Metal And Funk

In the late 1960s two musical genres were forming that would both have amazing staying power and command fanatical cult followings. They were metal and funk. These two seemingly disparate forms had a parallel genesis.

Metal formed as a result of inserting the sonic distortion associated with psychedelia into the basic template of hard rock. Distorted or overdriven electric guitars and pounding drums were key elements of the new genre. Bands that pioneered these characteristics included Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Led Zeppelin.

Since those formative days metal has infected many aspects of popular culture and has become associated with everything from extreme sports to monster truck races. A selective list of metal artists from past decades includes Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Heart, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Sepultura and Pantera. Metal has impacted on other genres such as hardcore.

Funk formed as a result of inserting that same sonic distortion associated with psychedelia into the basic template of deep soul. Distorted or fuzztone electric bass and complex rhythms were key elements of the new genre. Acts that pioneered these characteristics included Parliament-Funkadelic (drawing on onetime band-mates of James Brown), Sly And The Family Stone, and Stevie Wonder.

Since that time the funk has infected many aspects of popular culture and has become associated with everything from cop shows to porn. A selective list of funk artists from past decades includes Rufus, Kool And The Gang, The Commadores, Earth Wind And Fire, Average White Band, Prince, The Time, Supergroove and Jamiroquai. Funk has impacted on other genres such as hip-hop.

Given the common psychedelic seed of both metal and funk it is hardly surprising that a number of bands eventually started blending them together explicitly. In circa 1990 these funk-metal bands were among the most exciting of the time and included Living Colour, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Faith No More, Primus and Fishbone.