With two decades in the books, Five Alarm Funk is as sweaty as ever.
For fans both new and old of the Vancouver-born band’s fiery rhythms, punchy horns, and gang-chat vocals, that’s as good as it gets as they sweat in unison, the perspired-soaked result of an inability to not move to some degree.
Having last appeared at Del Crary Park in 2019 in tandem with Toronto rapper K-OS, Five Alarm Funk returns to headline Peterborough Musicfest on Wednesday, July 12th in a free-admission concert that’s part of the band’s celebratory 20th anniversary tour crossing Canada before dipping south come September.
With two Juno Award nominations in its rear-view mirror, Five Alarm Funk has burned up stages across four continents, all while recording seven albums since 2006’s self-titled debut, the latest being 2020’s Big Smoke.
Led by singer and drummer Tayo Branston, the band brings to its audience what he terms ‘punk funk’ — a raucously fun sound accompanied by an equally frenetic stage presence that is near impossible to sit still to.
The band’s Facebook descriptor — ‘A horn-powered, percussion-fuelled sonic and visual assault’ — sums up all newbies really need to know.
VIDEO: “Big Smoke” – Five Alarm Funk
“Big Smoke is the tightest, funkiest and most energized album we’ve ever created … the culmination of 17 years of creating, recording, and performing together,” says Branston of the 2020 11-track recording that features collaborations with the legendary Bootsy Collins and baritone sax standout Leo P of Too Many Zooz.
But as well received and welcomed as the band’s studio work has been, the essence of Five Alarm Funk remains rooted in its live show manifestation.
A typical sweat-drenched performance is anything but typical, infused with an intense fun spirit that breaks down the barrier between band and audience, a manic dance party being the inevitable result. Wild costumes, props, and frenetic choreography complement seriously tight arrangements and genre-mashing grooves.
“We’ve always been known as a live band first,” the band related in a March 2017 email interview with Emily Frewin of Canadian Beats Media.
“The stage is where the spirit of Five Alarm Funk lives. To be up there, giving everything you have to your music, bandmates, and audience, is one of the most exciting and fulfilling experiences for us. Our shows are a constant barrage of groove, melody, intensity and fun. Be prepared to dance, smile, laugh, and get in a killer workout.”
“We’re self described as gypsy-rock, afro-funk, reggae, ska, and punk, but we stray from convention or tradition within these genres. Our name in itself means intense, hot and powerful. Our goal is to create all out, feel good dance parties from the moment the music starts until the very last note.”
VIDEO: “Widowmaker” – Five Alarm Funk
Mission accomplished as Five Alarm Funk’s appearances remain as anticipated as ever. A big part of the appeal can be found in the fact this is clearly a collective of musicians who are friends first.
“We always aim for a positive and fun group dynamic. Through the years of touring together we’ve learned the fine points of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Learning how to not bother people is a very important trait in the bus. One thing that has helped keep the band tight and happy in such close confines is everyone is delegated specific duties that have to be done to create a successful atmosphere.”
Not lost on the band is the debt Five Alarm Funk owes to its audiences.
“We love meeting our fans and having as much interaction as possible. Before a show we’re always present and readily available to talk or say hi. Our fans are the lifeblood of the band. Without them, we wouldn’t have the opportunities we have today.”
Peterborough Musicfest is presenting 15 free-admission concerts during its 36th season, each staged on Wednesday and Saturday nights until August 19th, and supported by more than 100 sponsors, kawarthaNOW among them.
Overseen by general manager Tracey Randall and staff, a board of directors, and numerous volunteers, Peterborough Musicfest’s stated mission remains “to provide diverse, affordable live music to enrich cultural and economic prosperity in our community.”
For more information on this concert and the entire 2023 season, visit www.ptbomusicfest.ca or phone the Peterborough Musicfest office at 705-755-1111.
VIDEO: “We All Scream” – Five Alarm Funk
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a headline sponsor of Peterborough Musicfest’s 2023 season.
