Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Critics were never kind to Grand Funk Railroad during its chart conquest throughout the late 1960s and ‘70s, but now that the group’s survived five decades, those assessments are up for reevaluation. In fact, those who turned up the Genesee Theatre on a bonus bill that also included guitar slinger Rick Derringer were treated to stadium-sized “Footstompin’ Music” from start to finish with the Flint, Michigan-bred band sounding exceptionally tight and vital.

The no-frills night had its fair share of patriotism minus Grand Funk Railroad ever taking specific sides, while also offering assurance that sometimes being the apple of fans’ eyes means more than playing whatever politics are required to enter the increasingly ambiguous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

No, Mark Farner wasn’t with the latest line-up, but original drummer/vocalist Don Brewer (also from Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band) and bassist Mel Schacher kept the train rolling with rollicking support from singer/guitarist Max Carl (38 Special), lead guitarist Bruce Kulick (who spent a dozen years with KISS) and keyboardist Tim Cashion (Bob Seger, Robert Palmer). In other words, the Grand Funk Railroad of today is really a reborn super group, who besides playing all the required hits, turned in Carl’s 38 Special smash “Second Chance.”

Brewer also demonstrated his machine gun speed during a drum solo, while the rest of his collaborators joined in for a percussion circle that had everyone pounding away with a blues meets boogie groove. While the jams underscored the players’ abilities, a lean, mean and completely re-imagined version of “The Loco-Motion,” along with the original “Walk Like A Man” and the Soul Brothers Six cover “Some Kind Of Wonderful” turned the focus towards the enduring quality of the songs and arrangements themselves.

The extended epic “I’m Your Captain/Closer To Home” gave the best of both worlds, while Brewer tossed on an Uncle Sam hat as he sang and banged away for the quintessential “We’re An American Band.” The no-frills night had its fair share of patriotism minus Grand Funk Railroad ever taking specific sides, while also offering assurance that sometimes being the apple of fans’ eyes means more than playing whatever politics are required to enter the increasingly ambiguous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Click here for more photos of Grand Funk Railroad at the Genesee Theatre.

For additional information on Grand Funk Railroad, visit GrandFunkRailroad.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Genesee Theatre include Smash Mouth and Spin Doctors (May 18); Rick Springfield (May 20); Josh Turner (Aug. 5); Paul Rodriguez (Sept. 15); I Am King: The Michael Jackson Experience (Sept. 21); Modest Mouse (Sept. 22); Bee Gees Gold: The Tribute (Sept. 28); The Ultimate Robin Williams Tribute Experience featuring Roger Kabler (Oct. 4); The Amazing Jonathan (Oct. 5); Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (Oct. 19) and The Magic Of Adam Trent (Oct. 25). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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