Zappa News

Added week-ending 8 February 2026:

• Gerry Fialka's latest innerview is with Daniel Grabois of the Meridian Arts Ensemble. Here!
• In April, The Idiot understands there'll be a Frank Zappa Record Collector special magazine.
• Dweezil will be out on tour again this October, according to a comment he made on YouTube. No idea where yet, but keeping everything crossed for UK/Europe.
• Steve Vai is Ahmet's special guest on the latest Rocktails podcast...in which we learn a little more about Stumuk (see Joe's Garage). And can Steve hold the key that finally unlocks FZ's Varèse album, The Rage & The Fury?
• This news item reveals a little more about the forthcoming super deluxe 50th anniversary edition of Bongo Fury: Born To Suck features Frank and Don singing in the studio over the guitar solo from FloPo; the final three 'live' tracks on Disc 5 were recorded during the tour’s rehearsal and first concert at Pomona College’s Bridges Auditorium on 10 April (as you may recall from this video, Frank travelled to London the following week to go to court, then resumed the tour on 18 April!); the bonus audio on the Blu-Ray includes six-channel surround sound mixes of Debra Kadabra and Poofter’s Froth prepared by Zappa for a mooted project with Disney; and the long versions of Carolina Hard-Core Ecstasy and 200 Years Old were due to be on the original album but had to be edited due to vinyl side-length limitations. Cant wait to hear it all!
• Check out The Dog & Frank Zappa: As Above, So Below & Elsewhere.

Added week-ending 1 February 2026:

• Here's the Bongo Fury 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe deets. Happily they seem to have done away with the two-phase release thingy from last year, as it is already listed at Burning Shed and Amazon. Unleashes on the first day of Festival MOO-AH! Meantime, would you like an appetizer? Or this first preview 'single'?
• A lady who bought Ed Mann's old storage unit in Denver is putting some interesting items up for sale on eBay.
• Gary Guttman tells Gerry Fialka of his encounters with FZ here.

Added week-ending 26 January 2026:

• New ZappaCast taking a look behind the scenes of Halloween 78.
• Big hint on the official Zappa socials of something Bongo coming soon. The Idiot understands announcement proper will come on 27 January.
• Check out Henry Kaiser's cover of Outside Now here.
• Just a quick note about Robert Martin: it's important that people stop contributing to the Go Fund Me campaign set up for his previous medical recovery as there remains uncertainty about how he can collect this currently. 

Added week-ending 18 January 2026:

• COVID can't stop it! Old age can't stop it! We may have to use excentrifugal force...but, by crikey, it's happening again. Yes, Festival MOO-AH! is back for a fifth time. But not at The Raven Hall: 20/21 March 2026 at The Shire Horse, Corby (where else?) featuring: John Etheridge's Zappatistas, Treacherous Cretins, The Muffin Men, Gabba Zappa Hey! plus Fred Händl and Turbulator. Full details at www.festivalmoo-ah.com now!
• Just a reminder that Meridan Arts Ensemble's The Zappa House Concert is now available at places wot stream things, and features a nice intro from FZ. The online companion album of material, produced by Spencer Chrislu and also recorded at UMRK, should be available soon.
• The dog has something to say about Muffin Man.
• The Laughing Monkey Music Man, who did a bunch of audio documentaries with Dweezil four years ago, has just posted this short video clip of DZ claiming that just before he died FZ wanted to take all of his music into the desert and burn it.
• Chad Wackerman & The LA All-Stars will play Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club on 30 March. This is a great late addition to the Euro tour announced last year! All dates in the Diary.

Added week-ending 11 January 2026:

