Mind Funk Music

They weren't originally called "Mind Funk." You can use your imagination to subtract and add the necessary letters to turn the word "Funk" into something inappropriate. The band was forced to change their name to the much less offensive "Mind Funk," and later "Mindfunk," by their original label Epic Records.

This heavy metal funk band from the 1990's was sort of a super group, at least a second-tier super group. It featured singer Patrick Dubar, formerly of the hardcore punk band Uniform Choice; guitarist Louis J. Svitek and bassist John Monte both former members of M.O.D. (Method of Destruction); guitarist Jason Everman who had played with Nirvana and Soundgarden; and drummer Reed St. Mark who was a past member of the Swiss heavy metal band, Celtic Frost. Both Svitek and Monte went on to perform with the industrial metal band, Ministry.

After the turn of the century, the term "Mind Funk" took on a completely different meaning. Instead of being associated with members of Uniform Choice, M.O.D., and Celtic Front, Mind Funk became associated with DJ Shawnodese, Djane Ada, Djane Back 2 Mars, and DJ Merry.

Want to know how the mind processes music? And of course, you can't escape the funk.

Born out of a series of raging parties held in Amsterdam, Holland between 2001 and 2002, Mind Funk became the name of a record label specializing in psytrance music, which was definitely not a major record label. Mind Funk operated on the assumption that the term "psychedelic" was being used incorrectly and way too frequently in the world of dance music.

Whether Mind Funk is used as the title of a heavy metal funk band, a psytrance record label, or a type of music, the term conjures up an unique style of music possessing out-of-the-mainstream sounds, integrity, vitality, and relevancy. Whether you're an ardent follower or an enthusiastic neophyte to the Mind Funk concept, it's clear that the term speaks to both the imagination and the intellect.

Mind Blowing Music

Music has the power to "blow one's mind."

We've all had a friend text us the name of a brand new band that we MUST listen to because their sound is so "mind blowing." Of course most of these ebullient recommendations fail to blow one's mind, most even fail to blow one's nose, and most just blow. But that's another story.

There is a way artists can blow one's mind without strumming a single chord or singing a single note. Artists can be mind blowing by selling a bazillion albums or oodles of concert tickets. Or they can blow one's mind by being part of unmitigated flops and historic failures. For example, the Beatles have sold more than 237 million albums worldwide, Jay-Z has more number one albums (11) than Elvis (10), and Bob Dylan has never had a number one single. And music is as diverse as Cher to Kid Rock, Madonna or Andrea Bocelli or funky Justin Timberlake, there's music for everyone out there.

Is your mind blown yet? Probably not, but it will be after you check out the seven great artists listed below and their mind blowing success (and in one case, their mind blowing failure).

Top Music Tours Of 2012

In 2012, Californian icons will be celebrating their 50th anniversary, a pop queen is embarking on a world tour, and two of rock’s best live acts are teaming for what could be the concert series of the century. Since there’s so much happening in 2012, Mind Funk Music decided to take a look at the top 15 tours of the year.

One artist’s tour we didn’t have room for was Neil Diamond’s. The legendary singer-songwriter will be performing throughout the U.S. and Canada for most of the summer. The last show on his calendar is set for Sept. 1. That night Neil Diamond plays the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Keep reading to see the other acts that will also be out on the road performing in 2012.

Aerosmith isn’t one of America’s best rock bands. They ARE America’s best rock band. The Bad Boys from Boston have sold 150 million albums during their historic 40-plus-year career. Joining Aerosmith on their “Global Warming Tour” is Cheap Trick. Look for the two bands to play all over the country including Aerosmith in Chicago, Aerosmith in Milwaukee, and Aerosmith in Houston.

“Fanilows” get ready! This year Barry Manilow tickets are being sold to shows in both the U.S. and the U.K. Manilow’s first stint in America ends May 2—that’s the last of three nights Barry Manilow plays Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Then, after four fabulous shows in the U.K., Barry returns to American on June 7 for a concert at the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas.

For the first time in twenty years Brian Wilson will be touring with the boys. He’ll be joined by Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks. The Beach Boys began their 50th Anniversary celebration with a performance at the Grammy Awards. They followed that up by signing the National Anthem on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium. There’s also talk of a new album.

After spending much of May, June and July in Europe, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band return to the States for an 8 city, 10-concert stadium tour. During their little jaunt, The Boss and company will play large venues like Toronto’s Rogers Centers, Philadelphia’s Citizen Bank Park, and New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. The concerts are in support of his seventeenth studio album, Wrecking Ball.

The aforementioned dates will be Coldplay’s second trip to North America in 2012. If you include their New Year’s Eve show in Abu Dhabi then their upcoming jaunt around the U.S. and Canada will be the fifth leg of their highly acclaimed “Mylo Xyloto World Tour.” Ten cities—including Houston, Philadelphia, and Chicago—will host two Coldplay concerts.

