Don’t have plans yet for New Year’s Eve? Music fans across New York State have got plenty of choices this Thursday. NYS Music helps you get there with the short list of NYE activities.
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad at the Historic German House with special guests Danielle Ponder & Tomorrow People and Funknut. Three Heads Brewing Tasting Party start at 7pm with an acoustic jam featuring members of GPGDS and Extended Family. Late night the party continues with Subsoil and Level 7 Hip Hop DJ Set. $20 in advance/$30 day of show.
Buffalo funk/rock/reggae fusion outfit Funktional Flow are giving fans a sneak peek at their upcoming album Time Will Tell. The band released an official studio video for the album’s first single, “Back Door.”
The band’s third studio effort, which will feature 12 tracks, is slated for release in March 2016. The official date and venue location for the band’s CD release party will be announced at the band’s New Year’s Eve show at Buffalo Iron Works.
Time Will Tell was recorded over three weeks at Sonic Farm Studios in Colden with producers Dan Brace and Scott Nadolinski. Although it’s Funktional Flow’s third studio release, it’s the first with Funktional Flow’s new lineup. In April 2015, the band took on a new life with the addition of Joey Lewis (guitar) and Matt Lester (keys).
Bassist Ben Whelan told NYS Music that the lineup change has been a positive step for the band’s growth. “The type of music we play really calls for the lineup we have now, and it has helped us grow exponentially,” said Whelan. “With the addition of Joey and Matt, we truly feel as though we gained brothers, not just band mates. It really has been a great time growing with them and having them add their flavor to the mix. It doesn’t always go that way with new additions, so we are really blessed in that aspect!”
Guitarist and lead vocalist Jeffrey Kuebler told NYS Music that the history of “Back Door” began prior to the song’s life with Funktional Flow. “Back Door started as essentially a riff that I had come up with in 2008 when Joey and I were in a band called Lake View Effect,” he said. “With me and Joey each contributing to the composition, it all came together and we played it a couple of times with LVE. After years of being on the shelf that was one song we decided to add to the Flow repertoire when Joey joined the band!”
The band chose “Back Door” as its first single due to the overwhelming response the song has gotten from fans at their live shows. The band is currently working on a spring tour to support Time Will Tell that they hope to announce after the New Year. Funktional Flow is slated to open for Twiddle at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo on Feb. 25.
Nothing compares to experiencing live music. But when it comes to packing up and leaving the world behind to immerse in a weekend of musical debauchery with a community of like-minded souls, well, that’s the stuff that dreams are made of for music festival fans.
From one-band to multi-artist events and crowd sizes from 2,000 to 50,000, New York State hosts a bevy of festivals annually in some of the most beautiful settings imaginable, and let’s face it, our state knows how to throw a proper fest, as it is ingrained in New York’s rich musical history having put on one of the biggest rock festivals of all time, Woodstock. Here we’ve rounded up our favorites from NYS Music 2015, so sit back, relax and relive some of the festival magic that happened throughout the Empire State this year, because we all know what it’s like to experience those post-fest blues.
The third installment of Buffalove Music Festival saw a venue change from Cole Farm, Panama, NY, to North Fork Music Park, Warsaw, NY, with the new location offering four stages, a private beach, disc golf and wooded-area camping, and a record attendance that doubled previous years. With an impressive lineup including Kung Fu, Pink Talking Fish, Funktional Flow, Particle, Formula 5, Mister F, Space Junk, Dopapod, Aqueous and Aquapod, the three-day June 2015 festival created to celebrate Western New York’s emerging music scene was one for the books, according to Jen Foster and Thomas Sgroi:
Buffalove came through. Co-founder of Buffalive Productions and Founder of Buffalove Cody Conway clearly had one goal in mind: keep the energy as high as possible. Every single band had heads turning and jaws on the ground. There was never a lull, never a band that just played to fill space. Every minute was dance-worthy. If you missed out this year, we can highly recommend you don’t make that mistake next year. Without any problems or unruly attendees, this festival made its mark at North Fork Music Park in Warsaw, NY. The amount of talent coming out of Upstate New York is only paving the road for more incredible shows. Buffalove, you certainly were lovely.”
