Ross the Boss

Ross the Boss -- the band -- were named after the best-known stage handle employed by one Ross Friedman, late of power metal muscle men Manowar, and, before that, legendary proto-punk group the Dictators (where he went by Ross Funicello, for some mysterious reason). Having spent the better part of 20 years tucked away from the limelight, but involved with numerous part-time or short-lived musical endeavors, Friedman was coaxed back into the heavy metal mosh pit after performing a one-off set at the 2006 Keep It True Festival with a German Manowar tribute band (the Men of War -- snort!). That band, which contained vocalist/guitarist Patrick Fuchs, bassist Carsten Kettering, and drummer Matthias "Matze" Mayer, effectively became Ross the Boss alongside Friedman two years later, when the album New Metal Leader arrived in stores, soon to be followed by 2010's Hailstorm. So far, Ross the Boss have garnered positive reviews and offered a slightly less overstated power metal alternative for Manowar fans, while obviously gifting Friedman's talents back to the heavy metal community -- a win-win proposition. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia