Although never having attained commercial success, The Fuzztones have certainly achieved legendary status as cult faves during their 26 year career. Their fiery brand of Garage-Psych Punk pre-dated the entire "Garage Revival" of the 1980's and has influenced hundreds of groups, some quite famous. Born in the summer of 1980 in the bowels of NYC's Lower East side, The Fuzztones were soon regulars at legendary NYC hotspots such as CBGB, and the Mudd Club. By utilizing the fuzzbox (an antiquated effects pedal used by many 60's groups to achieve overly distorted "psychedelic" guitar sounds), the band created a raunchy sound they referred to as "Grunge".(On their 1984 debut single, "Bad News Travels Fast", lead guitarist Elan Portnoy is credited as playing "lead grunge", at least a decade before the Seattle Grunge Invasion)! Complete with paisley and leather attire, genuine human bone necklaces, The Fuzztones influenced the fashions of bands as diverse as the Hoodoo Gurus (who also modified the Fuzztones infamous skull and crossed Vox Phantom guitars logo for use on one of their album covers) to Marc Almond (who aped The Fuzztones by wearing black turtlenecks with bone necklaces) to the X-rated Dwarves logo, which was stolen from the Fuzztones "Lysergic Ejaculations" cover. The band's classic video for "Ward 81" even inspired the legendary Ramones, whose "Psychotherapy" video copies several scenes directly from the Fuzztones' masterpiece, as did the glitter-rock docu-film "Velvet Goldmine"! The band's first European tour in 1985, a 3 month onslaught of England, Wales, Scotland, Germany and Italy, firmly established the band with a dedicated, and avid following that continues to this day! Their 1985 debut studio LP, "Lysergic Emanations" has achieved major cult status, and has been released by 3 different labels over the last 16 years, the combined sales of which has assured gold record status! The Fuzztones have toured Europe fervently since 1985, and have headlined major venues in Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Wales, Scotland, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Denmark and Finland, as well as Canada, Israel, and Mexico. Their 26 year career spans at least 13 albums, countless singles, 5 videos, several television and radio appearances, and countless major press articles (NME, Sounds, Melody Maker, Rockerilla, Hit Parade, US,and more). They were the only band involved in the 80's "Garage Revival" to obtain a major label record deal (RCA). Now on their 9th incarnation, The Fuzztones prepare to invade Europe once again. The current line-up features Lead vocalist / guitarist and founding member Rudi Protrudi, drummer Roger Ward (formerly of the Tommyknockers and Thee Lordly Serpents), Lana Loveland (of the Music Machine, SDBO), former Outta Place, Morlocks, and "In Heat" guitarist Jordan Tarlow, and bassist,Gabriel Hammond, who has been with the band since their reformation in 2000. Since then they have released 3 singles, "Help Murder Police"(on Italy's Misty Lane label), "Idol Chatter" (Italy's Beard of Stars), and "Hallucination Generation" (Mexico's Dark Zone). In 2003, the band released it's first studio album in 13 years, entitled "SALT FOR ZOMBIES," on Protrudi's Sin label. A double disc CD/DVD "Best Of" set, entitled "LSD25," has just been released on Italy's Get Back label to commemorate the band's 25th year anniversary. Finally, their track "Bad News Travels Fast" is featured on Rhino's brand new "Children of Nuggets" box set. A double disc Fuzztones Tribute album is already completed and should be available in March.
The Fuzztones - Nine Months Later
The Fuzztones - The Witch
