Two of Western Canada's most eclectic independent bands are giving Howe Sound Brew Pub audiences the one-two punch over consecutive weekends in June.While Wassabi Collective lace their organic world fusion of roots reggae, dub, funk, rock, hip-hop and blues together on Saturday (June 7), the double guitar and vocals of high-energy punk, soul, ska outfit Arthur Funkarelli headline the pre Test of Metal festivities on Friday (June 13).Funkarelli's stage presence prior to Squamish's epic mountain bike race is fitting considering the 10-year indie veterans are mainstays on various mountain bike videos like the Kranked series."I'd say in terms of exposure beyond the live format, the mountain bike game has been the best road for us," said frontman Al "Bad Alice French" Leclerc."I think the Test of Metal totally coincides with the type of band we are because we're on our tenth anniversary this year so we're all about longevity and endurance as well."It will be Funkarelli's first appearance in Squamish, although Brew Pub events manager Heidi Nielsen said she's been looking forward to getting them on stage for some time."They're a really good band, really tight and really funky, so when the Test of Metal got a hold of me we were looking for a really good funk band and so they were the number one choice on my list," she said.Funkarelli's influences range wildly from the funky metal of Faith No More to the funky soul of Curtis Mayfield and the old school funk stylings of Fishbone. If you didn't notice, the key word here is funk, and Leclerc ensures the diverse Test of Metal crowd will be strapping on its dancing shoes. "We can bring the heavy and we're a dance floor band," he said.But before the Test festivities click into gear, Wassabi Collective is eager to spread their positive vibe after spending much of the winter in the studio."The people of Squamish can expect to dance, raging percussion with brand new songs that are lyrically based," said guitarist/vocalist Brent "Gisto" Hongisto. Tickets for Wassabi Collective cost $20 and are expected to sell out fast. They are available at the Howe Sound Brew Pub and Trinity Romance Shop. Arthur Funkarelli tickets cost $10 and are available at the Brew Pub. To preview audio clips check out www.wassabi.net and www.myspace.com/arthurfunkarelli.
