Lineup: 2010
Five Alarm Funk
Vancouver, BC
Five Alarm Funk is Vancouver’s own 11-piece Afrobeat-Funk-Jazz Orchestra. Since 2003, the band has brought their relentless grooves to clubs and many major festivals across Western Canada and are always asked to keep coming back. Intense horn lines and percolating Afro-Beat guitar combined with the interplay of four percussionists creates an impression undescribable.
The band’s wicked cross-rhythms and frenetic, costumed stage show appeals to Jazz/Blues fans and clubs kids alike. Five Alarm Funk has carved out a word of mouth fan base from a series of crowd-pleasing performances at clubs, concert halls, and festivals throughout B.C. They have been in the top rated bands played on many University radio stations across BC and Alberta.
Five Alarm Funk has built an enthusiastic fan base large enough to twice sell out the legendary world-class venue, The Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, BC both in 2007 & 2008. In 2003, the 11-piece phenomenon has performed over 120 shows throughout Western Canada, sharing stages with such artists as Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Herbaliser, Sly & Robbie, Fishbone, Xavier Rudd, Hey Ocean, Albino! and many others.
Every performance is an unstoppable dance party. The band’s playful, high-energy live show is fueled by skin-tight arrangements and raw, sweat-drenched passion. From its founding as a six-piece in 2003, the young band has grown into one of the most exciting and unique groups in Canada today.
On May 1st, 2008 the band released ‘Voodoo Hairdoo’, their second studio album. Five Alarm Funk is now touring through summer/fall 2008 to promote their new CD. The album captures the boundless energy of their live show. It is a journey from fast funk and dance-crazed Latin to epic Reggae and thunderous Afro-Beat. The albums’ first single “Keep Me Up All Night” is a slap-bass driven, heavy funk workout reminisent of Earth Wind & Fire. The song features guest apperences by soul-singing powerhouses Tim Fuller and Dawn Pemberton, adding a new element to the band’s trademark instrumental grooves.
Five Alarm Funk’s wacky costumes and stage antics guarantee a frenzied dance party, but the boys in the band can really play too. Five Alarm Funk can easily pack a dance floor, but they’ve got tons of jazz chops too. They’ve got all elements. They are the real deal!