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Every band has a different reason for playing. Some play to express themselves; for others it’s an emotional outlet. But for Funk Thrust, it’s all about having fun, feeling good and being surrounded by friends.
As I descend the rickety staircase to their basement rehearsal space, I am greeted by eight faces asking me which instrument I play. The sense of community in the band is overwhelming, and the line between “rehearsal” and informal jam session is razor thin.
Vocalist Jeff Williams introduces me to everyone in the room while I regrettably explain I am there for solely journalistic purposes. As I get settled he turns his attention to setting up, which includes the crucial task of twisting the cap off a 40 oz. and taking a big swig.
The band slowly gets their act together and music begins to materialize out of nowhere. Bluesy licks from guitarist Bryan Roach’s Stratocaster quickly combine with tight beats from drummer Chris “Jesus” Drozell. As the jam progresses, rhythm guitarist Ian Larson starts strumming on his acoustic, and bassist Richard “Dickie” Serino turns up the funk and starts slapping away.
When Williams starts to sing and Keagan Rae decides to add his trumpet to the disarray in the basement, a real song arises.
The band has a few reggae-infused originals, but they stick to their cover songs most of the time. While some bands might feel boxed in by only covers, Funk Thrust thrive in their niche.
“It’s a lot easier to get into the scene up here playing these type of songs,” Drozell says. “Some musicians look down on what we do or whatever. We don’t try to be anything we’re not.”
The band, which promotes itself almost exclusively by word-of-mouth, according to Drozell, have never been bound by a consistent line-up. According to Larson, some members of Funk Thrust have used the name to play in Montana, and there are plans for a west coast Funk Thrust over the summer. Larson says he wanted as many people in the band as possible from the start.
“I wanted us to be like Wu-Tang Clan, but we play Skynyrd tunes,” Larson says. “You never know who is gonna show up.”
If there’s one thing Funk Thrust knows how to do, it’s have fun. From their small basement, to the wild frat parties, to the stage at Woodman’s Bar & Grill and to parties in the middle of a field, Funk Thrust are just a great time. When it comes right down to it, that should be the job of any band.
“We like being a party band,” Williams says. “We like to party.”
Funk Thrust have been partying and playing in some fashion for four years. The basement of Penobscot Hall was the first practice space for Williams, Larson and Roach when they were all freshmen.
“It was like, ‘You play music? I play music too. We have to jam sometime,’” Larson says.
Drozell was drafted into the band on drums through some rugby connections. The band had a prior bassist but recruited Serino after seeing him perform with a group called Jimmy and the Sprinkles.
“They all thought I was Jimmy,” Serino says. “I was just a Sprinkle.”
The band frequently played in the basement of Sigma Nu while attempting to land other gigs.
“We started off at open mic nights right at the bottom,” Drozell says.
Funk Thrust’s popularity has steadily climbed, earning them regular shows around the Orono area.
As good as Funk Thrust are at bringing the party with them, the band is a party in themselves. At rehearsal, the band is working on the second song of the night, Carl Carlton’s “She’s a Bad Mamma Jamma.” The band shines on this funky classic.
Between songs, someone hands a tambourine to one of the guys sitting on the couch. As he swaps his beer for the percussion instrument, Larson shouts, “It’s the funkestra!”
Meanwhile, Drozell, referred to as Jesus, sits behind the drum set like it’s a throne, quietly surveying the band and playing flawlessly. As the band begins to rehearse “Play That Funky Music White Boy,” the laid-back attitude continues to pervade their playing. What starts as a mess of disjointed riffs turns into an amazing spin on a instantly recognizable classic. Williams takes particular care to get the “Heyyy!” at the beginning of the song just right.
“Let’s do it,” Williams says as they start the song again. “If it sounds horrible, it’s my fault.”
For Funk Thrust, the music they play is the soundtrack to their crazy college lives.
“It’s been fun as f—, and we’ve had a lot of parties,” Roach says. “Honestly, you can write whatever you want about us. We don’t really care.”
Bangor Daily News