Music puts the fun in funkUs
by Steven M. Mason
There are Deadheads, Phish-heads, and now the funki. ‘Funki’ is a term that encapsulates both the members of the Central Florida-based band funkUs and their loyal following. funkUs is Ron Betts (guitar, vocals), Dave “the cat” Mann, (guitar, vocals), John “Mojo” Jones (bass, vocals), and Adam FreeMan (drums). Occasionally joined by other musicians, funkUs welcomes all who wish either to play along or just have, as funki Alex Hymer likes to say, “a rockin’ good time.” After all, with a bombastic moniker such as ‘funkUs’ what else can anyone expect? With this band, one will experience a transcendent array of sounds, ranging from funk, blues, and rock, not to mention the swirling psychedelic grooves that imbue the air with a certain flavour matched only by the smoky emanations that appear during set breaks. The music of funkUs is energetic, visceral, loud, uplifting, and, most of all, fun.
One can access funkUs at www.funkUs.com, where one can meet the band members and the funki, find and book upcoming gigs, view past set-lists, and purchase their debut album, flavour. With nine tracks, flavour merely scratches the surface of the funkUs repertoire. However, in listening to flavour, one will indeed get a taste of the powerful vocals of Ron, the sweeping guitar licks of “the cat,” the resounding rhythm of “Mojo,” and the primal pummeling of Adam. A sample of flavour will leave one licking his or her fingers (or each other’s) and wanting more. In order to get more, it is imperative to get oneself to a funkUs gig where, in addition to the full course meal, one may get a treat of a Phish cover such as “Chalkdust Torture” or The Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated” for dessert. Be it a funkUs original, such as the hymnal “Whatever,” the funkUs anthem that commands everyone to “party,” the eloquent “I Got” that unashamedly tells it like it is, or a cosmic Phish cover of “Tube>First Tube>Tube,” one needs more than a toothpick to shake loose the lingering particles echoing in the cranial cavity the next day.
As track three of flavour tells us, “Love Comes Easy” with funkUs. The funkUs experience is all about sharing the love of music, friends, and having a great time. So when at a funkUs gig, don’t hesitate to order a round of Jagermeister for the band, they certainly won’t argue. Whether chillin’ at the bar or rubbing elbows with legendary funki, “Bongo Willie,” body parts will inevitably start moving to the grooves of funkUs. If one’s feet don’t start moving to the pulsation of melodically basking in either the funkUs original, “Strobe Light,” or the classic cover, “Turn on Your Lovelight,” it may be due to a dysfunktionally wired mojo, even though Jones’ bass is coming through loud and clear. Leave all inhibitions at the door, for the funki welcome all who wish to groove to the atmospheric flavour of the funkUs experience.
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