UniMuta: Hi Fred, hi Armin, I was happy to learn that you guys will be performing at Zappanale. Together. As The Arf! Duo.
Fred, I’ve seen you in different settings and bands, from solo performances to rock band settings. This obviously affects the approach (and the freedom) when performing. Which one(s) do you prefer, and why?
Fred: Playing solo, as part of a duo, or as part of a large band, is indeed totally different. I can’t say which I like best, because they all have their perks (and challenges). Being part of a band feels more like a job—you’re a gear in the clockwork. There’s no time for improvisation or starting over… also, the interaction with the audience is different (pretty much non-existent). It does feel a lot safer, though—everything that happens on stage is shared with the whole band. That’s what makes playing in a band so much fun. What I also really love about band life are the hours before and after gigs: hanging out, laughing, traveling, sharing stories—especially on tour.
Solo performances, I also really enjoy. What I probably love most is the connection with the audience. I don’t just want to play the piano—I want to tell a story. When the audience is really quiet, I know they’re listening. Of course, everyone will imagine their own version of that story (even me!), and that’s what makes playing solo piano so special. I also love the challenge of premiering a piece at every concert. Sometimes I announce it, sometimes not. It’s always a thrill, and it makes me incredibly nervous—but I always do it, because it’s a rush! I compare it to a rollercoaster: once it starts, there’s no turning back. It’s scary… but when it’s over, you’re full of good energy.
There’s one tune I’ve never played live without making a mistake. Still, it’s on every setlist. I’m not proud of that—but I kind of like it that way. I do try to get it right. I really do. “Hoping one day I’ll get it right.”
Playing as a duo is something else again. What I love most is that when we’re locked in, it feels like the music is playing us, instead of us playing the music. Little mistakes can become features and lead us somewhere completely new. Playing with the amazing drummer Armin is a privilege. I know he’s always got my back—and I do my best to have his. :-)
UniMuta: Armin, as a drummer, especially in Frank Zappa’s music, and even more so when you perform as part of a duo, you can’t hide. Does this affect the choice of the pieces that you will be performing? Do you want to play pieces that highlight the drums more. Is this something that you have discussed between the two of you?
Armin: Of course, you can't hide in a duo, although I chose the drums as my instrument back then so I could hide from flying beer glasses if necessary. But seriously, two years ago I persuaded Fred to form a more intimate and flexible Zappa group: Why not a chamber music ensemble, just piano and drums, instead of a classic rock band with lots of amplifiers and guitars? There are enough wonderful Zappa tribute bands, so we decided to carve out a niche with this somewhat unusual arrangement. I was once fascinated by an LP by pianist Patrick Moraz and drummer Bill Bruford entitled "Music for piano & drums," which opened my eyes and ears, and still does! Wonderful! ... So my first suggestion to Fred was: Let's do "Zappa for Piano & Drums." Because Fred is not only a gifted pianist but also a great guy with a great sense of humor, we called ourselves The ArF-Duo! (Humor alert: Ar just happens to stand for Armin and F for Fred... ;-)
Of course, this duo lineup influences our setlist. The songs have to be pared down to their essential rhythmic and melodic elements, and Fred has already done a lot of groundwork through his impressive solo career. I "only" had to adapt the rhythmic side to his recordings, which was my homework before the first rehearsal. That was really fun, but I don't want to put the drums in the foreground. That's unnecessary, because the pieces we'll play will sound completely different from what the classic Zappa listener expects. It's more about intimacy and sound, not about artistic fireworks on the drums. I'll leave that to the really good Zappa drummers. All in all, Fred and I are happy to be playing together, and even happier when the audience is part of the action.
UniMuta: Fred, you’ve released several Frank Zappa tribute albums. Excellent albums, by the way. Was it a deliberate choice to put these out on CD and on LP? I can tell you that I for one love albums as physical objects, but I can imagine that it takes a lot of effort. How do you make it a valid business case?
UniMuta: Fred, you’ve released several Frank Zappa tribute albums. Excellent albums, by the way. Was it a deliberate choice to put these out on CD and on LP? I can tell you that I for one love albums as physical objects, but I can imagine that it takes a lot of effort. How do you make it a valid business case?
