| Punk funk | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | Late 1970s |
| Derivative forms | |
| Regional scenes | |
| California, United Kingdom | |
| Other topics | |
| Post-punk, no wave | |
Punk funk is a genre of music. Artists in the genre typically combine punk rock and funk influences. It gave way to and is closely associated with dance-punk, avant-funk, and funk metal, all of which are also alternatively described as punk funk.[1][2][3] The term punk-funk has been used to describe Cansei de Ser Sexy by CSS,[4] Minutemen, whose nimble punk-funk was compared to Gang of Four by music critic Simon Reynolds,[5] and Precious by The Jam, described by Uncut as "hypnotically, itchy, punk-funk".[6]
Punk-funk emerged in the late-1970's, however, it was eclipsed in the 1980s by dance-punk, avant-funk, and later in the 1980s, funk metal, all of which are also alternative described as punk funk. Despite this, punk funk has been occasionally used in more recent years to describe bands such as CSS and their 2005 album Cansei de Ser Sexy.
Beginning in the 1980s, punk funk itself metamorphosised into dance-punk, avant-funk, and funk metal. Almost all punk-funk bands were swept up into these new genres; Gang of Four has been described as dance-punk,[7] as well as CSS. The Jam split up in 1982, and its member Paul Weller formed The Style Council a year later, which saw Weller take his music in a more soulful direction,[8] which was only hinted at on later Jam releases. Following Minutemen's 1985 breakup, George Hurley and Mike Watt would take their music into a more experimental vein with Firehose, although hints of Minutemen's blend of punk, funk, and free jazz could be heard.[9]
In the 1980s, Rick James would break through with his biggest commercial success in "Super Freak". He has, over the years, branded himself as the "King of punk funk", and The New York Times and Bay State Banner have noted his punk funk sound.[10][11] uDiscover Music argues that the punk context was in his street attitude, and not in a musical one.[12]
CSS, The Jam, and Minutemen have been described as punk funk in various fashions. Cansei de Ser Sexy by CSS and "Precious" by The Jam have been described as punk funk, and Minutemen's nimble punk-funk was compared to Gang of Four by music critic Simon Reynolds. George Hurley and Mike Watt's later band Firehose has been described as featuring hints of Minutemen's blend of punk, funk, and free jazz. Earth by EOB has also been described as punk funk.[13]