When Kore Rozzik led his band into the Alamo City for the first time in June, he came bearing an energetic, theatrical and entertaining show as a support act for Alice Cooper guitarist Nita Strauss’ mostly instrumental headlining set. Four and a half months later, “The Bastard Child of New York City” descended upon Fitzgerald’s Bar on Thursday night as a headlining act himself and demonstrated why this band should be trending upward nationally.
Still riding the wave of 2018 debut concept album Vengeance Overdrive, a record Rozzik shared with Alamo True Metal afterwards is “more of a New York record” compared to what he intends the follow-up to be, the quartet of Rozzik, guitarists Alex Gil and Andrei Patorski and Louie on drums played to a somewhat typical intimate mid-week bar crowd. Backed by local supergroup Killswitch Incorporated and War On Sunday — a last-minute replacement for originally scheduled locals Pup Zenabi Instrumental Project and Bridge 13 — Kore Rozzik delivered the goods again.
Although Rozzik acknowledged to ATM after the gig “we were on fire that night; last night of the tour” in reference to the Strauss gig at the Rock Box (coverage here), his group made the most of an opportunity to shine as the featured act despite the sparse attendance. Like the Strauss gig, Rozzik opened with the album’s title track before launching into a cover of Rockwell’s ‘80s pop hit that featured Michael Jackson on the chorus, “Somebody’s Watching Me,” with the original video playing on a monitor next to Louie’s drums (footage with 52-photo slideshow below). Unlike the former performance, when Rozzik also played Megadeth’s “Hangar 18,” his second cover choice this time was Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” with Marilyn Manson’s version playing on the monitor.
But as should be the case, it was the original tunes that struck a chord thanks to a strong debut concept record Rozzik told ATM is approximately 50 percent personal experience regarding those in New York who tried to slander him. In addition to the blistering title track, Rozzik and his mates, who don’t utilize a bassist on stage, rocked out on “Bitter Rat,” “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop,” “Mistress” (watch below) and finale “Spellbound.” Strauss and her band punked Rozzik during the previous performance of “Spellbound” (ATM footage contained within the aforementioned coverage link), but Rozzik came through unscathed this time.
Killswitch Inc., founded in 1997, consists of members of local groups Even In Death and Minister Fiend. Fronted by the former’s Sean Nations and featuring the latter’s David Arriola on guitars along with fellow guitarist and 46th birthday boy Johnny Quattlebaum, bassist Anthony Aleman and drummer George Hamilton, the group made a rare appearance and didn’t disappoint. Watch ATM Facebook Live footage of “Such a God” and see below for “Suckpump,” which Nations introduced by thanking War On Sunday for filling in as openers by saying, “It’s good to deal with some professionals.”
With Even In Death at a bit of a crossroads, Nations has been singing more often with ‘80s cover band Big Bang, which could pave the way for more Killswitch Inc. shows as well depending on the rest of the members’ schedules with their respective groups.
As for Kore Rozzik, they left San Antonio and drove straight to their home state, reaching the next gig in Rochester, New York, in 33 hours and 11 minutes. For those who missed both of their initial two visits, they’d be wise to make the third time the charm — and let Rozzik cast his spell upon thee whenever that may be.
