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East Coast funk band FATsmalls are hoping to recapture the classic sound, writes X-static's MATT MALONEY. IT CAN start off in a slow groove and build up to a hard-driving climax.
It's a four-letter f-word, and FATsmalls love to do it publicly.
Funk.
The premier East Coast funk band has enlightened Launcestonian pub-goers for the past year with their soulful and sexy sounds, but with a new five- track EP to drop in December, the group have only just started to plant the seeds of a funk revolution and total Tasmanian domination.
This is hoped to be helped by the three tracks that are currently sitting comfortably in the Triple J Unearthed roots chart's top ten.
Recorded at frontman Simon Holmes's own studio, Big Shed Studios, he said the EP sounded as if it was from another time and place.
Drawing heavily from the deep funk movement and New Orleans funk, Holmes said the FATsmalls wanted a sound that replicated the golden era of classic funk music.
"In the recording, we had a strong idea in our mind about what we wanted to sound like, plus we've got skills within the band to do it (self-produce)," he said.
"We wanted to bring to it that old sort of vibe."
Despite writing complex arrangements, Holmes said the band was not afraid to accompany these with off-beat, unpredictable and "nonsense" lyrics, juxtaposed by some serious impressions of life.
One song is about blue cheese - "because it smells funky" - another is about funky boots, while the song Air Traffic Controller observes the bizarre dance moves some people turn loose on the floor.
"So it's basically nonsense, which is true to the genre - you don't listen to a funk band for true insights ... funk is about having a good time," Holmes said.
* CHECK OUT three preview tracks from FATsmalls' debut self-titled release through the Triple J Unearthed website. Simply type the band's name into the search engine and click the songs in the right-hand side panel to play. - The Examiner - Launceston
Discography
Debut EP due out in January 2010!
Tracks Currently Streaming on Triple J Unearthed!
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Bio
Formed and based on the east coast of Tasmania FATsmalls draws influence from both modern and classic soul and funk acts such as Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, and Maceo Parker. FATsmalls have been drawing people out of their living rooms and onto dance floors all over Tasmania with their modern Funk and Soul music for almost a year.
FATsmalls is the most booty shakin’, hip grindin’, soul clappin’ band to spring forth from the beautiful state of Tasmania for some time. The band’s sound is characterised by tightly arranged irresistible grooves augmented by punchy horns, funky keys and smooth, fresh vocals. The funk is built on the solid foundation of Joel Delphin’s hip dropin’ drum grooves Simon Holmes’s booty moving bass lines, Robbie Cameron’s funky guitar lines and the syncopated soul of Pete Cornelius’s keyboard. Perfectly complimenting the unstoppable groove, the band also boasts a killer horn section of Lila Meleisia, Owen ‘Hank’ Hankin, while vocalist Erin Clarke ties it all together with her sweet soul vocals.
The fresh and funky sound created by the band, along with the dynamic live show has won over audiences from all corners of the state of Tasmania. In a short time together FATsmalls has already shared the stage with some of Tasmania’s stand out artists including the legendary Pete Cornelius & the Devilles, Unleash The Nugget, The Stoics and Let the Cat Out. While the core of FATsmalls fanbase exists in Launceston and on the East Coast Of Tasmania the band has been continually wowing audiences and gathering new fans wherever they have played.
The band is currently finishing off their self titled debut EP, which has been recorded at Big Shed Studios on Tasmania’s east coast. The EP will showcase the bands song writing ability, as well as giving listeners a small taste of the sounds and atmosphere they will be immersed in at a FATsmalls show.
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