Punk funk (also hyphenated as punk-funk) is a music fusion genre that typically combine punk rock and funk influences. It gave way to and is closely associated with dance-punk, avant-funk, and funk metal, all of which are also alternatively described as punk funk.[1][2][3] The term punk funk has been used to describe Cansei de Ser Sexy by CSS,[4] Minutemen, whose nimble punk funk was compared to Gang of Four by music critic Simon Reynolds,[5] and "Precious" by The Jam, described by Uncut as "hypnotically, itchy, punk funk".[6]
| Punk funk | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | Late 1970s |
| Derivative forms | |
| Regional scenes | |
| Other topics | |
History
editPunk funk emerged in the late 1970s, however, it was eclipsed in the 1980s by dance-punk, avant-funk, and funk metal later in the 1980s, all of which are also alternatively described as punk funk. Despite this, punk funk has been occasionally used in more recent years to describe bands such as CSS and their 2005 album Cansei de Ser Sexy.
1970s
editIan Dury and The Blockheads, formed in 1977, have been described as punk funk. The earliest punk funk band is probably Talking Heads,[7] having formed in 1975. Their track "Psycho Killer" opens with a funky bassline,[8] and following this, they brought in Bernie Worrell from Funkadelic into their live band.[9]
1980s
editBeginning in the 1980s, punk funk itself metamorphosised into dance-punk, avant-funk, and funk metal. Almost all punk funk bands were swept up into these new genres, Gang of Four has been described as dance-punk.[10] The Jam split up in 1982, and its member Paul Weller formed The Style Council a year later, which saw Weller take his music in a more soulful direction,[11] which was only hinted at on later Jam releases. Following Minutemen's 1985 breakup, George Hurley and Mike Watt would take their music into a more experimental vein with Firehose, although hints of Minutemen's blend of punk, funk, and free jazz could be heard.[12]
In the 1980s, Rick James would break through with his biggest commercial success in "Super Freak". He has, over the years, branded himself as the "King of punk funk", and The New York Times and Bay State Banner have noted his punk funk sound.[13][14] uDiscover Music argues that the punk context was in his street attitude, and not in a musical one.[15]
2000s
editIn 2005, CSS released Cansei de Ser Sexy, which has been described as punk funk by Australian newspaper The Age.[16]
2020s
editEarth by EOB has been described as punk funk by Pitchfork.[17]
Artists
editReferences
edit- ^ Reynolds, Simon (2001). "Dancing on the Edge". Index.
- ^ "Angelo Moore of Fishbone : Songwriter Interviews".
- ^ Smith, Chris (9 September 2009). "101 Albums that Changed Popular Music". Oxford University Press – via Google Books.
- ^ Johnston, Chris (15 December 2006). "Cansei De Ser Sexy". The Age.
- ^ Reynolds, Simon (2010). Totally Wired Postpunk Interviews and Overviews. Soft Skull.
- ^ "The Jam - The Gift: Super Deluxe Edition". 19 November 2012.
- ^ https://audiophix.com/posts/exploring-punk-funk-music-influential-artists-01hvxkz2jj3r
- ^ https://www.musicologia.musicattitude.it/migliori-album/talking-heads-talking-heads-77/
- ^ https://audiophix.com/posts/exploring-punk-funk-music-influential-artists-01hvxkz2jj3r
- ^ Gallucci, Michael (25 September 2019). "Gang of Four Take Punk in New Direction on 'Entertainment!'". Ultimate Classic Rock.
- ^ Naughton, Pete (5 December 2015). "Paul Weller, Eventim Apollo: 'the modfather remains a dynamic force'" – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
- ^ BurnSilver, Glenn. "fIREHOSE's Ed Crawford: "It Was Our Job. We F**kin' Showed Up Every Day."". Phoenix New Times.
- ^ Palmer, Robert (26 October 1979). "The Pop Life". The New York Times. p. C15.
- ^ Wynn, Ron (1 November 1979). "Shades of Blue". Bay State Banner. No. 2. p. 19.
- ^ McCann, Ian (1 February 2023). "Super Freaky: The Unbelievable Life Of Punk-Funk Badass Rick James". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/cansei-de-ser-sexy-20061215-ge3ssa.html
- ^ https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/eob-earth/