ZPZ-to be or not to be?

The Forum Killed Arkay · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:13 am

GreenHocher wrote:

KillUgly wrote:

Whether to attribute it to ego or to a new marketing concept I'm sure DZPZ is basically the same as ZPZ. I do think they're at a bit of a crossroads now though. I'm seeing them for the fourth time this year (and the sixth time overall) in a few weeks and quite frankly it's time to come up with some new shit. Although I'm sure I'll enjoy the show no matter what, unless I see a dramitically different set-list my enthusiasm for future shows will drop considerably. Not to mention that I haven't jumped on the Ben Thomas bandwagon. Anybody who thinks Ben is an improvement over NMB or Ray is hallucinating. ZPZ burnout? Maybe. If P/O were playing nearby at this point on the same night as (D)ZPZ with both Ike and Ray (which they're not) I would choose seeing P/O. I hope (D)ZPZ blows my socks off with a new set list when I see them. The Roxy era stuff is great but it's time to visit some other corners of the catalog.

To your point about Ben I hope they continue to evaluate the current band. I don't think it has to be an alumni singing to be good (although I admit I would prefer one of the originals in that roll) but I don't think Ben has the range to sing those songs well. His Inca Roads is awful, for example. He just can't hit the high notes. I also hope they're pursuing a replacement for AA. Still an awesome band, but there's definitely a void in the sound there now. Sheila rules, but a full time guy on the keys seems pretty critical for an accurate reproduction.

I'm confused about all the love P/O gets, however. I saw them in Cleveland last year, and although is was fun hearing Ike sing live, it was really disappointing compared to any of my 8 ZPZ experiences. Maybe I caught them on an off night, but the band was very mediocre from what I saw. Ed Mann played one note for every 30 that he would've had to under Frank (or that Billy does with ZPZ). There was no guitarist that was capable of being Frank-like. And poor Ike sounded pretty tired. He spent most of his time in the bar area. Sure, I'd pay $15 again to hear that music played by them again - that was about right price, but definitely not worth the 2 hour drive. Am I missing something with them, or do people really value 'an original' singer over an incredible performance by a super-tight band? Or maybe I just saw them on an off night - maybe someone who's seen them more could tell me if that was a bad show or something... I'd love to love them as much as I love seeing ZPZ.

Well, we're probably getting close to getting these posts deleted due to P/O content, but have you ever seen them with Seahag on guitar, as opposed to bass which he has been covering lately? Seahag is awesome. (Not to knock any other players in the band, but Seahag playing the lead parts puts it to another level)

cozylittlefooties · **Joined:** Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:56 am **Posts:** 59

GreenHocher wrote:

KillUgly wrote:

Whether to attribute it to ego or to a new marketing concept I'm sure DZPZ is basically the same as ZPZ. I do think they're at a bit of a crossroads now though. I'm seeing them for the fourth time this year (and the sixth time overall) in a few weeks and quite frankly it's time to come up with some new shit. Although I'm sure I'll enjoy the show no matter what, unless I see a dramitically different set-list my enthusiasm for future shows will drop considerably. Not to mention that I haven't jumped on the Ben Thomas bandwagon. Anybody who thinks Ben is an improvement over NMB or Ray is hallucinating. ZPZ burnout? Maybe. If P/O were playing nearby at this point on the same night as (D)ZPZ with both Ike and Ray (which they're not) I would choose seeing P/O. I hope (D)ZPZ blows my socks off with a new set list when I see them. The Roxy era stuff is great but it's time to visit some other corners of the catalog.

To your point about Ben I hope they continue to evaluate the current band. I don't think it has to be an alumni singing to be good (although I admit I would prefer one of the originals in that roll) but I don't think Ben has the range to sing those songs well. His Inca Roads is awful, for example. He just can't hit the high notes. I also hope they're pursuing a replacement for AA. Still an awesome band, but there's definitely a void in the sound there now. Sheila rules, but a full time guy on the keys seems pretty critical for an accurate reproduction.

I'm confused about all the love P/O gets, however. I saw them in Cleveland last year, and although is was fun hearing Ike sing live, it was really disappointing compared to any of my 8 ZPZ experiences. Maybe I caught them on an off night, but the band was very mediocre from what I saw. Ed Mann played one note for every 30 that he would've had to under Frank (or that Billy does with ZPZ). There was no guitarist that was capable of being Frank-like. And poor Ike sounded pretty tired. He spent most of his time in the bar area. Sure, I'd pay $15 again to hear that music played by them again - that was about right price, but definitely not worth the 2 hour drive. Am I missing something with them, or do people really value 'an original' singer over an incredible performance by a super-tight band? Or maybe I just saw them on an off night - maybe someone who's seen them more could tell me if that was a bad show or something... I'd love to love them as much as I love seeing ZPZ.

Confused? Don't be. Without sounding too Trendmongerishlike, I concur.
I saw Banned From Utopia some 8-10 years ago with the likes of Bruce Fowler, Tom Fowler, K. Mcgittrick, T. Mars, Ike and a few others. Show was pretty incredible.
Not too long ago I saw P.O. in a sports bar in CT. It was so awful I walked out halfway through. Never had or have an interest in subjecting myself to that again. After seeing Frank many times, as well as ZPZ as many as at least 8, I can confidently say there's nothing else that comes close. I just feel those perfectionists named ZAPPA do it like no one else can.

Joel Osteen · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:39 pm

It would probably help if ZPZ offered free downloads of their shows. Of course its not free when ticket prices are over 100 bucks. They should experiment with downloads to help bring in more people. Have they ever done anything like that?

