RGG February 2016 - p.34
ZAPPATiKA, from Holland, play their own
compositions and have also performed many
full-on Frank Zappa Tribute shows all over
Europe, playing a wide variety of his material to
eager Zappa-heads since 2009.
Zappatika have grown in stature since their
formation and have become one of the most
followed Zappa Tribute bands in the world.
In 2015 they headlined at the Zappanale Festival
in Germany with 5 ex-Zappa musicians and they
are currently Number 1 on the Reverbnation
Progrock Chart with their latest self-written single
THE PONY SUITE.
In recent years they have been joined on stage
by various Frank Zappa "alumni" who were
members of Zappa's own band in the 1970s and
80s.
The bands' current Touring line-up is:
Ike Willis
- Guitar/Vocals
Zap Mcinnes
- Guitar/Vocals
Hieronymus van Dam
- Synth/Perc/Vocals
Yoop with an E
- Bass
Fred Handl
- Piano
Coen Siersma
- Trumpet
Craig Steward
- Harmonica/Guitar
Diego Mocci
- Drums
Mr Jeff Hollie
- Saxophone/Vocals
Jeff played on Frank Zappas "JOES GARAGE"
album back in 1979 and is a life long close friend
of Ike Willis after they met in College days.
Ike Willis is special guest on most of
ZAPPATiKAs tours and recently featured
strongly in the new Studio single "The
Pony Suite" which he and Zap Mcinnes
co-wrote whilst on the road. It was while
in college at Washington University, St.
Louis that Ike Willis and Frank Zappa
met.
As a guitar player since the age of 8,
Ike was studying political science.
He volunteered to help with the concert
committee just so he could get a "Back
Stage Pass" to meet Frank Zappa. The
rest as they say, is history.
As the one of longest playing members
of Frank Zappa's bands, Ike is still
upholding his promise to Frank. That
promise is to carry on, playing the
music which Zappa had taught Ike so
well. To this day, Ike fulfills Frank's wish
by playing with some awesome Zappa
tribute bands from around the world,
including of course, ZAPPATiKA.
Other ex-Frank Zappa "Alumni" musicians,
erstwhile contributors and tour buddies:
Hendrix of the Harp -
Craig "Twister" Steward
,
the awesome slide guitar of
Mr. Denny Walley
and the wonderful
Mr Ed Mann.
The RoadHouse
Birmingham
DIRECT FROM HOLLAND...
Zappatika
...PLAYING LIVE @ THE ROADHOUSE
