Strangely enough for the prodigal child of a musical family, Vladimir Ondrasik began his music career in earnest far later than most would, signing his first record deal when he was 31 years old. Up until that point, while he was a talented pianist and guitarist and had been all throughout his childhood and teenage years, music was a hobby for him, a pastime while he focused on a career in applied sciences. However, after he left college the desire to create music became stronger and stronger, and he started devoting more time to songwriting and performing all around his local indie rock scene in L.A. The ice hockey obsessed Ondrasik took the stage name Five For Fighting after the five minute time penalty a hockey player receives for fighting on the rink and by late 1996, he’d signed a record deal with the EMI subsidiary Nettwerk Records.
His debut album “Message For Albert” wasn’t a smash hit, but it was enough to secure Ondrasik a major label deal with Columbia Records and his second effort “America Town”, was the smash hit that “Message For Albert” wasn’t. Released in September 2000, it was certified Platinum of the back of its second single “Superman (It’s Not Easy), which was a top fifteen hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and certified Platinum in its own right. Ever since then, Ondrasik has remained one of the most beloved singer/songwriters of his generation, with over two and a half million albums sold and sold out shows all over the United States that continue to this very day. He remains an unmissable act both live and in the studio, and for that, Five For Fighting comes highly recommended.
Five For Fighting. It’s an ice hockey term that means a five-minute penalty for fighting in the rink. When you think of it musically, the name sounds like a full band, but it is really just the stage name of Vladimir John Ondrasik III. He is a very talented man, being a singer-songwriter as well as classically trained as a pianist and guitar player; all of which he includes in his songs.
His stage was set with a beautiful grand piano, and when the show started, the lights dimmed to darkness, and then the music started, as the lights would slowly dim on again. As the lighting starts to pick up, you also see that he has a string quartet to support him. He opened with “Superman,” possible the best choice in opening songs because it showcases not only his piano skills but also gives you his great vocal ability. His vocal range is very wide, and the sound is extremely unique. What’s best about his shows, and his music in general, are that they are so relaxing and the added effect of the strings builds up his sound.
Also in his set, among others, he performed “The Riddle,” “Chances” and “100 Years.” All you had to do was close your eyes and take in the music, and enjoy the perfect music for a beautiful summer evening under the stars.
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