Recently, AudioFuzz had a phone interview with Stefan Kallander, guitarist and vocalist from Bubonik Funk.
AudioFuzz: So, what music did you grow up listening to?
Stefan: I grew up listening to George Clinton/Parliament/Funkadelics, ska punk, the funkier side of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sly Stone, and Fishbone. The other guys from the band also listened to the funkier vision of the David Byrne/Talking Heads and Brian Eno. We’ve known each other forever, and the sounds just flowed together. I also was so privileged to be able to play with George Clinton a few times. That was the greatest thrill of my life.
A: Where are you guys from?
S: We’re all from Charlotte, NC. In fact, I’m the newcomer to the town, and I arrived at 6 years old from Seattle, so we really are a Charlotte band.
A: How long have you playing together?
S: Well, some of us went to grade school together, and the rest met in middle school. We have been playing together continuously since middle school, except for a break for college, though we always got back together during breaks. We just love what we do. Luckily, our families have always supported us emotionally, though we have gone without a lot of times because none of us come from rich families. We tour 100+ dates a year, mostly around the Carolinas and up and down the East Coast.
A: Have you ever had any problems being a white funk band?
S: Sometimes it is an issue, but almost always we have been able to win over all our audiences. Once they hear us play, they can tell we play the music because we love it. We prove to the crowd that funk is not a race or a money thing. It doesn’t matter how much money you have.
A: What is your favorite cartoon?
S: Ren and Stimpy, Rocko’s Modern Life, and Nick Toons.
A: So, the new CD, which we love here, is coming out?
S: Yeah, we are having a CD release party in NYC on May 23, Charlotte on June 6, then both coasts of Florida starting June 10. We would love to expand to the Midwest and West. Cleveland would be a particular thrill, since so much funk came from Ohio.
A: Any parting words?
S: Count your blessings.
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