Bubonik Funk

Bubonik Funk’s third release “Zabooki” begins with a typical blues lick, but the direction and scope grows from there. When the fourth track “Mung Beans” bursts from the speakers with vocalist Dylan Ellett declaring “Life isn’t fair!” like the extroverted offspring of Anthony Keidis and David Lee Roth, the group really hits its stride. Ellett approaches the half rapped vocals like a blues singer while guitarist Stefan Kallandar provides playful notes that are just as engaging as the lyrics about origami birds and a cane-playing bum that fancies himself a member of ZZ Top. It escalates into a fun guitar workout even adding some bouncy, subtle horns to the track's close.

Since the Charlotte jam-funk quartet’s first EP, “OTB,” in 2008 the band’s arrangements and vocals have become more refined. Ellett’s low raspy vocals and interplay with Kallandar is more seamless. The direction isn’t always obvious. Take “Organized Crime.” It swells into a soulful funk with a nice layer of backing vocals, while “Mystic Feeney” grows from a hypnotic intro that’s fairly serious and sympathetic to its subject into a wild blues-funk romp about mental instability and hallucination. The dynamics drive it back and forth between those two extremes. That approach works well considering its subject matter.

“Baby Equipment,” which closes the album, is another highlight. With its synthed-up bop-bop-bop-bop verses it’s easy to imagine it on classic rock radio (although it varies between `70s and `80s in feel). But it would also fit on modern rock radio today. And while guitar solos can often sound stuck-on last minute and extravagant (more for the player than the song), “Baby Equipment” includes one of the most fitting solos in recent memory. It begins with an irresistibly classic feel then swerves into a psychedelic funk frenzy of wah wah and distortion aided noodling.

As usual the lyrics are quirky and interesting. I can’t tell if the vocals are a more prominent part of the mix on this record, but the lyrics certainly draw listeners in. Some are direct such as “This’ll Be the Day” - a hopeful tale of romantic chase - and “Mystic Feeney,” which riffs on mental illness. Others, like “Organized Crime,” are more mysterious (“My trophy wife bites”, huh?).

The songs sound less improvisational and more intentional, possibly because some of them were written through email exchanges while its members were off at college. Bubonik Funk didn't seem absent from the Charlotte music scene because it’s gigged fairly regularly, but in actuality tonight’s show at Evening Muse marks its first in four years as a truly Charlotte-based band. In that time Kallander has studied music at Berklee in Boston while Ellett (who also plays keys) was at Eastern Carolina University studying film. Meanwhile the rhythm section of Daniel Allison (drums) and Nick McOwen (bass) remained in town.

The band celebrates the release of “Zabooki” tonight, June 29, at Evening Muse at 10:30 p.m. with Vagabond Swing. Admission is $5 to $7. 704-376-3737; www.eveningmuse.com - Courtney Devores-The Charlotte Observer

Bubonik Funk is coming to Murphy’s Friday, June 15, and the four-piece groove and jam band is bringing some friends.

Bubonik Funk, which formed in 2006, will be joined by Cosmodrome, a funk and soul band from Boston, Mass., and The Former Champions, an electro-rock band from Richmond, Va.

The last four years have found Bubnik Funk’s members at different colleges, and their album, “Zabooki,” promises to be representative of their musical and personal growth while being separated.

Band members Stefan Kallander, Dylan Ellett, Nick Mcowen and Daniel Allison have recently been reunited in their hometown of Charoltte to finish working on the release of “Zabooki,” which is set to drop June 29.

“The frustrations of being apart, mixed with the life-changing people and places we have interacted with, have certainly given our music more soul, a little more happiness, a little more pain, a little more sensuality,” Kallander said. “I feel you can hear life through this music.”

“Zabooki” will be focused on Bubonik Funk’s vocal harmony, pulling from the soul styles of Earth, Wind and Fire to D’Angelo, while keeping funk grooves throughout the album.

Bubonik Funk classifies itself as American rock but finds inspiration from a variety of genres, mixing vocals, guitar, organ, drums and bass to create a unique sound.

