This Side of Buckeye
This night was a fulfillment of seeing one of the big local Phoenix bands when I was just finding music, listening to The Edge 106.3 in my car with my recently printed driver’s license. The Phunk Junkeez are self-described “alterna-rock rap hybrid.” I would put them in the alternative styles of the Rage Against the Machines and Limp Bizkits that were big or growing bigger in the mid-90’s. Also throw out a big thank you to JT Trick, who got me in and back stage for this show!
We got there near the tail end of the second band, a hip hop group called Bentself, so I don’t have anything to say about them or any pictures. However, did manage to get the full set in for Guerilla Party who was next. These kids are a solid rock band with a metal influence. These kids are a great discovery of another good local band here.
Next up I hung backstage to watch Zoom, which was more of the hip hop rock mix that the Phunk Junkeez exhibit. Their lead singer liked to move around and get the crowd involved. A little slow stuff mixed in with faster rock sounds.
Interfate was the one band outside of our headliner I knew, and they still found a way to surprise me. Interfate is a harder rock band, with recognizable metal influences. What surprised me were the various hats I was catching their bassist in through the set. This is why the pictures I take can be so valuable.
Finally, only about twenty years in the making, the Phunk Junkeez with their 90’s line up were in front of my eyes. The 90’s Phunk Junkeez are made up of two vocalists, bassist, guitarist, drummer, and DJ to create their blend of sound. It felt it got better as they got deeper into their set. The stage presence was there, and it helped with the giant screen and light display they put up behind them. They played the well-known cuts that they taunted the crowd mid-set by saying they weren’t going to play, including “Me ‘N Yer Girl” and “Going Down to Buckeye.” Played some of my favorites too, like “Radio Sucks” and “I Love It Loud.” It was a great time seeing Phunk Junkeez this night, and now my teenage self is a lot more content.