Another summer fest that saw a venue change was the fifth annual Disc Jam Music Festival, which moved from Massachusetts to New York State—and promoters recently announced that the event will return to Gardner’s Farm in Stephentown for its sixth year in June. Throughout four days of music, camping, disc golf and Flow Tribe, festivalgoers experienced live performances from more than 50 acts, including Lettuce, Electron, Dopapod, Aqueous, Brightside, Kung Fu, Consider the Source, Cabinet, Soule Monde, Roots of Creation, Formula 5, The Hornitz, Soul Rebel Project, Broccoli Samurai, Krewe de Groove and Relative Souls. According to Dave DeCrescente, the festival’s last day culminated with a “healthy dose of guest sit-ins” with jamband Twiddle, noting that:
One of the highlights of the set was the massive guest sit in with DJ Honeycomb, James Woods, and Joe Davis from Formula 5, Scott Hannay of Mister F and Todd Stoops for the ultimate mega jam on “Apples.” The Disc Jam Flow Tribe was out in full force with fire spinners and hooping entertainers that were almost as mesmerizing as the music. The weekend ended just as it started, with mind blowing music and a close knit community who continue to make the Disc Jam Festival special. Tony Scavone and crew did a suburb job of organizing the 5th annual Disc Jam with a new location but still the same friendly, loving festival experience that keeps fans coming back each year.”
While Catskill Chill is speculated to make a move to Lake George in 2016, the festival’s last waltz at bucolic Camp Minglewood in Hancock, NY, this September was a success, selling 5,000 tickets, according to Chill promoter Dave Marzollo. Headlined by moe. who kicked off their fall tour at the festival and including other bands like Lotus, Zappa Plays Zappa, Lettuce, Twiddle, Turkuaz, Dopakuaz plays Studio 54 and The Motet, the sixth annual installment of Catskill Chill featured on-site cabin rentals, daily yoga, live art, a farmer’s market, craft and food vendors, a communal bonfire nightly and an open mic. The three-day event was packed with guest sit-ins and collaborations like Dopapod and Turkuaz joining forces to play as Dopakuaz, which Chill organizer Josh Cohen noted is the type of community mindset that sets this festival apart from others its size or larger by creating an environment where rising bands can experiment and grow in a unique setting:
Point is that when comparing us to larger festivals, we’re at this cool stage attendance-wise where in many band’s cases we have the best ‘music’ out there in our prime slots. I love tons of bands who’ve been around since the ’90s or earlier but there’s nothing like seeing musicians in their youthful stages, when creativity is just exploding and you can feel it dripping off the stage as opposed to later-in-their career bands who are playing mostly songs they first wrote and fell in love with decades earlier.”
It’s no surprise that Magnaball takes the cake for this category. During late August more than 30,000 phans invaded Watkins Glen International race track for Phish Festival 10. And while the three-day event took place at the site of their 2011 Superball IX festival, this time around the setup featured many upgrades, including local and regional food vendors, the five-course restaurant Festival Ate, MagnaWater Program, speciality Phish-themed cocktails and coveted craft beer from Lawson’s Finest Liquids and Hill Farmstead. (And let’s not forget to mention the interactive Glurt Institute, Drive-In movie theater, JEMP Record Store and cornhole tournament.) The Vermont quartet majorly delivered throughout the weekend’s eight sets busting out rare tunes like “Mock Song” and jamming out typical breather ballads such as “Prince Caspian” to uncharted territory, but perhaps one of the highlights was the Saturday festival tradition of performing a late-night set, which according to Pete Mason raised expectations for future secret sets:
Magnaball’s foray into the history of Phish’s special festival sets was the Drive-In Jam and it raised the bar while putting forth a performance on par with the ‘Storage Jam,’ if not exceeded this established upper echelon of improvisation. On a 183-foot movie screen, a wide array of visual treats combined with a progressively growing ambient jam that eclipsed the Lemonwheel by a longshot and morphed into a full on jam for 50 minutes. The Drive-In Set raised the bar for surprise performances and gave fans a treat after the music on the main stage ended an hour prior.”
The event will also be giving away free band merchandise for every fan that brings in at least five cans of food to be donated to the food drive. This event is a perfect way to celebrate one of the biggest party nights of the year and a really great way to support the local food drive. Funktional Flow is becoming a larger presence in the Buffalo scene and have a brand new record being wrapped up at Sonic Farms Studio for release in 2016.
SkyePilot is also starting to gain some real steam with a very promising Buffalove Music Festival showing as well as a nice following around town after coming of their brand new EP, Biology which was released last May.
After Funk, a Toronto based Funk Jam experience has been really blowing up in the northern states as they have been touring quite a bit and are coming off the heels of a new album, ‘Till The Sun Comes Up, which came out last month, you can take a listen to it on their website and purchase singles or the entire album.
Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon is arguably one of the most technical and well-produced studio albums of all time. Recorded at the famed Abbey Road Studios in London, the sessions involved some of the most advanced recording techniques of the time including multi-track recording and tape loops, all of which are now customary by today’s studio standards. Among its legend is the haunting and eerie synchronous connection with the MGM classic The Wizard of Oz. So when Buffalo based groove rock quartet Aqueous announced it would be Dark Side of the Moon hosting a night dedicated to the cinematic classic during the second night of their homecoming Halloween run, many fans wondered exactly how these two magical worlds would collide.
To the delight of their fans, Aqueous laid out a seamless and perfectly executed second set on Halloween night– Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety, while dressed as the cast of the Wizard of Oz.
It’s was the band’s first foray into a multi-day Halloween run and they tackled two separate themes; Back to the Future on Friday night and The Wizard of Oz for Saturday’s Halloween festivities. The weekend was a hit among the band’s hometown fans, selling out both nights at Buffalo Iron Works. The overall feel of the weekend was just what you would expect -whimsical, magical and strange – and well worth the $20- two day price of admission.
Funktional Flow kicked off both nights with stellar sets. Their brand of funk/rock/reggae fusion feels organic at its best moments. There is almost an underlying Americana folk vibe to their smoothest reggae inspired vibes. Original tunes like “Moonlight Tide” and “Leaving Town” showcased the band’s new direction since the addition of Joey Lewis (guitar) and Matt Lester (keys) this past April. To say that the version of Funktional Flow fans saw this weekend is a vast improvement on its former self in almost an understatement. The line-up addition have the band going in a positive direction musically.
“The type of music we play really calls for the line-up we have now and it has helped us grow exponentially,” noted bassist Ben Whelan. “With the addition of Joey and Matt we truly feel as though we gained brothers not just band mates. It really has been a great time growing with them and having them add their flavor to the mix. It doesn’t always go that way with new additions so we are really blessed in that aspect!”
Their new confidence spilled over into some fun covers including Phish’s “Lizards” and Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke”. Funktional Flow closed out their weekend with a stunning rendition of Aqueous’ “Warren in the Window”. Aqueous would later return the favor with a powerful version of “Mulligan’s”, a Funktional Flow fan favorite.
Funktional Flow is slated to release a new full length album this winter. The band looks to tour in support of the new music with a multi-city tour that will take their sound out of Western New York and more towards the Northeast states.
Friday Night’s Aqueous set proved to be the more upbeat of their sets. In true Back to the Future form, they opened the festivities with film’s theme song “The Power of Love” and closed the night with an Aqueo-fied version of the film’s other Huey Lewis and the News tune “Back in Time”. The set was packed full of high energy moments including “”Don’t Do it”, “Strange Times” and “Underlyer” as well as a version of “Aldehyde” complete with a horn section featuring Justin Lackie on saxophone and Pat Allison on Trumpet. In addition, Aqueous pulled out a rare live version of Dr. Brox from the bands 2012 release “Willy is 40”. The evening continued to be full of surprises, as the band teased both the Chordettes classic “Mr. Sandman” as well as Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” before crashing into a fast paced and edgy version of “Origami”. Of course, the band played tribute to the film’s classic school dance musical moment with their own versions of both the Penguin’s “Earth Angel” as well as the Chuck Berry classic “Johnny B. Goode”.
Saturday night, Aqueous brought the best qualities from the Wizard of Oz to the evening. Both the music and the atmosphere were strange and dark with brilliant pops of technicolor whimsy throughout the night. The first set opened with a mash-up style version of the MGM Wizard of Oz intro and Somewhere Over the Rainbow before melding into a more mellow but groovy version of “Kitty Chaser (Explosions in the Sky)’. Aqueous filled the night’s first set with a powerful collection of original material including “Eon Don” “King for a Day” and a non-stop “Complex Pt.1” into “Wandering” into “Complex Pt. 2”. Matt Harris (saxophone) joined the band on stage to a jazzed out version of the Oz classic “If I Only had a Brain.”
As set two loomed, the room was buzzing with rumors that the band might play Dark Side of the Moon. So when the sounds of the albums iconic opening track “Speak to Me” ushered in the second set, the crowd seem to watch in disbelief. Harris returned to the stage for saxophone duty while Funktional Flow’s Joey Lewis came on board for various guitar work. During “Great Gig in the Sky” the crowd was brought to their knees by vocalist Sarah Jane, who’s haunting and perfectly emoted vocals were the highlight of the set. Adding to the ambiance was the incredible lighting from Craig Freudenthal that only elevated the overall experience.
