P-Funk's Guide to the Mothership

On November 25th, Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton stopped by the Fox Theater on their “Just for the Funk of It” tour, celebrating over 50 years of intergenerational, genre-bending music. Eclectic performances brought the Mothership straight to the stage; as this is one of many “final tours,” we can only hope for another false farewell.

As I entered the tail end of Dumpstaphunk’s set, double bass grooves from Tony Hall and Nick Daniels III went toe to toe with guitar riffs from Ian Neville, displaying the jam band’s instrumental prowess. With a special guest appearance from Viveca Hawkins, vocalist of Bay Area based group Con Brio, the set concluded with “Dancin To The Truth,” a unique expression of funk born straight from the street festivals of New Orleans. Dumpstaphunk maintains the musical integrity of their parents’ group The Neville Brothers, and their 20 years of “Puttin It In The Dumpsta” marks their place in Crescent City history.

John Norwood Fisher by Lex Andersen

Angelo Moore by Lex Andersen

Next, Fishbone arrived on the stage, soul bared. They opened with their variation of Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” entitled “Estranged Fruit,” featuring a notably haunting trumpet rhythm from “Dirty Walt” Walter Kilby II. Originally formed during their early 80’s highschool days, with some of the foundational members returning in the 2010’s, Fishbone continues on their musical whirlwind tour with their 2023 self-titled EP release. Keyboardist Christopher Dowd took center stage for “I Don’t Care,” an energizing ska ballad punctuated by the newest band member Mark Phillips’ sharp guitar notes. Leading man Angelo Moore, also known as Dr. Mad Vibe, embodied their classic song “Skankin’ to the Beat’’ as he danced along. Skank originated in 1950’s Jamaican dance halls, which was then adopted by hardcore subcultures. Don’t let the smooth taste of saxophone or theremin fool you, as the upbeat tempo of songs like “Ma and Pa” carries lyrics of sociological and political distress that can be found in most of their discography. If you can’t catch Fishbone closing out the year on Dec 30th at the Great American Music Hall, then make sure to watch Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone to learn more about the pioneers of unreserved Black rock.

P-Funk Vocalist by Lex Andersen

George Clinton by Lex Andersen

Bassist John Norwood Fisher concluded Fishbone’s set with an ode to Parliament-Funkadelic, citing the band as the initial link that connected the Fishbone’s members. As P-funk stormed the stage, it became clear that unity defined the Mothership experience. Keyboard player Daniel “Danny” Bedrossian belted out the chorus of “Super Stupid” while Michael Hampton took over on guitar. George Clinton set the mood for the evening, commanding the crowd with lyrics from a Funkadelic classic, “Shit! Goddamn! Get off your ass and jam!” Garrett Shider strutted up for “Cosmic Slop,” a song originally played by his father “Starchild” Garry Shider who, like many other members of the band, was introduced to Clinton singing doo-wop at his Newark barbershop. Now, Clinton remained the steadfast conductor onstage. He guided the audience’s attention to Greg Thomas and Greg Boyer’s upcoming horn solo before returning to bask in the excellence of drummer Benjamin “Benzel Baltimore” Cowan, son of P-Funk trumpet player Bennie “The General” Cowan.

With both a band and crowd of various generations, P-Funk’s integration of young musicians maintained the universal nature of their message and sound. Transitioning into three back to back songs off of Funkadelic’s most recent album “first ya gotta Shake the Gate,” daughter Scottie Clinton and granddaughter Tonysha Nelson delivered their lyrics and stage presence with feminine extravagance. Old school fans were forced to move, some perhaps with hesitation, as MC and lyricist “Thurteen” Tairee Parks showed what it means to be #Pfunk3rdGeneration. Mixing House of Pain’s “Jump Around” with long stretches of instrumental experimentation, Clinton and his band championed a new groove, one that highlights young minds and inspires generational growth.

Michael Hampton by Lex Andersen

God’s Creation by Lex Andersen

P-Funk Lyricists by Lex Andersen

P-Funk stripped the stage bare to honor its history for “Maggot Brain,” a song created in one take by esteemed Eddie Hazel. Recording while on hallucinogens, Clinton instructed Hazel to play as though his mother had just passed. Now, Hazel’s magnum opus continues to transcend its temporal inception. Hampton played his personal rendition, the same one he played at 17 that solidified his place in the band and earned him the title of “Kidd Funkadelic.” As Clinton’s own grandchild Traf Truth supported the rhythm of this 50 year old ballad, every generation of artists contributed their own sense of self to the song. Clinton’s lyrics state:

Mother Earth is pregnant for the third time
for y’all have knocked her up
I have tasted the maggots in mind of the universe
I was not offended
for I knew I had to rise above it all
or drown in my own shit

The social call of the Mothership and conceptions of Afrofuturistic imaginings in the modern age remain all too clear. Michael Clip Payne, producer and vocalist of P-Funk since 1977, hinted that the band “ain’t finished ridin,” so perhaps P-Funk’s inability to say goodbye may as well be out of necessity.