Filthy Funk

Styles come and fads go, yet thankfully, the funk is always lurking about, its spirit manifest in different forms and from unlikely tributaries. Believe it or not, New Orleans' Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes hail from classical music backgrounds -- at Loyola U, goateed bandleader Johnny Sketch (a.k.a. Marc Paradis) majored in cello. His Dirty Notes don't, however, "revive" funk -- like Doctor Frankenstein, they assemble a patchwork of influences to create a swinging, heavy-stepping monster. Sewing up swampy N'awlins rhythms, the frenzy of Fishbone, and hearty horns à la Tower of Power, the six piece zaps a mother of an electrical charge through the neck bolts, and IT'S ALIVE! But most villagers party instead of flee.

Up to his ass in alligators: Johnny Sketch and the boys play the Alley

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More About

• Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes
• Marc Paradis
• Johnny Sketch
• Fishbone
• Classical Music

Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes play at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Alligator Alley, 1321 E. Commercial Blvd., Oakland Park. Tickets cost $5. Call 954-771-2220.