Funkcore

Funkcore is a musical genre, or perhaps movement, derived from a fusion of American-styled hardcore punk and funk. Most often, hard,

Funkcore is a musical genre, or perhaps movement, derived from a fusion of American-styled hardcore punk and funk. Most often, hard, loud, fast guitars are featured, but unlike in rock music, it does not overpower the bass, which is heavy and driving. Drums are often funk-influenced, but with intense metal-styled pounding. Synthesizers or trumpets sometimes make an appearance, although they are not integral.

Since the early days of punk, some bands had taken a funk and soul influence. Rock legends the Clash, famed for their musical experimentation, briefly adopted a funky sound for some tracks on their album Sandinista!. Later, groundbreaking post-punk group Gang of Four took a punk sound and attitude and coupled it with funky bass licks and groove-driven tunes. However, the first punk band to create a true funk fusion was the seminal Austin, Texas band, The Big Boys, who could be seen as the first truly "funkcore" band. The Big Boys, which lasted from 1978 to 1984, became known for explosive and funky live shows. They slowed down punk tempos to allow for syncopated rhythms and played with non-punk bands such as the Washington, D.C., go-go act Trouble Funk as well as seminal punk bands such as Minor Threat and Black Flag. The Big Boys can be seen as a direct precursor to funky rock acts such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Fishbone. The Red Hot Chili Peppers especially epitomise funkcore, and inspired many modern funkcore bands. Though they experimented with numerous genres (often in the course of a single song), the avant garde experimental band, Mr. Bungle, also created funkcore tracks very early on in their musical career.