Grand Funk - We're an American Band

Grand Funk, without the Railroad. In 1973 the band released We're An American Band, and this was the song I remember from the radio as a kid. But it would take almost 50 years for me to get to the deep cuts on the album.

I didn't really pick anything up by the band other than a greatest hits CD, but I always liked them, and my parents oddly enough had an 8-track copy of their live album that I never knew they had, because apparently they didn't know they had it either until I found it one day in a box in the closet. I remember it being awesome, with a drum solo that blew my mind.

People tend to think of them as a trio, but on this Todd Rundgren-produced effort they were officially four: Mark Farner, Mel Schacher, Don Brewer and Craig Frost, who had laid down keys previously on Phoenix, was now listed as a full-fledged member of the band. Oddly enough, after Grand Funk folded he would join the Silver Bullet Band with Bob Seger and stay there for a couple of decades.

The album was apparently recorded in two days, and a month later it was released in July of 1973, which is incredible when you think about it. Then again, for a band who put out their debut in 1969, they already had a half dozen albums under their belt by the time this was released. They were still kids, with Mark, Don and Craig turning 25, while Mel was a few years younger. They were already seasoned musicians. It really is mind-boggling.

So when I found a copy in a dollar bin, I was pretty stoked. Of course this wasn't an original pressing; it was the regular black vinyl, and the promised stickers were long gone. Although I'm not sure if the sticker on the cover was originally there. I like to think I got at least one sticker. However, the album itself, while pretty dirty, did clean up okay, and despite the occasional click and pop it played through without any major issues.

The lead-off single still kicks me right in the feels. The rest of the album is pretty great, including "Walk Like a Man," which was also sung by Don Brewer. Who doesn't love a singing drummer? Then there's seven minutes of pure groove with Farner singing on "Creepin'." I love hearing old stuff with new ears. The whole album is really good. Of the eight songs, Don and Mark split them down the middle.

Overall, a great find.

This is the first of many ... you'll see.

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