Chris Funk (the Decemberists)

Chris Funk (b. Valparaiso - ) – Multi-instrumentalist (guitar, banjo, pedal steel, piano, violin, theremin, and many others) and songwriter – A Valparaiso native, Chris Funk attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and then joined the Decemberists, a 5-7 member Portland-based band that formed in 2001. Named after the historical Russian Decemberist’s revolt, the band is led by front man and principal songwriter Colin Meloy, and they play a variety of folk-flavored indie pop that appeals to college crowds. Often based on historical events, their intellectual, story-telling songs are supported by a menagerie of instruments including the guitar, upright bass, keyboards, accordion, banjo, Wurlitzer organ, melodica, drums, and a variety of ethnic instruments (especially drums like the doumbeck). From 2002 to 2018, the band released 8 studio albums (5 on Capitol), and the last 3 have cracked the Billboard 200. In fact, The King is Dead (2011), now a Gold record, made it to #1. The group's most popular single is "Down by the Water" (2009), which peaked at #33. As a highlight in their busy performing activities, the Decemberists, with the backing of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, played for the Hollywood Bowl in July 2007. When Meloy spends time on his solo career, Funk plays on the side with Knock-Knock, a more hip-hop oriented group. As an outlet to play more rootsy acoustic music, he also plays with Black Prairie (see below).