• Erich von Däniken, author of Chariots Of The Gods? (which partly inspired Frank's lyrics to Inca Roads), has passed away at the age of 90.
• The Ultimate Super Fan Cut of Dweezil's Apostrophe concert film is now available to own or stream. Says DZ: "Owning the full show will give you access to the incredibly emotional version of Inca Roads, which re-unites George Duke with my dad. The performance is unique because both of them previously played the song live together at the KCET studio in LA in 1974. George can be seen on the video screen with my dad, and playing new parts live on stage with my band. Muffin Man features my dad playing his blistering guitar solo from Baby Snakes as well as a completely unique visual moment that breaks the 4th wall in the most amusing way, you'll have to see it to believe it!" Grab it here.
• Time for a brand new Random FUQ. Subject is Shuggie Otis, and there's a bespoke Spotify playlist to listen to as you read.
• In 2008, Ruth Underwood commissioned Gordon Stout, the head of percussion at Ithaca College in New York, to write something for the Toronto-based percussion ensemble, Nexus. Ruth requested a short piece that could be programmed as a concert opener or encore, and would appeal tonally and melodically to audiences. Stout composed Prelude: A Winter Song for percussion quintet (three marimbas and two vibraphones/percussion). Nexus premiered the piece at the Orangeville Concert Association in Ontario on 3 April 2009. Here's the audio of a performance of the work by the Lawrence University Percussion Ensemble from 28 May 2017. And here's video of it played by the Central Michigan University Percussion Ensemble on 26 October 2023. For an exclusive proxy (& elsewhere) interview with Ruth, check out my Frank Zappa FUQ Vol. 2.
• A 3CD box set, Adrian Belew: The Atlantic Years 1989-1992, will be released on 27 March 2026. Pre-order here.
• Jamalongadweezil...in the keys of C & A and more! Dweezil invites you to play Cosmik Debris, Zomby Woof, The Deathless Horsie and Montana with his Rox-postrophy band.

Added week-ending 4 January 2026:

• Z.E.R.O. has just released Two-4-2026, a virtual 7" single with new arrangements of Willie The Pimp and Marque-son's Chicken. Check it out here.
• Here's a new cover of FZ's Dirty Love by Onnesia, featuring Julie Slick on bass.
• Don't forget: the price of Zappanale festival tickets goes up next week, so get them NOW!
• Hot on the heels of Warren Cuccurullo's Synthia EP, comes Synthia Vol. II. Warren is also the subject of some ridiculous AI generated books - don't buy them, obviously, but do check them out on Amazon for a good giggle.

Added week-ending 28 December 2025:

• Another interview from The Idiot's archives: to mark his 75th birthday, it's my chat with Terry Bozzio from 1992. Includes a special Spotify playlist.
• Two exciting additions to next year's Zappanale line-up: the Mahavishnu Project and Hilo Jazz Orchestra. (Full bill, so far, here.)
• Check out Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy by Athena Jade Gossett & Andre Cholmondeley, in celebration of FZ's 85th birthday, and the 50th anniversary of 1975's Bongo Fury.
• Another week, another rant from Gerry Fialka.
• Check out Zappa’s Manx Needs Women, performed by drum wizard Filip Fjellström with Fredrik Eriksson (keys), Christian Bjerring (guitar) and Mikael Norstedt (bass).
• If you missed this year's Zappanale show by the Treacherous Cretins feat. Robert Martin, which premiered on YouTube on Frank's birthday, fear not: it's available to watch again and again here.

Added week-ending 21 December 2025:

• Dweezil was a guest of The Allman Betts Family Revival yesterday (20 December). Guess what song he joined them on? Correct!
• New ZappaCast on One Size Fits All @ 50. (Obviously we know that a thong rind is the callous between the toes caused by wearing flip-flops....and it was actually George Duke who introduced Frank to Johnny 'Guitar' Watson at the studio. As you were.)
• A big bunch of 2026 Treacherous Cretins dates now in the Diary.
• Tyler Bartram: "To celebrate the maestro’s 85th, I will be live streaming at 4pm eastern from my YouTube channel with a big panel of people in the FZ universe to have a fun conversation. Includes Gerry Fialka, Simon Prentis, my friend Zach Tabori (from Dweezil’s band), Lewis Saul, Andy Hollinden and more." 
• From the archives: the interview I conducted with Mike Keneally (together with. Sergio Albonico). Includes a a playlist of Mike's guest appearances with others. Happy birthday, Mike!
• Dweezil has finally released ZPZ's Apostrophe concert film from 2010, featuring special guest George Duke, as a digital item. Here's a trailer. Grab the Collectors Cut VIP Bundle here.
• New book, available now: What’s The Big Idea – 30 Great Concept Albums by Bill Kopp. The book draws on new, first-hand interviews with the artists behind each album, including Mark Volman on The Turtles Present Battle of the Bands and Ike Willis on Joe's Garage.
• Dweezil is now on Cameo, where you can now get personalised video messages from him. Here's his YouTube promo short for it.
• In honour of 85 years of 'The Big Note', here's Gerry Fialka's Frank Zappa Rant from a Stinkfoot Orchestra show in August.
• Arthur Barrow continues to drip-feed tracks from his solo albums onto Bandcamp: the latest tune is Later On from his On Time album, featuring Vinnie Colaiuta in drums.
• Get tickets for FiDOplaysZAPPA's spring 2026 tour here.
• Audio in the Zappanale Advent Calendar this week: Fast 'n Bulbous feat. Gary Lucas (from 2012) and Treacherous Cretins feat. Robert Martin from this year's festival. Video of the latter will be streamed on Frank's 85th birthday at the weekend here.
• The Lovers Of Invention will be supported by Gabba Zappa Hey! at their Hootananny gig this Thursday.

