Brian Bailey(Guitar, Vocals, Wacky Noises)
Mike Drake(Guitar, Vocals)
Brian Holstine (Drums)
Deron Sodaro (Bass, Vocals)
Dave Thomas (Hand Drums, washboard, bells, blocks, and other implements of percussion)
影響
Bob Marley, Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Phish, Medeski Martin and Wood, Moe, Umphreys McGee, Miles Davis, Pat Matheny, Funkadelic, James Brown, Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk, Frank Zappa, Charlie Hunter, Charlie Parker, Rage Against the Machine, etc etc etc this could go on for days. We have been influenced by everything we have ever set loose on our ears.
In 1994 I was introduced to Shawn Beckner (Pharmacy, Zen Fisherman, Magic Bronson). Together with Dave Thomas, we formed Telephunkin U-47. We didn't have a set drummer but practiced relentlessly. Along comes Brian Holstine, he had a drum set and a garage to boot! We rocked Campbells Creek once or twice a week for about a year. However, it was so cold in the winter, Holstine had to crank up this big heater turbine thing 30 min before we went out there just so we could move our fingers! We had to find a better place...
We stumbled into The House of Bluez in Dunbar,. It was warm, never ran out of beer, and they said we could practice on Wednesdays till 2 am...or until the cops showed up. It was perfect! As more and more people showed up every week to watch, Wednesday night practice turned into a weekly gig.
Then Shawn moved to Huntington, and the drive to Dunbar became more and more undoable. Local Grateful Dead cover band, Tapestry, disbanded leaving Mike Drake a free agent. He sat in at one of the Wednesday night rehearsals and never left. I had been introduced to Deron Sodaro back in the Mother Nang days, so I placed a desperate call into him thinking he would scoff at the very idea. He didn't! He came down to check it out, and liked it!
With more and more attention, more and more folks were scratching their heads saying Tele who? So we dropped the ph and the u47 to make it much easier on our fans...Telefunk was born. The Wednesday night rehearsals became so crowded, we had to quit rehearsing and just play. The weekends we came back to Dunbar were by far the most outrageous, with costumes, a horn section, guest rappers...the works!
Finally I moved into a place that was out of the city and far enough away from neighbors that we could actually practice at my house. The bar atmosphere remained even though we ditched the bar! Eventually, we landed a gig opening for the Spin Doctors at UC's Geary Auditorium in 1997 and even a slot at the 1st two Looney Acres festivals in Ripley (1997 and 1998).
As our lives began to change so did the dynamic in the band. We walked away with our friendship intact. Six years and many life changes later, we find Dave in Tastes Like Chicken and beatin the skins with whoever else will let him (what a drum whore!); Deron has the Voodoo Katz, Comparsa, and Monteneros; Mike is playin Reggae and Bluegrass; and Holstine has establish himself as the Notorious front man for local heavies The Pistol Whippers. During the years apart, we were often asked when the reunion tour was planned. A mention to Mike, a hesitant phone call to Deron...suddenly, we were practicing again. The very first practice brought a brand new original and 40 minutes of jam. Its as if we'd never left.
Hey Brian! Ive been back since the holidays but I've only been out a few times. We are certain to cross paths sooner that later. Meanwhile I'll be waiting for Telefunk to come off this so-called hiatus!
rock man! im so stoked. i am driving up from here but i dont know where this place is. im charelston illiterate. haha. im super stoked. ive been recruiting but im not sure if anyone comin with or not yet. yah we will funk up!
hey. much love to you. my town is devestated as we face the loss of our 13 coal miners. just wanted to make sure you know i love you and miss you and we will see each soon. freekbass show in chareston next weekend. come dance with me.
Hey guys, thanks for the add. I saw your show last weekend and it was great. See Dave, I told you i would friend request you all. Ha! Hopefully I'll be able to make it to the next show. Later
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