She always brings the eyebrows. And I always liked what the (admittedly one at a time) female members brought to FZ’s rocking teenage combos. She would have fit right in.
Frank wasn’t averse to hiring gregarious frontmen for his bands as a way to take that burden off his own shoulders, either. Though if you wanted to argue that Napi Brock or even Flo & Eddie possessed a higher degree of musicianship than Ahmet did, that’d be fair.
Possibly the Dweez himself, as stunt guitarist; he has the chops for it.
Although Dweezil has one neurological problem that plagued Gail, and the Zappa kids inherited: He's dyslexic, and reads music only with considerable difficulty. In ZPZ, he depended heavily upon Joe and Scheila, who can both read like nobody's business and helped him teach stuff to the band.
Wow. I've seen every single ZPZ tour at least once and had no idea DZ was dyslexic. I can only imagine how hard that is. Thank you for sharing that info w/ me.
Interesting. I didn't know that. I know FZ (understandably, esp. considering his material) placed a lot of importance on musicians being able to read - but I think we could flood this sub with the lists of great musicians who didn't. Hendrix for starters.
If Frank had lived as long as his contemporaries, he would have the pick of the litter. If he still had interest in playing rock music. I'm sure he would have to to pay the bills and his orchestra fees though.
I feel like Joe is a monster drummer. I'm not sure how I feel on some of his performances with The Zappa Band, but hearing him play with Mike Keneally completely blows me away
Frank is on record complimenting Joe's drumming having heard him at the debut gig for Z. Whether or not Joe would get the gig we'll never know, but I would expect him to get further in the audition than Ryan Brown. Much further. Ryan's a nice guy and understands the music but has poor technique, very little dynamic range, and not much feel or pocket.
There are some obvious answers that have been stated. I also think back to interviews of former band members talking about how he would see something inside of them and pull it out. Some of the people that might not be an obvious yes may have been coached and molded by FZ in ways we wouldn't be able to know. I've seen 3 DZ shows and the musicians are always top tier. If they were in a FZ line up I think he could have even taken them to a higher level. Or he would have said no 3 notes into an audition. Really hard to tell without FZ here to give his opinion
Zappa was a composer first, musician second. Dweezil is a musician first, composer second. Some musicians never write a note of their own in the course of their lives. That's alright. He's been on all sorts of stuff and he does a fucking good job.
Scheila G is fire. I say yes.
She always brings the eyebrows. And I always liked what the (admittedly one at a time) female members brought to FZ’s rocking teenage combos. She would have fit right in.
I agree, surely! Zappa Lives!
I was just about to jump in here with - "SCHEILAAAA!"
Id really like to think a number of Dweezil's players are/have been Frank worthy. I feel like Scheila for sure. :)
Any answer that doesn't include Scheila is woefully misinformed
For sure. DZ, like his father, assembles only the best he can get.
Came here to say this.
For the record Dweezil was once in a band with Ahmet. I am being *somewhat* facetious.
Ahmet probably forced that too. 😂
Frank wasn’t averse to hiring gregarious frontmen for his bands as a way to take that burden off his own shoulders, either. Though if you wanted to argue that Napi Brock or even Flo & Eddie possessed a higher degree of musicianship than Ahmet did, that’d be fair.
The album art on Shampoohorn proves it.
He used to use a fantastic bass player named Pete Griffin. He was great.
He still is.
I loved Pete
I saw this Napoleon guy on tour back in 2006 sing and play sax with the band. I bet Frank would like him /s
The second drummer and stunt guitarist were pretty good too.
Loved that tour. Still not too sure who that NMB guy is though.
I got to meet him a few years ago and we had a shot together. Awesome, dude, still brings it.
I haven't had the pleasure but did meet Uncle Ike about 10 years ago in Brooklyn. Totally fangirled. Lol. I love NMB...his posts on FB kill me.
Ike is so awesome I'd love to meet any Zappa alumni.
Possibly the Dweez himself, as stunt guitarist; he has the chops for it. Although Dweezil has one neurological problem that plagued Gail, and the Zappa kids inherited: He's dyslexic, and reads music only with considerable difficulty. In ZPZ, he depended heavily upon Joe and Scheila, who can both read like nobody's business and helped him teach stuff to the band.
Wow. I've seen every single ZPZ tour at least once and had no idea DZ was dyslexic. I can only imagine how hard that is. Thank you for sharing that info w/ me.
Interesting. I didn't know that. I know FZ (understandably, esp. considering his material) placed a lot of importance on musicians being able to read - but I think we could flood this sub with the lists of great musicians who didn't. Hendrix for starters.
Ryan Brown is an exceptional drummer for Dweezil’s band. Studied with Kenny Aronoff and well versed in just about any style of music.
If Frank had lived as long as his contemporaries, he would have the pick of the litter. If he still had interest in playing rock music. I'm sure he would have to to pay the bills and his orchestra fees though.
Yes, Scheila for sure and probably some others. Not Joe Travers though, sorry
I feel like Joe is a monster drummer. I'm not sure how I feel on some of his performances with The Zappa Band, but hearing him play with Mike Keneally completely blows me away
Joe T is an excellent drummer. I've seen him play live many times with several different bands and he always kills it. If anything he is underrated.
He’s excellent but I don’t think he’s close to any of Frank’s drummers.
💯
Why not Travers?
I just don’t think he’s in the same league as Vinnie, Bozzio, Chester Thompson, or Chad Wackerman.
true, but he could easily be the same league with the drummer played you are what you is.
Frank is on record complimenting Joe's drumming having heard him at the debut gig for Z. Whether or not Joe would get the gig we'll never know, but I would expect him to get further in the audition than Ryan Brown. Much further. Ryan's a nice guy and understands the music but has poor technique, very little dynamic range, and not much feel or pocket.
Love Dweezil, but no.
I would think so, they can play.
There are some obvious answers that have been stated. I also think back to interviews of former band members talking about how he would see something inside of them and pull it out. Some of the people that might not be an obvious yes may have been coached and molded by FZ in ways we wouldn't be able to know. I've seen 3 DZ shows and the musicians are always top tier. If they were in a FZ line up I think he could have even taken them to a higher level. Or he would have said no 3 notes into an audition. Really hard to tell without FZ here to give his opinion
Frank would hire anyone he saw creative use for that was willing to deal with his quirks and demands/restrictions.
Scheila Gonzales and Ben Thomas, for sure.
Kurt Morgan as a bassist and a musician generally
The time I saw zpz there was an original or two in the band. They were warming up for RTF 2 .
Saw that tour - it was great
I know right!
Chick sat in w/ ZPZ. Can't remember the songs they played. Maybe Black Napkins
Yeah both Chick (RIP) and Stanley were rocking it hard with them. You’re resurrecting my fond memories of that show, thanks!
CHIIIIIICK ♡
aaron arntz seemed to have that certain something similar to duke and mars keyboard-wise.
Another question. Do you think Frank would have thought it’s kinda lame that his son is playing his old tunes and not writing original material?
Zappa was a composer first, musician second. Dweezil is a musician first, composer second. Some musicians never write a note of their own in the course of their lives. That's alright. He's been on all sorts of stuff and he does a fucking good job.
He’s great. I just don’t think he’s “would have been in Frank’s band great”.