funkUs profile picture

funkUs

Orlando's purveyors of flavor rock...

About Me


[Click to help spread some funkUs! It'll grow on you...]

DISCOGRAPHY:
funkUs is one of Orlando's most prolific and enduring bands. Their charismatic stage show and unique blend of musical genres, (dubbed "flavor rock" by the Orlando Weekly and declared "a guilty pleasure" by OW music critic, Jason Ferguson), have earned them statewide recognition and an intensely loyal following since their inception in 1998. They perform regularly in the Central Florida area at music venues and festivals from coast to coast.
A leading figure in the Orlando music scene, the band is also responsible for organizing Jambando @ Hard Rock Live, Central Florida's premiere jam band showcase, and regularly perform at the world famous venue to hundreds of fans each year. Other accomplishments include a celebrated appearance at the inaugural Bluesfest in downtown Orlando, heralded as one of the best of the festival; the establishment of now legendary late-night jams for annual music festivals in DeLand and Daytona Beach; and multiple performances with original Grateful Dead keyboardist, Tom Constanten, who also appears on their latest CD release.
Toni Brown, former publisher and editor of Relix Magazine, writes:
"funkUs fits neatly into the eclectic jamband musical melting pot. The band possesses powerful blues leanings and intense R&B and funk rhythms. With an emphasis on meaningful songwriting and freeform jam exploration, their songs range from quirky and catchy to emotionally moving. The combinations result in highly danceable, energetic grooves that reach dizzying, intoxicating highs or soothing, spiritual lows."
The band encourages the many who've joined The funki, (fans of funkUs), in spreading the music, infecting a wide audience with the spirit and energy defining funkUs' flavor rock.
funkUs... it'll grow on you...

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 2/7/2005
Band Website: funkUs.com
Band Members:

Dave 'the cat' Mann
guitar, vocals
Sharif Mekawy
keys, vocals

Adam Freeman
drums, vocals
Dave Whittaker
bass, vocals
Other funki include:
Ron Betts (Pitch Blue Jam) - guitar, vocals
John 'Mojo' Jones (Houseshakers) - bass, vocals
Jim 'Mad Dog' Mahoney (Houseshakers) - guitar, vocals
Chris 'The Iceman' Raynor (Soul Cactus) - harp, trumpet, vocals
Chris Charles (Junkie Rush) - assorted saxes
Clay 'Bonedaddy' Watson (The Legendary JC's) - trombone
'RasTrent' Spears (Burning Spear) - saxophone
Jay Camphire (Refried Confusion) - keys
Tom Constanten (Grateful Dead) - keys
... and many others
Influences: Eric Clapton & Cream, The Grateful Dead, Phish, moe., Medeski Martin & Wood, Soulive, Umphrey's McGee, Dave Matthews Band, The Ramones, The Meters, The Beatles, The Police, Ben Harper.... this crazy list can go on and on...
Sounds Like:
Type of Label: None

My Blog

1st Copper Rocket show...

Well, it was about a month back, but we did play at the historic Copper Rocket for the first time and, though up against a benefit for Will's and some other hoppin' shows in town, we managed to bring ...
Posted by funkUs on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:39:00 PST

funkUs @ The Copper Rocket

funkUs makes their Copper Rocket debut in Maitland, FL, one of the Orlando's longtime supporters of great original music.  Wait'll they get a load of us!![SIGN-UP for our Monthly Newsletter by CL...
Posted by funkUs on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:39:00 PST

Jambando anyone?

The continuing Jambando Concert series continues bringing some FL West Coast jams to town! Join us as we welcome Middle Rhythm Session from St. Pete and Semi-Soul from Lakeland to the Jambando clan. A...
Posted by funkUs on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:39:00 PST

Feel like a blog?

I was just thinking last night... ever sit around and think to yourself, "I should blog that later..."?  I don't...PL&U... Dave....
Posted by funkUs on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:39:00 PST

Tanqueray's, downtown underground...

I can't say enough about Tanqueray's.  We knew the current owners back when they were just a waitress and bartender for this very cool underground music venue in the heart of downtown, and when t...
Posted by funkUs on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:39:00 PST

In the Country

Here's another lyrical installment, again just posting so you can see what we're up to.  We're calling this the "Ron broke a string" song, and if you make it to a show, I'm sure you'll see why......
Posted by funkUs on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:39:00 PST

Got Problems?

We've been working on some new songs for a few months now, which is why we've only been averaging one or two shows a month, (a far cry from when we played at least once a week, eh?)  Anyhoo, just...
Posted by funkUs on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:39:00 PST

Lakeland...

There used to be a venue called Trader's Pub in Lakeland that Ron and I frequently gigged about 10 years ago, and I've always had fond memories of that place, a small town with a cool vibe.  Les ...
Posted by funkUs on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:39:00 PST

Best. Set. Ever.

I feel I should work a little backwards here to catch some people up to speed...  Not too far, though, as it was only recently that we had a kind of musical epiphany that we feel was the beginnin...
Posted by funkUs on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:39:00 PST

We came, we saw, we blogged...

Well, I guess we'll try this blogging thing out... Since we've stopped religiously keeping track of our set lists, (which is actually pretty friggin' hard), it is nice to realize another outlet to hel...
Posted by funkUs on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:39:00 PST