Aloysius Lobo catches up with Acquired Funk Syndrome, a band on the verge of a highly anticipated reunion.
What's with the name - Acquired Funk Syndrome?
We are very funky people. The name came about when we decided to spread the disease and trash the place.
It's been one helluva ride for the band so far. Can you quickly take us through it all?
Long nights, drug abuse, sex, overload, fat drivers farting in Sumos, cold weather, drastic living conditions, sidey hotels, snapping strings, hangovers, exploding switch boards, smoke machines, nose dives, broken stages, jarring monitors, bad sound, good sound, no sound, complaining neighbours, lawyers, police chowkys, brawls, semi-naked women, stoned public, very stoned public, incomprehensive audience, hard practice, slap, pop, zatang, fatang, thod phod, sweat, fat lead guitarists, skinny bass players, Mallu drummers, topless vocalists, flying skins, and a load of stuff you don't want to know.
Enlighten us a little more about the music you'll play and your beliefs?
The band plays a healthy (?), neck-breaking mix of Funk, Metal and Hip-Hop along with a wide variety of personal influences. We believe in total annihilation of everything obscene like politics!
Tell us a bit your original compositions.
Over the tenure of our existence, AFS has written and composed many originals, some of which have not been lucky enough to see the light of day as yet. A few titles are The Warrior, Who Am I, Stand Up, This Side, 12 Years, Forgotten Man, She's a Woman, The Fly (CODS), Early...
Morning Groove and Or Not. The compositions showcase most of what AFS is: Funk overload and much to headbang about.
The band's core influences?
Too many to mention. Each of us comes from different spaces... we all have different influences, which makes our sound unique. These vary right from Funk to Jazz to Metal to Electronica to Hard Rock, etc. etc.
How does it feel to have Rushad, arguably one of the best bassists in the country, as part of the band?
It obviously feels amazing. In fact, the drum and bass is the best rhythm section in the country.
Future plans?
Take the power back!