Oh....

Fred_Zappelin · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 4:25 pm

I also heard that DZ has dusted off the synclavier and is bringing it out on the road this time. On select nights he will play "Jazz From Hell" in it's entirety with completely new guitar parts over it. Can't wait to hear/see that. :shock:

Disco Boy · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:53 pm

Fred_Zappelin wrote:

I also heard that DZ has dusted off the synclavier and is bringing it out on the road this time. On select nights he will play "Jazz From Hell" in it's entirety with completely new guitar parts over it. Can't wait to hear/see that. :shock:

Yeah, but that's nothin' without a Telefunken U-47!

Plook · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2009 6:31 pm

Fred_Zappelin wrote:

I also heard that DZ has dusted off the synclavier and is bringing it out on the road this time. On select nights he will play "Jazz From Hell" in it's entirety with completely new guitar parts over it. Can't wait to hear/see that. :shock:

Fred I hate to burst your balloon...but you’re beginning to sound like you’re full of hot air...our some kind of gas...

:mrgreen:

Excuse me…but ultimately who gives a fuck anyway???

KAPT.KIIRK · **Posted:** Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:13 pm

I've got updates from Ticketron,ect;they all say Dweezil ZappaPlaysZappa for up coming dates.
Dweezil Zappa has a band,and true to his pop,they are inter-changable,all are the most entertaining musicians,apart and with DZpZ,as life dictates such neccesities,those things are bi-defination,inter-change-able. Hey thats almost trendyish! And no double space. :!:

I'm sorry Ben but.. thanks for filling in after RW left.I met your folks at the San Jose Civic,you have a lot of love and support from all of us DZpZ fans to.The SJC show was fine for them,(Bens folks)they couldn't wait till Eugene,Ore.to see you in your home towne.They were too cute,earplugs camera's & stuff.
But..the general consensus seems to me that you and no one person can stretch their voice to meet the needs of FZ's music.If you could find a keyboard-singer,to harmonize/share vocals ect.Then that would free up Sheila to add more brass ect.,then you might just jump back on and ride like a cowboy,back into the hills of Eugene,ORE.At least pick up a Harp,Tamboring,Kazoo,Pennywhistle,Bongos anything couldn't hurt,when your not singing, it can only help. :mrgreen:

thejonesfactor · **Posted:** Sat Nov 07, 2009 5:34 am

I'd like to try to stretch my voice to fill that job position. I can do a good deal.

calvin2hikers · **Joined:** Sun Aug 31, 2003 2:41 pm **Posts:** 7566

Personally, to my way of thinking, IMHO, I wouldn't pay to see just Dweezil.

KAPT.KIIRK · **Posted:** Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:14 pm

calvin2hikers wrote:

Personally, to my way of thinking, IMHO, I wouldn't pay to see just Dweezil.

Even if he was at the corner pub,with a $3 buck cover?

Darn Accordions · **Joined:** Sun Apr 09, 2006 10:57 am **Posts:** 27

I will bring my Accordion with me to play "Hungover in Clover" to open the show!

Plook · **Posted:** Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:24 pm

Darn Accordions wrote:

I will bring my Accordion with me to play "Hungover in Clover" to open the show!

Your back...long trip accor DD ion?

:mrgreen:

calvin2hikers · **Joined:** Sun Aug 31, 2003 2:41 pm **Posts:** 7566

KAPT.KIIRK wrote:

calvin2hikers wrote:

Personally, to my way of thinking, IMHO, I wouldn't pay to see just Dweezil.

Even if he was at the corner pub,with a $3 buck cover?

That would be impossible since it's really small and wouldn't hold all of that equipment. (We actually have a bar in our town called The Corner Bar)

KAPT.KIIRK · **Posted:** Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:00 pm

calvin2hikers wrote:

KAPT.KIIRK wrote:

calvin2hikers wrote:

Personally, to my way of thinking, IMHO, I wouldn't pay to see just Dweezil.

Even if he was at the corner pub,with a $3 buck cover?

That would be impossible since it's really small and wouldn't hold all of that equipment. (We actually have a bar in our town called The Corner Bar)

Same here cal.Over in sac.ca. the bar is rounded on a corner, 24th & T,it could of been the round table,but that was takin' so its "the corner bar".Get it honey? There is one in every state-of mind,and a couple of Parishes to.
I would pay to see DZ,dwiddle away on his guitar,plugged into a pig-nose amp.IMHO,the Q.is how much and whats he playing?!!? :lol:

mayuka · **Posted:** Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:44 am

I'd Pay and travel to see Dweezil do a solo show. I like Dweezil, and I think he's matured as a guitarist over the past few years. So I think he'd put on a great show

KAPT.KIIRK · **Posted:** Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:12 pm

If you search a venue for some tix, its Dwezil Zappa Plays Zappa that gets you through faster than ZPZ. So should it be DZpZ,after all he is the Zappa playing? :mrgreen:

KAPT.KIIRK · **Posted:** Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:41 pm

We all know it's been Dweezil ZappaPlaysZappa from the start,with special alumni as special guest.It was and should be ZpZ.But you add Dweezil Zappa to anything and it ups the ante. Would I see the band without DZ? Of course if the price and distance where in line.I'll drive 3-4 hrs for a live Zappa playin' band like ZPZ-DZ.Oops I already did! Pojama People! I wish they'd come back here today, (west coast) with Ray & Ike. With special guest Dweezil Zappa!

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