Funk Punk

tagStarted 1979Peak 1980-1985Last big hit still active

Located in 1 route

Skeletal, danceable funk played with punk's sharp edges: brittle, choppy guitar, dub-spacious bass, clipped disco hi-hats and shouted, agitated vocals carrying political bite. Angular and minimal rather than lush, it strips funk to taut rhythm and tension. Jagged, jittery and built to move and provoke.

History

Born in 1979 as post-punk bands sought a danceable answer to guitar rock, with Gang of Four, A Certain Ratio and the Pop Group making dark, funk-driven post-punk. New York's no-wave and dance-punk scenes joined in; the style's tense, rhythmic blueprint directly inspired Flea's Red Hot Chili Peppers and a 2000s revival.

Defining artists

Essential listening

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Sources

  • https://recordcollectormag.com/articles/post-punk-funk
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance-punk
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gang_of_Four_(band)