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Here’s what’s special about the Social Funk Experiment: We know exactly what we’re about, and audiences love it. Our energy and groove reach off the stage and pull people out of their seats. If someone’s not dancing to us, they probably don’t like to dance — period.
Social Funk started with two musicians frustrated by the same issue: There are few local bands that have both musical authenticity and fantastic groove. We began a painstaking search, hoping there were others with our same ideals. As we found them, we recruited them. After months of writing and woodshedding, a cohesive group emerged. Audience response was enthusiastic: People told us that they “loved” our songs, emphasizing the word “love” so we’d get the point.
It certainly helps that we’ve got a blackbelt rhythm section. Anthony and Pat are musical wonders, proficient on multiple instruments but absolute masters on bass and drums. Between them they’ve grooved with dozens of NJ bands, though never before have they joined forces for a truly groove-based project like this one. Watching them in action is stunning. Honestly, they could hold down the whole gig by themselves, and the house would be rocking non-stop.
The melodic section is possibly a little less “dangerous” than the rhythmitists — it’s much harder tearing the roof off without the backbeat — but we’ve done our job writing songs that wring heart & soul from every note. Check out “L-O-V-E” or “Sensitive and Strong” and you’ll believe. Every key change and turnaround says something special. We have a message to deliver, and it matters to us. Even the solos cry out with purpose and meaning.
Josh unleashes the fury with one riveting percussion break after another. He channels his energy from some long-lost primal god of the dance, and then concentrates it into the conga skins at breakneck speed.
And then there’s Clarence. Clarence is a true virtuoso vocalist raised on gospel. A veteran of the Army Chorus, he’s toured the world for ten years doing nothing but singing (and occasionally partying). And unlike most singers out there, Clarence is completely comfortable improvising words and melodies. So we have a jam band where even the vocalist can jam hard. The results are astounding, as all elements come together for an epic musical journey.
The Social Funk Experiment’s sound has yet to be completely categorized, even by the band itself. There’s no question that we’re a jam band, but at the same time we pride ourselves on our songwriting. We perform with complete ease as an instrumental band, and yet we love nothing more than spotlighting the vocals. We’re definitely an R&B and funk band, but from our rock background we also bring in that rock’n’roll edge. These diverse influences allow us to reach people from all walks of life, bringing them all together. That’s Social Funk.
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