Added week-ending 14 December 2025:

• Ahmet's Frosty The Blowman Xmas song (premiered on Rocktails) now has an AI generated video.
• Watch Joe Travers talk to Barry with the hands and big words about Halloween 78 and more here...and then again here.
• Zapped's gig at the Concrete Jungle Jazz Club in Büchenbach was livestreamed. Check it out here. 
• Watch Dweezil get tips on mastering here.
• Warren Cuccurullo has some new recordings: Synthia, keyboard explorations of 12-tone and Messiaen modes 2+3, available now; and on Valentine's Day 2026 we will see the Return Of The Rose Vortex featuring Azar Lawrence.
• BEAT (feat. Adrian Belew and Steve Vai) will be playing the 80s music of King Crimson in Europe next summer. Dates in the Diary.
• Chanan Hanspal's Space Nordic album, featuring Mike Keneally, is now on Bandcamp. And here's the promo vid.
• Don't forget to check the Zappanale Advent Calendar each day this month. So far we've had recordings from past festivals (including sets from The Furious Bongos, Inventionis Mater, Valentina Ciardelli, the Muffin Men and Banned From Utopia) plus the chance to win tickets for next year.

Added week-ending 7 December 2025:

• To mark Zappadan, I have reduced the prices of all my Frank Zappa books in the IBS store. Check 'em out here.
• Mike Keneally & Friends have just released MKAF ‘03 – Live Adventures in Europe on Bandcamp. Features three hours of music from 2003 played mostly live in Germany and Finland by MIke with Jaan Wessman and Schroeder. Includes a cover of Inca Roads and is lots of fun!
• New track by Arthur Barrow on Bandcamp: Alexandria.
• There will a production of 200 Motels in Switzerland next June, featuring Mike Keneally as a special guest - full details here. And here's a new interview with Mike by Guitar World covering his time with FZ, DZ, Vai and more.
• Get tix for this coming Sunday's Zappadan Zappajam here.
• Agitation Free, Filthy Brillos, Die Husos and the Brothers of Invention have been added to the line-up of next year's Zappanale, joining Octafish and the Lovers Of Invention. Get tix here.

Added week-ending 30 November 2025:

• According to this Custodial Death Report, original Mother Roy Estrada passed away in August; this information was only publicly made available by the Office of the Inspector General from Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville on Friday (28th).
• Pygmy Twylyte's planned double-gig at the Half Moon in Putney in February is being rescheduled due to the venue being refurbished.
• Dweezil has added six new songs to his Leather Turkey album, for your downloading pleasure. It now includes Heavy Duty Judy from the 2024 'Rox-Postrophy tour', and a suite of songs live from Vienna in 2018.
• Zappawoman Valentina Ciardelli will be performing her 'Turandot Non Esiste' show (part of her 'How I Met Puccini' series) at the Blackheath Halls in London on 9 December. Valentina says, "I promise this is a super fun and unique show, quite in Frank's style of stage presence!" Watch a trailer here. Get tix here.
• Watch a short (official) documentary about the making of Roxy - The Movie here.
• A bit late with this, but it seems Alex 'Erroneous' Dmochowski passed away late last year. For those who may not know, Dmochowski was the bassist in Aynsley Dunbar's Retaliation, co-writing the song Warning that was covered on Black Sabbath's debut album. He played on Peter Green's post-Fleetwood Mac platter The End Of The Game and later joined Dunbar in the US to work on Frank's Waka Wazoo albums. Here's a tribute.
• Last month we also lost Maury Baker, who depped for Jim Gordon when he got arrested on the Petit Wazoo tour, and can be heard on Little Dots.
• On this week's episode of BBC Two's Mastermind, one contestant answered questions on Laurel Canyon in the 60s and 70s: three of the questions were Zappa-related. (Some of) You can watch it here.
• Watch Dweezil get a lesson on YouTubing. 

