Funking Punks - Funking Punks

Funking Punks

Funking Punks
self-released; 2015

3.3 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Hailing from Markham, ON, Canada, Keith Rajkumar (drums, vocals), Jeremy Wang (guitar/vocals), Tyler Kleinsteuber (bass/vocals) and George-Lucas (guitar/vocals) are Funking Punks. The band released a four song self-titled EP Funking Punks, which is an extremely raw and live sounding. At times I was reminded of They Threw Us All in a Trench and Stuck a Monument on Top by Liars which is actually when the band is their strongest. The EP is a bit scattered but overall works. 

The production was by no means horrible but it could have used some improvements even from a lo-fi perspective. There were a number of times when the vocals felt like they layed on top of the mix as opposed to in it and the music was too soft. The guitar and drums in particular felt like they could have used a bit of a boost not only in volume but in certain frequencies.  

First up is the band's best song entitled “Sinking Ship.” The band sounds a bit sloppy but in a good way. They are loose and it seems like the band is having fun, which is always a good thing. The horns worked well in a song that wasn’t expecting it to. “Sinking Ship” sounds like the title as towards the end the song sounds like it is falling apart. 

“Gimme Something” is a decent song but the strongest moments are the chorus when they launch into a punk rock frenzy with jagged guitar lines and over the top vocals. The vocalist sings, “Give me something, I’m paranoid / Give me something, I’m weak / Help me out now, I’m paralyzed / Give me something I need.” The song breaks apart at the seams at points and reminded me of “Territorial Pissings” by Nirvana.

“The Prince” is a song that goes on a little too long and also is new territory for the band. A lot of the song loosely combines a Pink Floyd-esque guitar solo with three-chord style punk rock. The combo was a bit jarring and not exactly seamless. It could have been split into two tracks. They end with a straightforward alternative jam entitled “Lonely Times Indeed.”

The band definitely has some work to do but the EP has some inspired moments. They are at their best when they indulge in chaotic punk rock and don’t try to fit in to too many disparate styles.

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