Funkiphino (pronounced "Funk if I Know") is a group with a plan. The founding members, keyboardist Chris Fischer, trumpet player Jessica Flynn and guitarist Brad Katz, laid out a strict diet of discipline, and three and a half years later they credit their success to following the rules.

The first rule was to be a cover band for as long as it took to become a profitable enterprise. Writing was forbidden as they collected the perfect team of musicians whose skills matched their full, retro sound and whose personalities did not threaten the mission. The emphasis was on producing the slickest, most entertaining live show, pulling technical, fun-to-arrange songs from disco and soul to keep people dancing and fondly reminiscing. They enjoy singing selections that are already meaningful to people.

The second rule was to pay each of the 10 members for every gig, after stashing some cash for the business side. This meant, as Flynn said, "picking and choosing where we want to play." They focus on private functions such as weddings and company parties because they pay well. They also play public festivals to get themselves in front of lots of people. Word of mouth and return business make up most of their work but Fischer admits attending a painful wedding trade show or two in the beginning.
Planning only goes so far. Luck is involved as well.  Funkiphino refuses to be niched. They don't fit the mold of the typical wedding band—no chicken dance here—and covers are done in their unique style.

Now that they are well known as the area's only thriving '70s funk/horn cover band, they hope to change that reputation. October will herald the release of their first full-length all-original album. Uncovered, which stays true to their funked-out '70's style featuring a blazing horn section and Hammond B-3 organ.

Most musicians choose to be one extreme or the other—the professional studio monkey or the broke coffee shop singer/songwriter. Fischer said emphatically, "There's no reason why you can't meet that thing in the middle with something totally unique, and that's what this band is."

Fischer sat down to write more than a year ago when, as Fischer said, they were "able to afford to do originals," meaning when they had set aside enough money to indulge themselves. Spontaneously recording melodies, lyrics, bass lines, percussion and nonsense allowed them to get ideas out of their heads from conception, before the energy had a chance to dissipate. They brought the final products to the band and members added their "flavors." Scattering the songs among covers during gigs grounded the songs in the reality of a live performance.

Validation came when people got up to dance during these high-powered originals, and sang along with choruses upon first hearing.

They recorded most of Uncovered in Fischer's studio. Spoiled by their own sound engineer extraordinaire, Richard "Chops" Bates, they laid down professional quality tracks that impress everyone who listens.

Adding European techno remix wizard Richard Dekkard as post-producer, they introduce yet another influence and lots of digital sound transformation. This is a new avenue for Funk, who are used to live music, not samples, but they are determined to use everything at their disposal to create a unique, modern-sounding set of songs that capture their live energy. Flynn put it bluntly: "The first [album] you put out better be damn good, otherwise you look like an idiot."

Their final rule is to always have fun — being an artist should never be more work than play. Goals for the future include throwing a huge CD release party in October and acquiring a publicity team who can "rebirth" Funkiphino as an original band. They want to open for national touring acts, play bigger venues, and expose themselves to new audiences. The focus will shift from weddings to clubs now that they have a product to "push down people's throats," as Fischer eloquently said. They will branch out of Colorado only when it makes sense, and have absolutely no interest in major labels. Their crack team, professionalism and a touch of luck may be all they need.