Funk Metal was the first subgenre of metal that incorporated other genres and aspects of alternative music. Bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fishbone, and Jane’s Addiction all incorporated heavy funk influences such as a mix of funky bass lines and drum grooves with fast singing/rapping over the top. 

Funk metal was formed in California, particularly in Los Angeles and San Francisco in the early 80s. Thrash metal was also on the rise in the same areas at the same time. Some bands survived and thrived after the thrash scene. Many bands would then mix thrash metal with funk and rap.

 Faith No More was another band from the California funk scene that used heavy metal guitar riffs with funk bass lines and syncopated drum rhythms. 

Funk metal started to attain mainstream popularity in the late 80s with Faith No More’s “Epic” appearing on top song charts. New York’s Living Colour was also gaining mainstream attention with their single, “Cult of Personality” at this time as well. 

Funk metal expanded in the 90s into new bands and existing bands. Hardcore punk band, Suicidal Tendencies, had been experimenting with adapting funk elements into their music at the end of the 80s. 

In the 90s Cyco Mike, Robert Trujillo, and Eric Moore, all from Suicidal Tendencies, decided to form a funk metal side-project called Infectious Grooves. Releasing their debut album in 1991, Infectious Grooves was capable of turning out heavy yet stylistic guitar riffs with sporadic rapping and fast slap bass underlining it all. 

Also, at the start of the 90s, one of my personal favorite bands was unleashed into the world, Primus. Their debut album was released in 1990 and the world has never been the same since. 

Primus is a very unique band since the bass is the lead instrument. Les Claypool is the most gifted bass player of his time by far. He single-handedly invented his own very dexterous form of bass playing. His songwriting skills should not be overlooked; his very interesting form of comedy is hilariously wacky and fitting for the weird and obscure noises he can make with his bass. 

A little bit later in the 90s, Rage Against the Machine released their debut album in 1992. They had Hardcore rap vocals, never heard before sounds with the guitar, and of course funky bass lines and groovy drum beats. Rage was a huge influence in the coming years with the Nu metal genre incorporating more elements from hip-hop music than funk, evolving it into something new and fresh for the last half of the decade.