Aqueous returned with a brief encore that included a stunning version of the Elton John classic “Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road” before ending the weekend with “All In”.
Beyond the sheer technical skill and flawless timing, Aqueous executed pure confidence while accomplishing a feat that many musicians simply couldn’t execute. The talent and precision it takes to perform Dark Side in its entirety in real time didn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated by anyone in the attendance. And the stunning part of it was that Aqueous simply made it look easy.
If this weekend’s shows are any indication, the results are proving that Aqueous is poised to be the band to see on next summer’s festival circuit. The addition of Tom Vayo behind the drums has given Aqueous a more polish and precise sound. It appears and sounds like the band has taken the last few months to fit his style neatly into their musical mix.
“Tom has to be one of the most creative, languid, and definitely dynamic drummers I’ve come across- we’ve spent the last few weeks on the road getting to know each other on a deeper level musically (and personal level really), and I don’t think any of us could be more excited about what he’s bringing to the AQ sound,” noted Aqueous guitarist Mike Gantzer.
Gantzer also went on to acknowledge the changes. “The improvising has been getting deeper and deeper, and every night feels like a new adventure. It’s been awesome and I’m excited to see where it’ll go, if it’s that on point in such a short amount of time! Tom’s also an awesome, fun, silly dude and having him around has pushed the fun level over the top too, which is just as important.”
And for Aqueous, the fun part seems to go without saying. This weekend proved that while they take themselves seriously as musicians, they don’t take themselves too seriously. And that’s what Aqueous fans seem to know, the band isn’t just there to make music, they are also there to be part of the fun.
Fans looking to relive the weekend or simply wanting to hear it for the first time are in luck. Dan Brace of Sonic Farms Studios was on hand this weekend to track both Friday and Saturday night.
After returning home from a three week Southeastern run to play Halloween at home, Aqueous jumps back on the road hitting Michigan on November 4th. Their remaining fall dates have them making their way out west to Colorado before heading to the Northeast where they will kick off the new year on January 1st, opening for one night of Twiddle’s three day new year’s run in Burlington, Vermont.
Groove rock quartet Aqueous returns home from a three-week southeastern tour to host tribute to two classic American films this weekend at Buffalo Iron Works. The two night hometown Halloween run kicks off with Back to the Future on Friday night Oct. 30. Saturday night, Oct. 31 will lean more Technicolor with a Wizard of Oz themed evening. Buffalo is preparing for a monster party as fellow Buffalo based rock/funk/reggae fusion jam band Funktional Flow opens in support on both nights.
For Buffalo music fans looking for a hometown option this weekend, the two night engagement offers an incredible option. Both bands are staying tight-lipped about exactly what to expect. Aqueous guitarist Mike Gantzer noted that ”you’ll be getting something unprecedented from us for sure,” but neither band are giving away many details. However, the promise of an Aqueous/Funktional Flow collaboration seems promising.
“Halloween carries such a specific vibe in terms of atmosphere, people are ready to get weird and silly and strange, and those three things might just be a cornerstone of what our band enjoys the most about each other and our music. The element of surprise is certainly one of my favorite aspects of live performance, and I’m excited about several things that are happening over this two night run.” — Mike Gantzer
According to Funktional Flow bassist Ben Whelan, Halloween offers both the band and the fans a unique opportunity.
“Halloween is always a fun time to play shows because you can really do whatever you want for the most part and ‘get away with it’. It’s always fun when you’re in that element and can step outside the box for crazy cover ideas or different spins on originals. We really try to maximize that in a live setting and it seems to be ideal on Halloween.” — Ben Whelan
In addition to the two nights of costumes, music and cinematic nostalgia, both bands are utilizing the event as a way to give back to the community. A drive has been set up to benefit The Friends of Night People, a Buffalo based organization that provides food, clothing, medical care, counseling and hope to those in need. Canned food items, warm clothing and blankets are high on the organizations need list and will be collected on site both nights.
Both nights are expected to sell out. Tickets are still available at Ticketfly.com
If you were looking for a festival with continuous high energy bands, then Buffalove was it. We were greeted with sunny skies on Thursday afternoon, and a buzz in the air from everyone who couldn’t stop talking about what was to come of that first night. Everyone knew it was going to start with a bang, and they couldn’t have been more accurate.
Buffalo’s own Imperial Brown kicked things off on the Pavilion stage, setting a tone that would carry throughout the weekend. With a sold base of funk, reggae, soul and jam, Imperial Brown got the feet moving, and everyone’s excitement could be focused on one thing: dancing.
