Cool Ghouls brings back the Funk at the Wayfarer July 19
The Cool Ghouls is a San Francisco-based quartet that introduces funkadelic and rock in a whole different way. They will be performing songs off their new release at The Wayfarer in Costa Mesa on July 19.
The group just released their latest self-titled debut out now on Empty Cellar Records. According to FILTER, “[Cool Ghouls’] psychedelic and upbeat into their rhythms and vocals to produce a sound that’s wholly unique.”
The OC Concert Guide had the opportunity to talk to them about their origin, musical inspirations and self-titled debut.
OCCG: How did you come up with “Cool Ghouls?” What’s the story behind it?
CG: It’s from a Funkadelic concert film. George Clinton descends from the spaceship and says “How y’all cool ghouls doin’ tonight?” And we were like, “He’s talking to us!”
OCCG: How did you know that you wanted to pursue music as career and who was your musical inspiration?
CG: The ghost of John Coltrane appeared to me in a cosmic vision and handed me the keys to a Chevy conversion van, which is how we got our touring vehicle and how I knew we were cosmically obligated to pursue music. Our musical inspirations include Little Richard, Sonny Smith, Lil’ B, Fela Kuti, The Stooges and Grace Slick.
OCCG: What is your biggest accomplishment thus far and what would you like to achieve a year from now?
CG: Our record! What an achievement! A year from now, we’re gonna be #1!
OCCG: What do you want your fans to gain of your self-titled debut?
CG: 10 sweet tunes that are fun to drink beers to.
OCCG: If you could choose anywhere in the world to perform, where would it be and why?
CG: It’d be sick to play in a meadow on the coast of Oregon on August 21, 2017 while the only full solar eclipse that will pass over North America in our lifetimes passes overhead. I wanna try to do that actually.
OCCG: What advice would you give to other aspiring musicians out there?
CG: Be patient, make friends, and privately believe that you’re making the best shit out there. Always read the fine print in any written agreement. Also, if somebody contacts you to use a song of yours for something that obviously isn’t a small operation or DIY operation and they tell you “there’s no budget for music, but the exposure will be great for your band” they are exploiting you.
OCCG: What are you most looking forward to your show at The Wayfarer in Costa Mesa on July 19?
CG: Homies! It’s always rad playing with Froth and Santoros. Good friends of ours. Excited to see The Pesos too!
OCCG: What’s next on your agenda?
CG: Releasing our second album later this year. It’s gonna be tiiiiiight.