Some band names are difficult to pronounce—Jamiroquai, Hoobastank and now, Funkranomicon. But that doesn’t keep lead singer Joe Neto from feeling its power. “I am an H.P. Lovecraft fan, and during a discussion with friends the word was uttered. My ears went up like a dog. We let everyone pronounce it whatever way they want”—as long as nobody wants to change it. “The name is what broke up the band in 2002. The new members wanted to change the band name.” Neto and drummer Tim Welch started the funk sensation in 1997. For the next five years, the groove masters snaked their way through many successful nights. Regrouping in summer 2009, everything just clicked. Neto recalls, “Scott Polland came in on rhythm guitar from Squeeze Daddy, a New Orleans zydeco band, and really mellowed it. Then, Jonathan Kessler joined the band on bass and that solidified it. Our first gig at The New Parish was a very electric evening.” The band’s Flavor Flav is John Williams, a smooth-talking sideman. “I initially helped promote the band and get the ladies going,” says Williams. Soon, he joined Neto on vocals. You cannot have a funk band without somebody mashing the keys, and Warren Paradise filled that role during Christmas of 2011—bringing his Yamaha Motif and skills learned with the Jazz Notes—adding color and a bigger sound. Playing mostly original tunes penned by bassist Kessler and a few from Welch and Polland, Funkranomicon destroys the square world with every sexy beat. If the “Necronomicon” is a textbook on magic, then Funkranomicon is a textbook on getting people on the dance floor. And if loving funk is dabbling in the dark arts, then Funkranomicon is a warlock of the highest degree.
INFO: 8 p.m. Saturday, June 25. Don Quixote’s, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. $10. 603-2294.