After taking most of 2011 off, Dave Matthews Band returns in 2012 with an extensive tour of North America. Their upcoming trek includes the band’s first ever headlining gig at the Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama. A number of cities will collect Dave Matthews Band tickets for two shows, including Mansfield, Saratoga Springs, Camden, and East Troy.

Get your “pop opera” on this spring and summer with Il Divo and their orchestra. During their extensive North American leg of their 2012 World Tour, the “divine male performers” are taking the stage to promote their sixth studio album, Wicked Game. Il Divo sings in a variety of languages and their materials ranges from arias to pop standards.

Fans with Iron Maiden tickets for their pending “Maiden England World Tour” are likely to see something familiar. The trek will look and feel like their 1988 concert video of the same name. The band’s itinerary also contains several cities they haven’t visited in a while including Atlanta, Indianapolis, and Salt Lake City. Opening for Maiden through July 21 is Alice Cooper. After that, the duties fall to Coheed and Cambria.

Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw are old friends whose relationship goes back to a time when neither one of them were household names. In case you’re wondering, McGraw will perform first and Chesney will close. However, McGraw will return so the buddies can sing a few songs together. Look for this amazing tour in cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, and Denver.

It’s simply called “The Tour” and it’s sure to be one of the best concerts of 2012. Having tickets to see KISS and Motley Crue this summer means you’ll be in for some great live rock music, tons of special effects, and more pyrotechnics than you can shake a blowtorch at. These bands aren’t looking to live up to their legacy, they’re looking to surpass it.

Madge’s world tour officially gets underway May 29 in Tel Aviv. She’ll spend the bulk of her summer in Europe before coming to the New World in late August. Madonna’s massive global odyssey is promoting her twelfth studio album, MDNA. The opus debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Madonna’s big year began with a performance at the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show.

The British boy band One Direction is so popular that they announced dates for a 2013 North American tour long before they had even played their first show of 2012. Just so we’re clear, the above information is for their 2012 trek only. In between their 2012 and 2013 tours, 1D has a one-off show in New York City on Dec. 3. One Direction consists of Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson.

Joining Ringo Starr this summer are a plethora of great musician including Todd Rundgren, Steve Lukather from Toto, Gregg Rolie from Journey, and Richard Page from Mr. Mister. Starr performs songs from his solo career as well as the tracks he crooned while with The Beatles. Fans should also look for Ringo Starr in Uncasville, Connecticut; Ringo Starr in Hollywood, Florida; and Ringo Starr in San Diego, California.

Highlights of Roger Waters - “The Wall Live” tour are his Saturday night shows at America’s most famous baseball parks. In addition to Fenway Park, fans can also catch Roger Waters at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, Toronto’s Rogers Centre, and Yankee Stadium in The Bronx (July 6 and 7). Waters guarantees that the stage effects and phenomenal sound will translate to the large, outdoor, stadiums.

If you want to see a bazillion of the best punk rock, heavy metal, metalcore, post hardcore, hip hop, power pop, and alternative rock bands around then you need to get yourself some Vans Warped Tour tickets. Look for the 18th annual traveling music festival this summer in cities like Las Vegas, Houston, and Atlanta. Headliners include All-Time Low, New Found Glory, and Taking Back Sunday.

Coldplay
British rockers Coldplay are now on a world tour for their latest album Mylo Xyloto (2011). Expect to see Coldplay in North American cities such as Toronto, Boston and Chicago to name a few. Chris Martin and the rest of Coldplay will be putting on an excellent show to be sure.

James Taylor
James Taylor will be in Lennox, Massachusetts - Sweet Baby James will be performing at the historic Tanglewood Music Center. And, James Taylor tickets will be sold to a handful of dates in Europe.

Journey
Journey will appear at the USA Festival in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on July 15. They begin a robust tour of North American three days later in Omaha, Nebraska. The last show on their docket is a Journey concert in Seattle, Washington on Oct. 21. Joining the 1980's rock icons are Foreigner and Night Ranger.

Kenny Chesney
He's known for putting on some of the best live shows around. Even if you're not a connoisseur of country music you have to get your hands on some Kenny Chesney concert tickets. We recommend the June 18 Kenny Chesney show in Philadelphia or the Brothers Of The Sun Tour: Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw Foxborough show. Joining KC on his "Goin Coastal Tour" is the Zac Brown Band.

Taylor Swift
Music's "It" girl, Taylor Swift, began her "Speak Now World Tour" on February 9. It's set to wind down Nov. 22 when Taylor Swift plays the second of two nights at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Enjoy mind-funk-music.com.