Show off your 'Saturday Night Fever' this weekend
0 comments
They've got the funk. And it's contagious.
A throwback to the disco days of the 1970s, The Disco Pimps like to say they hail from L.A. (In this case, that means Lower Akron. In Ohio.)
Band leader and drummer Chico Funkarelli has been playing music for 20 years, performing the disco show for more than 10 years with a variety of musicians under different band names.
"It wasn't until last summer that the band The Disco Pimps was born," Funkarelli said. "I decided I wanted to get all the best funk musicians that I've met in my 20 years of playing music and put together the ultimate disco band."
Once the lineup was complete - with Funkarelli on drums, Pimp Daddy Spike on vocals, The Neon Pimp on guitar and Pimp D-Licious on bass - the group began work on its stage show.
"We all play in other bands and are all full-time musicians," explained Funkarelli, who preferred we not use The Disco Pimps' real names. "Most of our other gigs can be pretty serious or high-stressed. It's nice to perform this show because we can let loose and experiment with the show and nobody knows the difference.
"If there are any mishaps on stage, it is very easy to incorporate it into the show, and the only people that may notice are the band members and our faithful followers."
In addition to performing covers by artists ranging from Kool & The Gang and Earth, Wind and Fire to K.C. & the Sunshine Band, The Disco Pimps have modified their live shows to include "more comedy, audience participation, contests and '70s-type banter in between songs among band members," Funkarelli said. "We also dress in full '70s garb, complete with the afro wigs, platform shoes and gold chains. We love seeing the looks on people's faces when we open the show with ëDisco Inferno' and they see the outfits we wear."
With the shows all geared toward making sure those in attendance have fun, it helps the guys on stage have a little fun, too.
"What's great about all the players in the band is that we somewhat grew up in that '70s era, so we are reliving a very impressionable time in our lives that we can't seem to let go of."
If you can't let go of the '70s either, or if you just gotta have that funk, check out The Disco Pimps on Oct. 5 at Cabana Jacks.
And come prepared.
"Extra credit if you sport your '70s garb or afro wigs," Funkarelli promised.
The Disco Pimps
WHEN: 10 p.m., October 5
WHERE: Cabana Jacks, 202 Columbus Ave., Sandusky
INFO: 419-625-2008, cabanajacks.com or myspace.com/thediscopimps
Shannan is no Jive Turkey. She knows the Hustle and the Bus Stop. E-mail her at hello@funcoast.com. Written by Shannan Hulbert