RundFunk
It all started in 1992 at MerweRadio in Sliedrecht, when Theo Peele and Gino Sittrop launched their legendary show, Metal Shock. The program became an instant hit, radiating a raw, alternative energy that the local airwaves had never experienced before.
Because of its massive popularity, the station granted them a second hour. Instead of keeping it for themselves, Theo and Gino—the “Godfathers of Friday Night”—decided to open the doors to other enthusiastic music lovers who wanted to make radio. This visionary move created the perfect landing strip for the Mothership: Flatlandelic RundFunk.
In this new creative space, the “Flatland” P-Funk scene found a home. The studio became a revolving door for the heavyweights of Dutch Funk. Seven Eleven brought their world-class grooves, while Ben Mendes and his Mendoza Dance Parti turned the tiny Sliedrecht studio into a powerhouse of rhythm. From Utrecht, the raw sounds of Gellybooty shook the speakers, and soul-master Phil Martin added his signature touch to the mix.
What began as a metal show evolved into a legendary Friday night tradition where rock, metal, and P-Funk lived side-by-side, proving that as long as the music had soul and power, it had a place at MerweRadio.
Funkateers
What a powerhouse lineup! Bringing Joseph Bowie—the mastermind behind the legendary Defunkt—into the “Flatland” orbit was a stroke of genius. It perfectly captured the evolution of the journey from a radio studio in Sliedrecht to a live stage in Dordrecht.
This collaboration between The Flatlandelic Funkateers, led by the guitar of Yo No-D 4 P, and the lyrical fire of Are MC, created a bridge between the Dutch P-Funk tradition and the gritty, avant-garde funk of New York.
Why this session was legendary:
- The Defunkt Factor: Joseph Bowie’s trombone didn’t just add a melody; it brought that “Free Funk” aggression that resonated with the rebellious spirit of the old Metal Shock days.
- The Ritual: Our description of a “magical ritual” is spot on. P-Funk has always been about more than just music; it’s a shared experience, a “Mothership Connection” between the stage and the crowd.
- Seven Eleven Roots: Having Are MC involved ensured that the DNA of the most important Dutch P-Funk band was woven into this new project.
It’s incredible to see how a radio program that started because Theo and Gino shared their airtime grew into a platform capable of hosting international icons like Bowie. Not just playing “funky pearls” on the radio anymore; but creating them live on stage.
🎸 FUNK IS AN ATTITUDE: THE FLATLANDELIC INVASION 🛸
On Saturday, December 19th,2015, the “Zone of Zero Funk-a-tivity” will be officially dismantled at Jazzpodium DJS in Dordrecht. Following the 2013 battle cry of ‘Fightin’ Back Da Zone of Zero Funkativity,’ guitarist and P-Drecht funkateer Mark Eckhardt returns with a new mission: “Funk Is An Attitude.”
🎧 FROM THE AIRWAVES TO THE STAGE
For over twenty years, Yo! No-D 4 P has been the driving force behind Flatlandelic RundFunk. As a passionate promoter of the Dutch P-Funk scene, he has hosted the genre’s greatest torchbearers in his radio studio. Now, he’s stepping out from behind the mic and onto the stage.
🔥 THE 2015 A-TEAM
Mark has assembled a “Dream Team” on a project basis—a top-tier selection of his musical heroes and soulmates. This isn’t just a band; it’s a strike force featuring members from the elite of Dutch Funk:
- Seven Eleven (Are MC and Dodge) & Gellybooty (FunkTürm, Bart Jansen)
- Phil Martin’s Mystical Funk & The Jazz(Funk)Invaders (Berthil Busstra)
- Funky Organizers (Willem ’t Hart), George Connection & Spankers Of Da One (Maarten Elzinga)
🕺 THE MISSION
Expect a night that is “vrij blij vet vrolijk” a thick, danceable, and heavy-grooving ritual designed to catch the “funk of the day.” Whether you’re a seasoned Funkateer or a new recruit, this is the place to witness the power of the One.
In Funk We Trust
Fighting Back Da Zone Of Zero Funkativity
is the P-Funk brainchild of guitarist Yo! No-D 4 P, on a mission to fight the global spread of “The Zone Of Zero Funkativity.”
Produced by vintage-soul specialist Phil Martin (Mystical Funk 2.0)—who brings his lifelong love for the Funk to every note—Phil drives the foundation on drums, percussion, vibraphone, and synthesizers alongside an elite squad of Dutch P-Funk royalty. The journey unfolds in chapters, featuring the powerhouse core of Dodge (StarBass), Jewl, and Are MC (Vocals/Rap) from the legendary outfit Seven Eleven across the entire saga.
Pt. 1 opens with “Pucho,” featuring the barks of a legendary dog from Galicia who chose the artist as his companion. It follows with the philosophical “Sayin’ Nothin’”— on the emptiness of modern talk, inspired by the artist’s 95-year-old mother—and closes with “Amizade” (featuring Ton van der Kolk on bass), celebrating decades of musical friendships.
Pt. 2 introduces the P-Funk opera “May The Funk Be With You.” An epic exploration of life, loss, and grief, where the Funk serves as the spiritual force to keep moving forward positively. This chapter also features the heavy instrumental “Woo” and the track “Vitamina” with the gritty Hammond B3 of Govert van der Kolm.
Backed by the brass of Cees Trappenburg (Trumpet) and Marco Hijl (Sax/Flute) and the vocals of Yo Kalb & Margriet Groen (Pt. 1), this is raw, analog magic.
Funk Is An Attitude!
Yo! No-D 4 P
Tree -Erik Bansberg
Are MC – Coen Grooten
PePe – Maarten Elzinga
Joe Bowie
Sanne Monster
Dennis Huijer
Rudo Enserink
FunkTürm – Martijn Haan
Dodge – Bart Verhoeven
Berthill Busstra
Drumbo – Ron de Bruin
Bart Jansen
Mili Homma
Rick Asselino- Rick van der Vlist
handiMan Maurice -Maurits de Weert
Willem ’t Hart
Alex Siegers
Jewl – Juliette Brans
Phil Martin – Timothy van der Holst
Ton van der Kolk
Govert van der Kolm
Cees Trappenburg
Marco Hijl
Yo Kalb
Margriet Groen