Stinkfoot Orchestra and Napoleon Murphy Brock Channel Zappa Vibes at Humboldt Brews
Reposted from the Mad River Union with permission from Kevin Hoover:
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.
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
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
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Worth getting covid for?
I mean these guys sound like serious and respectable musicians. might go listen through the back door or something.
The poodle bites, the poodle chooses.
My python boot was too tight
Sounds amazing! What an opportunity!
And yeah, Farce, we can wear masks. With that layer of protection it seems ‘worth it’
Dynamo Humm.
Don’t eat the yellow snow..
ARF! She said.
Music is the best!
For the record. It was an amazing show!! Never seen anything quite like it. The rhythmic beats and pauses were pure Zappa! Each of the 15 people on stage were highly skilled and enthusiastic. They must have to rehearse the shit out of everything.
DON’T miss them if you ever have the chance to see them!!