Grand Fund Railroad
Alameda County Fair
July 8, 2010

By Dan Wall

Setlist
Bottle Rocket, Rock and Roll Soul, Footstompin’ Music, Shinin’ On, The Locomotion, Second Chance, Inside Looking Out, Some Kind of Wonderful, Closer to Home, We’re an American Band. 60 minutes, two shows.

When Grand Funk Railroad ruled the world back in the early 70’s, it made its name as a touring band. The trio from Flint, Michigan was hardly ever in Flint in those days-a tour followed every record, and Grand Funk put out albums at a record pace, thus the ultimate road warrior tag that established the band as one of the great live acts of its generation. 

Forward nearly 40 years, and GFR is still a road band-that’s pretty much all it’s known for now. Since reconvening in 1997 with original guitarist Mark Farner (who is no longer with the band), the group has only churned out 4 new songs, three for a compilation release and one that opens its shows today. GFR started on the road, and it will most likely end there as well. 

That’s okay, because this version of the band can still put on a top notch live show, whether it is at your local fair, festival or cookout. These guys will play anywhere, and have a great time doing the bands’ biggest songs. 

When Farner left for good back in 1999, vocalist/guitarist Max Carl (.38 Special) and guitarist Bruce Kulick (Kiss) were brought in to replace the legendary front man. Now that does say something for Farner—it basically took two guys to fill his shoes. But Carl and Kulick are consummate pros, and if you really didn’t know the history of the band, you’d have a hard time telling the difference between the band that put out We’re an American Band in 1973 and today’s touring group. 

Original members Mel Schacher (thumping bass) and Don Brewer (solid drums) are still around to add a bit of authenticity to the proceedings, but it’s the mix of professionalism, showmanship and those great songs that make this package so special. 

If I had a problem with this show (and it’s a minor note), but does a band really have to play the same exact set for both shows at a fair? Since most of the crowd stuck around for both sets, it would have been nice to hear “Are You Ready,” “Heartbreaker” or TNUC,” songs I know the band still plays live. 

The quintet does its best to mix it up the party songs (“Rock and Roll Soul,” “Footstompin’ Music”), the epics (“Closer to Home,” “Inside Looking Out”) and the biggies, such as “We’re an American Band.” Funny, but the band’s two big covers of “The Locomotion” and “Some Kind of Wonderful” still get the biggest cheers, along with “American Band.” I guess a great song is a great song, no matter who does it. 

In closing, I’m just happy that Grand Funk Railroad is still around. I remember reading about a possible reunion as far back as 1996, and was lucky enough to see the original band do one of three shows it performed with an orchestra back in 1997. If you would had told me then that I would be seeing the band at the local fair 2010, I would have asked to share in whatever party substance you had been abusing. But the band is still here, it’s still an American treasure, and we’re all the better for it.