Interview: Fort Knox Five - Funk 4 Peace!

Interview: Fort Knox Five - Funk 4 Peace!

29 October, 2008 | 11.32AM

• Written by: sbarcelona
• Filed under: Music News : fort knox recordings, funk 4 peace

Change you can believe in comes in all forms. 

It could be in the upcoming election, a new stage in your life, or the ever-changing music industry; change is eminent. 

One definite change we as music fans can look forward to is the electro-funk scene that is about to be taken over by the politically-driven Washington DC group Fort Knox Five. 

After riding critically acclaimed success of remix recordings of music legends such as Bob Marley and Tito Puente, Fort Knox Five will be making it known that there is a new sheriff in town with their debut full-length ‘Radio Free DC’.

Using a mixture of almost every genre you can imagine, even incorporating a sitar in multiple tracks, Fort Knox Five has gone above and beyond what we know as eclectic and into a new realm of music that has yet to be named.  Radio Free DC gives listeners a true feel of what our Nation’s Capitol has to offer.  From funky break-beats to horn pieces that you can’t help but move to, this record has something for everyone.  You like hip-hop? Great, underground rapper Asheru intelligently tears you a new one on the first track “Insight.” You like punk and indie rock?  Excellent, Radio Free DC is distributed by the Godfather of indie labels, Dischord Records.  Hip-hop and punk aren’t doing it for you? Well lucky for you, this record also gives the listener a crash course in soul, funk, jazz, and electro and challenges you to FUNK 4 PEACE.

What is the ultimate goal you hope to accomplish with this record’s theme of Funk 4 Peace?

When we were writing the record, we were definitely influenced by the war, but I think that with everything else that’s been going on, it’s taken on a broader meaning. Our country has been on a downward spiral for the past eight years and it’s time for real CHANGE. That’s the underlying theme of the video that we just finished for the song and we hope people will definitely check it out on YouTube (www.youtube.com/fortknoxrecordings) and get out and vote in November.

If you could perform one Fort Knox Five song for Barack Obama, what would it be and do you think he would dance to it?  And who would win in a dance off…Joe Biden or Sarah Palin?

We’ve shared Funk 4 Peace with the Obama campaign, so hopefully Barack will have a chance to check it out. Our second choice would probably be Insight and I think Barack would definitely be down with it. As far as a dance off, Tina Fey can definitely shake it, so I’d have to give the edge to Sarah. Sorry Joe, but you’re still getting the vote that counts.

What about Washington DC do you think inspires so many different genres of music to flourish there?

DC’s unique mix of history, politics and culture brings so many different people together. The racial turmoil in the 60s inspired Marvin Gaye (a DC native son) to write ‘What’s Going On’. In the 80s, bands like Minor Threat, Bad Brains and Fugazi were rocking against the politics of Reagan.

DC is also a very international city where people have a broader worldview. Bands like Thievery Corporation and Deep Dish infuse that global perspective into their music. We wanted to incorporate all of that history and musical diversity on our new album.

If a fan buys Radio Free DC from Beatport you will send them a free Fort Knox Five t-shirt.  By giving away free stuff, is this your way of slapping the economic crisis in the face?

We put the FREE in Radio Free DC. But seriously, it’s our way to give back and thank everyone for continuing to support our music.

When you’re not blowing the roof off of nightclubs all over the world, how else do Funk 4 Peace on a daily basis?

Funk 4 Peace is a state of mind and a way of life. It’s about staying positive and standing up for what’s right in the face of all the negativity that’s out there. It’s important for us to be positive with our music and with everything in life.

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