If you’re looking to get your groove on, look no further than God Made Me Funky. This 9-member ensemble has been called Toronto’s most danceable band and their mix of old school hip-hop with funk, rap, rock, and R&B come together to produce the band’s “Nu-Funk” genre.
GMMF’s drummer, Alan Fitz, explains what Nu-Funk means to them. “Nu-Funk to us is an amalgamation; in the 1970’s, funk was all about the party, and we definitely bring the party part of it. The ‘Nu’ part of it is that we add rap, rock, hip-hop. We’re a funk band that plays with the attitude of a rock band; bringing back the fun of bands like Earth, Wind and Fire, and Kool and the Gang. In the late 70’s, it’s what people used to dance to and was linked closely to disco. Musicians didn’t take themselves too seriously, and that’s what we try to do. We’re all about putting on a big show and making it lots of fun.”
Fitz has been with GMMF since their formation in 1996, but long before then, he found himself behind a drum kit. When asked what prompted him to pick up sticks at the age of 11, he laughs and says that his mother was a big influence. “My mother decided for me because she wanted us to be musicians. It was either my sister or I, and my sister showed neither the inclination or the aptitude for the guitar, so I thought I’d pick up the drums.” His Mom might have some problems with how well it’s worked out, though. “She may want me to give it up so that I would get married and give her some grandkids,” Fitz laughs.
Having 9 people in the band from so many different musical backgrounds could presumably cause some tension when it comes to collective decision-making. But, Fitz says, they meld together really well and there’s always room for anyone to try new things. “The great thing about this band is that we play a lot of shows, and often times someone on stage will come up with something, and if the audience is enjoying it, the next thing you know it becomes part of how we do that song. In a lot of ways, the audience decides on different changes we make. We love playing live. We’re privileged to be able to play 100 shows a year and never take it for granted.”
As evidenced on their latest album, “Welcome To Nu Funktonia”, GMMF doesn’t shy away from collaboration with other artists. Nu Funktonia features guest vocals from Jully Black, Instant Star’s Miku Graham, Moka Only and production by Keith Harris from the Black Eyed Peas. They are also looking to work with a great old school hip-hop MC and producer, KRS-One, on their upcoming album. “We all grew up listening to him - he really was a pioneer of hip-hop music and culture.”
Ninety percent of the musical artists in the Toronto R&B scene have been in the band either as an artist or as a member at some point. Fitz feels like, for the most part, other Canadian artists are eager to team up with and support each other. “A lot of people seem willing to collaborate. Sometimes there’s an elitism – some people say they’re only a jazz musician or a rock musician and they won’t play any other style, but we think that new music comes from an amalgamation of old music. We always want to try new things. Like, what would happen if we took a polka artist and had him play with a funk band at 130 beats per minute?”
GMMF newest member is Season 3 Canadian Idol winner Melissa O’Neil, who we interviewed in last month’s edition. She joined the band as a vocalist but has added much more than her voice talent to the ensemble, says Fitz. “Melissa is a real contributor as a singer and as a writer, (in the past, the lead female vocalists we’ve had were mainly vocalists). When she joined, we all felt like we’d known her forever. She’s kind of like the band mother; she’s always caring about your life, asking how you’re doing. And she has a lot of ideas, she’ll say, I know that’s how it’s usually been done, but let’s try it this way. Plus she’s done a little to help dress some of the band – who shall remain nameless.”
Calgary is also the hometown of O’Neil, so their upcoming performance will be even more special. “Our first time here was for the Juno’s in 2008,” says Fitz, “and we’re really excited to come back to Calgary.”
Fitz guarantees that they will bring nothing but a high-energy, feel-good show that will get you moving. “If you don’t dance, you’ll be the only one.”
