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

Event Description

Come Celebrate 4:20 with Canada's Favorite Funk Band........
"Performing 2 Supa-Funky Marathon Sets!!"
Five Alarm Funk
Friday, April 20th, 2007
Sugar Nightclub, 858 Yates St.
Doors 8pm - Showtime 9:30pm
Tickets: $15 Advance/ $15 Door
Available at: Lyle's Place (cash only) (250)382-8422,& High Tide Box Office
at www.hightideconcerts.net

Five Alarm's Website: www.fivealarmfunk.com

Five Alarm Funk is a Vancouver-based, 12-piece rhythm machine that
delivers a delirium-inducing live show fuelled by 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 Western Canada. Highlights
include the band headlining the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver and
opening for the Herbalizer at the Plaza of Nations. The group’s debut
album has charted on college radio across the country including reaching
#2 on Toronto’s CIUT station. Warner Music Canada nationally distributes
the CD and it is available in record stores across the country.

“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 800 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 17
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