ALT-LATIN
Formed in 2004 by Argentinian/Australian artist Abraham Dunovits who lives and works in Fremantle, Western Australia. Funkalleros have been playing locally at selected venues but the band shines in open air festivals.
Funkalleros were finalists in the Next Big Thing band competition in 2005 and in the prestigious WAM song of the Year competition in 2007 for their song “Upside Down”. They were also included in the International West Coast Blues and Roots Festival in Fremantle in 2008.
The aim of Funkalleros is to create original music from the heart that has resonance in the Australian multi-ethnic community, sending a message of love, hope and understanding for people of all races and countries, and also to make people move and have a good time.
Live, the band is a highly energetic experience of original sound with Rock, Blues, Jazz, Funk, Reggae, Spanish rumba styles and Latin American Mestizo roots. Abe’s charismatic on-stage presence leads the band into any situation and engages the audience to join in the fun. Funkalleros is also a family affair having Abe’s brother German on Timbales, Croatian born Mario Horvat on bass and vocals, “Chameleonic” trumpet player Adrian Hicks, local hero Suryo on saxophone, Panamenian rhythm rebel Raul Rojas Villa on congas and Bata drums and the very talented Nina Henschel on flute and vocals.
Funkalleros are many things, but you can’t just pinpoint one particular style because it’s many styles put together. It is unique in Australia for its blend of styles, variety of rhythms and influences. If we talk about what influences the writing of the songs it can be as varied as it can be, from Pixies-like indie rock to out-there Jazz; from Croatian folklore to The Clash from; Miles Davis to Funkadelic; from Led Zeppelin to Manu Chao and back: from the three Kings of Blues (Albert, BB and Freddie) to Fania Records; from the bottom of the heart of Latin America protest song to South of the Border, passing through Fremantle to the red dust of the Outback. But influences aside, Funkalleros is a unique band.
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