As Buffalovers made their way across the field to the main stage, you could feel everyone’s energy level soaring. Hometown heroes Aqueous took the stage at 8pm as the sun was setting and it was go time. They eased into their set, building intensity as the hour went on. We could all tell it was just a tease of what was to come. One by one, Dopapod took the stage, with a seamless changeover that left us continuously dancing for hours. Like Aqueous, they eased into their set, but definitely took things up a notch. Aqueous’ Mike Gantzer was the first to step on stage for the birth of Aquapod. And with a blink of an eye, members of both Aqueous and Dopapod were all on stage, getting into one of the strongest starts any festival could ever hope for. If you were a fan of both of these bands before, then this was the penultimate moment. Trading solos with the biggest of smiles, it just kept going. Even when the rain started to fall, the set from top to bottom was any fans dream. The intensity, the happiness of both bands, and the wide-eyes and looks of amazement from the crowd really started Buffalove off right. From there, it just kept going.
For those whose legs could still hold their bodies up after four and a half straight hours of Aqueous and Dopapod, the late night Woods Stage sets kept the intensity going. A beautiful little stage, set on the hill and covered with trees, was the scene of several sets that would leave people dancing until the wee hours of the morning. Sonder and Spacejunk were first up in the woods, with a segue set that rang through the property. Sonder with their jamtronic, groovy set, then Space Junk with a DJ set that got even the weariest of festival goers back on their feet. The Woods Stage would be the scene of serious talent and body-moving sets. Even with the rain continuing on and off all night, the vibe was nothing short of magical.
Friday morning, we were met with cool weather and constant chatter of what we had all witnessed the night before. The question kept being asked, “How can you top that first night?” But yet again, Buffalove delivered. Imperial Brown started it off again on the Pavilion Stage as the crowds began to wake up, stretch their bodies and get some food. Like every band, their dance-worthy set definitely pulled us out of the fog and back into the light.
Friday afternoon hit, and from there it was on again. Beau Sasser’s Escape Plan, led by current Kung Fu keyboardist Beau Sasser, took the Main Stage and came out swinging with their amped-up, soul crushing version of the Grateful Dead’s “New Speedway Boogie.” Mary Corso’s voice was enough to give anyone the chills, as they cruised through a powerful set. Guitarists Danny Mayer and Justin Henricks had some solos that could leave anyone’s jaw on the floor and drummer Kevin Urvalek was cruising by the time they closed with a cover of “Whipping Post.”
Slip Madigan continued the party, with a rhythmic, groove-oriented set on the Pavillion Stage. Then it was time for Funktional Flow to begin their first of three sets over the next 24 hours.
Flow took Main Stage for a 5pm set that only left fans craving more. Their tight, jam-based songs got the excitement level up once again. With covers like “Atlantic City” by Bruce Springsteen and Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4,” it was very apparent that they can span the genres. Then before you knew it, Albany-based Formula 5 took the Pavilion Stage. For these guys, it was a pre-cursor to their late night segue set with Funktional Flow at the Woods Stage.
Headlining the evening was Kung Fu and Particle, both bringing the hammer down on Saturday evening. Kung Fu, brought the jam-funk to the Main Stage, giving fans a different taste of what they could accomplish with a slightly modified lineup. Sasser soared, with solos that layered and layered, and meshed so well with their new sound. Kung Fu fans were shocked at what the band had become: a funk-heavy jam band. Then it was time for Particle to take the party to the next level. As the disco ball beamed, they played a set that was clearly meant to leave people exhausted from dancing.
Late night Friday was a beast of its own. Funktional Flow came out heavy on the Woods Stage. And if you weren’t keeping an eye on the stage at all times, you wouldn’t have even noticed that one by one, Formula 5 took over. If you had caught their earlier set, this one was completely different in attack. We could all tell they just wanted to get out there and jam as hard as they could. James Woods’ intricate and heavy bass lines and Joe Davis’ cruising guitar licks were almost too much to handle. Before you knew it, Funktional Flow had taken the Woods Stage over yet again. This time, it was one for the books. With a closer like Umphrey’s McGee “All In Time”, we were dancing just as hard as with Kung Fu and Particle, if not harder. The woods were lit up and the buzz around these two bands was heavy. Buffalovers had been treated to one of the most seamless sets of the weekend and all in the wee hours of Saturday morning. Closing out the morning was Buffalo-based Skyepilot, led by powerhouse lead singer Skye Del Re. If you still had the energy, this band kept the party going until the wee hours of 5am. The sun was coming up, and the groove was still ringing through the woods.
