RISK TAKERS

GO A&E
Roughly nine years ago, Post
Traumatic Funk Syndrome was
founded by Peterson and a
former bass player. Although the
lineup has changed over the last few
years, they’re stronger than ever and
continue to make a splash on the FM
music scene.
So, a funk band, huh? It’s more
than that. Peterson says that he’ll
write and redo funkier versions of
classic favorites to give them a twist,
and that the band has a book of
over 300 pieces to choose from for
performances. On that note, you’re
bound to hear something you like when
you see them live, whether it’s Motown
or ‘80s hair rock.
“We do ‘Mustang Sally’, which is a
great old tune, but we do it with a
sort of hip-hop vibe and we put horns
to it so it sounds pretty funky,” said
Peterson. “Some tunes we play just
like the record and that’s fun too, but
it’s also interesting to put our own twist
on it.”
“SOME TUNES WE PLAY
JUST LIKE THE RECORD
AND THAT’S FUN TOO, BUT
IT’S ALSO INTERESTING TO
PUT OUR OWN TWIST ON IT.”
Music comes naturally to these folks.
All it takes is one time over of reading a
piece of music and they’ve got it down.
It only makes sense, because most
of the members are people you’d see
teaching music at local colleges and
many participate in the FM Symphony
and other local bands. Each member
also has a talented substitute, because
really, booking shows around 12
schedules is tough.
Between all of the hustle and bustle of
established careers, families and gigs,
the band has taken the time to record
their second album. The 13-track
LP will be making its debut in late
August. They also participate in various
symphony and music events around
the area, along with private events.
Add in the process of writing music
to perform and you’ve got a group of
people that eats, sleeps and breathes
music.
Your best bet is to catch them live for
yourself and feel the funk. And who
knows, you might be surprised to see
one of your professors, neighbors or
colleagues jamming out on stage.
SYMPHONY ROCKS
Post-Traumatic Funk
Syndrome performs every
year with the FM Symphony
at their annual Symphony
Rocks concert. This year,
the fundraising event will be
returning to their funky roots
with other outside artists and
new music from both the
FM Symphony and PTFS.
Peterson states he is writing
a plethora of new music for
this year’s event, so expect a
little Bruno Mars to happen,
“Uptown Funk” style.
The band’s new album will also
be released on the same day,
so snag a copy of the CD at
the event, or check it out on
iTunes.
THEIR NEXT SHOW
SYMPHONY ROCKS
The Fargo-Moorhead
Symphony Orchestra
performing with Post-
Traumatic Funk Syndrome and
guest vocalist Bruce Henry.
Thursday, August 20
Bluestem Amphitheatre
801 50th Ave. SW, Moorhead
5:30 p.m. pre-concert retro
bash, 8 p.m. music
Tickets: General admission
$15 (Children $10), Reserved
$30-$50
Pre-Concert Bash: $25 in
addition to concert ticket,
must be 21 or older.
Visit fmsymphony.org for more
information.
52 | AUGUST 2015 | FARGOMONTHLY.COM