The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Project/Object brings Zappa’s music to city
NEW HAVEN — Project/Object, billed as “the longest continually touring, alumni-based Frank Zappa tribute band in the world,” will unleash its brand of post-Zappa craziness Tuesday night at Toad’s Place.
The band features former Zappa band members Napolean Murphy Brock and Denny Walley.
Showtime is 8 p.m. Host of Ghosts, a Phish tribute band, also is on the bill. Tickets are $20 in advance at toadsplace.com or by phone at 203-624-TOAD, or $25 day of show. Toad’s is located at 300 York St.
For nearly 25 years, Project/Object has “toured and performed Zappa music with more of his bandmates than anyone other than Zappa himself,” the band said in a news release. “Project/Object tours of the USA, Canada & Europe have paved the way for a rich variety of excellent, contemporary Zappa tribute acts.”
At various times, “Project/Object has brought most of the currently touring Zappa alumni out of retirement and onto the road,” the release said. “Musicians from every era of Zappa’s history have performed with Project/ Object.”
This tour reunites old bandmates Brock and Walley, “with a setlist featuring material that they performed on tour together with Frank, as well as Zappa classics and faves from other albums they did with him,” the release said.
Brock was the frontman, vocalist and saxophonist for Zappa’s early ’70s bands. He first appeared on the Zappa classic “Apostrophe(’),” then the incredibly popular “Roxy and Elsewhere” and “One Size Fits All.”
He also appeared with Walley on the iconic “Bongo Fury,” which documents Zappa’s 1975 collaborative tour with Captain Beefheart.
Brock went on to tour with fellow Zappa alum George Duke, in the hugely popular George Duke Band. He later provided harmony vocals for Sheik Yerbouti, one of Zappa’s biggest selling albums.
Walley, a guitarist, was a member of Zappa’s mid-70s and early-80s tours and is the band member who goes back the furthest with Frank — they met during the 8th grade.
Walley played slide guitar on many Zappa tours and albums. He also served as Captain Beefheart’s slide guitarist. He performed on Beefheart’s classic “Bat Chain Puller” and on Zappa classics such as “Joe’s Garage” and “You Are What You Is.”