Here’s Fuzigish! SA’s much loved and iconic ska-punk band are releasing a new single this month ‘Believer’

A Fuzi album launch, a new sound, and the sweaty, skankin’ ska tour of SA you won’t wanna miss!

By Natalie Murfin.

Guess what? Fuzigish just launched a brand new single and you’re reading an article in blunt. No, you haven’t been transported back to 2006 in some twisted version of Back to The Future where you’re somehow wearing much more flattering pants.

You’re in 2022, and the year ahead of you is looking like it’s going to be full of way more raucous, beery, shouting-your-lungs-out nights than you’ve grown used to. Are you stoked yet? Because after we sat down to chat with the guys from Fuzigish about what they’ll be bringing our way this year, we sure are!

The first single on Fuzigish’s eponymous album, launching in March 2022, dropped this week. If ‘Believer’ (streaming now on fuzigish.org and other platforms) is any indicator of what to expect from this iconic ska-punk group in 2022, it’s going to be a memorable ride.

“Different producers bring out different characteristics in you,” says Jay Bones, the band’s frontman, when asked about the recording process. “It was cool that our new producer, Matthew Fink, was very involved in the pre-production. It was another ear to tell us what was working.”

“For Fuzi, live shows have always been the anchor around what we do,” says Jay. “Tell your friends, spread the music. Word of mouth has really been the best thing for us.”

The album was written and recorded entirely during the pandemic, but Jay tells us that “it was a blessing that this process came along, with no gigs to play.” Creating this album gave everyone involved focus and hype. “We could spend more time on just the fundamental stuff, but adding the interesting things,” he explains, “I can’t even recall any bad times in the process.”

When it comes to what we can expect from Fuzi’s upcoming release in terms of content, Jay describes their songwriting approach as focussing on balance and the “Yin and Yang” aspect of growing into yourself. They explore “how things can seem to be both good and bad, and life keeps on going round and round.”

The album combines punk elements and diverse influences, and even though it’s been mastered by Scott Hallquist, a member of the world-renowned punk outfit Ten Foot Pole, there’s a lot of stuff happening that’s new and exciting but it still sounds like Fuzi.

“This feels like all the stuff we’ve ever worked on coming together in a unique way,” Jay explains. “It’s what we’ve worked towards for a long time, and it feels like a real, true reflection of our sound.”

Fuzigish played their first live show, since we were all relegated to daytime pyjamas, at Sowaar Bar in Pretoria in October of 2022, and the band is planning a nationwide tour to promote their album in the upcoming months.

Their next gig is Mieliepop Festival in March, but they’re heading down south with a vengeance pretty soon. “I was nervous to play again,” Jay tells us, “but it was surreal. It was these faces you’ve been seeing for a while, and I got the feeling that everyone was excited to be out, and it was great.”

If there was one lockdown rule Fuzi could keep in place though, they say it would probably be curfew. “Social distancing wouldn’t work,” Jay explains “because when a gig is going, it’s amazing, and it requires everybody to be tight and close.” Why curfew? Well, “the gigs are earlier, and then when we’re out later, we feel a little bit naughty.”

Taking a closer look at their most recent release, “Believer” pokes fun at the way the last two years have caused facts and personal narratives to collide through conspiracy theories and misinformation.

“Punk is mutating, it’s a growing thing,” Jay explains, and we need to take an active role in examining the ways we choose the information that we believe. “With ‘Believer,’ whatever your views are, that’s fine. We’re just showing how that information process goes now.”

The new album combines punk elements and diverse influences, and even though it’s been mastered by Scott Hallquist, a member of the world-renowned punk outfit Ten Foot Pole, there’s a lot of stuff happening that’s new and exciting but it still sounds like Fuzi.

When we asked about the Fuzi crew’s favourite conspiracy theories, we were presented with The Hollow Moon theory, QAnon, and David Icke’s take on lizard people. If you have a few hours to kill, you’re welcome for some scroll-fuel.

Do you want to support Fuzigish? First of all, you’ve gotta come to the shows! “For Fuzi, live shows have always been the anchor around what we do,” says Jay. “Tell your friends, spread the music. Word of mouth has really been the best thing for us. Tell some people that don’t know us, or pull them along to a show.”

If you can’t make one of the events in our gig outline below and support the band by sweating it out in a skank pit, you can also visit their brand new website, fuzigish.org. There, you can stream their songs and join their mailing list, The National Slam Disaster Plan, a guide to appearances, updates, and new releases.

Remember folks, ska never died, and you’re only one show away from a good feeling. Pick it up.

Fuzigish gig guide:
All specific dates TBA, keep an eye on socials for more details!
5 March – Mieliepop Festival
Start of April – Johannesburg
End of May – JHB album launch
Start of June – Stellies/CPT album launch
End of June – PTA album launch

In case you missed it above, go check out fuzigish.org While you are at it check out Plug Music Agency too.