For an exciting magical musical tour, step into the Funhouse. These Toronto rockers will stimulate your senses with thought- provoking lyrics and a dynamic , diverse sound that fuses alternative and progressive rock elements with a melodic pop sensibility.

This powerful combination is evident on the group's self-titled debut CD . Released on Flog 135 records in 1997, Funhouse is distributed in the US via Oar Fin. With American marketing efforts concentrated mainly in the Northeast, the repsonse has been highly impressive. At Erie, Pennsylvania's top alternative station, WERG, it reached the top five on their chart. "listener response to the CD was just overwhelming," reported Music Director Bryan L. Substantial airplay for such tunes as "Vampiress" and the hard-driving "What about You" was also received from alternative and campus stations in Cleveland, New York , and Chicago.

Ross Doughty -BassSteve Sherman -Lead Guitar

Canadian reaction has been equally positive. College radio across the country has embraced the Funhouse sound with open ears, and the band has been featured on such AOR/Car stations as HTZ-FM ( St. Catharines, ON), CKLZ ( Kelowna, BC), CJSD ( Thunder Bay, ON) and OZ-FM in St Johns,Newfoundland.

Such warm response is scarcely surprising, as Funhouse display a level of mature musicianship a definite cut above most independent acts. Their sound is driven by the passionate vocals, eloquent songwriting, and acoustic guitar work of Clay Phillips, while the playing of his four talented comrades provides the perfect complement. Clay write all 9 tunes on "Funhouse", but the recent integration of keyboardist Johnny Burgess and drummer Anthony Wintels into the band has expanded the songwriting arsenal. " We all now collaborate together on the writing, each adding to what the other has done," explains Clay.

Anthony Wintels-- DrumsClay Phillips -Vocals, Guitar

Funhouse first took shape over four years ago, when high school friends & fellow guitarists Phillps and Frank O'Meara added a rhythm section and hooked up with experienced guitarist/producer Steve Sherman. Steve added a fluently aggressive electric edge to their sound, and his production and engineering expertise helps account for the high-quality sonics on Funhouse.

As a lyricist, Clay is often inspired by real-life events unfolding around him. " I like to conjure up lyrics that paint a picture or tell a story." On Funhouse, for instance, there is the opening, six minute epic, "Warrior Mohawk", an evocative reflection of the Oka uprising. "Heaven's Gate" is a poignant look at the doomed cult of that name, while "Committed No Crime" sprang from Clay's correspondence with a prisoner on death row in Oregon. " Somebody smuggled in a tape, and he loved the song. I think that's a very positive thing for him." In tacking such serious themes, Phillips stresses that "we do try to send a positive message between the lines."

Johnny Burgess- Electric guitar

With the current incarnation of Funhouse the most creative yet, all involved are itching to get back to the studio to make another record. Some songs are ready to roll, and Phillips talks enticingly of expanding their sound even further via the judiciious use of keyboards, cellos, and backing vocals.

So, listen up. The Fun is just starting!

" Clay has to be one the best Canadian songwriters to come along in a while..Great album, great band.."...Main Line Promotions

"The Listener response to this CD has been overwhelming.."...Bryan L, Music Director, WERG, Erie, PA ( 5 weeks in the top thirty)

Number #7 - The Main Line ( Internet Radio)

Click on these guys for Flog 135 Ordering Info

Main Page

The Unloved

Funhouse

The Kevorkians

Contact Flog 135

Links