FUNKY BREWSTER
They weren't just a band
"If these guys do not get signed, there is no justice in the music business."
-J.J. Program Director station KLFX Killeen, TX -
"This is the sound the rock industry has been looking for, not the same old rehashed alternative sound coming out."
-Rick Rooney of Planet Dallas Recording Studios-
"I loved it. I listened to the tape four times in my car already. It's like rock music with a definite funk groove that keeps you movin'."
- Interscope Records promotions manager Kat Finley -
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These were just a few of the things being said about the newest funk-rock band to take the southwest by storm. Their name was Funky Brewster.
Many described this four-piece band as the Chilipeppers meets Living Color, with Extreme along for the ride. No matter what terms you used to describe them, one thing was for sure; they definitely made a lot of people funk rock fans. Armed with powerful originals like "You" "Enemy," "Hoon," and "Redneck Rap" these hometown boys dealt a serious blow to the Dallas local music scene in the mid nineties.
Funky Brewster consisted of Vernon Wallace (lead vocalist), whose voice was said to be a mix between Darius Rucker and Cory Glover (go figure), Jason Pratt (lead guitarist), who besides being a Jazz major at University of North Texas was a very accomplished rock and funk guitarist, Don Whittemore (bassist), a most original and creative bassist and sound engineer and Joe Goodman (drummer), a very aggressive and talented drummer with a heart of gold.
While together Funky Brewster performed with many national acts in and around the Dallas area such as Storyville, Missing Persons, Pimpadelic, The Toadies, Zac Maloy (The Nixons), Bowling for Soup and "David" just to name a few. They also headlined local clubs Dallas City Limits, The Rage, Trees, Twenty First Amendment, Rick's Place, The Rehab Lounge, The Elephant Room and The Reign. While in Albuquerque, Funky Brewster held top billing at such venues as The El Rey Theater, Senor Buckets, Rascals, Brewster's, The Golden Saloon and Zipperz.
Funky Brewster's debut EP "Follow The Noise," was received very well in the rock/alternative market. In fact "Follow The Noise" captured two consecutive Z-Rock pick of the week nominations nationwide. This EP also caught the attention of A&R representatives from Atlantic, Interscope, Epic, Geffen and Mercury Records.
Funky Brewster disbanded in 1998 due to changes in the music industry and the individual artist wishing to pursue other interest. Although the band has ceased to continue, the music lives on. Funky Brewster's debut CD "Follow the Noise" and the follow up EP "Stone Soup" continue to sell on CD Baby, Itunes, Rhapsody etc... The memory of this band will live on forever in it's songs, history and message, which was always "positive" and always "true."
"Follow The Noise" was the debut effort of a very energetic and determined group of young musicians. Combined, Vernon Wallace, Bryan Davis, Don Whittemore and Joe Goodman had well over 40 years of experience, but individually this would be the first EP project for any of them. Recorded in twenty-four track digital at Broadway Production Studios in Albuquerque, NM, the project was quite a success. The EP did a good job of blending strong rock guitar with thumping bass lines and powerful kick drum so as to bring its audience a type of sound not yet heard from today's rock/alternative community. "We were very nervous when we started this project. We had very high expectations and we were trying very hard not to fail," said vocalist Vernon Wallace. "Fail they did not. In fact "Follow The Noise" captured two consecutive Z-Rock pick of the week nominations and also caught the attention of A&R representatives from Atlantic, Interscope, Epic, Geffen and Mercury Records. Funky Brewster most definitely accomplished everything they set out to do and more with "Follow The Noise."
"Follow The Noise," was played in heavy rotation at stations KNNC in Austin, KEYJ in Abilene, KUTZ in Austin, KATP in Amarillo, KEGL in Dallas, and KTEG in Albuquerque, NM.
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