Why Arthur Penn & The Funky Ten Had To Get It Together

Arthur Penn & The Funky Ten seem to have spent more time jamming in school than attending their maths classes — the band actually consists of 12 members: Grace Cummings, Cameron Henshall, Tim Sneddon, Ben Harvey, Josh Lynzaat, Stikki Roder, Theo Conos, Edward Lloyd, Tim Eilenberg, Tyler Daglish, Jesse Glass and Ben Winstanley. Bassist Tim Eilenberg assembled a bunch of mates in 2011 "to create a high concept funk band, which I thought would be funny and cool", but they weren't serious about making music until they actually booked a gig. "We jammed on and off for a year, and then just booked a gig so we had no choice but to get it together," he explains. They've been performing together ever since.

"We got to play at the Hi-Fi with Perch Creek, recently had a huge single launch, played some festivals, put on a circus-themed gig complete with acrobats and magicians, but more importantly being able to play with 11 good mates and it being well received," says Eilenberg. "The best part about working in a band of 12 is the diverse range of influences we get from each member. Artists such as Parliament/Funkadelic, George Duke, Alabama Shakes, Rick James, Prince, Tame Impala, Chic and more recently Justin Timberlake and The Doors. Basically anything that has energy and groove." The conceptual nature of the band is evident in a few of Eilenberg's initial visions: "The idea for Tim [Sneddon, vocalist], was just to dance and be weird on stage. Probably a good thing he's a vocalist now and not that!"