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Funky
Fresh Few
Interview
interview 0149 added
10.07.03 words: Muncible technical:
QED
Funky Fresh Few having released less than a handful of singles over a period of almost 8 years have finally hit us with their debut LP Stealing. I took a trek down to Blackpool to hook up with Grand Central's hiphop representatives, to find out which of the trio can be most likened to the 'celeb-loving' Pharell from The Neptunes.
How did you come up with the name Funky Fresh Few?
 Damon: Alex came up with the name. Me and Glenn do the tunes and Alex is a mad beatdigger, he's also really into his graf, writing and art. It works well coz everything we do now and in the future, we've all got a bit of involvement. We're pretty self contained.
How and when did you hook up with Grand Central Records?
Damon: Mark (Rae) hadn't even started the label, he was just talking about starting a little independent label. We were the first people that were involved in it really. I know we haven't had loads of releases, but the situation is different now coz we can do stuff at home and Glenn's here. It's never gonna be mass production, knocking tunes out everyday. Since 1994 we've only brought out 3 or 4 12's which isn't many.
Glenn: I think that's good though coz that's the mystery behind Funky Fresh Few. The 12's are quite sought after and people have been waiting for the album. The timing is perfect.
In what way has living in Blackpool influenced you?
Damon: It's my home but I don't feel like anything is inspirational around here. I miss not being able to go into a record shop everyday and finding out the new tunes. Manchester would probably be too busy for me, but I'd get a lot more inspiration coz I'd be networking and vibeing. Its mainly stag parties, big rubber asses and candy floss!
Glenn: Blackpool isn't an inspirational place but in the winter it's so quiet in comparison to the summer. You are very laid back which I think comes out in the way we work and the way we do things. If we was in Manchester and manic all the time, that would come out in the music. It would sound busy.
Why do you think Blackpool has one of the countries highest divorce rates?
Glenn: Too many pubs man. It's got to be that, wall to wall pubs and theres loads of nursing homes. What does that say to you? We'll send you all mad really quickly but fortunately we've got loads of places to house you all. I don't know, just don't get married!
Can you envisage a time when Funky Fresh Few will be Blackpools major tourist attraction, rather than Blackpool Tower?
Damon: Well we are working on it. We're gonna get a show together on Central Pier with the Nolan sisters. No I don't think so, not while Frank Carson and Chubby Brown are here!
Was there a beat which made you think I want to be a producer?
Damon: The first thing I remember that blew me away was when I was 10 or 11 watching The Kenny Everett Show and there were some robotic dancers on dancing to the 'Tour De France' by Kraftwerk and it completely freaked me out.
Glenn: 'White lines don't do it' was the one for me. And then watching Beat Street the movie coz I was into breakdancing. The main beat for me is the Apache beat, that break is just the best.
Which member of FFF would be the equivalent to Pharell from The Neptunes?
Damon: Alex coz he's not here. I don't think any of us are like him coz he goes 'woahhh I wannna lurve youu'!! Neptunes have made some fantastic music.
What artists are you particularly feeling at the moment?
Glenn: I'm feeling Declaime, and the way Madlib produces.
Damon: I really like RJD2. I'm looking forward to listening to the Wildchild album, that guy from The Lootpack.
Which artist would you least like to work with?
Damon: JLO.
Glenn Malachi (Fame Academy), I don't like this geezer, where has he come from? When are people gonna stop doing cover versions, theres so many creative people out there and they ain't getting the recognition.
Your debut album Stealing was released a couple of months ago, are you completely satisfied with the album?
Damon: You always think this bit could be better. The trouble with me is that I analyse it too much, coz I think that shouldn't be there or maybe I should of done this. But then there are moments when I think yeah that's quality, especially if you've got a quality loud sound system. You can appreciate it more. Some of it is quite booming and powerful, quite large and moving.
I don't know that anyone is ever completely happy. I wouldn't like to sit here and be like 'yeah, this is the bollocks, who could step to this'. I quietly think its pretty phat and Im sure it will get some heads nodding. Fingers crossed people will like it.
There are a mixture of US and UK rappers who feature on Stealing. Would you ever complete an album featuring UK rappers on only?
Damon: Oh yeah, definitely. Our ideal thing would be to make an LP with one rapper. But because of our situation we have no-one who raps and is committed who is near us.
So if you're a rapper living near Blackpool it might be in your interests to try and link up with this lot.
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