RGG March 2016 - p.34
DIRECT FROM HOLLAND...
Zappatika
...PLAYING LIVE @ THE ROADHOUSE
TheRoadHouse
Birmingham
ZAPPATiKA’s real passion has always been, live shows with
diverse and dynamic stage sets often lasting more than 2 hours!
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.
r
gg
MARCH
20