Added week-ending 23 November 2025:

• From the archives: 35 years ago, I conducted my first of 80 (and counting) interviews with someone who knew/worked with FZ. Using a cassette recorder borrowed from my brother (who would have been celebrating his 37th birthday that day), I nervously sat in the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London’s South Bank watching Kent Nagano lead the London Sinfonietta through Pierre Boulez’s Mémoriale in readiness for a concert that evening commemorating Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu’s 60th birthday. Read (and hear a bit of) what ensued here.
• Jethro Tull's Live In Berlin 1985 concert was recently remastered and officially made available on digital platforms. The concert was a celebration of Bach’s 300th birthday and featured his Double Violin Concerto: spotlight on Eddie Jobson, y'all.
• Muffin Records will release an album from The Grandmothers' 1993 studio sessions, featuring Jimmy Carl Black, Don Preston, Bunk Gardner, Roland St Germain, Ener Bladezipper, Linda Valdmets and Sandro Oliva - sort of the missing link between Dreams On Long Play and Who Could Imagine. The Weasels Sessions '93 will be available to stream/download soon.
• The dog, the dog, he's at it again: this time taking a look at Thing-Fish.
• The Banned From Utopia line-up for next year's rescheduled Euro tour dates will be: Ray White, Chad Wackerman, Scott Thunes, Jamie Kime and (organ rising music) Mike Keneally. Two new revised dates (in Netherlands and Finland) now in the Diary.
• Dale Bozzio's son has launched a GoFundMe for his mother, who needs surgery "as soon as possible to remove her silicone breast implants."
• Dr Dot reports that a childhood friend of Robert Martin's arranged for a 40 minute video call this week. She says Robert was, "Laughing at my jokes and answering with 'yes' and 'no', so he’s getting better slowly but surely. He’s looking good and is determined to bounce back to his healthy self."
• Another week, another random FUQ - this one on those big hit singles on which Frank's former sidemen were involved. The article includes a pertinent YouTube short plus bespoke Spotify playlist. Check it all out!

Added week-ending 16 November 2025:

• Watch Dweezil test Jimmy Page's amps. In the video, he demos a Zep-inspired song called Donkey Problems he's been working on with Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic and drummer Ryan Brown.
• Thinking of Ike Willis on his 70th birthday this week. Read my interview with him from 2009, and listen to a specially curated Spotify playlist here.
• As some may know, Ike's wife Denise suffered a severe ischaemic stroke in 2022. After being moved to a hospice, she sadly succumbed last week. My thoughts go out to Ike, their children Leah and Isaac, and all family and friends. You can read an obituary here.
• Arthur Barrow continues to post some of his older music on Bandcamp, including Channel Frank from his On Time album. The track features Vinnie Colaiuta, Tommy Mars and Bruce Fowler, and was written shortly after FZ passed away.
• Thomas Nordegg - who was FZ's guitar tech in the late 70s/early 80s and subsequently worked with Warren Cuccurullo, Steve Vai, Mike Keneally and Adrian Belew - was recently hit by a car while riding his scooter. He now requires extensive medical attention so a GoFundMe crowdfunder has been set up to cover his medical bills, transportation costs, moving and living expenses. He will be unable to work for some time, so you if you're able to help him, go here.

Added week-ending 9 November 2025:

• Dweezil on the No Cover Charge Podcast, talks and plays and reveals he's in the process of upping sticks and moving to Nashville soon.
• Alan Clayson tells me that "matters seem to be quivering into slow but definite life" with regard to his official Zappa biography.
• The Furious Bongos (with Chad Wackerman)'s gig in Baltimore on 12 November will be livestreamed. You can get a pass to watch it here. For all tour dates, visit the Diary.
• 15 years ago, Zappa At The Roundhouse happened! Grab a programme here, and here's The Idiot's video diary:

Added week-ending 2 November 2025:

• Banned From Utopia had a number of special guests at their Halloween shows in LA: Eddie Jobson, Gerald Fialka, Candy Zappa and Thomas Nordegg were all in attendance, while Lisa Popeil, Scheila Gonzalez and Arthur Barrow joined the band on stage.
• Dr Dot was finally able to FaceTime Robert Martin on Halloween. She reports that, following two strokes, he can't currently speak, but she says "he is starting to be able to feed himself and he can nod yes or no. So he understood me. I told him how much I miss him and love him. I told him how much YOU all love him too. I also told him about the obstacles and he seemed to understand that. Please cross your fingers for Robert." Thanks to Dot for this update, and of course for all she did to ensure Robert received medical care in the first place. We are all hoping for the best for Robert 💙
• Dweezil wishes us a happy Halloween with a rendition of The Torture Never Stops from The Roxy in 2013 - here. (Audio also available from his website - in mono or stereo!)
• Following the Halloween 78 roll-out issues, mentioned last week, zappa.com has posted the missing digital booklet here.

