When Matthew Kurko first saw the Chicago-based band Bumpus last year at the now-closed Small Planet Food & Spirits, he was so impressed he decided to start a band with the sole purpose of opening for them.
Kurko and his band, Funk Bucket, will have that opportunity when they open for the funky groovesters from the Windy City at 9:30 tonight at Rick’s American Café, 224 Abbott Road.
“We formed this past summer and basically added members as we went on,” the business graduate student said. “We’ve only looked as far as this one gig for now and we’re not sure what we want to do after it yet.”
Citing influences Jamiroquai, Rick James and Marvin Gaye, Kurko said the main purpose for Funk Bucket’s music is to get people dancing.
“We do dance music done by people with instruments, not by machine,” he said. “That’s the whole point: We want to play stuff people know to get them moving.”
Music sophomore Jason Demmon said the future of Funk Bucket is uncertain once tonight’s show is over.
“It’s up in the air right now,” he said.
Bumpus is no stranger to East Lansing, its guitarist and vocalist James Johnston said.
“We’ve had a good time every time we’ve played there,” he said. “It’s been a steady build, and we’ll find out what happens Wednesday night.”
Johnston described Bumpus’ music attack as ruder than funk.
“What we’re trying to do is take it to the next level,” he said. “And we’re not like a lot of groups who try to do that by heavy instrumentalist, jazz, acid jazz or performing as a jam band; we’re more song-oriented.”
Getting the crowd riled up is an important part of every Bumpus show, Johnston said.
“Whether we’re just playing or calling out to them, that’s usually what you get at a Bumpus show,” he said. “High-energy dancing is definitely the key.”
Johnston stressed the collective effort of the band’s songwriting. He said all the members bring their own part to the band with twin saxophones, two distinct voices, a dynamic rhythm section and even some hip-hop.
“Usually there’s some leader in a band, but everybody writes (in Bumpus),” he said. “On stage the attention shifts from one person to the next so by the end of it everyone has had their individual moment and then it all comes back to the group. It’s a unique way to do it.”
In April, Bumpus released its self-titled debut on Union Records, featuring 15 original works from its crowd-pleasing repertoire. The band is about to release its follow-up.
“It will be quite a bit different from the current record,” Johnston said. “The new record is a bit more wide-sweeping and takes our sound to the next level.”
Cover is $3. For more information, call Rick’s American Café at 351-2285.