“Zabooki” will show three years of Bubonik Funk’s work as the band developed its songwriting style and experimented with vocal layers due to an increased presence of soul music in the band’s life.

“We’ve gotten better at being able to convert our visions into music,” Kallander said. “We feel like we’re just starting to become the band we know we can be and have such great fans to present it to. We are very excited for what’s to come.”

The show begins at 10 p.m. Friday, June 15, at Murphy’s Restaurant & Pub, located at 747 W. King St. Admission costs $5, and only those 21 and older will be admitted. - The Mountain Times

BUBONIK FUNK
This Charlotte indie quartet makes guitar-driven soul with, as the name points out, a slant toward funk. Formed in 2006, the band went against the grain by shunning viral releases of its first project and has since worked to advanced beyond being another jam or groove band. Set to release their third album in 2012, the band has this show at home before gallivanting the Southeast in January. Public Speakers is also on the bill. (Mike McCray) - Creative Loafing-Charlotte

Stefan Kallander, Guitarist and Manager of Charlotte based funk jam band, Bubonik Funk, today released the list of the bands upcoming shows, including Opening for Jazz and Blues artist, Jonny Lang, at the Filmore in Charlotte, N.C. On August 26, 2010.

“We are extremely excited over this. To be able to open for someone we (in the band) have admired is a great honor.” said Stefan

The Fillmore Show is just the beginning of busy week of shows for Bubonik Funk. The follow this event with Jax Back 2 School Block Party in Raleigh, N.C., followed by shows at The Duck and Dive Pub in Wilmington, NC and The Tipsy Teapot in Greenville, N.C.

The venues, show times and ticket prices are as followed:
August 26, 2010
The Fillmore in Charlotte, NC with Jonny Lang
Show starts 7:30 Tickets at Livenation $29.50
August 28, 2010
Jax Back 2 School Block Party , Raleigh, N.C. Sponsored by Jax Sports Grill
show at 7:00pm. cover is $2.00 (under 21 cover is $5.00)
September 3, 2010
Duck and Dive Pub , Wilmington, N.C.
Show starts at 10:00pm with No Cover Charge
September 4, 2010
The Tipsy Teapot, Greenville, N.C.
Show starts at 9:00pm cover is $5.00

Bubonik Funk is a Charlotte, N.C. Based band whose wide range of styling covers Funk, Jazz, Blues, Rock with a little soul mixed in. They are well known throughout Charlotte for their Jam sessions.
- PRLog

Also to play is Charlotte, NC’s Bubonik Funk, who claims, “music is out hovercraft, we ride it hand in hand.” Mixing sounds of rock, funk, and soul, Bubonik Funk has been grooving audiences since 2006. This guitar-driven sound is the collective effort of four very talented young artists who each bring their own flavors to the table. Quite notable is Dylan Ellet’s work on the organ, producing a groovy, psychedelic wobble that will have you weak at the knees as you dance to the friendly tunes this Thursday.



Bubonik Funk has released two albums in its existence, OTB and Wink At the Devil, from which their infectious funk has spread from Charlotte to the surrounding area. Will it spread to Athens? That’s up to you. But If I had to call it, let’s just say the swine flu has nothing on Bubonik Funk.

Check them out on MySpace, and give their chimp-themed blog a look. I think you’ll enjoy the fictional version of their bio much more.

See you Thursday! - New Earth Music Hall blog

BUBONIK FUNK
With a name just as catchy as its music, Bubonik Funk continues to infect its audience with a new blend of sound not heard in today's modern bands. The Charlotte quartet is bringing it back where it started, blending the '70s funk era with modern alternative rock riffs and mellow grooves in a mixture that actually works. Also on the bill The Mantras. $10, Neighborhood Theatre. www.neighborhoodtheatre.com. (Johnathan Cruse) - Creative Loafing-Charlotte

Bubonik Funk
10:30 p.m. Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $10-$12. 704-376-3737.
Though it supposedly slowed down this year, the jam-funk outfit continued to pad its resume, opening for Jonny Lang and Zach Deputy and playing the DrumStrong festival. It rings in 2012 with Public Speakers.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/12/30/2884278/hot-concerts.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy - The Charlotte Observer

