With a new album in the works, Adelaide and Australian hip hop royalty, Funkoars return to the stage to promote their latest single, 'Mad As Hell'.
Funkoars press release for the single states it's 'a distilled throwback to the band's earliest material built around some of the most complex bodily fluid jokes and faux pas this side of Pornhub and The Onion'.
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While they've retained their trademark coarse humour, Funkoars are also enjoying life as older statesman of the genre, as Trials explains.
The next Funkoars album is nearing completion… when can we expect a release?
[Trials] Yes indeed, it's very, very close. This year will finally see us bring our fifth album (baby) out from the basement. He's been behaving reasonably well the last couple of months so we've decided, as parents, it's time.
How does this album compare to the Funkoars back catalogue?
It's kind of like a distilled version of our favourite bits of the whole adventure so far. Every time we tour we hear people saying they like certain bits of 'The Greatest Hits' and 'The Hangover' and the other [albums] we don't speak of, so we wanted to have some serious fun with the old sound we're responsible for, bring some new life into it and have some good, old-fashion fun, just for a change.
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The June, July tour will road test the new material including the new single; does that leave you apprehensive having to work fresh songs in with the hits?
We used to be scared to do new joints people hadn't heard because we had a sure-shot setlist of bangers from across the four albums. But these days, we're pretty comfortable on stage and the humans that come to see us are always more than receptive. So we're more g'd than terrified, just for a change.
Generally, what is life like on the road for the Funkoars?
The biggest mystery is what flavour vape smoke Hons will be inadvertently blowing through the entire tour van. Will it be cinnamon? Will it be cherry? Will it be annoying as fuck? All signs point to yes.
You guys have been going as a crew for close on two decades; does that freak you out?
I'd be more freaked out if we weren't a crew. We've been a crew for longer than we haven't. X [Sesta] and Hons are my best mates first, band mates second. They both better hug me in the face for that one.
What are the artistic objectives for you and the rest of the crew these days; does fame/ legacy still play a role with your creative output?
The same thing that's dictated every record we've ever made. If we're not having fun and watching endurance-tickling videos in between takes it's time to pack it in. We're lucky to have come into making tunes before it was about legacy and status and were left alone to just create with no strings or hype attached, and that's something that stuck with us.
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The Adelaide hip hop scene now compared to when you were freshly dropped; is it massively different to be a hip hop act starting out today?
There's always been a big, big sense of squad across the board regardless of genre. Everyone's crazy independent in the sense that everyone teaches each other the gems to be self-sufficient in a studio. We learnt from the Hoods. We showed K21. Now K's dropping the bombs on everyone. It's beautiful.
Best young hip hop artist you've heard/ seen that the rest of the country needs to know about?
K21 by far is the most talented dude I know. Producer/ MC, game changer/ trader extraordinaire and finally about to drop his debut LP. Younger than Moose would probably be Godfrey A.G.A.L.A: style for days.
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When does the term 'old school' officially start? Can a millennial refer to something as the old school?
I don't know about 'old school' but we're definitely 'old'. So old in fact judgements are beyond our battered brains.
The next five years for Funkoars? What can we expect? What do you expect?
Several visits to the doctors, dentists and optometrists. STREET HEAT/ FIRE GUARANTEED.
Funkoars Tour Dates
Wed 15 Jun - Transit Bar (Canberra)Thu 16 Jun - Bald Faced Stag (Sydney)
Fri 17 Jun - Cambridge (Newcastle)
Sat 18 Jun - Towradgi Beach Hotel (Wollongong)
Thu 23 Jun - Miami Tavern (Gold Coast)
Fri 24 Jun - Wharf Tavern (Sunshine Coast)
Sat 25 Jun - Chardons Corner (Brisbane)
Fri 8 Jul - The Gov (Adelaide)
Fri 15 Jul - Ding Dong Lounge (Melbourne)
Sat 16 Jul - Pelican Bar (Melbourne)
Thu 28 Jul - Prince of Wales (Bunbury)
Fri 29 Jul - Jack Rabbit Slim's (Perth)
