This year’s Catskill Chill seems like it wont have much time for ‘chilling’. That’s because the festival has filled its schedule with some of the world’s best Funk Acts, from modern revivalists like Lettuce and Galactic, to fusion bands like Kung Fu, to legends of the genre like members of The Meters playing with Page McConnell of Phish. Check out our full run down of all the funk hitting Catskill Chill, and make sure you don’t miss a minute of the action.
1.) The Meter Men (featuring Page McConnell):
You can sense that the funk is strong with this festival from it’s main event – a set from The Meter Men, consisting of George Porter Jr, Zigaboo Modeliste, and Leo Nocentelli of legendary New Orleans funk group The Meters, featuring special guest Page McConnell of Phish on keys. The Meters are known as one on funk’s early innovators, with tracks like ‘Cissy Strut’, ‘Look-Ka Py Py’, and ‘Fire On The Bayou’ becoming funk standards. Throw in the wizardly keys of Phish’s Page McConnell, and you have one set of funk music you’ll never forget.
2.) Lettuce And The Royal Family Gang:
Since forming at Berklee School Of Music in the early 90s, Lettuce has been leading the modern funk revival while, individually, it’s members have become wildly successful musicians in their own right; they’re kind of like a reverse super group. Eric Krasno and Neal Evans ended up forming the critically acclaimed Soulive jazz trio, Grammy Nominated Adam Deitch co-founded livetronica act Break Science, and E.D. Coomes is a highly respected studio bassist and producer.
In addition to a set from Lettuce, Catskill Chill will feature several side projects that have stemmed from the band and it’s home label, Royal Family Records. Sets from The Eric Krasno Band, guitarist Adam Smirnoff’s Shmeeans and the Expanded Consciousness, and the Alan Evans Trio, are all slated to perform.
3.) Galactic:
Leading the funk revival in the south comes Galactic, straight out of New Orleans, and their critically acclaimed funk grooves that have made them staples of the funk scene. Curating a more traditional New Orleans sound, Galactic have been all over the festival scene for over nearly two decades. In more recent years, they’ve been joined by Corey Glover of Galactic on vocals, creating a hard hitting fusion of rock and funk.
4.) The Motet – Funk Is Dead:
Formed by drummer Dave Watts, The Motet are a large scale funk ensemble with one goal: the make audiences dance. The Motet throw a little extra energy into the fold with high quality covers and banging originals, keeping dance floors moving all night long. This year they’re playing funk versions of Grateful Dead songs!
5.) Kung Fu:
Fusing jazz and funk and electro together, Kung Fu have exploded onto the scene over the past few years, cementing themselves as mainstays of the genre. Featuring former members of RAQ and The Breakfast, Kung Fu has been taking the country by storm with relentless touring and high energy sets.
6.) The Z3:
If you haven’t heard of The Z3 yet, get familiar – these guys are covering your favorite tracks from the Frank Zappa catalogue and re-arranging them into funk tunes.
7.) Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds
Brooklyn based funk and soul outfit Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds have been traveling like crazy over the past few years, playing festivals like Bonnaroo, Firefly Music Festival, Equifunk, Mountain Jam, and The Voodoo Experience, and touring extensively in support of their second album, ‘Pound Of Dirt’. The band’s newest album is set to be produced Randy Jackson himself! Led by singer Arleigh Kincheloe’s smooth vocals and an extensive horn section, Sister Sparrow is looking towards a huge 2013.
8.) Turkuaz
Turkuaz is another east coast funk/soul ensemble that has been making waves. Residencies at the famed Brooklyn Bowl put these guys on the map and they haven’t looked back. These power funkers are a band on the rise that you surely shouldn’t miss. Watch them cover the Talking Heads Start Making Sense!