When people talk about the “Jersey Shore Sound” visions of Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny and others dance around like sugar plum fairies grooving to a fat horn section.
Yet, not everyone’s minds wander to those sounds and images. For many, it’s that wonderful rock/reggae/funk/alternative mix that bands like Sublime, Slightly Stoopid and others put on the map nationally, but bands like P-Funk North are purveying throughout the bars and clubs of the Jersey Shore for decades. It’s this wonderfully fun music that’s perfect for a day with a sweaty bottle of Corona on the beach with the smell of salt water and sun block hitting the nostrils.
Recently we caught up with the guys from P-Funk North to discuss new music, their sound, the huge bands they’ve jammed with, the Asbury scene and so much more.
P-Funk North is (Band Members & Instruments They Play): David Sloyan (Singer/songwriter/bassist), Ryan Weil (Drums/percussion/backing vocals/engineer) and Kevin Nenichka (Guitar/backing vocals).
Year We Formed In: 2013
The Story Behind Our Name: P-Funk North means North Plainfield referring to Dave’s hometown and where the band started.
Bands That Inspired Our Sound: Sublime, Pepper, Eve 6, Jimi Hendrix, Green Day, Descendents, Alice In Chains, Nirvana, Rage Against The Machine, Eminem, Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters
You’ve Seen Us in Other Bands Before Such As: Milan & The Sour Goat, Experiment 34, Backyard Superheroes.
Famous/Awesome Bands We’ve Shared the Stage With: The Wailers, The Offspring, Sublime with Rome, Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid, Pepper, Eve 6, Shwayze, Yellowman, Stephen Marley, Ballyhoo!
The last full-length record you guys dropped was 2019’s Don’t Even Ask. When can we expect a new full-length release from the band?
New singles, music videos and a full length will be coming next year.
There’s a ton of reggae bands performing at the Jersey Shore (and NJ in general) — what do you think differentiates you from every other band and I mean that in the most positive way not trying to tear down any other bands out there.
We’re not strictly reggae but it is at the core or our sound. A better label would be alternative rock reggae fusion. Our ability to play a punk bill, hip-hop bill, rock bill and really any bill sets us apart. Plus the vocalist/bassist thing seems to blow people’s minds.
The band definitely has a stance for the legalization of cannabis in your music — how do you feel about the recent changes in cannabis legislation in New Jersey?
Feel like it’s about time!! It’s not a sin or a crime! It’s medicine! Alcohol kills people everyday. Cannabis doesn’t.
If someone wanted come out to Asbury Jams at Wonder Bar to hear you guys play – what song of yours would you suggest they “pre-game” with (listen to before they come to the show) in order to fully get what P Funk North is all about?
Id suggest listening to our most recent album in full. If you’re gonna pre-game, do it right! It’s the perfect representation of our sound and features guest appearances from Mighty Mystic and LD on the cut of Sublime with Rome.
What do you love about being in this band?
Rocking out and spreading good vibes, meeting new fans, making friends and playing shows with some of our inspirations/idols. Traveling to new places having adventures and making memories.
The band has been playing the Jersey Shore and Asbury Park music scene for a while now — how has the scene in general changed for both the good and band since you first started performing?
The scene is always evolving. We’ve seen a lot of bands come and go in the past few years. It feels good to be trucking along full steam ahead. It took a while but we’re finally feeling the love from the AP community and we couldn’t be happier!
What are you most excited about for the band in 2022?
New music, playing with more of our idols/inspirations and getting back out on the road.
