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Years before the Roots debut album and more than a decade before the Dap Kings arrived on the scene there existed Pete Miser and the 5 Fingers Of Funk.  Nine men strong with a full horn section and the incredible DJ Chill on the turntables, Pete Miser and the 5 Fingers Of Funk filled venues throughout the United States with a sound that was halfway between the Pharcyde and James Brown.  They performed everywhere from New York City to L.A. but Berbati's Pan in Portland, Oregon was their home base.  They played Berbati's Pan back when it was just a small Greek restaurant.  They played the opening night when it became the music venue that would host such greats as Leroy Vinegar, Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley.  They played Berbati's Pan every other month for six years.

Now the venue that has become a fixture in Portland's music scene is closing its doors for good.  For one night only, Pete Miser and DJ Chill will return to the stage to front the Northwest's livest live hip hop band.  Join us on New Year's Eve 2010 to say hello and goodbye to some old dear friends.

BERBATI'S PAN / 5 FINGERS ROMANTIC HISTORY:
June - 1993
Belly dancer, Aziza invites Pete Miser and the 5 Fingers Of Funk to play her cabaret at a small Greek Restaurant called Berbati.  The audience gets too energetic and spills out onto Ankeny Street.  Downside: Portland Police shut down the party.  Upside, Oregonian music writer, Marty Hughley witnesses the event and writes about the band the next day.

Late Summer - 1993
Aziza throws another party.  5 Fingers Of Funk perform.  The stage caves in under the weight and energy of the band!

1994
Berbati owners, John and Ted Papaioannu expand into the other side of the block opening Berbati's Pan.  Pete Miser and the 5 Fingers Of Funk play the opening night.

1994 - 1998
Pete Miser and the 5 Fingers Of Funk play every New Year's Eve, Halloween and otherwise big night at Berbati's Pan.

1998
Pete Miser leaves the band and moves to New York.

FUN FACTS AND MEMORIES:

Pete Miser and the 5 Fingers Of Funk open up for Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley at Berbati's Pan.  Eventually they would open up for the funk legends for a full national tour.

Random couple having sex against the stage in front of the band during a particularly steamy show.

More than one third of the band met their future wives at Berbati's Pan.  (Berbati's Pan is directly responsible for at least 4 band marriages and 7 band offspring!)

Two sold out "Funk Heavyweight" shows featuring Pete Miser and the 5 Fingers Of Funk and Rubberneck in one weekend.

Heavy Metal costumes for Halloween show.

After leaving Portland, Pete Miser becomes DJ in backing band for Arista artist, Dido.  In 2001 he returns to Portland to perform with her at Berbati's Pan.