The Squiggy Funk
Hi, we're Squiggy Funk.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Squiggy Funk was created in early 2004 as a jazz combo that would perform strictly at jazz festivals and school jazz concerts. Founding members Cam Stanley (tenor sax), Scott Hayden (guitar), Paul Brandt (keyboards), and Jake Paulsrud (drums) learned classic jazz songs like Take Five and Cantaloupe Island and then realized they should probably get a bass player. Kyle Piper was soon added to fill the void. From there the band began to write original material and arranging other covers. Out of these early sessions came Squiggy Funk classics like The Streetbeater, Chromatic Blues, and Hertel's Turtle.
Over the next year, the band continued to grow and write new material. At one point, the band finally was named: Squiggy Funk. A decision was made to do some recording and make a CD, but plans were scrapped after they realized that the takes weren't very good, they still needed to improve as a band, and that they didn't know how to use the mixer or really any other equipment.
The band continued to play at school concerts and jazz festivals, picking up an alto sax player along the way: David Buonauro. Known for his on-stage presence and his high-energy solos, Buonauro energized the band upon entering it. The band began to get serious about recording again and ended up doing some demos, including an epic 11 minute first take of a song they'd never even played before, Kyle Runs The Voodoo Down.
The final step in the completion of Squiggy Funk came when the decision was made to add trumpeter Torry Hanson. Hanson brought a stellar tone to the group and allowed the band to do more complex compositions with three part harmony in the horn section. More composition work was done by Brandt and Hayden, and Hanson contributed a melody line that turned into a full-fledged swing tune. The band was now ready to record.
After a few weeks of juggling schedules and grueling recording sessions (lasting up to five hours at one point), Squiggy Funk emerged with a completed self-titled CD. It features 12 original compositions, ranging in style from straight up funk to jazz ballad to jump blues. Having achieved their goal of making a CD, they now look forward to playing around Eau Claire wherever possible in support of their album.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Yes.
Your musical influences
We are influenced by all sorts of jazz, blues, funk, fusion, and overall jam band music. Examples include Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, John Scofield, Dave Matthews Band, and Medeski Martin & Wood.
What equipment do you use?
Tenor sax, alto sax, trumpet, electric guitar, keyboard, electric bass, and drums.
Anything else?
We released our debut self-titled CD on April 1st, 2006. Contact us for a copy ($5), or download here where it's a bit more expensive.
