RT-Zed "FUNKPUNK" Goes Digital!

A little over a year ago Steve Grantley bought us the genre blending RT-Zed album "FUNKPUNK" which was one of my favourite releases of the year.  It is only now being released digitally and onto streaming services so it seemed a great time to have a catch up with SG and talk all things FUNKPUNK as well as finding out more about his involvement in the return of The Pack and his upcoming Dub project.

“FUNKPUNK” has been out in the world for a year or so, depending if you were a Pledge adopter or not, why did you decide to wait till now to release a digital version?

SG- Yeah, It's been just over a year since the release of FUNKPUNK, I've waited until now to release a digital version because I wasn't happy with the company I had been working with. I have found a great new digital aggregator and that makes it worthwhile releasing the music in the digital domain.

Is this a straight release of the original album or have you altered anything after living with the album for a year?

SG- There's a bonus track but other than that it's exactly the same.

Will you also be making the album available on the various streaming services?

SG- Yes, absolutely! I've resisted the streaming up until now but it's time for me to embrace Spotify and the like.

You’ve added a bonus track “Where’s The Money Go?” was this from the “FUNKPUNK” sessions or is it newly written?

SG-It was indeed part of the FUNKPUNK sessions, I'd had it knocking about for years but I could never seem to get it right; never happy with it. I went through different grooves and none worked. It was only when I asked myself "What would Sly Dunbar do?" that it all fell into place.

Lyrically it seems to tackle both tax exempt religions / religious leaders as well as charities who use donations to live the high life. What can you tell us about it?

 SG- It's about charities, although it of course applies to religions as well, I've actually seen charity money being wasted, not being spent on what the people who donate think it's being spent on. It's a crime and not something I'd ever be part of. Also the piousness of some charities, giving people what they think they need, I'd rather give direct to people on the street. I know there's "fake" beggars out there but I'm prepared ti take the chance and give in good faith.

At the beginning of the year you appeared to be considering some RT-Zed live dates, are these still potentially happening or is that too difficult considering how active SLF are currently?

 SG- We always want to play but with Jonesy's and my schedules it's difficult. But there will be shows - at some point.

How have you found reactions to “FUNKPUNK”?

SG- Positive. It got great reviews, sold well and continues to do so. I know some people don't "get it". How can you mix punk rock with funk music> But think about "This Is Radio Clash" that's funky, so is "Rock The Casbah". I think grooves matter but it's not disco, it's funk and that's a powerful medium. It makes sense to me; songs with a message that make you want to move! When I was 17 I was listening to "Nevermind The Bollocks" and James Brown - it all meshed together and FUNKPUNK is the result.

You obviously would have had a lot of reactions from the Punk & Rock communities but have you had any from the Funk community?

SG- Yes, Bootsy loves it!

What can you tell us about the “FUNKPUNK” Dub album….do you consider it to be a companion release or an album in its own right?

 SG- I've recently made a dub album with Ali (bass player in Stiff Little Fingers) it sounds wicked and I plan on doing more Dub productions. There won't be a complete FUNKPUNK Dub album but definitely a few tracks like "Guilty", "Clone" and "The Disconnect" which lend themselves to Dub treatment. 

With Pledge no longer an option what are your plans for its release?

SG- I will self finance.

What is your take on the collapse of Pledge and were you burnt in any way?

SG- I believe they were victims of their own success. I think there will be a new version of Pledge at sometime in the future. I got out just before the shit hit the fan; I was lucky.

How did you come to be involved in the amazing live return of The Pack at the beginning of the year?

 SG- Spear Of Destiny have toured to support SLF in the past as have Theatre Of Hate. Also RT-Zed have supported Spear at 2 Westworld Festivals. Also I've known Kirk and his manager Liam, who managed The Alarm for a time, for years. Kirk asked me to do it and I was honoured, I enjoyed working with Kirk, he's a completely honest artist. There is no side to Kirk, no bullshit, no pose, no image. I like him but the music was a bastard to learn. So fucking complicated - it was a great feeling once I'd got the tracks down but boy it was tough.

Was the recording of the “Salford Sessions” originally planned or was it too good a chance not to document the return?

They are in fact rehearsals recorded before we really knew how the songs went. I didn't really expect them to be released.

The second run of The Pack live shows clashed with SLF dates so you were unavailable for them. Are any future dates likely at this point?

I think Kirk wants to do more Pack shows and if Kirk wants me to do them and I'm available; I'm there!

Steve Grantley, thank you very much - FUNKPUNK is available now through RT-Zed.com and via streaming services very soon!