Five Alarm Funk

Five Alarm Funk is Vancouver’s own afro-funk orchestra. For more than four years the band has brought their relentless grooves to clubs and major festivals across Western Canada. Intense horn lines and percolating afro-beat guitar combined with the interplay of four percussionists create an unstoppable dance party. On May 1st, 2008 the band released Voodoo Hairdoo, their second studio album. Five Alarm Funk will tour through summer 2008 to promote their new disc.
The band’s wicked cross-rhythms and frenetic, costumed stage show appeals to jazz fans and clubs kids alike. Five Alarm Funk has carved out a word of mouth fan base from a series of crowd-pleasing performances at clubs, concert halls, and festivals throughout B.C.

Five Alarm Funk has built an enthusiastic fan base large enough to twice fill the legendary world-class venue, The Commodore Ballroom (Vancouver, BC) with over 900 fans in 2007 & 2008. Every performance is an unstoppable dance party. The intense horn lines, percolating Afro-beat guitar and explosive percussion section are irresistible.

The 11-piece phenomenon has performed over 120 shows throughout Western Canada, sharing stages with such artists as Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Herbaliser, Sly & Robbie, Fishbone and Xavier Rudd.

The band’s playful, high-energy live show is fueled by skin-tight arrangements and raw, sweat-drenched passion. From its founding as a six-piece in 2003, the young band has grown into one of the most exciting and unique groups in Canada.

Five Alarm Funk’s upcoming album, Voodoo Hairdoo, captures the boundless energy of their live show. It is a journey from fast funk and dance-crazed Latin to epic reggae and thunderous Afro-beat. The albums’ first single “Keep Me Up All Night” is a slap-bass driven, heavy funk workout reminiscent of Earth Wind & Fire. The song features guest appearances by soul-singing powerhouses Tim Fuller and Dawn Pemberton, adding a new element to the band’s trademark instrumental grooves.

Five Alarm Funk’s wacky costumes and stage antics guarantee a frenzied dance party, but the boys in the band can really play too. The group’s tenor saxophonist, Eli Bennett was recently chosen to perform at this year’s Grammy Awards as a member of a North American all-star band.. Five Alarm Funk can pack a dance floor, but they’ve got tons of jazz chops too. They’ve got it all. They’re the real deal.

Some Festivals Five Alarm Funk appeared at:

Victoria Folkfest, Vancouver International Jazzfest, Shambhala Music Festival (Nelson, BC), Ness Creek Music Festival (Saskatoon, SK), Big Time Out Music Festival (Courtenay/Cumberland, BC), Dragonboat Festival (Vancouver, BC), Morfee Mountain Music Fest (Mackenzie, BC), SERF Music Fest (Squamish, BC), Richmond Winter Festival, Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival (Salmon Arm, BC), Northwest Folklife Music Festival (Seattle, WA), Canada Day Music Festival (Surrey, BC), Nakusp Music Festival, Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival (Gibsons, BC), Duotone Arts Festival (Kelowna, BC), Music in the Mountains Festival (Kamloops, Vin du Lac Winery, (Lake Chelan, WA), Bonfire Music Festival (Sunshine Coast, BC) and AMS Block Party (Vancouver, BC).

Record Label/Distribution: Warner Music Canada/Pacific Music

VIDEO FOOTAGE:

There are many YouTube Video's of Five Alarm Funk, here are some of the better ones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59mae73zyXA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxOP3PDD5nY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avnvIXcVaNU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCIkhgwmmVk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz0TMG_Wu08&feature=related