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Current mood:  chill
So here's an interview Laura and JD did a while ago with 101distribution - back in 2008 when we were recording our second album 'Filthysomething'........
You can read it online at the 101d webpages here http://www.101distribution.com/article/FattyBoomBassticOr simply read it here............... There's something funky bubbling up in the UK, namely Bath based funk quartet FattyBoomBasstic. Formed in 2006, FattyBoomBasstic, which is made up of singer Laura James, guitarist JD, bassist Pete G and drummer / sound engineer Mcfly, recently released their debut album, Superfunkysexotronic, and their unique sound, which blends funk music with jazz vocals, has been striking a chord with listeners.
Even though the group is busy in the studio right now working on their second album, Filthysomething, 101D.com managed to get Laura James and JD to take a short break from recording to give us the low-down on the band and how they plan on saving the world with funk.
101D.com: You are a funk band, so tell me, how do you think the world might change if funk music was played more often?
JD: Funk is one of the few genres of music that is still pure and hasn't sold out. Pretty much funk music is still controlled by bands playing tunes the best the can ‘cause they love the sound. Whenever you hear or play the funk it makes people wanna dance, smile and have a good time.
Laura James: If people heard more funk, the world would be a groovier place. People would be happier, so there would be no wars, people would be healthier from all the dancing and grooving they'd be doin so they could walk everywhere, thus lowering CO2 emissions and saving the planet. There, FBB is gonna save the world!
101D.com: If funk can save the world, why don't we hear more of it today?
JD: Funk has a big following, but it's mostly an underground kinda scene, which always make things a bit cooler. There's not really any "teenage-angst" or "middle of the road rock" in funk, so it loses out on a bigger crowd in that respect.
LJ: I also think it's hard to program funk into computer generated music so that may be why the modern dance scene lacks funk. And it takes a bit of talent to play, right JD? So the teenage boys who first pick up a guitar probably find it's easier to strum a few power chords, strike a pose and form a rock band instead of learning The Funk.
101D.com: When it comes to your own band, FattyBoomBasstic, what about you is Fatty and what about you is BoomBasstic?
JD: "Fatty boom boom" and "Fatty boom batty" were things we use to say at school as kids. They didn't really mean anything, they were just fun to say. They still are. Use it in conversation and see the reaction you get. So FattyBoomBasstic just came from those phrases we had fun saying and it reflects our music.
LJ: If you want to break it down, I'm Fatty, Jonny is Boom, Pete is Bass, cuz he's the bass player, and Mcfly is Stic, because he's the stickman!
101D.com: Is there a big funk scene in Bath or are you a unique to the area?
JD: The area has a lot of good players in Bath for such a small city; the population is around 170,000 last time we counted. There's a wicked jazz scene that goes into funk and Latin. We lack venues to play in, though. Bristol is not far and is a far more vibrant city for music.
LJ: And I think we are one-of-a-kind round these parts. There are loads of rock bands, acoustic folk type bands and jazz bands, but no other funk bands that I know of. We do have quite a few bands I really like round here who all have very distinctive unique styles, so maybe that's a feature of this part of the country, all our bands are very unique.
101D.com: When I listen to your music, it feels like a funk band fronted by a jazz singer. How did you know this would work so well?
JD: We didn't really plan it, but we always try and write music that sounds good and fits around vocals. We try not to make a complex groove and shoehorn a melody in. We keep backings simple to start with and then make a strong vocal line that works. Around this we can then expand the sound as a band. We experiment and jam tracks out a lot and just go with what works and sounds best. The only rule I have is "If it sounds good then it is."
LJ: Another rule I have is "If it feels good then it is." We started out writing and performing every song we wrote, even the rubbish ones, but we pretty soon realised what our strengths were and built on those. If we don't have a good time on stage performing a tune then you can bet the audience isn't feeling the vibe either.
101D.com: Speaking of your performances, I hear your live shows are fantastic. Tell me what goes on during a Fattyboombasstic performance and if you're planning on coming to the US anytime soon.
JD: We're a real live band with no overdubs or backings. We're full of energy, life and a passion for real music. Pete and I sometimes wear underpants over our trousers. It gives us a sort of superhero status. We've had some real interest from the US of A, a lot of genuine comments via the internet say that they dig our sound. If we sell a few more CDs I'm up for funding a trip over there.
LJ: I'd love to come over to the US! I had a blast the last time I was there. It would be great to do the coast to coast tour, writing songs on the tour bus, eating cheeseburgers, meeting groupies … any offers?
101D.com: Ah yes, the groupies. Do the men of FattyBoomBasstic ever have to deal with overzealous male fans trying to hit on Miss Laura James?
LJ: Our male fan base is pretty young and foxy, it has to be said, but unfortunately none of them has tried to hit on me. Maybe I'm too intimidating? Maybe I'm too old for them? Maybe I just smell!
JD: Laura has her fair share of admirers at every gig, but it's usually Pete, who's the quiet one, who attracts the opposite sex and keeps them up all night. He's been known to turn up to gigs from a "late night."
101D.com: Any really wild performance stories you can tell?
LJ: After a review about needing more stage presence I wore super high platform boots, dark sunglasses and a really short dress to our next gig. I might have had a couple of pre-gig drinks, to calm the nerves, so when it came to performing, I spent the whole gig paranoid I was going to fall over or fall off the stage, twist my ankle, and end up showing everyone my pants. It didn't happen, but from then on I made sure I dressed in an outfit I could really "funk out" on stage in.
JD: I remember Pete and I having massive hangovers while recording for the first album.
101D.com: Finally, totally off topic, if reincarnation is real, what would you like to come back as?
LJ: A dolphin. One that lives in the sea, though, not those blind ones that live in rivers.
JD: I will be a cat and poo in peoples' shoes and no one would know it was me, like a crafty ninja.
10:44 AM
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