Chew the Mat: Sicksense Co-Vocalist Robby J. Fonts Talks Wrestling and Being a Pro Wrestler

With two highly successful EPs under their belt, there is a lot of anticipation sewn within the release of Sicksense’s debut album, Cross Me Twice. Due for release this coming Valentine’s Day via Earache Records, the band left a major impression with their two EPs, Kings Today and Fools Tomorrow. You can hear the influence that old-school nu-metal plays within their sound. They have taken that influence and combined it with their love of modern metalcore and power metal. By design, Cross Me Twice was intended to be a heavier, catchier set of songs than their previous output. With this album, the band feels like they have honed in on their “sound.”

Sicksense is a dynamic group composed of experienced musicians. It features dual lead vocalists Vicky Psarakis, formerly of The Agonist, and Robby J. Fonts of Stuck Mojo. Rounding out the band are guitarist Phil Lykostratis, drummer Joe Polizzi, and bassist Rich Regier. By design, Cross Me Twice was written and recorded to be heavier than the band’s previous output. With this album, they feel they have finally found their sound and pinned it down. It exists within the space of traditional-sounding nu-metal. However, the hints of modern metalcore make the band feel current and modern.

We are pleased to be joined today for Chew the Mat by Robby J. Fonts. We discuss one of his favourite topics, professional wrestling, which is literally a second career for him.

If you were a wrestler, what would your finishing move be, and what would you call it?

Robby J. Fonts: “Fun fact: I am a pro wrestler. I got trained by Seth Rollins, Marek Brave, and Krotch at Black and Brave Academy in Davenport, Iowa. And I then got additional training in Quebec from Jeff Racette who operates NCW up there.

“I was using the ‘Frog Splash’ as my finisher. I could get some big air doing that move. Although Montez Ford definitely has the best frog splash in the game today. Gotta have love for RVD and Eddie Guerrero being masters of the ‘Frog Splash’ too.

“When I eventually get back in the ring, I do have another finisher in mind. It would be a double under hook into a knee to the face. Kind of like a more controlled GTS? No lifting involved and I’d be able to hit wrestlers of any size with it. I think I’d call it the ‘Lights Out’ or something along those lines, depending on the gimmick.”

Sicksense x Chew the Mat, photo by Robby J. Fonts

When did you start watching wrestling?

“I started casually watching wrestling as a toddler whenever I visited my paternal grandparents’ house. They had a bunch of WWF VHS tapes that I would frequently watch. I’m a ’90s kid, but I grew up watching guys like Hulk Hogan, Mr. Perfect, Tito Santana, Demolition, The Ultimate Warrior, and Bret Hart.

“But I really got into wrestling in the mid-2000s after seeing a replay of WrestleMania XX’s Triple Threat main event for the ‘World Heavyweight Championship’ on TSN. I was absolutely hooked from then on.

“I watched every Raw, Smackdown, and WWE pay-per-view back in those days and I tried watching TNA whenever I could. Wrestling was my obsession back then. I bought many wrestling DVDs with my allowance/chores money. And I even asked my dad to take my little brother and me to see our local indie wrestling promotion, NCW. It was cool seeing guys like Franky The Mobster, Chakal, Bishop, James Kraven, and Don Paysan back then.

“I ended up making my pro wrestling in-ring debut at NCW a little over a decade later against longtime vet and my mentor, Jeff Racette.”

Sicksense x Chew the Mat, photo by Robby J. Fonts

Who’s your favourite wrestler right now, and who’s your all-time favourite?

“My favourite wrestler right now is Stallion Rogers. His in-ring psychology is so subtle and intelligent. The man understands how to tell a story in that ring, work a crowd, and put on a wrestling clinic when he’s given the chance to.

“I met Stallion down in Florida while he was in NXT at the time, recovering from an arm injury. I was actually wrestling a tag match for ZOWA in Tampa during WrestleMania weekend.

“Rogers took the time to speak with me and the guys involved in the match and he gave me highly insightful feedback on what we did right and how we could have done things better. He didn’t have to go out of his way like that, but he did. He’s just a one-of-a-kind guy who truly cares about the sport. We kept in touch ever since.

“On an old-school note, my favourite wrestler of all time has to be Kurt Angle. I loved to hate him as a kid. He was such an obnoxious heel. He knew how to work up the audience and his in-ring talent was exceptional.

“One of my favourite wrestling matches of all time is Kurt vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 21. What a spectacular match. They both gave it their all that night. It’s one of the matches I always go back to rewatch every now and again.”

Sicksense ‘Cross Me Twice’ album artwork

What’s the best wrestler entrance theme song?

“It’s gotta be Edge’s theme song, ‘Metalingus’ by Alter Bridge. It’s such an empowering song. With the ‘you think you know me’ to kick it off? I got chills every time Edge arrived.

