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?
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?
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?
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?
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!
