall is set for Friday, October 18th and will feature Nghbrs, Sol Cat, Maria Taylor, Sheppard, and Quiet Company. Admission is $10/21+ or $15/18+. - Dave Cromwell - The Deli Magazine


"Chevonne and The Fuzz plays CMJ on October 16 and 18"

Rising up from the fertile sonic breeding grounds of New Jersey, alt rock band Chevonne and The Fuzz presents arena-ready pop rock via their debut EP "Fire At Will.” Larger than life track “Burn Out” is sung as a boy/girl duet between Chevonne and co-front-vocalist Chris Ricci, using the poetic imagery of a stage or film performance to mirror the internal conflicts churning within us all. “Maybe you’ll burn out but I’ll never fade away” are the central lyrics of its hook-laden chorus. Experiencing the band performing this live at their recent record release show at Sullivan Hall drove home the powerful efficiency of it. CMJ attendees will have an opportunity to check out the band at the first of two Big Picture Media official showcases on Wednesday, October 16th at Tammany Hall. Admission is free for this show, which also includes performances by Love Crushed Velvet, Jodi Good, Viv and the Revival, Lily & the Parlour Tricks, Ashley Allen, and The Lawsuits. A second Big Picture Media showcase at Sullivan Hall is set for Friday, October 18th and will feature Nghbrs, Sol Cat, Maria Taylor, Sheppard, and Quiet Company. Admission is $10/21+ or $15/18+. - Dave Cromwell - The Deli Magazine


Discography

Chevonne and The Fuzz (LP) -- release date July 15, 2016

Fire At Will (EP) -- released Sept 17, 2013

Photos

Bio

New Jersey natives Chevonne and The Fuzz deliver dual-guitar
riffs, sly lyrics, and raucous hooks for a great American rock ‘n’ roll
sound.  Frontwoman Chevonne has toured
the world singing backup vocals for Lady Gaga and Estelle, and she performed on
Season 3 of NBC’s The Voice.  Cree, The Fuzz’s frontman, offers raw
vocal grit to complement Chevonne’s clean power, for the perfect musical blend.


Band Members