Artists Interview: P-Funk North
Hailing from North Plainfield, New Jersey, they've built a reputation for their high-energy live shows and a sound that's as unique as their name.
With a blend of reggae, punk, rock, and hip-hop, they've shared stages with legends like The Wailers and Sublime with Rome and are fresh off the release of their powerful new single, “Something in the Water.” We had a chance to chat with David (Basisist and Vocalist), Kevin (Guitarist and Vocalist), and Jack (Drummer) about their creative process, future goals, and everything in between.
Q. Congratulations on the new single and music video, "Something in the Water." Can you walk us through the concept and what inspired it?
A. "Something in the Water" is a gritty, grungy, pop-punky song about an existential crisis happening in real time, inspired by pollution—both literally and of the mind.
Q. P-Funk North is such a unique name with local roots. How has your hometown of North Plainfield influenced your music and your journey?
A. P-Funk North means North Plainfield, referencing our hometown in New Jersey. North Plainfield has always been a melting pot of cultures and music, which greatly impacts our songwriting to this day.
Q. You've shared stages with huge acts like The Wailers, Sublime with Rome, and The Offspring. What's been the most unforgettable show or backstage moment so far?
A. It’s hard to pick just one, but some that stand out would be patron shots with Craig Robinson, whiskey shots with Tom Green, and smoking herb with The Wailers, Shwayze, and the Long Beach Dub Allstars—but not all at the same time!
Q. Reggae rock has such a wide emotional and sonic range. What drew you to the genre, and how do you make it your own?
A. Dave: I got into Sublime in sixth grade, and that sealed the deal. I dove deep into the genre and never stopped. We all have different influences and incorporate them into the music. Primarily, we’re reggae rock, but we throw in ska, punk, hip-hop, grunge, hard rock, and pretty much whatever feels right.
Q. What’s your songwriting process like? Do you start with the groove, lyrics, or does it change every time?
A. Dave: There's no real blueprint for the process. Sometimes it starts with lyrics, and sometimes it's some chords, and sometimes it’s both at the same time, which is ideal.
Kevin: Sometimes Dave will have some chords and lyrics ready to go, so I like to add some heaviness to it. I like to throw down some tasty riffs.
Q. Your festival appearances include lineups with legends like Blink-182 and 311. What’s it like being part of such stacked bills?
A. It’s literally like being kids in a candy store. We’re beyond grateful and fortunate for all the opportunities. Sometimes it feels like we’re getting lucky, but luck favors the prepared, and we've been putting in the work.
Q. What’s your favorite track to play live, and why does it hit differently on stage?
A. Dave: I love playing "The Treatment" because the message and the vibe are undeniable, and it really connects with the audience.
Kevin: Same.
Jack: Same.
Q. Do you remember your very first show as P-Funk North? What was the vibe back then?
A. Dave: My old band fizzled out, and I needed to fill a residency gig. That's when the first string of PFN gigs began. The vibe was lit. Even back then, we could feel the connection with the audience and the undeniable fun we hope never ends.
Kevin: I was asked to fill in for what I thought would be a one-time thing, and it turned out to be a sold-out show at Starland Ballroom opening up for Badfish. After that, I just kept playing with Dave, and I’m happy to be a permanent member and an honorary resident of P-Funk North.
Jack: The first big show we played together was at The Webster in Connecticut as direct support for the legendary Afroman. It was a night not to forget, albeit hard to remember because of the herb.
Q. What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen—or done—at a show?
A. Dave: I can’t legally say.
Kevin: My band at the time, Experiment 34, was touring down in Texas for SXSW, and we played at an old-school saloon with the swinging doors. We started shooting pool with one of the locals who called himself Bread. He was a huge guy and liked to drink. During our set, he actually jumped up on the front of the stage, paused, then did a backflip off the stage and landed it perfectly. I honestly thought we were going to witness this guy break his neck and end up in the hospital. It almost seemed like he had done that before.
Jack: Anything that Bread does.
Q. As a band with such a diverse performance history, how do you tailor your set for different crowds—whether it’s a punk-heavy show or a laid-back reggae fest?
A. There were times in the past we’d cater our sets for different genres, but lately, we’re unapologetically playing what we feel are our strongest songs and/or whatever we want, and it seems to be resonating positively.
Q. Your music blends energy with introspection. What themes or messages do you hope fans walk away with?
A. Society’s f—ked, so be open-minded, have fun, and don’t be a d—.
Q. You’ve worked with a ton of different artists—who’s still on your dream collaboration list?
A. Shwayze tops the list currently.
Q. What’s your studio vibe like? Are you perfectionists, freestylers, or somewhere in between?
A. It varies, but we’re definitely perfectionists. We try to get as close as possible without sacrificing that rock and roll vibe and attitude.
Q. Touring can be intense—what’s the one thing you must have with you on the road?
A. Dave: A sense of humor. And AAA, if at all applicable. Alliterations. Pedialyte.
Kevin: Floss and toothpaste. People often forget about dental health.
Jack: A comfy pillow.
Q. How do you stay grounded and creative when you’re juggling shows, releases, and everything else that comes with being an active band?
A. We stay grounded barely and carefully. This is a full-time job on top of our full-time jobs, so we have to remind ourselves to stop and smell the roses sometimes.
Q. For someone who’s never heard P-Funk North before, which song is the best introduction to what you’re all about?
A. Dave: Again, I’d say "The Treatment." It’s rocking yet stays true to the reggae groove with some crunchy riffs. Being highly pro-cannabis, the lyrical content stands out.
Kevin: "Anxiety." This was the first song we made together when I joined. I wrote the music, and Dave wrote the lyrics. It’s one of our heaviest songs to date and fits nicely with some of the newer tracks we’re working on. We're leaning more into that riffy rock.
Jack: Our latest single, "Something in the Water," is bridging the gap from what we’ve done in the past to where we’re heading in the future.
Q. The reggae-rock scene has grown so much. How do you see your place in it now, and where do you think it's headed?
A. We’re very fortunate to have been welcomed into the community, especially in New Jersey and the tri-state area. We're going to branch out next year, going bigger and better as the scene continues to thrive and expand.
Q. What’s on the horizon for P-Funk North in the coming year—any upcoming tours, collaborations, or big plans fans should know about?
A. We're very excited for the future. Some major touring and festivals are on the docket for next year. We’re also working with Scotch Ralston (311) to record our next batch of tracks, which is wild for us, being longtime 311 fans. This is all being made possible by our management, Yonnie and the Tim Team, who currently work with—or have worked with—Jellyroll, 311, and Incubus, to name a few.
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