On a rainy, overcast Saturday (May 18th), the New Orleans-based funk outfit Dumpstaphunk pulled into Williamsburg and set up shop at Brooklyn Bowl to lay down a night of grooving goodness.
Opening the show was guitarist/frontman Marcus Rezak with his backing jam band. The bass/drum/sax lineup was augmented by a backup singer as the tunes flowed out; Rezak and crew were directly inspired by acts like Phish and Frank Zappa. The group delivered the rock, funk singalong “Sweet Like Mary Jane” while “Glitter Pillow” was an extended set focal point that let all of the musicians spread out. “Light Of The Moon” closed the opening set as the house began to fill up.
One of the clear modern flag bearers of New Orleans-based funk, Dumpstaphunk (Ivan Neville – keyboards/vocals, Tony Hall – bass/vocals, Ian Neville – guitar, Ari Teitel – guitar/vocals, Devin Trusclair – drums, Viveca Hawkins – vocals, Alex Wasily – trombone, Ashlin Parker – trumpet) took no time to ease into their surroundings as the band dropped into their version of The Meter’s “Talkin’ Bout New Orleans”. The tune was a showcase for new guitarist Teitel, who delivered cutting riffs and blazing solos throughout.
Hall took over on vocals and slap bass to lead the band through the heavy thumping “Fire and Brimstone” and their twist on The Meter’s hip-shaking “No More Okey Doke” with ease and grooving charm. Dumpstaphunk recently lost a founding member as bassist/vocalist Nick Daniels III passed away last month. Hall provided a bass solo dedicated to ND3 before flowing into “Dancing To The Truth,” and while he was mentioned multiple times throughout the show, “Make It After All” was also directly dedicated to his memory.
“Sexy Ida” was a mindset highlight as the funk got deep and was augmented by the soaring, sultry vocals from Hawkins before the band dug into some gospel-inspired playing on “Where Do We Go From Here” as the two Neville’s, Ivan and Ian, both took over with scorching solos during this effort. The band’s most extended workout was the original “Itchy Boo” as Trusclair led the drumming charge as the horns took multiple standout solos in a circular, exciting fashion.
A trio of covers was a fantastic way end to the night as a version of Mother’s Finest “Truth Will Set You Free” showcased some hardcore funk with meaty riffs and horn blaring, the popping take of Tower of Power’s “Soul Vaccination” was dizzyingly triumphant in closing in the main set. At the same time, the encore of Earl King’s “Street Parade” brought the Crescent City’s party vibes directly into the Big Apple.
These musical veterans continue to bring the thunder as Dumpstaphunk kept it booming and grooving with a mix of unique cover efforts and originals on Saturday night in Brooklyn.
