Funny Money (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Funny Money


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Background = group_or_band
Origin = Maryland, USA
Genre = Hard rock
Glam metal
Years_active = 1996–present
Label = Atlantic Records
Associated_acts = KIX
URL = [http://www.funnymoneyband.com/ Funny Money Web Site]
Current_members = Steve Whiteman
Dean Cramer
Mark Schenker
Jimmy Chalfant
Past_members = Billy Andrews
Ned Meloni
Geoff Burrell
Lewis Coppola
Sam Stillwell
Rob Galpin

Funny Money are an American rock band. They play at multiple venues in the Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania area. They play a mix of KIX covers as well as original material.

History

Early years

Funny Money were founded in 1996 in Maryland by lead vocalist Steve Whiteman and guitarist Billy Andrews, who met at a charity gig in Baltimore. Their initial sessions comprised of KIX material and material written by Whiteman with Shea Quinn of the Sharks. Whiteman and Andrews recruited guitarist Dean Cramer, one of Whiteman's vocal students, bassist Ned Meloni, who had played with New York's Ice Water Mansion and Washington, D.C.'s Monarch in the 1980s and had extensive studio experience, and drummer Bobby George. George left the band shortly afterward, and Geoff Burrell of Tubefreeks and Swingin' Dix was recruited in his place.

Background

After attempting to make a name for themselves with new material, the band began incorporating KIX material into their shows, in response to fan demands. In 1998, Funny Money released their self-titled debut album, "Funny Money", produced and engineered by Andrews. It was followed in 1999 with "Back Again", recorded, produced, and engineered at Andrews' home, and a live album, "Even Better Live", recorded at Jaxx nightclub in Springfield, Virginia in 2001. However, in 2003, Andrews, Meloni, and Burrell all announced that they were leaving to pursue other interests. Whiteman and Cramer recruited guitarist Lewis Coppola, former Centerfold bassist Mark Schenker on Meloni's recommendations, and drummer Sam Stillwell.

Recent events

In 2003, while Funny Money were working on their fourth release, "Skin to Skin", Coppola and Stillwell were replaced by former Centerfold guitarist Rob Galpin and KIX drummer Jimmy Chalfant respectively. "Skin to Skin" went on to become the band's best-selling album. In 2006, Cramer left the band to work on material with Marc Ferreira and their new band Goodbye Thrill. Their fifth record, "Stick It!", was released in December 2006, mixed by KIX's ex-producer Beau Hill. Dean Cramer returned in November of 2008.

Band members

Current members

*Steve Whiteman – lead vocals (1996–present)
*Dean Cramer - guitar, backing vocals (1996-2006, 2008-present)
*Mark Schenker – bass, backing vocals (2003–present)
*Jimmy Chalfant – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2003–present)

Former members

*Billy Andrews – guitars, backing vocals (1996–2003)
*Ned Meloni – bass, backing vocals (1996–2003)
*Geoff Burrell – drums, percussion (1997–2003)
*Lewis Coppola – guitars, backing vocals (2003)
*Sam Stillwell – drums, percussion (2003)

Discography

*"Funny Money" (1996)
# "Baby Blues"

*"Back Again" (1999)
# "Resurrection"
# "Funny Money"
# "Pink Glasses"
# "Sloppy Kisses"
# "Wrapped Around You"
# "Horny Little Angel"
# "Damage Control"
# "I Felt Everything"
# "Owe It All to You"

*"Even Better Live" (2001)
# "Boogie Man" (live)
# "I'm Your Whore" (live)
# "Art of Persuasion" (live)
# "Baby Blues" (live)
# "You Rub Me the Right Way" (live)
# "Off My Rocker"

*"Skin to Skin" (2003)
# "Bad Luck"
# "Do Ya Wanna?"
# "Skin to Skin"
# "Good Boy Gone Bad"
# "Just One Dance"
# "Sharp as Knives"
# "Ain't Standing Still"
# "You Rub Me the Right Way"
# "I'm Your Whore"
# "Bump & Grind"
# "I Don't Care About Everything"
# "She Turns"
# "Nice Guys Finish Last"

*"Stick It!" (2006)
# "By the Balls"
# "Hot on Your Heels"
# "Crush"
# "Big Bang Boom"
# "All Tied Up"
# "Fool's Confession"
# "Slow to Blow"
# "Nowhere at All"
# "Play Me Like a Rhythm"
# "Weeds and Roses"
# "About Women"