Added week-ending 26 October 2025:

• Dweezil talks about Hendrix's Axis: Bold As Love here.
• Eddie Jobson's UK Revisited (featuring Mike Keneally) are playing three warm-up dates in Japan next February before co-headlining Cruise To The Edge (4-9 March 2026). Sadly, there will be no dates in North America or Europe.
• Alex has just completed a massive review of FZ's Fall 77 tour for his excellent Life On The Road website.
• Andreas and his dog explain the significance of Understanding America - not simply a 'best of' compilation - here.
• Please remain calm: seems there has been a delay to the release of the Halloween 78 CDs and vinyl - at least in the UK - plus 'gapped' versions without the booklet were accidentally sent to Digital Service Providers. Those who need to know are working to rectify things.
• Zappadan Zappajam #10 will this year take place on the afternoon of Sunday 7 December at the Springfield Bowls & Social Club, Acton. Featuring the return of Gabba Zappa Hey!, London Zappa Collective, MindfooD and surprise guest performers. See you there?
• Miss Pamela will be back in the UK shortly: firstly as part of An Evening With Mr Wonderful (aka "Legs" Larry Smith) at the Kenton Theatre in Henley-on-Thames on 25 November, and then for her own 'intimate evening' at London's Horse Hospital on 1 December. She will also be hosting her 'Women's Writing Workshop' inbetween, somewhere in London.
• A rare version of Captain Beefheart's Mirror Man from a John Peel radio show has recently been unearthed. Check this out.
• Now available: Everything Is Possible – The Unofficial Steve Vai Story by Zoltán Kis. Order here.
• First bands announced for next year's Zappanale: Octafish (their fourth appearance at the fesival, I believe) and our very own Lovers Of Invention! Not to be missed.
• More from the Meridian Arts Ensemble on The Zappa House Concert here. 
• Here's a short video I just made about FZ and the LSO as part of my Zappa's London series:

Added week-ending 19 October 2025:

• The Napoleon Murphy Brock Quintet, featuring Ed Palermo, will play the music of two Franks at New York's Iridium next month. See this and other NMB dates in the Diary.
• Suddenly available, again...sort of: Zappa's London tour guide and map.
• What's all this then, Amen? Arthur Barrow has a new release on Bandcamp: The Church Police.
• Ahead of Frank's Baby Snakes SG being auctioned, current owner Ahmet sat down and chatted with Bart Nagel, the guy who built it. Watch.
• Apparently work was started on the Halloween 78 set a year ago: there are over 80 reels of tape for the entire run of shows and Travers says they are second only to Hammersmith 1979 in terms of the number of cuts made to them by FZ.
• Mike Keneally talks about joining Zappa's band and more here.
• Here's Rollo by Zapped at this year's Zappanale.
• For those of you who may not know about The Story Of Ms. X on the forthcoming Halloween 78 set, check this out.
• The Vegetarians have released a compilation of Zappa covers, recorded between 2003 and 2025, on Bandcamp. Uncle Meatless Favourite Recipes includes guest appearances by Napoleon Murphy Brock, Mats Öberg and many other wonderful musicians.
• Not keen on Halloween masks? Maybe you'd prefer something from In Your Faith or Bible Pets (founder & CEO: Ahmet Zappa)?

Added week-ending 12 October 2025:

• The Dog attempts to unlock 200 Motels here.
• Looks like a Bongo Fury set will have to wait: the next release is Halloween 78 (volume 1, featuring the first and last Palladium shows: the rest will apparently follow as the series continues). The first preview track is Ancient Armaments. As well as a 5CD Super Deluxe Costume Box Set (including devil mask, pitchfork with UV light, and grimoire book), there are coloured vinyl and 'highlights' CD versions too.
• Joe Travers runs us through the Halloween series so far here.
• Unbelievably, it's now ten years since Gail Zappa passed. Here's my tribute.
• The ZappaCast boys discuss The Impossible Concert here.
• Moon Zappa is thanked in this documentary about the challenges faced by US federal workers.
• Apparently Robert Martin is making 'impressive progress' in a rehabilitation facility following the strokes he suffered in August. Here's hoping he makes a full recovery.
• The Lovers Of Invention will play their third London show of the year when they celebrate Frank's 85th birthday and Christmas at Brixton's Hootananny. Grab tix here.
• Check out my review of Bradley Morgan's Frank Zappa's America book here.

