The Funky Side of Doom: A Look at Doom Funk

Doom funk, also known as “doom-hop,” is a hybrid genre that blends the heavy, distorted sounds of doom metal with the groove-laden rhythms of funk. It’s a quirky combination that might sound like a clash of styles, but it surprisingly works, creating a unique and engaging sonic experience.

Origins and Evolution:

The origins of doom funk can be traced back to the late 1980s and early 1990s, with artists like Melvins and Butthole Surfers incorporating funk elements into their music. However, the genre really started to gain traction in the 2000s, with artists like The Mars Volta and Clutch experimenting with the fusion.

The internet age played a significant role in the genre’s growth, enabling underground artists and producers to share their music and connect with like-minded fans.

Key Characteristics:

Doom funk is defined by its heavy, distorted bass lines, driving drumbeats, and funk-infused melodies. The lyrics often explore themes of darkness, alienation, and social commentary, but with a tongue-in-cheek, almost humorous approach.

Notable Artists:

Some of the most prominent doom funk artists include:

• Electric Wizard: Known for their heavy riffs and hypnotic grooves, Electric Wizard is a cult classic in the doom metal scene.
• Sleep: Sleep is another iconic band, known for their incredibly long, psychedelic tracks that explore themes of stoner culture.
• Clutch: This American rock band seamlessly blends doom, funk, and blues elements, creating a sound that’s both heavy and groovy.
• The Mars Volta: While not strictly a doom funk band, The Mars Volta’s music often incorporates funk elements into their complex, progressive rock arrangements.

Funny Facts:

Here are some interesting and amusing facts about doom funk artists:

• Electric Wizard’s vocalist, Jus Oborn, has a distinct “doom-funk” vocal style, characterized by his deep, gravelly voice and his tendency to sing about dark and occult themes with a deadpan delivery, making it hard to tell if he’s being serious or not.
• Sleep’s guitarist, Matt Pike, is known for his psychedelic solos that can go on for minutes at a time. It is said that he once played a solo for over 20 minutes, losing track of time and forgetting what song they were playing.
• Clutch’s frontman, Neil Fallon, is a master of the spoken-word delivery, often using his lyrics to tell humorous and sometimes bizarre stories about life, death, and everything in between.
• The Mars Volta’s music is often described as “chaotic” and “unpredictable”, which is fitting, considering that the band’s members are known for their eccentric personalities and their tendency to improvise on stage.

Doom funk is a unique and fascinating genre that continues to evolve and expand. It is a perfect fusion of two seemingly disparate styles, creating a musical experience that is both heavy and groovy, dark and fun.