Longevity in music is a tricky thing. Bands that last beyond a decade are often re-hash revivalists, supergroups that, for better or worse, re-invent themselves with each album, or simply trade on past glory and hits. There are a few exceptions and Five Alarm Funk falls firmly into this category. For 20 years, the self-described horn powered, percussion-fuelled, sonic and visual assault has crisscrossed the continent and beyond, released 7 albums, collaborated with Bootsy Collins, earned Juno nominations and delivered their brand of driving, bouncing funk to countless audiences. Their most recent album, Big Smoke, is a bonfire of energy, seamlessly blending elements of ska, jazz and a heavy dose of punk ethos into their distinctive take on the classic brass heavy music that forms their foundation. Blasting trumpets, wailing sax and the occasional searing guitar riff burst from their songs, leaving audiences exhilarated from the tunes and exhausted from the inevitable dancing that Five Alarm Funk’s music doesn’t just ask for but demands.
Biography by Derek McEwen