Funk da rock is a ‘banging’ night out

By Globe reporter Emily Burden

Funk da Rock last year at the Half Moon Cafe.

FUNK da Rock returns to the Half Moon Cafe on Friday 30 May and, as always, it is pushing the boundaries and thinking outside the box to offer you something that hasn’t been seen before.

The drum battle will be the first of its kind in the island.

It is an opportunity for local drummers to showcase their material and have fun jamming together.

‘I am really excited about this as the drummers involved are really enthusiastic and have helped me a great deal to get this off the ground,’ said organiser Sam Evans.

‘I don’t think this is something that has been done before so I can’t wait to see people’s interest in it. I know I am always fascinated by drum solos when I watch bands, so to see a number of drummers jam together is going to be great.’

As well as the local drummers, the night will feature MCs from Asylum Seekas who will be comperes on the night, adding another element to the evening. MCs have the amazing ability to gel everything together.

Local beat-boxer 9mm is hoped to make an appearance with one of the drummers.

DJ Four Q will be holding the battle together by showing off his scratching skills in between drummers.

Being one of the most talented DJs in the island, he has a huge input into Funk da Rock.

‘I am very grateful for his support and I always look forward to listening to him,’ said Sam.

In addition to all that, DJs Limey Banton and Vinyl Matt will be starting and ending the night with some reggae and liquid drum and bass.

Local drummer Paul Etasse, who will be taking part, feels the evening is a great idea.

‘I’m looking forward to having fun with all the drummers,’ he said.

‘It’s never been done before so I’m pleased to be involved. I like the idea of this due to the fact that all the drummers have totally different styles.’

Cenkos have agreed to sponsor Funk da Rock for the rest of the year which is great because it has given Sam the ability to spend all the time she puts into it generating new ideas for the events.

‘The great thing about Funk da Rock is that it’s a place for people to channel their new ideas for gigs,’ she explained.

‘It was my friend’s idea to do a drum battle after we watched a YouTube video of Animal from The Muppets doing one with Buddy Rich. We then thought it would be a brilliant idea to mirror that in Guernsey and showcase the local talent. Guernsey is full of amazing musical talent and I am pleased that Funk da Rock can highlight that.

‘Also we are so pleased to be back at the Half Moon Cafe. It is where Funk da Rock started and just feels so comfortable there. However, we are really grateful for the Fermain Tavern: it has done us proud.

‘I am really excited about this and I hope it will be the start of new and crazy ideas for Funk da Rock.’

All the money taken from the door will go directly to the Mines Awareness Trust. This is something Funk da Rock believes in very strongly.

So far it has helped raise £12,000 since it began in June and it really is down to the kindness of sponsors which allow the gigs to create a profit.