Inside These Walls

The walls were sturdy, and the floor was rockin’

When the word “classic” is conjured up, crumbling old columns, things long gone, but well remembered, a retro look, and even books that were read in high school English are images that come to mind. But classic is best defined as a recognized standard of excellence, with no emphasis on age. Despite opening less than two years ago, The Funk Box stands as the recognized standard of excellence for live music venues in the Baltimore area. Once inside the club it’s clear someone put a lot of thought into making it the ideal venue for live shows. It has been recognized by local media, (named Best Venue by Music Monthly for 2003), and fans alike, for its great atmosphere and setting. Bands too have discovered the charm and great acoustics of the club, with many making it a regular stop on their touring schedule.

The Funk Box, a multi-level 400 person capacity club, stands on the site of the former 8x10 Club, which was Baltimore’s premiere live music spot for 20 years. The 8x10 Club saw such acts as Phish, Widespread Panic, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bo Diddley grace its stage over its long existence. Notoriously tiny and cramped, (who here can remember how awkward the stage was, with an overly high drum riser that made it possible to only see the drummer from certain spots on the floor) the 8x10 began to show it’s age before finally closing its doors in July 2002. New owners immediately swooped in and began renovations. The first order of business was to remove many of the ill-placed walls, which opened up more room, improved sight lines for fans, and made it easier to navigate around the club. Part of the back wall, the brick wall on the side, and part of the front wall are all that remain from the original club. Well, that and the ability to put on stellar shows every night of the week.

Opening its doors September 3, 2003, The Funk Box showed it had not lost a step in putting on first class shows by having guitar legend Chuck Berry baptize the place on opening night, followed by Bo Diddley returning the second night. And there has been no drop-off since, with Steve Kimock, Umphrey’s McGee, Addison Groove Project, The Jazz Mandolin Project, Dark Star Orchestra, The Disco Biscuits, The Funky Meters and The Radiators just some of the artists that have made multiple stops at the club. Much of the credit for the high-quality acts goes to co-owner Tim Walthers who runs Walthers Productions, which is responsible for putting on some of the best shows and festivals in the mid-Atlantic region, and who also does the booking for the Funk Box.

The Funk Box has a small stage that allows the crowd to gather on three sides, giving all a great view. It also has a second level that overlooks the stage on three sides, providing a unique look at the band performing below. This provides all those in attendance with a cozy, intimate atmosphere. As Brendan McGinn, guitarist for Addison Groove Project, who has played the club five times, says, “Because it’s a small room and you still have the balcony effect, it feels like the audience is surrounding you on all levels.” The small stage also leads to some creative work by the visiting bands road crew to get everything on stage. When the 13 piece collective Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra stopped by December 3, 2003, it was a lesson in space-management to enable the entire band to fit on to the stage. Tightly packed, the band swayed and moved as one all night. Addison Groove Project drummer, Andrew Keith, has been known to take his spot behind his kit by descending to the stage from the ladder that extends down from the sound booth.

To aid the crowd in their quest for the ultimate place to rock out, owners Walther and Dave Rather have installed the most rocking feature around, a spring-loaded dance floor, specially imported from Oregon. The floor bounces and moves as the crowd fills it up. It is truly a unique experience to stand still and feel the rhythms of the crowd as they cause the floor to pulsate, making it bob and weave beneath your feet through out the night. Bands have taken notice of the floor action as well, as Lotus guitarist Luke Miller commented from stage after a particularly hot show (1/27/05), “It looks like you guys gave the springs a work out tonight!”

Despite the big name acts that come across the Funk Box’s stage, the club does not forget its local roots. A regular open-mic night is held with bands having the chance to win an opening slot for some of the bigger national bands that play there. They also provide a home base to many Baltimore favorites. Local heroes The Bridge regularly take up a residency there. They play a regular weekly show that has other national acts opening for them, and then joining The Bridge on stage for what becomes a guest filled evening. The extended jam into the Grateful Dead’s “Shakedown Street” with Addison Groove Project’s horns Ben Groppe and Dave Adams on January 28, 2004, to open The Bridge’s set, still ranks as one the highlights of all of their residencies. Baltimore legends The All Mighty Senators live shows have become few and far between, but when they happen they usually happen at the Funk Box, as they have rung in the last two New Years there with special sunrise shows. Despite the rarity of their live appearances, members of the Senators have become regular guests on stage whenever good friends the Big Wu stop by.

In its short existence, The Funk Box has already seen its share of classic and stellar shows. Umphrey’s sold out stop February 21, 2004 with sax-man extraordinaire Joshua Redman is near the top of that list. The show saw many ticketless fans wander Cross Street in vain of finding that miracle extra that would allow them to bask in the warmth of energy flowing from the stage that evening as Umphrey’s and Redman laid down a smoking second set that was one for the ages. The laid back grooves of Jack Johnson buddy Donovan Frankenreiter filled the club on a recent February (2/13/05) show, selling out the club well in advance in what was by far the smallest place he played on his recent tour, providing all with an intimate evening. Some bands seem to have found a home away from home there. Steve Kimock’s east coast appearances while rare always include a stop at the Funk Box.

Near the end of it’s long life, the 8x10 Club began to show signs of wear and seemed to evoke a line from the Assembly of Dust song “Burned Down,” “The walls were sturdy, but the floor was rotten.” After closing and beginning life anew as The Funk Box, it seemed to echo the same line with a slight twist, “The walls were sturdy, and the floor was rockin’.” With its one of a kind spring-loaded floor, unique atmosphere, and consistently stellar shows that all combine to create one of the most fan friendly environments, the Funk Box is clearly recognized as the standard of excellence for live shows in the Baltimore area.

For more info see: thefunkbox.com

The last Inside These Walls featured Philadelphia's Tower Theatre.