Added week-ending 5 October 2025:

• Moon interviewed by a genuine FZ fan here. She talks about how lonely and depressed Frank could get, and how Gail coached the family to be media savvy, plus her relationship with her father's music today.
• As some will know, I used to write for the British Zappa fanzine T'Mershi Duween. Well, someone is selling a bunch of them - issues 20 to 60, in binders - on eBay. In case anyone's interested, they're here.
• Ahead of his concert with the Metropole Orchestra, Dweezil was interviewed by Co de Kloet and revealed some Zappa stories you've never heard! Check them out here.
• You may recall that several months ago, Dweezil recorded new song Man Your Stations using cardboard instruments, and added it to his music library for purchase. The promised video of the performance is now here, with the ATMOS mix still to come.
• Mike Keneally has just released a deluxe Bandcamp edition of his 2002 album, Wooden Smoke. It includes five bonus tracks.
• Now free to watch on YouTube (with ads), Alex Winter's Zappa documentary. (In several locations only, it seems.)
• Back on YouTube 'by popular demand', the full Cheaper Than Cheep concert film (that was initially posted for 72 hours only back in June).
• And now the 2025 edit of Inca Roads from the OSFA50 Blu-ray.
• Ahead of the Baby Snakes SG auction, check out a brief history of the guitar here.
• Moon's recent appearance on Ahmet's Rocktails is now up on YouTube: Part 1 and Part 2.  Some interesting stories about Gail and Frank...and Janice Dickinson.

Added week-ending 28 September 2025:

• Moon is celebrating her birthday on a Nordic knitting cruise with Diva.
• Andreas' dog breaks down One Size Fits All here.
• The 50th anniversary One Size Fits All set is now streaming! And also posted on YouTube is the 2025 edit of Florentine Pogen from the KCET-TV special.
• Earlier this year, short-lived Portsmouth-based band Copernicus Rice released their first album on Bandcamp. It included a cover of Willie The Pimp.
• Here's Canadian virtuoso pianist Marc-André Hamelin's recording of Frank's Ruth Is Sleeping (as arranged by Ali N. Askin).
• Banned From Utopia have now rescheduled their European tour dates for next year (see Diary for deets); the Halloween 2025 dates at the Baked Potato are going ahead as planned - with special guests mooted.
• RIP Italian-Tunisian actress Claudia Cardinale. In 1966, while in California shooting sex comedy Don’t Make Waves with Tony Curtis and Sharon Tate (tagline “Turn on! Stay loose! Make out!”), Claudia was famously photographed alongside FZ (with Carl Franzoni and Eliot Ingber - see image here) for an article that appeared in Epoca magazine; short-term Mother and wah-wah inventor Del Casher used his then new gizmo on the film's soundtrack.
• Chad Wackerman relays the story of The Black Page here. And there's more of Chad's L.A. All-Stars dates in the Diary.

Added week-ending 21 September 2025:

• Just as my series of Frank Zappa FUQ books jump from Vol. 2 to 4, so too has Hans Annellsson gone from the 1st to the 3rd Movement of Sinister Footwear. But fear not, kids: unlike my fuqology, Hans will plug the gap as soon as possible.
• Due to an overwhelming amount of adverse and unpredictable events that have transpired in recent weeks, Banned From Utopia have postponed their upcoming We’re Only In It For The Euros Fall tour of Europe. "We are currently working with our European promoters to reschedule the dates for late spring/early summer 2026. It is our intention to return stronger than ever and deliver shows worthy of the most loyal Zappa fans on the planet. We are as disappointed as you are by these developments and appreciate your understanding and continued unwavering support. Music Is The Best! - Scott, Ray, Chad, Robbie, Nick, and Jamie." It's obviously possible that their Halloween shows at the Baked Potato will be cancelled, too; I'll keep you posted.
• Moon Unit will be Ahmet's special guest on Rocktails this Friday.
• Due to personal circumstances, Jeff Hollie has been forced to cancel all scheduled engagements, including performances at Mosae Zappa.
• Copies of The Torchum Never Stops books up for grabs on eBay here.
• Saddened to read that Ray White's wife of many years - the love of his life - has passed. RIP Gwenda.

