This year's winner of the Battle of the Bands is an unassuming quartet called the Boston Funk Band (BFB). The group consists of seniors Mark Shwayder on bass/vocals and Rick Wilner on drums, and sophomores Ben Halperin on guitar and vocals and James Clark on piano. Clark is the "outstanding" stand-in for Brian Ezra, who is currently abroad.
The members of the band each feel they have a distinctive role in the group. Shwayder is the mediator, who "handles everything that everyone else is scared to do." Wilner takes care of the technical aspects, Halperin gets the band gigs, and Clark provides the "undeniably good looks."
From the beginning, the band's development progressed rather quickly. "We formed on Monday and had a gig that Friday," said Wilner. The group prepared enough songs for a three-hour set in just two practices.
This early ability inspired Wilner's faith in the band's potential: "I could tell good things were going to happen," he said.
But at first, business was a little slow - most of BFB's early gigs took place in the fraternity basements. A stint at the Naked Quad Run followed, along with several other on-campus gigs that eventually earned BFB dedicated group of fans. The band believes that what separates it from other Tufts acts is the strength and supportiveness of an on-campus fan base. "Our fans are the best," Shwayder said. "We definitely do not deserve them."
"It's great when we go to a show and we see our friends there... and then there are these people who like our music for some reason," said Wilner.
There does seem to be something for everyone - musical tastes and influences vary by group member. Shwayder listens to classic funk and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Halperin admires Phish's work, and also draws on the influence of Steely Dan and the Beatles. Clark likes Marcus Robertson and hip-hop. Wilner is also into hip-hop, and John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Sting, and Vinnie Colaiuta.
The band members also have an onstage camaraderie that helps engage the audience.
"When Ben plays a solo we try to compliment it, not just lay down a foundation for him to play over," says Wilner.
"Much to his chagrin," Shwayder chimed in.
BFB's work came together for its best show, Battle of the Bands, where the members say everything came together extremely well despite initial nervousness. The group's "worst show of all time" had taken place in Hotung just a few months earlier. "Nothing worked, and Ben forgot the lyrics to 'Billy Jean,'" Shwayder explained.
The quartet is excited about their grand prize - the opportunity to open Spring Fling - and hopes it can rely on the commitment of their fans to come see them the morning of the concert.
"I am thrilled to be playing before Mobb Deep," Clark said. Halperin was equally enthused about playing before Toots and the Maytals.
Despite being pleased with Concert Board's decisions, the group does have a few words of criticism for Tufts: "Tufts should have more practice spaces and better venues," said Wilner.
Fairly serious about their music, the four take vocal coaching. "It hasn't helped yet, but we're working on it," Shwayder said. They also have recorded a 12-track CD, Ride the Train, in Wilner's home studio. Their own CD release party is currently in the works.
The Boston Funk Band will open for Stuffis on April 25 in Bradbury, VT, and will open Spring Fling April 27.
For more information on the Boston Funk Band visit:Bostonfunkband.com.
