Bad Blood

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Bad Blood" by Fortune from their self-titled album, igniting the airwaves for their devoted Zoo Freaks. This track, a pulsating anthem of betrayal and resilience, carries a gritty edge that resonates with the band’s raw, emotive style. In a 2018 interview with Rock Magazine, lead vocalist Larry Greene shared that "Bad Blood" was inspired by a real-life falling out with a former bandmate, describing it as "a cathartic release of pent-up frustration, like venom you gotta let out." The song’s driving rhythm and searing guitar riffs were crafted to mirror that emotional intensity, with Greene noting on X in 2020 that it took "three sleepless nights in the studio to get that solo just right." Fans on the Fortune Hard Rockers Facebook group often cite the song’s bridge as a standout, with one member posting in 2023 about how the lyrics "cut like a knife through the lies" hit them during a tough breakup.

Delving into the song’s creation, drummer Roger Scott revealed in a 2019 YouTube Q&A that the band experimented with a funkier bassline initially but scrapped it for a heavier, more aggressive sound to match the song’s theme. A tidbit from Fortune’s Instagram in 2021 highlighted how the iconic wah-wah pedal effect in the chorus was a last-minute addition, suggested by producer Mick Ronson during a late-night session. The Zoo Freaks likely appreciate these layers, as the song’s raw energy feels tailor-made for THE ZOO’s eclectic vibe. A fan on the Fortune Fan Zone website recounted in a 2022 forum post how "Bad Blood" became their go-to track for road trips, blasting it to "shake off bad vibes." Despite its heavy subject, the song’s infectious hooks keep it a staple in Fortune’s live sets, with Greene tweeting on X in 2024 that it’s "still the one that gets the crowd screaming loudest."

Fortune, the Los Angeles-based hard rock outfit, began their journey in the late 1970s, born from the gritty club scene of Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. According to their bio on their official website, brothers Richard and Mick Fortune, guitarist and bassist respectively, formed the band after years of jamming in their garage, inspired by legends like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. Larry Greene, a charismatic frontman with a penchant for storytelling, joined in 1978 after answering a flyer at a local record store, as noted in a 2017 Facebook post commemorating the band’s 40th anniversary. Their early days were marked by relentless gigging at venues like The Whisky a Go Go, where they honed their sound and built a loyal following. By 1982, they landed a deal with Camel Records, releasing their debut album, which included early versions of tracks that would later evolve into hits like "Bad Blood."

The band’s rise wasn’t without struggle. A 2020 bio update on Fortune Fan Zone details how they faced near dissolution in the mid-1980s due to label disputes and lineup changes, only to regroup with renewed fire in the 1990s. Greene’s soulful voice and the Fortune brothers’ tight instrumentation became their signature, earning them a cult status among hard rock fans. Today, they remain active, with recent posts on Instagram showing them in the studio working on new material. Fans can connect with the band through their official website, follow their updates on Facebook, Instagram, and X, or join discussions on the Fortune Hard Rockers Facebook group and Fortune Fan Zone for community-driven content and nostalgia.