Name: Josh 'Fry' French

Age: 40

Instrument: I'm typically found with a microphone, but I gladly hold the title of 'World's most okayest guitar player.

Band/Former Bands: I played guitar in several little garage punk bands between the age of 14-16, but my most notable former bands are Shirley's .44 and INSTITUTION. I'm currently 1 half of the vocal tandem with Mike Burch in Boombox Poets. We're a 6 piece band that bends genres everywhere from rock, rap, funk, rhythm and blues. I'm a fortunate dude to be honest. I get to write music with Anthony Slack (guitars), Tom Irwin (percussion), Sean Bush (Bass) and Jake Buckley (keys) They are literally human juke boxes. The vibe is incredible

Equipment: I have a Shure wireless BLX24/PG58 mic, a Fender acoustic and a pretty sweet Washburn electric...

Influences: 'Break my Stride' by Matthew Wilder was my first favorite song so I had to throw him on the list! It's funny, I'm most recognized for Rap/Hip-Hop but I owned every Slayer album ever made. I've always been a musical sponge. Late 80s early 90s definitely molded my tastes. Beastie Boys, NWA, Guns N Roses, DJ Quick, and Bad Religion. 80s Pop is my guilty pleasure. Tears for Fears, A-Ha, Simple Minds, The Cars.... Man, there's just something about that sound that's so digestible to my soul. As an MC though? Ice Cube, DMX, Eminem, Andre 3k and MCA is where I try to pull an angry and smooth cadence and flow from. Alice in Chains is the greatest band ever in my opinion. The dynamic between Layne and Jerry is so inspiring. Linkin Park had a dual vocalist dynamic as well that greatly influenced the way Mike and I approach writing. Newer influences I'd say Fire From the Gods and Run the Jewels..

My first gig: I'd say my first actual legit gig was the 1997 flood relief show at Spalding downtown. I was with Shirley's .44 then. Anyone remember that flood in 97!? Anyway, shot out to Jimmy Humphrey and Al Clark (the vox and bass player from that band) Awesomes cats, great artists... I remember my favorite local band at that time was Snoit,and they played that night. If I recollect correctly Chris Owens broke his guitar playing and after the set he held it in his arms in the stairwell. He seemed upset, but I thought it was a badass performance.

Hobbies: I've recently gotten into film and making short movies and music videos. I spend a lot of time with my son. I focus a lot on his education and athletics. He also just started to learn piano so it's fun to play tunes with him. I enjoy down time with my beautiful fiance, Lauren. She keeps me balanced.

Favorite movies: Yo, Adrian!!!!! 'Rocky' Love an underdog story. I have an immense love for cinema. I'm the guy that goes to movies by himself, and just gets lost in the story. Black and White movies, The Maltese Falcon (is there anyone cooler than Humphrey Bogart?) The Wolfman, Bride of Frankenstein, Creature from the Black Lagoon... I'll talk film all day.

Favorite food: I come from an Italian family. There's a meatball recipe in my family that *chefs kiss* is otherworldly. I'm from a small town in Ohio called Lima. The best thing in Lima is a burger joint called Kewpee... If you are travelling I75 and you're going through Lima; stop and get a kewpee... You can thank ol Frenchy later...

Favorite place: Madeira Beach. There's something magical about that place

Favorite sports or team: I was born in Ohio. When you are born in Ohio you are pretty much handed a football at birth. I am a loyal Cleveland Browns fan, and GO BUCKEYES! I got a lot of love for those Louisville Cardinals too...

What I'm listening to nowadays: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit!!!! Dude, he might be the best songwriter on the planet right now!

Coolest thing I've done: Yo, so my fiance and I snorkled with manatees. Easily the coolest thing I've ever done. Love them sea cows!! Nature is beautiful, man...

Most embarrassing moment: I ate a buffalo chicken Subway sandwich before a show one night. I killed a couple beers and while on stage that sandwich decided to make another appearance and I ralphed it into a beer cup during a song... I did, however, feel great after that!

Bad Habits: Procrastination... I might be guilty of letting things boil inside me too long as well...

What was your first concert ever: New Kids on the Block and Tina Turner! Tina was such a badass in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome!

If you could meet a Rockstar ( past or present ), who would it be, and why: Chris Cornell... Because honestly, his music saved my life many nights. The greatest voice ever.

Who do you love: The easy answer would be my son or my fiance or my family and band. Truthfully though, I love mankind. I'm a pacifist, I love the ocean, the mountains, the trees and all Earth's creatures. I want to share a basket of fries with the world.