VERONICA PENOYER
Special to The Leader
Fredonia definitely brought the musical diversity this past weekend. Ellicottville Brewing Company’s makeshift stage was home to a funk, rock and reggae band known as Funktional Flow on Friday, Feb. 28, making it the second weekend in a row to draw a notable crowd.
The band consists of Jeff Kuebler on guitar and vocals, Ben Whelan on bass and Jim Edgar on drums. The band’s neon-chill vibe could be heard outside of EBC despite the concert being located on the second level. The live instruments, from drums and guitars all the way to a saxophone, created a euphoric and serene atmosphere as the instruments harmonized over every miniscule chord.
The crowd itself was a different story. While the band was unique, the audience was an eye-pleaser. It wasn’t enough to sway in rhythmic motions with each other, or jump up and down to the changing beat of the song. To symbolize how much they enjoyed a certain repetitive melody, certain individuals would demonstrate a motion of reeling a fish in, the fish being a person. While “fish” were being caught, wine glasses were used as substitute props for simply fist pumping hands in the air.
Aside from the audience, the rumored chatter of just how great Funktional Flow really is didn’t do them justice. Visually, the band had a designed logo on the kick drum with neon lights of blues and greens shining behind and through it. The personally-owned basses and guitars were unique to their style and smoothly polished. Unlike the previous weekend, EBC did a better job accommodating for the size of the band. Although they only had four people, the size of the instruments made the need for space more pressing.
The music varied from extensive rock guitar solos to a relaxed reggae beat. For only having one album released, the band played two full sets, including a mixed version of “Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd. The song started with an exact replica of the original version but surprised everyone with a lengthy Funktional Flow twist that left the audience wondering if they were ever going to resort back to the original. Thankfully, they fulfilled those hopes and played the ending of the song like they played the beginning..
It was clear that instrumental harmony was Funktional Flow’s key intention, rather than vocal harmony, and they succeeded. The lack of vocals and the lack of clarity when there were lyrics was painfully apparent. The lack of lyrics made it difficult to sing along and to identify any covers being played. Even when lyrics were being sung, the volume of the guitar and drums overpowered any voice over the microphone; however, the instrumental melodies made up for the lack of lyrics. Once or twice the guitar and drums were so loud the speakers couldn’t handle the power and made unpleasant cracking sounds.
But what they lacked was made up for with the flawless saxophone solo that dropped everyone’s jaws.
“I liked the reggae style, but when the saxophone solo was introduced, it was mesmerizing,” said Anthony Lasnik, a senior history major. “It drew me back into the music after the over extended and repetitive guitar sequences that happened in almost every song.”
Funktional Flow has been together for nearly six years. They have established a well-known presence in the Buffalo region and are making steps towards broadening their fans in the Northeast, as well as internationally. They have shared the stage with many local bands including: The Revivalists, Dopapod, Floodwood and The Werks. They have also performing at eminent festivals such as: Catskill Chill, Bears Picnic, Night Lights Music Festival and Camp Easy wind.
Most notably, the band will headline the annual Buffalove Music Festival in Western New York, a multiple-night camping and music festival built around the band. When they’re not touring across the Northeast, they can be found playing sold-out shows at the legendary jam hot spot, Nietzsche’s.