From GlassOnyonPR
THE STINKFOOT ORCHESTRA
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14-PIECE FRANK ZAPPA TRIBUTE ANNOUNCES SOUTHWEST SPRING TOUR WITH ZAPPA ALUM, NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK
The Stinkfoot Orchestra’s April–May run includes a headline slot at San Diego’s Global Earth Day Festival, first-ever shows in Phoenix and Las Vegas, and a two-night no-repeat Vegas stand
BAY AREA, CA — The Stinkfoot Orchestra, a Bay Area-based 14-piece ensemble dedicated to the music of Frank Zappa, will launch a Southwest spring tour beginning April 16, bringing one of rock’s most ambitious catalogs to stages across California, Arizona, and Nevada.
Fronted by Napoleon Murphy Brock and featuring a history of collaborations with Zappa alumni including Ike Willis and Ray White, the band’s 2026 spring run includes a headline performance at San Diego’s 34th Annual Global Earth Day Festival, first-ever appearances in Phoenix and Las Vegas, and a two-night late-night stand in Las Vegas featuring more than 70 songs with no repeats.
Known for combining musical precision with theatrical irreverence, The Stinkfoot Orchestra has built a devoted following on the West Coast by bringing Frank Zappa’s technically demanding music to life through a 14-piece lineup featuring a six-piece horn section, five vocalists, tuned percussion, and a stage show that embraces both the complexity and absurdity of Zappa’s work.
“I appreciate the fact that they prepared themselves properly. They learned the music properly, they play the right notes and they are articulate about it. If they weren’t doing it correctly, I wouldn’t show up. The standard is high.”
- Napoleon Murphy Brock, Frank Zappa alumnus and Stinkfoot Orchestra frontman.
The tour opens at Venice West in Venice Beach on April 16 - a favorite stop both for the band and fans alike where past performances have included sit-ins by several Zappa alumni including Bruce Fowler and Arthur Barrow. Venice is followed by a stop at Spaghetti Western in Morongo Valley on April 17. On April 19, the band will headline the Global Earth Day Festival at the WorldBeat Cultural Center in San Diego’s Balboa Park.
From there, the band heads to Arizona for a return to Tucson at 191 Toole on April 22, followed by its first-ever Phoenix performance at The Rhythm Room on April 23.
The run reaches a peak on April 24 and 25 in Las Vegas, where The Stinkfoot Orchestra will make its Vegas debut with two complete, late-night performances at The Bonfire following Phish’s second weekend at the Sphere. Curated by Cash or Trade, the shows are being billed as two nights of music with no repeated songs between them.
The band returns home to Northern California to conclude the tour with 3 dates at Cornerstone in Berkeley on April 30, The Boardwalk in Orangevale on May 1, and Lost on Main in Chico on May 2.
“The connection between the musicians is palpable, Chargin making it look easy is an illusion that is the product of countless hours of practice. Even my untrained ears recognize the technical ability required of all the musicians to deliver. ”
- Spike Steffenhagen, San Diego Reader (March 2024)
“The impression left upon driving home from this experience was one of deep appreciation mixed with laughter and amazement. The Stinkfoot Orchestra is more than worthy of your time and money.”
- Ted Silverman, JamBase (September 2021)
TOUR DATES
Apr 16 — Venice West — Venice Beach, CA — 8pm
Apr 17 — Spaghetti Western — Morongo Valley, CA — 9pm
Apr 19 — WorldBeat Cultural Center Global Earth Day Festival — San Diego, CA — Headlining
Apr 22 — 191 Toole — Tucson, AZ — 8pm
Apr 23 — The Rhythm Room — Phoenix, AZ — 8pm (first-ever Phoenix show)
Apr 24–25 — The Bonfire — Las Vegas, NV — 11:59pm (first-ever Las Vegas shows)
Apr 30 — Cornerstone — Berkeley, CA — 8pm
May 1 — The Boardwalk — Orangevale, CA — 8pm
May 2 — Lost on Main — Chico, CA — 9pm
ABOUT THE STINKFOOT ORCHESTRA
The Stinkfoot Orchestra is a Bay Area-based 14-piece ensemble dedicated to performing the music of Frank Zappa. Featuring a six-piece horn section, five vocalists, tuned percussion, and collaborations with Zappa alumni including Napoleon Murphy Brock, Ike Willis, and Ray White, the group has earned a reputation across the West Coast for performances that bring Zappa’s technically demanding catalog to life with precision, humor, and theatrical flair.
