Phunky Panda Monkeys/The Good Foot/We The People

It’s pretty tough to beat a Friday night full of funk at a local bowling alley. Thankfully, there’s no need to try to beat that combo: Phunky Panda Monkeys are bringing the party to Lakewood. The band dropped Off Balance just as 2012 was coming to a close. Check out “Groovioli” for not only its bitchin’ title, but also its emblematic harmonies and organ-led rhythms. Eric Levine, John Spilker and Henry Ross round out the brass section, collectively laying down a mosaic of emotion on top of the song structure. And “Schoolhouse Funk” showcases the absolutely rockin’ energy the band possesses. If something more laid-back and at times esoteric is more your thang, check out “The Only One.” Ample opportunity for slow dancin’ and all that. Tonight’s gig is both a guaranteed party and a chance for the Solon-based, eight-piece outfit to stretch their musical legs and offer their vibes to the city’s west side. (Eric Sandy)