Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

"12 piece Afro-beat Funk Circus"
Five Alarm Funk
Friday, ,January 26th, 2007
PERFORMING 2X60 MIN SETS!!!
Central Bar & Grill, 708 View St. 361-1700
Doors 7pm - Showtime 9:30pm
Tickets: $15 Advance/ $15 Door
Available at: Lyle's Place (cash only) 250-382-8422, Central Bar and Grill 250-361-1700
& High Tide Box Office at www.hightideconcerts.net

Five Alarm's Website: www.fivealarmfunk.com

The Band

Five Alarm Funk is a Vancouver-based, 12-piece rhythm machine that pounds out a
delirium-inducing live show and has a brand new, eponymously-titled CD brimming with
original funk and afro-beat grooves. The band’s horn and percussion-driven
instrumental jams feature searing guitar leads and horn solos wailing and soaring above
a four-man percussion maelstrom that is grounded by Neil Towers’ juicy bass lines.

The band’s wicked cross-rhythms and frenetic, costumed stage show appeals to jazz
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. The band has scheduled another Canadian tour beginning with their
CD launch at Richard’s On Richards in Vancouver March 10.

“Interaction between the crowd and the band is a huge part of the show, and we try to
make every show an event. We’ve managed to get big crowds to our shows by word of
mouth, friends telling friends about the band,” enthused guitarist and group spokesman
Gabe Boothroyd. “There’s nothing like seeing 600 people at a sold-out show at Richard’
s on Richards crouch down on the floor when our vocalist and drummer Tayo Branston
tells them to ‘get low’ during a funky build-up.”

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
(average age is 23) has grown into one of the most exciting and unique groups in
Canada.

“There’s a huge afro-beat, Fela Kuti influence,” explained Boothroyd. “We take that and
combine it with some James Brown and Kool and the Gang and then throw in a lot of
youthful energy and reckless enthusiasm. Most people in the band started playing rock-
oriented music, and that edge is still there in a lot of our playing and our stage presence.”

Five Alarm Funk’s’ wacky costumes and stage antics guarantee a frenzied dance party,
but the boys in the band can really play too. The group’s 16 year old tenor saxophonist,
Eli Bennett was recently chosen to perform at this year’s Grammy Awards as a member
of a North American all-star high school band.. Five Alarm Funk can pack a dance floor,
but they’ve got tons of jazz chops too. They’ve got it all. They’re the real deal. Check ‘em
out!

FIVE ALARM FUNK is:

Tayo Branston - Drums/Vocals
Tom Towers - Congas
Carl Julig - Timbales
Justin Kennedy - Percussion
Neil Towers - Bass
Oliver Gibson - Guitar
Gabe Boothroyd - Guitar
Ryan Naso - Trumpet
Andrew Spence - Alto Sax
Eli Bennett - Tenor Sax
Nimish Parekh - Trombone
Max Murphy - Baritone Sax