Added week-ending: 14 September 2025:

• Better mate than never: in 2022, drummer, composer, and rhythmic storyteller Sean Noonan digitally unleashed his surreal rock opera, Zappanation, combining elements of FZ and Varèse. Check it out here. (Thanks to Dr Geoff Wills for the tip-off.)
• Andreas' dog spills the meat on Läther.
• A tribute to Mark Volman from Scott Parker here.
• FIDO plays ZAPPA have sadly had to cancel their November dates with Robert Martin due to his ongoing health issues. The Idiot continues to pray for a full recovery in due course. Meantime, here's Robert in action with The Furious Bongos in May: Wind Up Workin' In A Gas Station.
• Third preview track from the forthcoming Beat live album: Thela Hun Ginjeet.
• Check out Frank Zappa For Prepared Piano by Hans Annellsson on Bandcamp.
• Time for a new Random FUQ. Find out where Motorhead got his nickname, why Johnny 'Guitar' Watson didn't join Zappa's touring band, and a whole lot more.
• Fuzzy Cat Records has just released a various artists compilation on Bandcamp: Playin' With Beef: A Captain Beefheart Tribute.
• As a tribute to Mark Volman, Flo & Eddie's 1989 appearance on Art Fein's Poker Party has just been uploaded to YouTube.

Added week-ending 7 September 2025:

• The dog, the dog, he's at it again.
• Two years after being diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, Mark 'Flo' Volman has very sadly passed away. Here's my interview with him from nearly 20 years ago, plus a Spotify playlist I put together when I reviewed his autobiography. May he rest in peace.
• Read an appreciation of Robert Martin by Scott Parker.
• A second 'preview single' from OSFA50: Something/Anything (Rough Mix).
• Friday, the fifth installment in the days-of-the-week instrumental album series by Mike Keneally and Marcelo Radulovich, is now available on Bandcamp. Mike has also unleashed his 15 year old collaborations with Marco Minnemann (Evidence of Humanity/Elements of a Manatee) on said platform too.
• As well as Banned From Utopia touring, there's also Zapparosa, Mosae Zappa and now Crank Some Frank - Celebrating Zappa happening on mainland Europe before the end of the year. Check Diary for dates.
• BFU Press Release: "Dear friends and fans of Banned From Utopia, we are very sad to announce that, due to unforeseen circumstances, our friend and brother Robert Martin will not be joining us on our upcoming European 'We're Only In It For The Euros' tour. In the spirit of "the shows must go on", we are very pleased to have the multitalented Nick Chargin stepping in on vocals and keys. Nick is the leader, founder, and musical director of the Northern California-based Stinkfoot Orchestra, and a staunch advocate of preserving the vast Frank Zappa legacy. Since 2019, Stinkfoot Orchestra has been electrifying FZ fans with their deep song list and 14-piece lineup that has featured various Zappa alumni, including BFU's own Ray White. We look forward to working with Nick, and seeing all of you in a few weeks! Music Is The Best! - Scott, Ray, Chad, Robbie, and Jamie."
• There will be a Dweezil Zappa workshop at the Guitar Summit in Mannheim, Germany later this month (see Diary).
• L. Shankar’s new 'star-studded pop-rock album', Answers, will be released on 17 October. Bass is supplied by Tony Levin.
• Robert Martin is now out of the ICU (into a Progressive Care Unit), but is far from out of the woods as his blood clot remains. Here's hoping his situation improves very soon.
• For those wondering what can be found in my latest book of FUQs, these video shorts covering Zappa alums contributions to film scores and big hit singles, plus this specially curated Spotify playlist, should provide a few clues.
• From the archives: my interview with the legendary Ike Willis.

Added week-ending 31 August 2025:

• Here Chad Wackerman talks about his time with FZ.
• Make Weird Music reviews OSFA with help from Joe Travers here.
• New eBook suddenly available: Frank Zappa FUQ Vol. 4: my latest tribute to FZ and his collaborators. Includes articles on Cynthia PlasterCaster, Kim Fowley and Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, plus random facts you didn't know you needed to know, and interviews with Ian Underwood, Ed Mann and others you won't find anywhere else.. Grab your copy here.
• The Make Weird Music guy: "To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Frank Zappa’s One Size Fits All, I learned Michael Hedges’ arrangement of Sofa No. 1." Here 'tis.
• Robert Martin had a stroke last Friday while out for a walk. Thanks to Dr Dot, he was taken to hospital in Utah, but then suffered a second stroke on Monday. Unfortunately an operation to remove a blood clot on his brain was unsuccessful, and the right side of his body is currently paralysed. But Dot says, "Robert can recover from this, and if anyone could it would be him. He’s so strong, healthy and intelligent." Here's hoping for the best.
• New interview with Mike Keneally here. Includes insights into his time with FZ and DZ, how his solo career evolved and much more. I'm an avid MK fan, but this is well worth an hour of anybody's time.
• Eddie Jobson's son Chris has his debut solo album out now. Wish You Well was recorded, arranged, mixed and produced by his dad, who also plays keyboards all over it.
• Napoleon Murphy Brock has said all is on schedule for his book about FZ's 'Roxy Family' to be published in January 2026.

