Tayo Branston - Drums/Vocals
Tom Towers - Congas/Bongos
Justin Kennedy - Shekere/Percussion
Carl Julig - Timbales/Percussion
Neil Towers - Bass
Oliver Gibson - Guitar
Gabe Boothroyd - Guitar
Ryan Naso - Trumpet
Munt Wallace - Trumpet
Max Murphy - Bari Sax
Grain Stimulator - Tenor/Alto Sax
Nimish Parekh - Trombone
Influences
Fela Kuti, Santana, James Brown, Kool and the Gang, Tower of Power, EarthWindandFire, Antibalas,Parliament Funkadelic, Tito Puente, Prince, Rick James and the weather.
Five Alarm Funk is Vancouver's own afro-funk orchestra. For more than
four years the band has brought their relentless grooves to clubs and
major festivals across Western Canada. Intense horn lines and
percolating afro-beat guitar combined with the interplay of four
percussionists create an unstoppable dance party.
The 11-piece phenomenon has performed over 140 shows throughout Western Canada and the U.S., sharing stages with such artists as Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Herbaliser, Sly & Robbie, Fishbone and Xavier Rudd. In the process the band has built an enthusiastic fan base, large enough to sell-out the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver on numerous occasions.
Voodoo Hairdoo, the band’s second studio album, captures the boundless energy of Five Alarm Funk’s live show. It is a journey from fast funk and dance-crazed Latin to epic reggae and thunderous Afro-beat.
The title track blends a tight funky groove with punchy horn shots, searing lead guitar and outerspace keyboards. The song then shifts gears, dropping to a percussion groove that builds to an epic Afro-beat climax.
“Keeps Me Up At Night” is a slap-bass driven, heavy funk workout reminiscent of Earth Wind & Fire. The song features guest appearances by soul-singing powerhouses Tim Fuller and Dawn Pemberton, adding a new element to the band’s trademark instrumental grooves.
“We spent over three weeks in the studio to record and mix the 10 brand new heavy-hitting tracks,” says Justin Kennedy, one of the band’s four percussionists. “We were able to isolate each part and make the grooves pop like Orville Redenbacher’s freshest kernels. This album will make the land that rhythm forgot remember.”
Buy our self-titled debut right here - http://cdbaby.com/cd/fivealarmfunk2 -
Your set at the Rock Pit this year was the BEST set I have seen at Shambhala in the 6 years I have been attending that fest. Truly face melting. I never got to chill with you guys much this year, but rest assured my feet were too sore to dance even to Bassnectar after you guys dropped the funk bomb on us!! I am going to try and come see y'all on Gabriola Island so hopefully we can hang out a bit there. FUNK YA, I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!
Hey! Hope you all have a safe trip home. Just wanted to say again how much I enjoyed your performances at Sunfest! I hope I can catch a show again sometime! Best of luck
Dudes! I'm gonna totally show up at your Vernon and Kamloops shows!!! In fact I live right between them, so you guys def need to hang while you're up here!!!
so what does "last ever mean" ? - like never again because you are moving to Botswana as a band and raising fresh vibes? - like never play the sunshine coast and all your fans????
Hello Five Alarm Funk
Thanks very much for da Add
Delighted to be friends & Nice to meet you through cyberlink!
Luv your tunes & keep up da Great Work!
Wishes you All da Best in 2009!
