By Micheline Bowman  

PART TWO- 

Micheline- How do you feel about the current Go-Go bands out today?

“Big” Tony- Back in the day, groups in the 70 and 80’s…we had a distinctive sound. Everyone was unique and you could tell the groups from the other.  In the 90’s up to now…the groups all sound the same nobody has their own identity.  They basically don’t have the originality that older groups had coming up. They spend too much doing cover tunes and don’t do original sounds anymore. They spend too much time trying to remix what’s already been done.  Our music has stood the test of time and still does. You can turn your radio on today and still hear “Pump Me Up” and other song we did back then and still dance. I know things are meant to change, but you have to keep your identity. 

Micheline- Why do you think TROUBLE FUNK has been so successful over the years?

“Big” Tony- I think it has a lot to do with us not being afraid to think outside the box.  Dare to do something different. We have this saying “TROUBLE FUNK gonna funk you up and they’re aint’ no funk like TROUBLE FUNK!”  Our unique brand of funk has really set us aside. We were just blessed and fortunate that God put us together with unique talents and gifts. We gel our unique chemistries together.

Micheline- What do people say today about TROUBLE FUNK of the 2000’s?

“Big” Tony- I talk to people all the time and they tell me how the music made a difference their life. “Your music helped me get through my semester in college.” “I listened to you while I was in boot camp” “I met my wife at your show.” It’s a good feeling to know that you have made a positive difference in someone’s life.

Micheline- I know you traveled around the world. How was the Go-Go music received in other countries?

“Big” Tony- Many people don’t realize that TROUBLE FUNK has always been a real clean cut group. We never had to do a lot of cussing or use profanity…people accepted us and we took it all around the world. Japan, London, Germany, Italy the list goes on and we’ve always been embraced us. 

I think the other countries are more appreciative of the artistic music they are more opened minded about what they hear.  Here its’ like we are stuck in this inner city thing. A lot of the current groups won’t get past the 14th street Bridge, forget out the country. This area has talented producers but they won’t humble themselves. We were criticized for selling out because we didn’t want to stay in this area. We wanted to tour the world.

Micheline- Did you ever run into any difficulties with the industry?

“Big” Tony- Of course we did.  When we signed with Island Records that interrupted our flow a little. It even broke the band up for a minute. “Before I sell out I gets the hell out!” (Laughing)  I’ve always remained true to the game but I also know that the more you have to offer the more work you get.  I do the classic stuff we recorded and I also do other cover tunes live.  My group is more of a group that plays for all occasions because this is my job I’ve been doing it for 30 years.

Micheline- How is “Big” Tony today?

“Big” Tony- I’m in a good place right now. Sometimes you have to have your eyes opened to get you on the right path and stop taking your life for granted. God is good…he’s holding me strong. I was wilding out at one point in my life not being focused and as a result this is why I wound up in dialysis I think it was his way of opening my eyes and getting my attention.(He’s been on dialysis for 5 years now)  He let me know there were other things out here for me. I think as crazy as this may sound I was headed for self destruction and I think this was the best thing for me.  I was in that underground world and this allowed me to realize my real purpose. He blessed me with a second chance and to make the best of it. Be looking forward to TF and Big Tony doing some big things this year. (Chuckling)

The man called “Big” Tony shared so much more about the group with me.  They are currently in the studio working on a reunion album. The years have changed and the members have changed, but the sound of TROUBLE FUNK is still the same.

Tony’s heart is still hurting as he recently lost his cousin/best friend and original member and keyboard player Robert “Syke Dyke” a few months ago. He spoke about Dykes last days and how the two would have long talks about their accomplishments. He asked Tony or “Big Fish” as he called him to hold it down and represent.  Holding it down and representing is what the group is continuing to do as their songs are constantly sampled by artist today. (Can someone say “ca-ching”?)

So what’s next for “Big” Tony? Expect to see major things next year.  He’s says he has arrived to that special place and plans to branch out into Gospel Go-Go. The bottom line is keeping it all in your music with a message.  A message he started with a beat and promises to make the beat go on.