Added week-ending 24 August 2025:

• You may recall the Meridian Arts Ensemble who, in March 1993, visited FZ and performed their arrangements of his music for him. "The composer worked with us by critiquing the performance, making corrections in the arrangements, and giving suggestions for further interpretations," they said at the time. Well, they have just uncovered tape of a complete concert performed at UMRK in 1996, and will be "releasing this as a live concert CD on PARMA Recordings (and of course putting it on all streaming services), coming out in January. In the meantime, we will be posting short clips from the show in the coming months." If you haven't heard them, you should check out their albums Smart Went Crazy, Prime Meridian, Anxiety Of Influence and Ear Mind I for four wonderful FZ medleys - or listen to this handy Spotify playlist!
• More from Dweezil's recent-ish UK visit to Andertons here. He talks about his upbringing, composing for orchestra, his dad's music, gear and more. And here, back in the US, he demonstrates his dad's Roxy SG and Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar Les Paul.
• "As Caballero Reynaldo, I made several complete discs for the Unmatched - Spanish Zappa Tributes series, but I also participated in all the other volumes. This album remasters and compiles all those scattered versions celebrating my 63rd birthday!"

Added week-ending 17 August 2025:

• Watch Dweezil learn to play the blues; https://youtu.be/DLQjSPTgztI?si=8GSF02mPh6J1A10p
• Steve Vai talks about his time with FZ and more to Billy Corgan here.
• Calling all completists: the Lennons are reissuing the June 1971 live jam with the Mothers at the Fillmore East on a new deluxe box set titled Power To The People. The tracks are listed as follows: Well (Baby Please Don’t Go) / Jamrag [ Say Please / King Kong / Aawk] / Scumbag / Aü.
• Zoltan Kis has written a new book, Everything is Possible – The Unofficial Steve Vai Story, which will be published on 20 October. It will be available here on that date (no pre-orders) for the price of €25, but you can get a €5 discount with coupon code eipmin5 (valid until 30 November 2025).
• There's a new 'best of' the Zappa Early Renaissance Orchestra album now available - on Bandcamp, Spotify and other places what streams stuff. It features Ike Willis, Robert Martin and a cast of loads. Dig it.
• Check out the Lovers Of Invention's full live show from Brixton last year. Two sets, 17 songs for your viewing pleasure - here!
• Here's a short sorta preview of something in my next book of FUQs:

Added week-ending 10 August 2025:

• First track to stream from the OSFA50 set is Can't Afford No Shoes (Rough Mix). Expect a second on 5 September.
• Some older readers may recall Lucy Landymore winning the percussion round of Young Musician Of The Year in 2010 with her rendition of The Black Page. Well now Lucy's hooked-up with double bassist Valentina Ciardelli and a short video of them playing Little Umbrellas together has appeared on the Zappa Woman's socials. Exciting times: Frank's music being performed by young women. Hotcha!
• Second preview 'single' from the BEAT live album, Frame By Frame.
• Check out the fantastic SWR Symphonieorchester spanking Frank's Revised Music For Low Budget Orchestra, Put A Motor In Yourself, Night School and more here. Wowzers!
• The music round on this week's University Challenge on BBC TV featured a short soundclip from an FZ piece. You can catch it on iPlayer if you want to find out more! 
• The fab Unmatched series of (mostly Spanish) Zappa covers can now be found on Bandcamp. Starting in 1996, the series provided an outlet for the great Caballero Reynaldo & The Grand Kazoo and many others, including ZERO and our very own Spanner Jazz Punks and Muffin Men (check out this video for their contribution). Dig deep here.
• Frank's Baby Snakes SG guitar is up for auction. Bidding starts on 14 October. Go here for details.
• The Lovers Of Invention will return to Ronnie Scott's at the end of next month. Yay!