Fresh off the release of their new album, Joyride, powerhouse quintet Kung Fu kicked off their two-night run at the Brooklyn Bowl last night in style. With Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio Band), Brandon “Taz” Niederauer (School of Rock), and Steve Molitz (Particle) on deck, the funk army delivered an incredible dose of funk/rock fusion, keeping the dance party alive all night long.

The first half of the band’s set featured all new songs from their 2016 album, melting the faces of many with “Vroom,” “Chin Music,” “Daddy D,” and “Speedbump of Your Love.” Cressman and Molitz added their incredibly special influences to a contagious “Joyride” jam, that introduced the Parliament Funkadelic 1978 classic “One Nation Under A Groove,” before returning to the “Joyride” throwdown.

The funk bar rose when thirteen-year-old guitarist Brandon Niederauer joined in on a captivating cover of “Maggot Brain.” The level of mastery between young Taz and guitarist Tim Palmieri was relentless, as the two went toe-to-toe for some of funk’s most prestigious notes.

Taz later returned for the first encore, a Kung Fu original “S’all Good,” where the band’s high energy held the audience’s attention for a goosebumpin’ funk and blues dance party, before ending the night with the always epic “Paragon” with Ryan Cavanaugh on banjo. 

S’all Good

Round two tonight welcomes special guest Rob Compa of Dopapod, opening the night with some Shwizz. Don’t miss out! 

Kung Fu @ The Brooklyn Bowl 5/14/16:

Set: Bringing up the Rear, Vroom, Chin Music, Daddy D, Speedbump of your Love, Joyride (w/ Natalie+Steve) > One Nation Under a Groove> Joyride> Maggot Brain (w/ Taz), Scrabb

E: S’all Good (w/ Taz), Paragon (w/ Ryan Cavanaugh)

Enjoy these photos, courtesy of Andrew Scott Blackstein!