Philadelphia-based instrumental synth-funk band Red Meat Conspiracy isn’t just about the music—they’re about the experience. With cow-themed stage presence, conspiracy-laced banter and groove-driven melodies, they’ve carved out a unique niche in Philly’s scene.
But after a wild Mardi Gras run, they’re thinking bigger. At their local performance, both vegans and omnivores alike put their differences aside and moo’d, not boo’d—proving that funk is the true universal diet.
OffBeat caught up with the band after their Ball of the Wild performance, where the four cows played alongside High Step Society while circus and burlesque acts took the stage. (There was even a twerking Elmo on hand.)
The cows are respectfully Cornell Angus , Cowboy Bebop, Red Beard and Sir Loin. From their Craigslist origins to their love of lasagna and tequila, here’s what they had to say.
How did you all meet, and how did the band come together? Who are your influences?
We found each other on the lost connections section of Craigslist. Everyone in the band has pretty different tastes. (They name “Dopapod, Michael Brecker, Gong, Mr. Bungle, Red Hot Chili Peppers, lasagna, cats and tequila.”)
How does your music stand out in Philly’s scene, and how do you see it fitting into the broader funk or synthpop world?
Our music stands out in the Philly scene because we try to keep the melodies simple, catchy, and couple them with tight groove so that our music is dancy/easily accessible to an average listener. No vocals or guitar is a very different approach compared to other bands in our scene. And having a cow theme and great stage presence, adds another layer of uniqueness in this band. That’s what makes this band special. It’s very fun and people seem to dig it.
What did you think of Mardi Gras? And how did you get booked for a Mardi Gras ball when you are not technically “from here”?
Mardi Gras was incredible for us. For all of us it felt like we finally got to experience our rite of passage. And we may heavily consider moving there because people really seemed to really get it down there.
How we got the “Ball of the Wild” gig was Moobeth (our manager) connecting with Circlesque events and they had the idea to have us play with High Step Society, while a burlesque & circus act performed during our sets. Back home we usually have fire performers or dancers during our sets, but this crazy Mardi Gras ball took it to a new level.
How do you approach composing your instrumental synth-funk tracks? What comes first—the groove, the melody, or something else?
It’s usually a melody first, or a small idea and we kind of build around it but there’s no one way to milk a cow.
What’s the dynamic like in the band when writing or arranging songs?
So we each have different tastes to bring to the table when it comes to writing. Red Beard (keys) brings in a lot of analog synth leads, Cowboy Bebop (sax) brings in a lot jazz influences/theory and chord progressions, Cornell Angus (drums) brings the strong groove, and Sir Loin (bass) brings the funk. Together it’s a unique mix that makes it fun to listen to.
Since your music is instrumental, how do you engage audiences and tell a story without lyrics?
Conspiracy based banter in between songs and engaging with the audience during performances, along with giving them catchy melodies and letting our solos tell a story. We also have to teach new crowds how to “MOO” instead of cheering, and that makes them feel a part of the herd when they finally get it. Back home, the whole crowd comes wearing cow print and knows how to moo and ring cowbells.
What’s next for the band? Any upcoming releases or major gigs? Do you see yourselves staying based in Philly, or do you want to explore other cities or sounds?
We are in the process of mixing a single right now and writing our second album.
We will continue playing the Pennsylvania festival scene circuit during the summer where the majority of our fan base is located.
However, Mardi Gras showed us that it would be in our best interest to explore other cities where we think this music will be even more appreciated.
Lastly…what is the red meat conspiracy???
We believe that one of our members (Meat Man) was abducted by aliens and we’re in the process of raising money in crypto and Enron Stock for our search efforts.
Follow Red Meat Conspiracy on Instagram here.