With a full weekend of high-energy bands, we were still left with Saturday. From top to bottom, the last day of Buffalove was filled with talent. Even though Skyepilot had just packed up on the Woods Stage, they opened Saturday on the Main Stage. Their strong, fast-paced versions of songs like “Sugaree” was enough to get even the weariest back on their feet for the final day. Buffalove contest winner The Goods hit the Pavilion Stage, with a very apparent reason why they were the winners. With a slightly different flare than the rest of the acts, they added that international/world groove.
The Main Stage on Saturday was filled to the brim with talent, as Blue Rootz and Whiskey Reverb both gave noteworthy sets. Next, it was time for Funktional Flow to give their final of three sets. With a setlist that included heavy originals and crowd-favorite covers like Warren Zevon’s “Lawyers, Guns and Money” and to close it all out, Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir.” Funktional Flow definitely earned their three sets, and stood on par with the headliners.
To close out the Pavilion Stage and Main Stage, Albany favorites Mister F tag teamed sets with Pink Talking Fish. Mister F did a stripped down set to start, with Andrew Chamberlaine playing a banjitar (banjo/guitar combo) for the first set. If you ran across the mud-filled lawn, you could witness the greatness of Pink Talking Fish, with their full, accurate versions of Pink Floyd, The Talking Heads and Phish. With their first set over, Mister F took the Pavilion Stage. The crowd filtered in fast, and before you knew it, hundreds of people were crowded around for Mister F’s final set. The energy coming off them was undeniable, and anyone who wasn’t a fan before, was now. Even with drummer Matt Pickering sick as a dog, they blasted through their set. With almost all originals, they included one cover that got everyone’s feet moving a little faster, Jamiroquai’s “Canned Heat.”
Sit-in master Scott Hannay of Mister F wasn’t done there. After finishing packing up, he decided to hang out the rest of the night and see what else he could dive into. Pink Talking Fish topped their first set with versions of Phish’s “Possum” and “Tweezer” that had the crowd in full fun mode. Scott Hannay jumped on for “Crosseyed and Painless”, swapping keyboards back and forth with keyboardist Richard James. It was a spectacle, to say the least.
Late night Saturday drove it all home. Grateful Dead tribute band Workingman’s Dead took the Woods Stage around midnight, giving everyone that comfortable, familiar set of Dead music that left everyone with a smile. High energy, fast tempo Grateful Dead is exactly what we needed after all that was Buffalove. If you weren’t completely out of steam, heavy-hitters After Funk closed out the whole festival in the woods with their horns blaring. Scott Hannay managed to sneak in for another sit-in, adding to the already sonic boom that is After Funk. For those resting at their campsites, there was no way you couldn’t perk up hearing this band wail through the night.
Buffalove came through. Co-founder of Buffalive Productions and Founder of Buffalove Cody Conway clearly had one goal in mind: keep the energy as high as possible. Every single band had heads turning and jaws on the ground. There was never a lull, never a band that just played to fill space. Every minute was dance-worthy. If you missed out this year, we can highly recommend you don’t make that mistake next year. Without any problems or unruly attendees, this festival made its mark at North Fork Music Park in Warsaw, NY. The amount of talent coming out of Upstate New York is only paving the road for more incredible shows. Buffalove, you certainly were lovely.
There has been a lot to be said about the Buffalo music scene these days, especially with bands like moe. and most recently Aqueous, making a splash in the music community. One band that has been around for the last few years is Buffalo’s Funktional Flow.
Pictured left to right: Matthew Lester, Joey Lewis, Jeffrey Kuebler, Jim Edgar, and Ben Whalen
They added two new members to the trio. Joining the band is guitarist, Joey Lewis. Alongside horn/keyboard player, Matthew Lester, everything seems to be moving onward and upward since. It was only a month or so ago that both were introduced as full-time members during the band’s CD release party for, Let it Settle, that went down at local music hot spot Nietzche’s.
Lester and Lewis join original members Jeffrey Kuebler (guitar), Jim Edgar (drums) and Ben Whelan (bass).
NYS Music caught up with the band while they were rehearsing for their much-anticipated sets for Buffalove Music Festival at North Fork Music Park in Warsaw, NY. The festival will take place June 18-20 and Funktional Flow have been a big part of Buffalove since the beginning.
Tom Sgroi: For those people who haven’t seen or heard you, who is Funktional Flow?
