Folkenphunk is an acoustic trio that stands the idea of a traditional bluegrass approach on its ear by incorporating funk, folk, rock, and psychedelic influences into its mix. First formed by upright bassist/guitarist/vocalist David Brumberg and guitarist/vocalist Lowell Neumann Nickey in 2016, the lineup completed itself with Edwin Lightner coming on board to add mandolin and vocals in 2017. This core trio has done very well together and has performed up and down the East Coast.
What Folkenphunk does superbly is making acoustic music for people who might not be hardcore bluegrass fans. The trio adapts and stylizes its material into an original and interesting hybrid sound. A typical set will combine songs from the Grateful Dead, Chuck Berry, Zak Brown, and the traditional Irish music songbook into a singular experience that leaves fans talking for days. The band is typically a three-piece affair but does augment its sound with additional musicians at times, including Vincent Pierce Smith on percussion and Russ Gottleib on banjo.
FOLKENPHUNK is A Live Band You Need To See
All of this amounts to an entertaining and energetic live show that has already logged a lot of miles and keeps making friends. The group is eager to take its sound to bluegrass fests around the USA and anywhere else that could stand some grooving acoustic music.
Folkenphunk is still an emerging band but one with a bright future, if audience reactions are used as an indicator. There’s a lot of acoustic stuff going on out there but Folkenphunk stands tall above its competition and will grab the attention of any crowd it plays for. Highly recommended you check them out.
-review by Mike O’Cull, independent music journalist. www.mikeocull.com
Alex
Eh…eclectic covers from the world of rock aren’t exactly unique in the world of bluegrass. That’s been done for decades. But more to the point, what exactly makes these guys bluegrass? Sounds to me like a jammy acoustic rock trio. I kind’ve think it’s a discredit to both the genre of bluegrass, and bands trying to play acoustic rock, that simply because they featuring acoustic instruments that are often seen in bluegrass bands the story must somehow involve them being some sort of bluegrass band.