BUBONIK FUNK With a name just as catchy as its music, Bubonik Funk continues to infect its audience with a new blend of sound not heard in today's modern bands. The Charlotte quartet is bringing it back where it started, blending the '70s funk era with modern alternative rock riffs and mellow grooves in a mixture that actually works. Also on the bill The Mantras. $10, Neighborhood Theatre. www.neighborhoodtheatre.com. (Johnathan Cruse) - Creative Loafing

Bubonik Funk’s Halloween concert with Soulive at the Neighborhood Theatre will be the most significant show in the band’s young career.

“Not just in terms of the amount of people we’ll play in front of,” said guitarist Stefan Kallander, “but (also) in terms of the band we are playing with and their connections in the music industry right now. I would definitely say this is our biggest show to date.”

Band members Kallander, Dylan Ellett (vocals), Nick McOwen (bass) and Daniel Allison (drums) met while attending Charlotte Catholic High School. “Nick and I have been in the same private-school classrooms since first grade,” Kallander said. “We all attended Holy Trinity Middle School before moving on to Catholic. That’s when we really came together and found that we all liked to play music and had the right components to be a band.”

Bubonik Funk has been playing its original fusion of jam-band rock, soul and funk in Charlotte’s clubs for three years. They credit Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Meters, James Brown and P-Funk as major musical influences. But on Saturday, Oct. 31, they’ll finally jam with a nationally recognized recording artist when they open for Soulive.

“They’re just an amazing funk and soul band,” Kallander said. “They’ve toured internationally. They’re really big in the Northeast. I’ve seen them (live) so many times.”

Kallander can chalk up the gig to his own persistence. Though he attends the Berkeley College of Music in Boston, he monitors Charlotte’s music scene and noticed Soulive booked at Neighborhood Theatre. “I just decided to try and find an e-mail address so I could connect with (the band),” he said. “I e-mailed one of their members. He e-mailed me back the next day and it just worked.”

Bubonik Funk has to do a lot of its legwork via e-mail and the Internet. Ellett attends East Carolina University. Kallander takes classes at Berkeley. Allison and McOwen are local, attending Central Piedmont Community College and UNC Charlotte, respectively. Though miles separate them, they find ways to write new music via e-mail, and practice whenever all four can get home at the same time. They’re even planning a tour of the Northeast over Christmas break.

For Kallander, the draw of Funk goes beyond music.

“We not only formed a great band … but it’s also just an incredible friendship to have with these guys,” he said. “I feel so thankful that I have this connection through music with these individuals.”

Want to go?
Bubonik Funk, a local band with south Charlotte roots, plays Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., Charlotte, on Oct. 31, at 8 p.m. To learn more about the band and the show, visit www.myspace.com/bubonikfunk. - South Charlotte Weekly - South Charlotte Weekly

Just because mom gave away your catholic school uniforms and the shards of high school have been dusted off your shoulders doesn't mean your band has to be thrown in the box labeled "High School Memories" along with them. If that were the case, half of the bands you have on your ipod wouldn't exist. It's risky, life-consuming, and difficult, but Bubonik Funk holds their swagger through it all, and are ready to flirt with the future in their latest EP, Wink at the Devil.

For their follow-up to their 2008 release, OTB, Bubonik Funk took their old school funk to a realm of reflection, evident especially in "The Feeling Is" followed by "Love." The EP was produced alongside Dustin Hofsess. Singer Dylan Ellett's material ecompassses a figurative and curiously creative atmosphere where signs of personal growth leak through "Hybrid," sort of a love-themed, Lennon-tinged "Day in the Life."

Guitarist Stefan Kallander keeps a surprisingly quiet strength throughout Wink, every so often bursting out articulate, glass clear licks on "Position of Power" and effortlessly melting faces on "Hybrid" and "Wrath of Brad."

