INDY'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTING ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Bring in the funk

Freekbass
The Mousetrap
Saturday, Jan. 6, 10 p.m., Free
www.freekbass.com

Freekbass has kept busy with a heavy touring schedule since their last album release, The Air is Fresher Underground. Pushing full steam ahead, drummer Chip Wilson, guitarist Josh Knarr and vocalist, bassist (and namesake) Freekbass have tours, albums and DVDs in the works. They’ll bring the funk to The Mousetrap this Saturday.

A live DVD, which is slated for release in March, will have both live footage of the band and material with guest musicians Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell (keyboards for Talking Heads) and Buckethead.

Besides the DVD, the band is also putting the finishing touches on their latest studio album, due out next year. The album, produced by Collins, also features guest artists. Collins and Freekbass go way back. Collins even came up with the nickname “Freekbass” while they worked in the studio together.

“I feel blessed every day to be working with someone like Bootsy,” Freekbass says. “He is from the school of ‘teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.’ The main thing he taught me is how to produce records and get around in a studio.”

The Rockhouse Method record label recently signed Freekbass to film two funk bass instructional DVDs that will hit music stores internationally in the spring. “The whole process has been inspiring,” he says. “When you teach, it makes you go through your whole learning process again, which is a trip.”

Don’t miss your chance to see the band known for their live show this weekend.