Fred: Ha! I like that: a valid business case :-) … There is nothing valid about that whole process. On “The Poodle Magic Pig Type” (the yellow vinyl and CD), I lost about 1500 euros. But it was worth every cent. That project opened so many doors! All the people I’ve met since, all the gigs, travels, and fun in the years that followed were priceless. Same with “Fred Händl Plays the Music of Frank Zappa” (2015)—same story (but I lost less). With “Tovarishchi”, I broke even, so with “ZAPPA”, I decided to do everything independently. It’s not a valid business case at all—but I love doing it and will keep doing it.
UniMuta: Armin, percussion and drums have been a trademark of Frank Zappa’s music throughout his career. Is that what attracted you to Frank Zappa’s music? And do you think that drummers listen to FZ’s work (and to modern day composers like Varèse and Webern) in a different way than us, regular non-drummers?
Armin: I didn't discover Zappa until a little later in my drumming career. In my younger years, I had classical drumming training from a typical Central European background and played music in 4/4 or 3/4 time. After a while, I thought it was no big deal. So, I discovered prog-rock bands like King Crimson and Yes, who used polyrhythms. Through a friend, I came across Zappa's “Joe’s Garage” LP and couldn't believe my ears. What Vinnie Colaiuta played is still a mystery to me—he's a drummer from another planet. But so are all the other drummers... Ralph Humphrey, Chester Thompson, Terry Bozzio, and Chad Wackerman, to name a few. The unusual stuff they played broadened my horizons even further. Thanks guys, and thanks to Frank Zappa for writing this fantastic stuff. I'm sure I speak for countless other drummers worldwide. And of course, I believe that truly interested percussionists listen with either an "analytical" and/or a "joyful" ear.
But to fully answer your question: My career began in a typical German band, where I learned drums, percussion, and timpani. This also opened my ears to classical compositions, including the music of Varèse. Sometimes I try 'Ionisation', but it's quite difficult. More difficult than thrash, metalcore and techno mixed in a blender.
UniMuta: The Arf! Duo will be performing at the Joe’s Garage Exhibition Room. This seems like a perfect setting. Can you already tell us what to expect?
Fred: Er… well. It’s going to be something different. A small, intimate venue, at a convenient time (right after the last coffee / first beer). Zappa classics will be played—maybe some singalongs, and a surprise or two ;-)
Armin: Expect the unexpected. Fred and I will have joy together with good laughs in-between and sometimes maybe some jazzy accidents. We have a rough outline of what we want to do, but with each rehearsal, the outline is filled with different colours. So, we are excited to see how we will present the setlist to our guests! And if it doesn't work out, I can seek shelter behind my drumkit! ;-)
UniMuta: Thanks guys !
The Arf! Duo will be performing at the Joe’s Garage Exhibition Room on Friday and on Sunday.
Located in the centre of Bad Doberan, at the market place (‘Am Markt 3’)
Both times at 12h00. Sounds like the perfect way to start your day.
In the meantime, check out Fred's albums over at Bandcamp:
https://fredhandl.bandcamp.com/
Fred: Er… well. It’s going to be something different. A small, intimate venue, at a convenient time (right after the last coffee / first beer). Zappa classics will be played—maybe some singalongs, and a surprise or two ;-)
Armin: Expect the unexpected. Fred and I will have joy together with good laughs in-between and sometimes maybe some jazzy accidents. We have a rough outline of what we want to do, but with each rehearsal, the outline is filled with different colours. So, we are excited to see how we will present the setlist to our guests! And if it doesn't work out, I can seek shelter behind my drumkit! ;-)
UniMuta: Thanks guys !
The Arf! Duo will be performing at the Joe’s Garage Exhibition Room on Friday and on Sunday.
Located in the centre of Bad Doberan, at the market place (‘Am Markt 3’)
Both times at 12h00. Sounds like the perfect way to start your day.
In the meantime, check out Fred's albums over at Bandcamp:
https://fredhandl.bandcamp.com/
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