Jeffrey Kuebler: Funktional Flow is a melting pot of a lot of different genres that we are influenced by. It’s basically each one of us in the band and our different influences that we bring to the table, a lot of different styles and genres that we kind of throw in a blender. If we’re into reggae at one time that will come out and if it’s funk that will come out.
Jim Edgar: Whatever music you get into at the time that you listen to definitely influences you.
TS: What’s been the most difficult thing for the band with going through a few different guitarists since the beginning?
JK: Integrating different people to the music, songs that we played a thousand times we had to run over and over and getting them integrated into has probably been the biggest setback. At the end of the day it was a good learning experience and it made us all better going through it.
JE: Yea, definitely three different guitar players gives the band three different sounds for sure, it does make song more fun as it wasn’t the same over four years (laughs).
TS: Tell us a little about the newer members with Matt and Joey, how you guys ended up picking them up and having them come on full-time?
JK: It was a natural progression and Matt was before Joey. We played with Matt with Ben Whalen, Your Mom and the Reacharounds and that got us playing together and he got familiar with our style and that was a no brainer. Me and Joey have been playing for years, pushing a decade really, so that was a natural thing, it was great having him come aboard and were very happy with the current and final lineup.
TS: Ben, Jim and Jeff, you’re all original members, how have you guys kept it together since the start?
JK: A lot of fist fights (laughs).
Ben Whalen: I don’t know, communication and true friendship. We’re actually friends when were not playing.
JK: We have a lot of fun and that’s what it really boils down to.
TS: How do you think adding keys and horns will add to the overall sound of the band?
JK: It can only add to it and make it more dynamic and full sounding. It also kinda lends itself to what we originally wanted when we set out to create the band. When we generally write songs we will write them in mind of all the instrumentation. Having that has really rounded out our sound.
TS: Tell me a little about Buffalove. You guys have really been the forefront of it, what is it all about?
JK: Yea Cody (Conway) built the festival around us and Aqueous and it’s grown from there. Its getting bigger every year and to play with some of the caliber of bands it’s getting, is really a cool thing.
TS: Matt and Joey, what’s it been like for you guys joining the group?
Matt Lester: Yea I started playing with these guys a lot, anytime they needed horns I would play. I was fortunate to be invited to Bliss, NY to the cabin they go down to and that was the first time I played keys for them and that’s when everything starting clicking. It’s been a lot of fun for sure.
TS: Joey?
Joey Lewis: Yea, I was there for a while seeing how the rotation was going for Funktional Flow. Having the guitarists and not having the best of luck and I would help out with whatever gig I could. I was pretty aware of the songs so they didn’t need to waste time. So, finally I decided I wanted to play with the kids I grew up with and are my friends, and the music I like to play. I was really happy when they asked me to be in the band and contribute.
TS: Yea, because you were involved with a couple other bands. ( The Heritage and Whiskey River).
JL: Yea, I felt obligated to them but at the end of the day when you hone in your talent and want to play the music you want to play and you don’t want to do it for any other reason that is when I asked Jeff and Ben if they wanted to bring me on full-time.
ML: Yea like joey said we were in other bands and had an obligation but at the same time when the opportunity arose it wasn’t something we could pass up for sure. I’m really glad we made the decision because it’s been a blast ever since.
TS: This is more for Jeff, Jim and Ben again but last year you guys played Catskill Chill, what festival would you want to be part of in the future?
JK: Any and all of them, I would love to play Summer Camp
BW: F@#$! Yea, Summer Camp!
TS: Ok, sounds like that is the big one for every one.
TS: What other local or regional bands influence you guys?
JK: Oh man there is so many good bands around here with so many talented people and to be part of the scene is great. I would say at the top of the list would be our boys, Aqueous. We have done a lot with them and they’re doing some great things and representing for our area. They have been a big influence, but there is so many to mention but that is the first one that pops in the head. We go out to so many show’s in Buffalo since Ben has a hand in so many shows. I say that we gain a bit of influence from every band we play with.
JE: I’d say anyone we play with in the area too.
TS: If there was one band you could tour with and open for perhaps who would it be?
JK: Umphrey’s McGee!
BW: I think we would be a better fit for like moe. or a reggae band. The Green or Rebelution.
JK: Revolution would be awesome. Umphrey’s would be a dream and I could hang it up after (laughs).
TS: Is there one musician, past or present that if you could have a conversation with you would pick?
JK: Bradley Nowell
JL: Shannon Hoon
ML: That’s a really good question and there is so many to choose from but I have a deep affiliation for Phish pretty heavy I would have to say Page McConnell.
