Rock Candy Funk Party - Biography

   

“Expect the unexpected!” – RCFP 

Rock Candy Funk Party delivers a lavish soundscape that incorporates a plethora of genres, from dance and electronica, to rock funk and jazz and everything in between. The band is gearing up to release their brand new Album “The Groove Cubed” this fall following their 2015 sophomore album Groove Is King.
RCFP is a collection of top-notch groove loving musicians aimed at bringing the world fresh and funky vibes. Their collective credits include Joe Zawinul, Hugh Masekela, Prince, Ruth Brown, Chaka Khan, Simple Minds, Billy Idol, Tito Puente, Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Conan O’Brien, Sheila E. and many more.
The band formed around 2009 when drummer Tal Bergman and guitarist Ron DeJesus combined their love of funk music and wanted to share it with the world. After recording and performing with blues-rock titian Joe Bonamassa, Bergman invited him to join the fun. By 2011, Bonamassa had officially joined the band and the groove has been growing stronger ever since.

RCFP isn’t your run of the mill funk jam band. They are highly reputable, respected, and experienced professional musicians who share a love of experimenting with various musical concepts. Individually, the members add their own expertise and styles to the mix. Tal Bergman’s versatile drum style has allowed him to play every style from rock and R&B to jazz and Latin. He appeared on many reputable artist’s albums including Rod Stewart, Billy Idol, and LL Cool J. Guitarist Ron DeJesus has always been inspired by funk music and has been continuing to preserve the legacy of funk greats like James Brown and Sly Stone. Bassist Mike Merritt brings the swinging jazz side of things to the table. He has played in the famous jazz group the Jazz Messengers as well as Conan O’Brien’s house bands. Finally, Renato Neto brings a Brazilian flare that adds a fantastic rhythmic element.

RCFP are: Tal Bergman (producer and drums), Joe Bonamassa (guitar), Ron DeJesus (guitar), and Mike Merritt (bass).

The Groove Cubed which is set for release on October 20, 2017, was recorded at Tal Bergman Studios in Los Angeles, California. With the new album, the band continues to push the musical envelop and seamlessly blends various genres together. The band shakes things up by adding two fabulous vocalists to the mix (Ty Taylor of Vintage Trouble and Mahalia Barnes), which “is a first for RCFP.” According to Bergman, “It will take the listener on journey that explore the use of different styles of music from different eras and hopefully break some rules!!” The Groove Cubed has the “mark of real pros,” with top-notch improvisation and musical chemistry. The band “came in (the studio) with nothings, and came out with a new record.”

This album shatters genre defining stigmas and takes elements from the past as well as from contemporary music. Each song starts with “a riff, groove, or feel” and morphs into a stellar funk gem. Bergman says that the main goal for The Groove Cubed was “as always to say something different. This band is a perfect vehicle to make music in unorthodox ways that crosses different genres.” The band’s motto and perfect concept for this new album is that “there are no rules, just expect the unexpected.”

Groove is everywhere!