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Hank Azaria rises to fame in a new role as leader of Hank Azaria and the EZ Street Band, channeling his inner Bruce Springsteen in a tribute act that began as a 60th birthday celebration and quickly became a concert regular. He's even taking it on tour (get tickets here)! In conversation with Kyle Meredith, Azaria delves into his journey from comedy acting to rock 'n' roll, addressing Bruce's iconic voice and the emotional thrill of performing Springsteen classics on stage. Listen above or wherever you get your podcasts.
Get tickets to Hank Azaria here
Known for his various roles in The Simpsons, Friendsand BrockmireAzaria reflects on his journey from being a Bruce fan in 1976 to fronting a band that plays regularly. He explains how his fandom grew through live bootleg recordings and endless spins of Springsteen's first five albums. “These songs mean a lot to me. I wanted to do them justice,” he shares.
For Azaria, singing Springsteen songs isn't just about hitting the nail on the head; it's an emotional outlet and a way to channel Springsteen's expressive storytelling. Azaria's new setlist covers Springsteen classics from Greetings from Asbury Park, New Jersey. to wrecking ball. Between songs, he uses Springsteen's classic “talk” style, weaving in personal stories that further connect him to Bruce's themes of resilience, creativity, and struggle. Each show also serves as a benefit for their charity, bringing an extra level of purpose to each performance.
This unexpected turn, he says, has opened a new chapter in his career, one that combines his talent for vocal transformation, his lifelong love of music, and his dedication to giving back. “Nothing brings me more joy than working on these songs,” he reflects, “and every show I find something new in them, just like Bruce does.”
Listen to Hank Azaria talk about Hank Azaria and the EZ Street Band, his love of Bruce Springsteen, The Simpsonsand more in the new episode above or by watching the video below. Stay up to date with the latest episodes by following Kyle Meredith with… on your favorite podcast platform; Also, check out all the series on the Consequence Podcast Network.
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