The Grease Traps are an eight-piece funk and soul group based in Oakland. Made up of rare funk 45 record collectors and DJs, the band has since 2005 put out a groovy throwback sound drawing inspiration from local funk/soul stalwarts such as Sly & the Family Stone, Tower of Power, as well as influences across jazz, afrobeat, and hip hop.
Ahead of the band’s set on Saturday, May 3rd at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell as part of a free show put on by Bay Beats, the San Francisco Public Library, and White Crate – along with Mae Powell and Piwai – we heard from guitarist Kevin O’Dea about what kept him in the Bay, what he’d like to see change in live concert programming, and his hope for local musicians to rediscover the Funk.
What was your first connection with making music?
I took piano lessons between the ages of 8 and 12 with a young, hip teacher who introduced me to players like Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. I then played bass guitar in a classic rock band with my buddies in high school.
What’s your connection to the Bay?
I grew up in Castro Valley and went to high school in Oakland. When I came home from college, I knew I didn’t want to live in Castro Valley, so I moved to Berkeley and then Oakland as they put me closer to the thriving rare groove/jamband music scene that was happening at the time in CA in the early 2000’s.
How does the Bay Area influence your music?
When it comes to the funk and soul music that I love, the Bay Area has been the birthplace of many of my favorites like Sly & the Family Stone, Cold Blood and Tower of Power. However, the music scene here is very eclectic, so I’ve also been exposed to great jazz, Latin, rock, hip hop and world music as well. Our influences are all over the map.
What do you love about the Bay Area music community?
I love that we have some many different genres represented throughout the Bay. There’s a ton of intermingling between bands as well, so you’ve got guys playing lots of different styles of music all the time. This mixing colors the music and keep things fresh and dynamic.
Is there something missing or anything you’d like to see change?
We have lost so many live fantastic music venues in the last 20-30 years. Keeping a venue afloat with the high rents in the Bay Area is difficult, unless you are in cahoots with some corporate mega-company like Live Nation or Another Planet. Then if those companies are running things, they charge exorbitant fees for tickets, plus they cater mostly to larger touring acts rather than local groups. I’d love to see more city/county support for smaller live music venues and more opportunities for free concerts featuring local artists (that actually pay the artists decently… it’s rare to have both).
Are there any artist-centered communities in the Bay that you love?
The folks at Noise Pop and the Oakland Art Murmur having been supporting artists for decades now.
Do you have any new releases coming up?
We have some songs that are recorded and need to get mixed and mastered. Hoping to start releasing more music in late 2025.
Which up-and-coming Bay Area artists are you most excited about?
Digging what Mae Powell, our Bay Beats musical cohort, has been doing lately with Colemine Records. Looking forward to some new music from her. Hoping our pals, The Ironsides, will be releasing their sophomore album soon as well.
Do you have any hopes or predictions for the local music scene?
I’m really hoping that the Bay rediscovers the Funk. I may be out of the loop, but I feel like there aren’t many local groups that keep it raw and gritty. Most of the funk I’m hearing is too polished and/or jammy for my taste.
