The members might not have always stayed the same, but for much of the last half century, Grand Funk Railroad ruled the rock n’ roll airwaves and stages as humongous as Shea Stadium. These days, the line-up consists of originals Don Brewer (vocals, drums, writer/singer of “We’re An American Band”) and bassist Mel Schacher, along with Max Carl (38 Special), Bruce Kulick (KISS) and keyboardist Tim Cashion (Bob Seger, Robert Palmer), elevating the act behind “I’m Your Captain/Closer To Home,” “Some Kind Of Wonderful,” “Footstompin’ Music,” “The Loco-Motion” and so many more to supergroup status. Chicago Concert Reviews connected with Brewer (who’s a simultaneous member of Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band) to go over what the Genesee Theatre can expect on a Thursday, May 17 bill that also features Rick Derringer and why fan feedback has always spoken louder than the critics who weren’t always kind to Grand Funk, but may want to reconsider a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction (for endurance at the very least).

How is the new show shaping up now that there’s 50 years of history?

Don Brewer: The current Grand Funk show has been a work in progress from the first show this incarnation of Grand Funk played 18 years ago in Palm Beach, Florida. Using the band’s historic high energy Grand Funk Railroad rock n’ roll show as a template, we expanded the line-up adding Bruce Kulick on guitar and Tim Cashion on keyboards and vocals. Also bringing in veteran Max Carl as front man and lead vocalist created the opportunity to add some incredible highlights to the show.

We always concentrate on giving the audience the Grand Funk hits they expect to hear. “I’m Your Captain/Closer To Home,” “We’re An American Band,” “The Loco-Motion,” “Some Kinda Wonderful,” “Footstompin’ Music,” “Rock & Roll Soul,” “Inside Lookin’ Out,” “Walk Like A Man” and “Shinin’ On.” But we also bring in some new and unusual pieces, like “Lightnin’ and Thunder,” that features the entire band playing percussion instruments. It all makes for a great high energy show that get the people on their feet and smiling and dancing.

What are your most memorable experiences playing throughout the area?

Brewer: My first experience in Chicago was for a Butterfinger candy bar TV commercial in 1967. Mark Farner and I were playing in the band The Pack in a club in Cleveland and a guy in the audience approached us between sets. He wanted us to fly to Chicago the next day and sing on a commercial track for Butterfinger. The ad ran on Saturday morning cartoons for a year or so and gave me gas money for my beat up Oldsmobile.

Another fond memory I have of Chicago was coming into town for a Grand Funk show in 1970, checking in at a Holiday Inn downtown, going to the venue for soundcheck, and upon returning to the hotel, found all our rooms had been entered and our belongings stolen. 

You’re personally the man behind “We’re An American Band,” undoubtedly one of the most anthemic songs ever written. Any idea what’s caused it to last so long?

Brewer: I remember hearing the playback of the final mix after Todd Rundgren, our producer on that record, had finished it. Everybody in the room was excited and loved it. I said “you guys really like that?” I was shocked that everybody thought the song was a hit. Then when I heard it for the first time on the radio, I got it. It sounded like a hit! Still does! The energy and the spirit are undeniable.

Grand Funk Railroad practically defined rock radio throughout the late 1960s and much of the 1970s. Any ideas as to the standout elements that made you so unstoppable? 

Brewer: We were just three guys from Flint, Michigan that played rock from our heart and soul. Nothing fancy, just honest rock n’ roll with simple production that focused on a decent song and a great performance. I think that was refreshing. I wish there was more of that today. 

Outside of the periods when the band was inactive, why did the pace of recording studio albums slow down so much after the ‘80s?

Brewer: Everybody got hung up on trying to make the “perfect recording.” It all changed from having good songs and good performances to “perfect recordings.” The artists would spend years in the studio doing an album that we used to do in four days. Sure the recording was better, but if the songs and performances are not good, what good is a perfect recording of a lousy song?

Is new material going to be a part of any future forecasts? 

Brewer: We are always experimenting with new stuff. Over the past 18 years, we have had many new songs that we try out for a while in the show and then move on to something else. I would like to see us do a compilation of live performances of the newer songs mixed in with live performances of the band’s hits.

Do you ever feature any material from your members who were in KISS and 38 Special?

Brewer: No KISS covers, but we do a terrific version of Max Carl’s [38 Special] song “Second Chance” as a way to introduce Max to the audience. 

And of course there’s your ongoing role with Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band. Is the mindset the same when you’re working with both acts or do they each require their own set of specifics?

Brewer: When I am playing with Grand Funk, I am playing my parts and my creations. When I play with Seger, I am covering many different drummers and drum styles because Bob always changed many of the musicians on his recordings. So yes, it is a completely different mindset. What is very similar between the two is that both bands are heavily R&B-influenced. We all grew up being influenced by Motown, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Aretha Franklin. 

The group has sold millions of records and continues having a massive audience to this day, but critics weren’t kind to Grand Funk Railroad for quite a while. Did that ever bother you and do you feel like you’re finally getting the last laugh having endured for so long?

Brewer: Seems like all those critics are gone and now we have several generations that know our songs. Yes, it used to bother me when I would read a review the day after a great show and some newspaper guy would spew how bad we were, when after reading his review, it was obvious he wasn’t even at the show. He just didn’t like the band. 

What is the likelihood of a reunion with Mark Farner? 

Brewer: Never say never.

What do you hope people will remember most about Grand Funk Railroad?

Brewer: Three guys from Flint, Michigan that played from their heart and soul. And of course “sold out Shea Stadium faster than The Beatles!”

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Grand Funk Railroad performs at the Genesee Theatre on Thursday, May 17. For additional details, visit GrandFunkRailroad.com and GeneseeTheatre.com.