Stinkfoot Orchestra and Napoleon Murphy Brock Channel Zappa Vibes at Humboldt Brews

Reposted from the Mad River Union with permission from Kevin Hoover:

ARFWORTHY ENSEMBLE The Stinkfoot Orchestra, soon to enchant Humbrews. Photo courtesy Susan J. Weiand

In the 29 years since Frank Zappa died, countless ensembles have cropped up, attempting to replicate the absurdist virtuosity of a Zappa show. Few, however, can boast the participation of one of Frank’s most revered lead singers.

This Friday, May 20 at Arcata’s Humboldt Brews, you can behold just such a rockin’ teenage combo – in this case, the 15-piece Stinkfoot Orchestra (SFO) – deploying their sonic Zappa distortion field.

ON STAGE Napoleon and Frank at the Roxy. Via YouTube

Further elevating the escapade will be a genuine Zappa alumni, the man Frank himself hired to front his band – Napoleon Murphy Brock. The legendary sax man and singer (and vivid storyteller) was part of the Zappa band that included George Duke, Ruth Underwood and Chester Thompson, and sang on classic FZ tunes such as “Pygmy Twylyte,” “Cheepnis” and “Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy.”

On being asked to appear with a Zappa-oriented band, Brock he reviews their demo tape to hear whether or not the music is being performed “correctly.”

That’s no small feat when the tunes are festooned with Frank’s trademark tricky tinkertoys, polyrhthymic note blizzards, knots of nested tuplets and the occasional rampaging giant poodle. Not all make the grade, but the SFO did.

“I know the difference,” Brock said. “I was there.”

The band’s exertions are well appreciated by Zappa fans.

“People come up to me teary-eyed at shows, saying, ‘We can’t possibly fathom the amount of work that goes into pulling this off, but we appreciate all the work you put into doing it right’,” said SFO founder Nick Chargin.

That requires carefully balancing the labors of a 6-piece horn section with the rock and percussion side of things, plus deft pacing of the ultra-demanding songs

THERE THEY BLOW Stinkfoot’s horn section. Photo courtesy Susan J. Weiand

“Everything is coordinated,” Chargin said, for maximum musical coherence. “There are considerations on many different levels.” A “pretty intense medley” of full-band songs will be followed by more basic Frank fare that gives the horn section “a chance to breathe,” and for the multi-instrumentalists to switch off with each other.

BASS MAN Bass player and science fan Joey Fabian. Photo via Stinkfoot Orchestra

While organizing a small plattoon of musicians to play difficult music for nominal compensation is a heavy lift

, love and luck have played their role as well. “So many serendipitous things have happened,” Chargin said. These include being hooked up with key musicians such as mallet man Shota Otaguro (essential for the authentic Zappa flavor), Frank-fanatic bassman Joey Fabian and, of course, having benefit of Mr. Brock’s limitless exuberance.

“He’s full of infectious energy, and hasn’t lost a note of his range,” Chargin said. “The universe is on our side. Frank is smiling down on us.”

In an interview, Brock is full of reflections, observations, reverance for Frank and gratitude for having been part of “the Conservatory of Zappa Music.” And he has a message for Arcata music fans.

“If they miss this show, they’re doing themselves incredible psychological harm,” Brock cautioned.

“This music matters,” Chargin affirmed. “To us and to the greater good of society.” tickets.holdmyticket.com/tickets/392644