JE: There is probably a million people but drummer wise I would have to say Keith Moon, maybe.
BW: Hendrix I guess
TS: Anything else you guys want to add?
BW: New album coming in the late summer/fall.
TS: Yea, I know you guys have been writing a bunch of new songs so that is good to hear, so new album the fall. Well thanks for your time guys and I look forward to checking out your sets with the upcoming Buffalove Music Festival in a few weeks.
Check Funktional Flow out with a bunch of other great bands at Buffalove Music Festival! Get your tickets here.
Funktional Flow and new members brought the funk to Nietzsche’s on Saturday, April 25 with their release party for Let it Settleand not only did they put an album out they also welcomed guitarist Joey Lewis and keyboardist/saxophone player Matthew Lester.
The two local musicians are no stranger to the band as they have been sitting in quite frequently and now officially became part of the growing group.
Sonder, another local product got the party started with some great lights and an equally matched livetronica show. It was a very packed crowd that seemed to have gotten what they have been begging for, a much anticipated album and a complete group of musicians, mission accomplished.
Funktional Flow Setlist
Set 1: Dumber, Strong Feeling , Back Door, Walking Blind ,Moving On, F Trance, Shape , Mulligans>Great Gig in the Sky>Mulligans, Bulls on Parade
Set 2: Trouble, Time Will Tell, Happy Hour Hero>Bullet, Leaving Town, Ambush , You Should be Dancing, Dreidel, Southern Fried, Doin’ Time, Moonlight Tide , Sledgehammer, I Wish
It was so fitting that the two Buffalo based bands got together for New Years Eve this past week at Buffalo Iron Works. Aqueous and Funktional Flow had a very successful 2014 and celebrating it together was just a great sign on how each band supports one another. Funktional Flow opened the show and by the second set the sold out room was rocking. Flow which has gone through a change in their band in the latter part of the year seemed to be better now than ever. They were joined on stage by local guitarist Joey Lewis and a horn section with Matthew Lester (saxophone) and Oliver Chezliak (trombone). The horns gave the band a much fuller sound and allow some really good solos to be brought on. The band played several originals and mixing in some interesting covers, closing the night out with Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” which saw both of Aqueous‘ Mike Gantzer (guitar) and Dave Loss (keyboards) join the group.
Set 1: Attention Span, Strong Feeling, Seven Nation Army*, Moonlight, I wish
Set 2: Dumber, Leaving Town, Ambush, Ophelia**, Shape, Talk Dirty***>Immigrant Song****, Ben’s Beach, Mulligans>Get Lucky*****>Mulligans
Encore: Comfortably Numb ******1
Notes * White Stripes cover
** The Band cover
*** Jason Derulo cover
**** Led Zeppelin cover
***** Daft Punk cover
****** Pink Floyd cover W/ Aqueous’ Mike Gantzer (guitar) & Dave Loss (keys)
Funktional Flow Gallery
Aqueous came on the stage a little after 11:30 and to a thunderous applause. The group has had such an incredible year and 2014 was one of huge celebration. Capping the year with their incredible cd, Cycles which was NYS Music’s Album of the year as well. The band has played many dates throughout the east and continues to be a force throughout the music scene. Its going to be interesting to see what 2015 brings to the 4 piece. The guys also have gone through some adversity with Ryan Nogle assuming the role behind the kit and he’s done an amazing job to say the least, the group is posed to have an even better year come 2015.
Set 1: Mosquito Valley Pt- 1>Warren in the Window>Auld Lang Syne> Warren in the Window, All In, Eon Don>Aldehyde>Stickshifts and Safety Belts-2>Aldehyde, King for a Day-3, Underlier>Skyway>Under Pressure-4
Encore: What’s the Connection-5> Dave’s Song-6
Notes
1 Alternate version
2 Cake cover – debut
3 Included parts of Eric Johnson’s Cliff’s of Dover
4 Queen cover – debut
5 Performed as Reservoir Tip: Mike on drums, Evan and Ryan on guitars, Dave on Bass
6 w/ Jeff from Funktional Flow on guitar, Dave on keys
Guitarist and lead vocalist Jeffrey Kuebler told NYS Music that the history of “Back Door” began prior to the song’s life with Funktional Flow. “Back Door started as essentially a riff that I had come up with in 2008 when Joey and I were in a band called Lake View Effect,” he said. “
Three bands from last years 
JE: I’d say anyone we play with in the area too.