“We don’t get on a bus and do 150 shows a year and get off the bus and hate each other.”
“We get along great, that’s the nice thing about it,” Brewer said from his Florida home during a phone interview. Brewer said the band is a group of “good, family guys,” who enjoy their time together. Joining Brewer and Schacher on stage are Grand Funk bandmates of 16 years: singer Max Carl of 38 Special, keyboardist Tim Cashion and guitarist Bruce Kulick - known for his 12 years with Kiss. Now, after 13 gold and 10 platinum records, with hits “We’re American Band,” “Some Kind of Wonderful” and “I’m Your Captain (Close to Home)” under its belt, the five-piece band plays about 40 shows a year across the U.S. The good time started in 1969, when Grand Funk was formed as a blues-rock power trio by Brewer, bassist Mel Schacher and lead vocalist and guitarist Mark Farner. “We like to see people smiling, to get the audience involved (and) get them on their feet and having a good time.” “I like to say the audience needs to be ready to get up and sweat,” co-founder, drummer and vocalist Don Brewer said. Oroville > Generations of fans can expect an “uplifting, high-energy rock ’n’ roll show” from The American Band itself when Grand Funk Railroad rolls into Gold Country Casino & Hotel on Jan.
