Oct. 5 is National Get Funky Day, so one absolute requirement is to listen to some jammy funk music.
Berkeley has a rather interesting history with funk music. Rickey Vincent, a UC Berkeley lecturer and host of the radio show “The History of Funk,” has written books about and helped students gain a critical understanding of the genre. Tower of Power, the legendary funk band originally from Oakland, spent much of its early days performing at The Keystone Berkeley, a historic music venue that helped many musicians and musical groups launch their careers.
In honor of Berkeley’s funk history and the national holiday, it only makes sense that we spend all of Oct. 5 listening to funky tracks across campus.
Student union and Sproul Plaza: “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”
When you think of Martin Luther King Jr. Student Union and Sproul Plaza, a couple of things come to mind: tables (lots of tables) and people (lots of people). If it’s the top of the hour and you hear the Campanile’s chime? Yeah, it’s a lot.
We need an energetic vibe that simultaneously gives off a hustler mentality. From the tablers to the students, everyone is working their asses off. A song that comes to mind? “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” by McFadden & Whitehead. Although mostly known for its disco theme, it’s also considered a disco-soul-funk crossover. It’s a fun, energetic song and an excellent choice for when you’re walking towards Sather Gate or are chilling on the bottom floor of the student union.
Telegraph Avenue: “The Skunk, The Goose, and the Fly”
Telegraph Avenue takes Sproul’s energy and shifts it in a slightly different direction. Whereas Sproul has a grind-set energy, Telegraph Avenue is a much more variable sensory overload. Dodging foot traffic like you’re lane-splitting on a highway, walking past all the painting and clothing vendors and watching frantic students stress about midterm grades — you’ll find it all on this historic street.
But through it all, there’s a special vibe to the street. Being surrounded by so many different people doing whatever they want, especially at night, can be exhilarating! So, what better way to enjoy Telegraph Avenue than with a fun, vibey and energetic track that talks about a wild night out from Bay natives themselves? “The Skunk, The Goose, and The Fly” by Tower of Power is literally about the three stages of intoxication. It’s chaotic and a wild party. It’s vibey.
The Glade: “Everybody Loves the Sunshine”
When you think about a fun day in the sun chilling with friends, the Glade instantly comes to mind. It’s bright, literally the “golden hour” spot on campus. The pics you can get there are insane and it has an unhurried, fun pace that bears a sprawling energy.
Of course, that is only when it’s sunny out. When it’s cloudy, on the other hand, it’s a lot more chill, relaxed and introspective. It makes you want to reflect. If it’s sunny, listen to “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” by Roy Ayers Ubiquity, a laid-back track that makes you just want to soak in the moment and chill. If it’s cloudy, listen to “Summer Madness” by Kool & the Gang, a much more atmospheric, reflective song that makes you want to stare at the clouds and the buildings around you and just ponder.
Shattuck Avenue: “Footsteps In The Dark”
When I took my first steps on Shattuck Avenue my senior year of high school, I thought, “damn, this place is old. But it’s really historic and urban.” Especially at night, the street felt so “Downtown-esque,” with people popping into restaurants, cars playing some banging music and folks shouting in conversation while walking home. The perfect song? “Footsteps in the Dark” by the Isley Brothers. You might recognize it, as it is the sample for a very well-known hip-hop song. It fits the vibe perfectly — chill groove and a jammy tone that matches Shattuck Avenue’s more open dynamic extremely well.
The Gateway: Chameleon
Halfway through writing this, I realized I needed to find a song that would work for the new Gateway building.
How do you combine the hyper-focused, futuristic energy of the Gateway with the living-in-the-present vibe of funk music? I finally landed on “Chameleon” by Herbie Hancock. It sounds exactly like the sound I’d associate with a chameleon; it has a robotic vibe with a well-done bass set resembling 808s. It’s funky. It’s groovy.
Berkeley’s funk music history includes launching careers and maintaining a legacy of energetic Bay beats and tracks. To honor this legacy, let’s spend National Get Funky Day listening to as many funky, jammy tracks as possible. I’ve given you some places and songs to start: Let’s see how funky you can get!