psych funk

The Funky Psyche-Out: A Groovy History of Psych Funk

Get ready to dig deep, baby, because we’re about to journey into the psychedelic soul of funk!

From Space to Soul: The Seeds of Psych Funk

Psych funk, a sonic fusion of the cosmic explorations of psychedelia and the funky grooves of soul, emerged in the late 1960s. Imagine a world where Jimi Hendrix’s guitar was dipped in the mind-melting sounds of The Doors, and you’ve got the essence of this genre.

**Key Ingredients:**

• Psychedelic Influences: Distorted guitars, heavy bass lines, and ethereal vocal harmonies borrowed from psychedelic rock. Think spacey soundscapes, introspective lyrics, and a touch of cosmic consciousness.
• Soulful Grooves: The heart and soul of funk, with tight rhythms, infectious bass lines, and soulful vocals. Think James Brown’s funky swagger mixed with Sly and the Family Stone’s socially conscious lyrics.
• Experimentation: A willingness to push boundaries, explore new instruments, and blend genres.

The Funk Masters: A Psychedelic Parade

From the pioneering sounds of The Meters to the cosmic grooves of Funkadelic, psych funk was a vibrant and diverse scene.

The Meters: This New Orleans band brought a funky swagger to the genre, blending their jazz influences with the psychedelic sounds of the era. They were also a key inspiration for later funk masters like George Clinton.

Funkadelic: Led by the eccentric genius George Clinton, Funkadelic took psychedelia to a whole new level, creating music that was both funky and politically charged.

Sly and the Family Stone: Combining funk, soul, rock, and psychedelia, Sly Stone and his crew broke down barriers and delivered powerful messages of social justice.

**Funny Facts:**

• The Meters’ bass player, George Porter Jr., once played a gig wearing a dress and a wig. Apparently, he was feeling particularly groovy that night!
• George Clinton famously claimed to have a third eye. It’s said that he used this “eye” to see into the future, which might explain his visionary musical style.
• Sly Stone was known for his flamboyant fashion sense, often wearing bright colors and bold patterns. One time, he even wore a hat that was shaped like a giant spaceship!

The Enduring Legacy: Keeping the Funk Alive

While the height of psych funk was the late 60s and early 70s, its influence continues to ripple through music today. Artists like Prince, Outkast, and D’Angelo have all drawn inspiration from the genre’s unique blend of funk and psychedelia.

So, next time you hear a funky groove that sends you into a psychedelic trance, remember the legacy of psych funk and its enduring impact on music history.