Freekbass Press:

.:: Freekbass Press Kit ::.

www.fonkadelica.com - France

Interview from www.fonkadelica.com - February, 2002

Découvrez ce groupe majeur de la nouvelle scène Funk aux USA, sponsorisé et produit par Mr Bootsy lui-même !

Le Chanteur, bassiste, Mr Freekbass répond à nos questions et nous donne de savants conseils, et liens ...

Could U first, explain to french people, who is the group ? is composition ? and is location ?

Me and the fellas are based out of Cincinnati, OH (USA) . The lineup is as follows:

Freekbass (myself) : Vocals & Bass - Swift : Drums & Vocals - Sean McGary : Guitar - Beta17 : Keys & Vocals - J : Saxophones, Keys & Vocals

How happen the connection with Bootzilla production ? When and how ?

I had been playing bass on some demos with Gary "Muddbone" Cooper . One day "Muddy" called me up and asked me if I would like to play on a song about Jimi Hendrix for a tribute album. I said "heck yeah... where are we recording it? " and he said "oh, out at Bootsy's; Bootsy is going to engineer and produce the track." Of course me being the little crazy bass player I was like "whoa, say that again ???" . Anyway, to make a long story short, I went out to Bootsy's Rehab Studios, cut the track, and the vibe was feeling like something real special was in the air. Bootsy seemed to be digging where I was coming from and my approach to playing, so he started keeping tabs with me ; move ahead in the future, and we are where we are today.

Could U explain us your project with the last album "Body over Mind" ?

We just tried to put something together that we felt conveyed the vibe of coming from the funk scene where we are from in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati is a pretty strange place... it is a conservative city, but for some reason, the funk hits every generation here in one way or another. I also wanted to concentrate on the art of the song, as much as the art of the groove on "Body Over Mind", and try and bring the funk into the new millennium.

How is Bootsy in production working ?

Like any great producer, Bootsy has a very good understanding of who you are as an artist, and how to pull the best out of you. He comes from the school of " if you give a person a fish, they eat for a day, but TEACH them to fish, and they'll eat for a lifetime". As well as learning so much about myself as an artist with working with him, he has taught me a mountain of knowledge of how to produce and record records.

Freekbass, we like our bass look .... from which idea it comes from ? Is it the same constructor as the lovesymbol Prince's guitar ?

Thank 'ya ! Yeah, that bass is my baby, and she makes my world " shake from the bottom up" ; ) The symbol is a "1-2-3-up" and was made by MDX Guitars out of Mississippi by a cat named Dwight Maddox.

Do U feel that your are the " new spiritual warrior of the funk " ?

I think Funk is universal, no matter what language you speak. I hope I can help spread the spirit of Funk to a new generation. A lot of people haven't necessarily been exposed to Funk, and I hope to maybe bridge that gap. I also hope that I can bring a new spirit to the Funk, help to spread the "light" to people and get us all to the place where we are all on the One together as one family.

For U, is the funk is still alive ? What's suffer the funk today ?

The funk is very alive and well today... it's just disguised a bit sometimes. So many artists out there now are, for all purposes, funk-artists. From Lenny Kravitz to Outkast to Erykah Badu, etc., etc. It's just that the record industry is still afraid of the word "funk" , so they call them rock, neo-soul, etc. ,etc. Over here in the States, funk has gotten a bad rap in the last few years, because a lot of groups who call themselves "funk-groups" have made the music almost a novelty type thing, and are missing the essence of what the funk really is. It's like they get a few crazy outfits, learn a few "slap-bass-licks", and think that's all the funk is. But I think they are missing the "realness" of it. (...you can't fake the funk, or your nose will grow!) But it feels like now the heart of the funk is coming back strong and with a new respect, and as you know, it's the "underground, that's above the ground."

Please ..let's us know what are your favorites funk cds U listen to, today ?

Wow, don't think you got enough time for that answer ;) Some of my "essentials" are "There's A Riot Goin' On " by Sly and the Family Stone, "Ahh... The Name Is Bootsy Baby " by Bootsy , "Hardcore Jollies" by Funkadelic , "Zapp" by Zapp , "Controversy" by Prince, and that's just scratching the surface.

And, who are yours mentors ? your inspiration ?

I feel very lucky and blessed to be working with and influenced by very strong and positive people in my life. Bootsy has been a great teacher for me, as have the group of guys I play with, my Mother, my Lady and the very powerful spirit that we call music.

Is it difficult to b a white man singer of Funk music and white style group in black music style ....in USA ? feelings ?

No, I don't notice that kind of thing too much. It just comes down to if you can play or not. But I do think it is very important to acknowledge the history of funk and the people behind it. So much musical history seems to get diluted and the real people responsible don't get the credit they are entitled to. There is a great book that is a must read by any musician or person who is getting into the funk. It is called : "Funk: The Music, the People, and the Rhythm of the One" by Ricky Vincent. This book gives a very solid history of the funk, why it came to be, and who were responsible for it.

Is the group plan to do some live events and concerts in Europe ? When ? and possible in France ?

Oh yeah... we are working on that one right now with our agent and hope to be over there very soon.... hopefully later this year.

Do U have other new funk's groups to let's us discover ...here in europe ?

Galactic is a real cool group here in the States that come from the Meters/ New Orleans side of the funk. Liquid Soul is a group from Chicago that are more on the acid-jazz side of the funk. Have you heard of them ?

Do U ear some funk french music ? do U know some ?

No not yet, but would love to hear some ! Any suggestions ?

for U ... what's the funk miss ? any future and new projects ?

Working on songs for the next CD and constant touring. Also, there is a bass company out of Germany , BassLab http://www.basslab.de that is now making a special "Freekbass-edition-bass" that will be out in the next few months.

Thanks answering us and taking time & sorry for our Bad english !! :+))) let's spread the funk between us ! thanks for your incredible music and cds

Mpls interviewing Mr Freekbass : Febuary 2002