10 Questions With Bobby Funk
Right at the onset of the current global pandemic and it’s subsequent lockdown, it would seem that South-Coast lunatics Bobby Funk couldn’t have released their loopy and eccentric debut album ‘Longing For The Bonging‘ at a more apt time. On a record which tackles such subject matter as the delicate process of feeding an increasingly irate Judy Dench, songs from the perspective of a cat, and more food analogies than you could shake a No Deal Brexit at, Bobby Funk have created a surrealist punk rock masterpiece. The band have as much in common with Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart as they do Minor Threat. They are a real gem in the scene. We caught up with them to get an insight into their into their mad world.
Please introduce the band?
We are Bobby Funk, we’ve been going since 2014. We’ve got a terrible name but we’re in too deep to change it now. We have Shannon on drums, Rob on guitar, Alex on bass and Ollie on vocals.
Which of your releases should people check out first and what track is your definitive song?
One to check out first would be DMT. As for a definitive song, I’d say K Grind, although I’m A Cat always go down well live too.
Which member of the band is guaranteed to make you late getting to the gig and why?
Rob because he gets too wasted or Ollie because he’s shit at directing us to venues with the sat nav.
What is your favourite venue to play?
The Fulford Arms in York is brilliant. It’s got a nice wide stage to run about on and the crowd is bonkers, it’s always a good time in York! DIY touring is a unique experience.
Tell us about something ridiculous that has happened to you whilst on the road.
We did a memorable show in Bradford where Rob was awake for about half an hour for the whole weekend, drank a keg, fell out the car, couldn’t plug his guitar in, fell asleep standing up in the venue and destroyed the inside of a borrowed BMW. Ollie, Rob and Shannon are always getting up to some shit and Alex is a ball of anxiety waiting to see what we 3 twats get up to next!
What are the best and worst bits of being in an underground/DIY band?
The best bits are the friends you make and the community you create, worst bits are the horrible drives, I think every Cornish band hates the A30 with an undying passion.
What up and coming bands should we all be checking out?
Bruise Control are smashing it, can’t wait to catch them live.
Any advice for emerging bands/bands just starting out?
It’s all about having fun, collaborate with like minded people as often as possible, if there’s no gigs in your town start putting them on.
What’s next for you guys in the short term and the long term?
In the short term not a lot. We’re waiting for the global pandemic to be over so we can do our release show for ‘Longing For The Bonging’. Then we’ll be playing all over the place before writing our next record.
Finally, and most importantly, what is the biggest animal you could take down with your bare hands? Hypothetically, of course. We like animals. We often put them on t-shirts.
Blue whale.