One thing I am happy to hear from Bubonik Funk is control. Bubonik Funk's earlier work had perfectly entertaining breakdowns of grainy and messy solos, but the fresh and refined sound from Kallander's strat on Wink brings a new depth to BFunk's vibe. Drummer Daniel Allison and bassist Nick McOwen stay cool and calm throughout Wink, going forth with subtle bravado and simplicity throughout the EP.

Now I can't make everyone appreciate the type of music that Bubonik Funk writes, as the guys seem to be a bit transgenerational from what we often hear today. Thank goodness for those who still appreciate the energy that funk music brings to the table, making listeners tap toes and get that feeling, whatever it may be.

Wink at the Devil will be available this December, and if you're in Charlotte tonight, head down to Neighborhood Theatre where Bubonik Funk will be performing with SOULIVE. - Songs All Seven

The Deal: Charlotte quartet, which has been together for three years, releases latest EP, OTB.

The Good: Combining elements of funk, jazz and even a little jam band, the album starts off with "OTB" - a Phish-like groove, offset by a funky chorus. The band lets it rip on "Queen Bee" with guitar riffs that sound like something off a Hendrix album. The keys can also add some depth when needed. I'm on the fence about the lyrics and vocals - they sound fine on tracks such as "Ziggy's Lament" and I didn't have a problem with the spoken word vibe on "Queen Bee," but the key sounds a little off at times on "Buru" and "Dancing Bear." However, the music more than makes up for the shortcomings in that department.

The Bad: No offense to the guy in the photo, but I was curious why only one band member - assuming that he's in the band - is featured inside the CD cover. Unless it's just some random guy's "Glamour Shot" or perhaps a tribute to a loved one?

The Verdict: A quick-hitting five tracks built on fine instrumentation. The songs may be a little weak vocally/lyrically at times, but the grooves will get you by. The band has gone in different directions since leaving for colleges around the country, but they keep in touch and have played a few gigs over the holiday break. Keep your eyes, and ears, out for them. - Creative Loafing: Charlotte

January 26th, 2010 by Susan Leak-

The Sound is Virally Contagious

With drums and bass laying down a foundation for the guitar and keyboard to dance upon, Bubonik Funk brings funk up to an infectious level.

Dylan Ellett, Nick McOwen, Stefan Kallander, and Daniel Allison joined forces about four years ago meeting up, in all places, Catholic High School, when they discovered they all shared a love for a sound that was uniquely different. Nick and Dylan were searching for a new guitar player


for their band. Stefan, disappointed in the band he was jamming with, set out to find Nick and Dylan to ask if he could join them. As Stefan was walking up the stairs, down the stairs came his friends, all having the same idea for them to join forces and play what they loved. The end result, with the addition of Daniel Allison was a sound so infectious, so 'funky' the name became Bubonik Funk.

Since then, this band has taken North Carolina by storm spreading their music that they describe as 25% soul 25% funk 25% blues 25% rock, seasoned with Reggae, Rap, and anything else that they feel when playing.

All band members are now in colleges across the east coast, with Stefan attending the prestigious Berklee in MA. In a phone interview Stefan relayed how they are still writing together. "Thank God for the internet! We all just email the tracks around, adding in our parts, and practice when we are all back in Charlotte. We have known each other for so long, we all are on the same wave music wise, it is working out great!"

When asked about the work load of college and the challenges of having a band, Stefan credited their parents. " Persistence. Our parents taught us all if we start something to finish it, and if we want something bad enough it will come if we are persistent and work at it."

Well the persistence is paying off. On their album Wink at the Devil they have a more polished sound. Drums and bass that gets you moving, guitar and keys that grab you. The vocal styling and sound of Dylan is reminiscent to Jimmy Vaughn, and the harmonizing of Stefan and Daniel is perfectly, well, funky.

To name one standout song off this CD, it would have to be Polyphemus. This cut is an interesting mystic stew of soul, jazz, reggae, and rock. This cut gives you a true taste their unique style of funk.

so if you are a fan of soul/blues/rock/funk and looking for something fresh and alive, look no further, inject your musical soul with a dose of
Bubonik Funk.
- Associated Content