“Their on-stage chemistry and musicianship was off-the-charts.  This was a dead-giveaway that FxD band that loves playing together and more importantly puts in the time to make their dreams a reality.  I walked away a believer in FUSED BY DEFIANCE, and have no doubt that there are massive things in store for this group of talented musicians.”

I had the good fortune of seeing FUSED BY DEFIANCE (also known as FxD) open the 2017 Sabroso Festival in Dana Point, CA and was floored from the moment these guys hit the stage.  It was the first time heard this band, and was immediately drawn into their unique sound – an infusion of funk, rock, metal. Their socially conscious lyrics reminded me of early RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, yet had a style and sound that was uniquely different.  When I heard that they were going to be opening for P.O.D. and ALIEN ANT FARM at the Observatory OC in Santa Ana, I immediately made plans to come out and see them in a more intimate setting.   I wanted to know if FxD was the “real deal”, or if their performance at Sabroso was just a fluke.  I was about to find out.

Seeing as FxD was opening for two killer bands, my initial expectation for crowd size right out of the gate was not very high.  For shows like this, fans typically trickle in closer to the headliner’s set time, but that was not the case here.  The Observatory was packed, and from the looks of it many were there to see their hometown favorites.  The barrier was packed with fans wearing FUSED BY DEFIANCE shirts, and when the band hit the stage the place went absolutely nuts.  From the first note of “Payback”, a massive mosh-pit formed in the center of the general admission floor, and fans of all ages were flying around like their life depended on it.  Energy levels were at “11”, and from the looks of it, were not going to calm down any time soon.  All in attendance could tell this was going to be an amazing show, and no one in the crowd walked away disappointed from FxD’s 6 song powerhouse set.

For fans of FUSED BY DEFIANCE, it would have been no surprise that this band was going to blow the doors off the Observatory OC Thursday night.  The Los Angeles quintet, consisting of Ryan “Cheeks” Cheek (Vocals), Kevin “Kevo” Cordero (Lead Guitar), Alvaro “Al” Padilla (Rhythm Guitar), Jonathan “Jon” Sigala (Bass), and Edwin “Ed” Daboub (Drums), played with a reckless abandon that is seldom seen in today’s music scene.   And, their on-stage chemistry and musicianship was off-the-charts.  This was a dead-giveaway that the band that FxD loves playing together and more importantly puts in the time to make their dreams a reality.  I walked away a believer in FUSED BY DEFIANCE, and have no doubt that there are massive things in store for this group of talented musicians.  And don’t take my word alone, come on out and see the band perform live at Hunnypot Live at the Mint on Monday June 12^th.  It’s Hunnypot approved and will be a show for the ages.  Until next time…

Stay Frosty and Rock On!

Set List:  Payback / Hollywood Holdup / Paint It Red / Break the Norm / Chemical Incision / Against the Wall