“What makes this song so great is being reminded of the incredible journey that Edge went through during his career. From overcoming serious neck injuries to being seen as an underdog earlier on in his career, to finding redemption from his tumultuous personal tribulations, you can’t help but smile when you hear that Alter Bridge song come on and Edge passes through the top ramp out of all that smoke. It just hits you right in the feels.”

Which wrestler would you want to write a theme song for?

“I already got the chance to do this! Stallion Rogers uses Sicksense’s ‘Feed Them To The Wolves’ as his theme song. It’s from our self-released Fools Tomorrow EP.

“After we kept in touch, Stallion ended up giving me props on my music stuff when I started posting about Sicksense. When he moved to Japan to work for NOAH, he asked me if Sicksense could write a song for him. It was around the time we were about to release, ‘Feed Them To The Wolves.’ The song was already done, so I sent it over to him and asked if he wanted to use it. He loved it. His close friends did too and the rest was history. It’s his now.”

Sicksense x Chew the Mat, photo by Robby J. Fonts

As a wrestler, who was your arch-nemesis?

“When I was wrestling as part of my old tag team, Collateral Damage with my partner, ‘Sabotage’ Sean Logan. We had a feud with the guys in inFAMy. So Joeasa, Deonn Russman, and Robin Steele. Yeah, I still have a bone to pick with all these of those guys when I get back at it.

“Another guy getting on my nerves lately has been JT Energy… he can get some too one of these days.

“Wrestlers tend to make more enemies than friends in this business. Everybody’s out for themselves as they step over each other to reach the top. You can’t trust anyone. Great feuds truly never end.”

The wrestling community and music community are pretty intertwined. What band do you think would be the coolest wrestling stable?

“I have a few in mind for this!

“Frontman, Jason Evans from Ingested is just such a showman on that stage. He definitely has the main event promo energy as he’s hyping up the crowd. Ingested would be a punishing clique.

“Then I have to show love to two Southern bands.

“Watching Kublai Khan TX on stage is like watching all the Texan wrestling greats up there. They definitely bring the BIG Texas tough guy energy a la Stone Cold Steve Austin that works so fittingly with their sound.

“Another upcoming band full of hype and characters that would make an awesome stable are NOLA’s latest breakout metal band, Brat. They’re just an absolute good time and a killer band to watch live.”

Sicksense x Chew the Mat, photo by Robby J. Fonts

Greatest female wrestler of all time?

“I have to name two. The greatest female pro wrestlers of all time have to be my fellow Canadian, Trish Stratus and alternative superstar, Lita.

“They’re the type of women that you can’t let their looks fool you. They were not only beautiful, and charismatic on the mic, alongside being great valets. They could go in that ring and put on a hell of a wrestling match in the minimal time those ladies were given back then.

“Absolute great wrestling ability. Trish’s feud with Lita and watching them main event Monday Night Raw live and absolutely stealing the show together are definitely highlights from my childhood.

“Those two hands down paved the way for the current generation of female wrestlers and I’m grateful for their contributions to the sport. They’ve also inspired me and my in-ring moveset too.”

What’s your most memorable moment watching wrestling?

“A very special moment for me was attending Monday Night Raw in my hometown of Montreal, Canada. It was the night of that year’s ‘Diva Search’ winner announcement, which Ashley Massaro won.

“Believe it or not, I had made and held up a sign congratulating her on being the winner and she pointed up right at me and my sign as she was jumping up with joy.

“Her smiling and pointing up at the sign can be seen in her original Titantron entrance video. It’s special to have that memory immortalized by that.

“I am saddened to this day by her tragic and sudden passing. She seemed like such a bright light in what at times can be a very dark world. I hope she’s remembered for all the joy she brought people like me during her time in wrestling.

“My dad got me her autographed card for Christmas one year and it’s one of my most treasured collectibles.”

Which wrestler deserves their own biopic?

“Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart deserves a proper biopic. He just went through such an unbelievable journey with insane highs and lows in both his pro wrestling career and in his personal life.

“He’s from such a legendary wrestling family and he ended up becoming so iconic to wrestling and Canadian culture.

“He helped make modern wrestling what it is today. It’s hard to ignore his influence and legacy.

“Bret’s story would be a dramatic and dynamic tale that would translate very well on the big screen.”

What is the most exciting thing about wrestling right now?

“There are so many outlets and companies for people to work at nowadays. It’s great for the wrestlers and all the staff that help put in the shows and make them what they are. You can’t forget about the ring crew, vendors, refs, security, ring announcers, and commentators who come together to make these events memorable spectacles.

“With so many various styles of wrestling to appreciate and so many different companies and indie promotions to support, pro wrestling is the biggest it’s ever been and it’s a remarkable time to be involved in the business. Cheers to everyone working hard and finding success doing what they enjoy most. You deserve it.”