KILLING SPREE

When a band is announced to perform at Charly's "Freakshow In Concert" series, you better check them out.

Killing Spree will be performing at Freakshow In Concert, January 19, 2025, in Würzburg, DE, at 16h30 !

• Matthieu Metzger (saxophones & white devil talkbox)
• Grégoire Galichet (drums)

FYI, Matthieu Metzger was part of the Nasal Retentive Orchestra !!

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CHATO SEGERER UPDATE

Chato Segerer just announced "Never Odd Or Even Vol. 1", his new album.

It's already available for pre-order.

AN AFTERNOON OF PSYCHEDELIC MUSIC IN LONDON, UK

with
Z Machine
The C Sides Project
Sendelica

 

STICK MEN TO TOUR ITALY

A message from the MoonJune Records label:

Stick Men in Italy!

Short but sweet theater tour of Stick Men in Italy, that will be all in Italy and Europe this year, more shows in the USA in the Summer.

• March 16 - Giulianova, TE (Palazzo Kursaal)
• March 19 - Carrara, MS (Teatro Animosi)
• March 20 - Vicchio del Mugello, FI (Teatro Ghiotto)
• March 21 - Vicenza, VI (Teatro Comunale)
• March 22 - Genova, GE (Teatro Verdi)
• March 23 - Bergamo, BG (Teatro Sociale)

Tony Levin - Chapman Stick
Markus Reuter - Touch Guitar
Pat Mastelotto - drums

INTERVIEW WITH MARC-ANDRE HAMELIN

Interview with Marc-André Hamelin
on 

https://moma.cymru/interview-with-marc-andre-hamelin-2/

I enjoy how you describe yourself as willing to listen to anything that shows a little imagination. I think that’s wonderful criteria to have when listening to any music. 

Yes, well, I would say, for example, I have been a fan of Frank Zappa for a long time, almost 40 years. I think I have heard almost everything he’s ever done – I don’t listen to it as much anymore, but still I am very fond of his music.

 

MARC-ANDRE HAMELIN WILL BE PERFORMING FRANK ZAPPA'S 'RUTH IS SLEEPING' IN CONCERT NEXT APRIL

As part of the "Keys To Music" festival,

April 4, 2025, Nijmegen, NL

Marc-André Hamelin will be performing

• Haydn Sonata in D major Hob.XVI:37
• Frank Zappa Ruth Is Sleeping
• Stefan Wolpe Passacaglia
• John Oswald TIP

• Nikolai Medtner Improvisation in B flat minor (in variation form) op.31 no.1
• Nikolai Medtner Danza festiva, op.38 no.3
• Rachmaninoff Etude-Tableau op.39 no.5
• Rachmaninoff 2nd sonata, op.36 (1931 version)

solo piano.

https://keystomusic.nl/voorstelling/van-haydn-tot-zappa/

MARC-ANDRE HAMELIN WILL BE PERFORMING FRANK ZAPPA'S 'RUTH IS SLEEPING' IN CONCERT NEXT JUNE

Saturday, June 14, 2025 - 19h00

at the Gebläsehalle, Landschaftspark Nord, Duisburg, DE 

Marc-André Hamelin

will be performing

• Joseph Haydn - Sonate in D-Dur, Hob.XVI:37
• Stefan Wolpe - Passacaglia
• John Oswald - TIP
• Frank Zappa - Ruth Is Sleeping
• Ludwig van Beethoven - Sonate in C-Dur, Op. 3 Nr. 3
• Nikolai Medtner - Improvisation in B-Dur
• Nikolai Medtner - Danza festiva
• Sergei Rachmaninoff - Etude-Tableau, Sonate Nr. 2., Op. 36

Solo piano

As part of the Klavierfestival.

https://www.klavierfestival.de/konzerte/marc-andre-hamelin-2025/

-- info: Hans-Peter Schmidt

THE LOOP PERCUSSION DUO

The Loop Percussion Duo will be incorporating a Frank Zappa tribute in their set on January 25.
The concert will take place at De Zille in Ham, BE.

Tickets can be reserved through the address on below flyer.

-- info: Dirk Verschaeve

WALTER FRANCO

Brazilian singer, guitarist and composer Walter Franco released his "Ou Não" album in 1973.

The final track on the album, 'Cabeça', sounds a lot like Frank Zappa's 'Help, I'm A Rock'.

Am I wrong?

-- info: Zjakki Willems

JETHRO TULL - THE STRING QUARTETS

• Jethro Tull: The String Quartets
      (2017, cd, Europe, bmg)

I'm not familiar enough with the music of Jethro Tull to hum along all of the pieces on this excellent album, but that does not mean that I don't like it.
Quite the contrary, actually.

"The String Quartets" is a beautiful collection of pieces, performed by The Carducci Quartet, with the participation of Ian Anderson himself.

ALAIN PIRE EXPERIENCE - THE JOURNEY

About a year ago, the Alain Pire Experience released "The Journey", the trio's sixth album !

The core band features

• Alain Pire - guitar, organ, mellotron, percussion & vocals
• René Stock - bass
• Marcus Weymaere - drums, percussion

and displays a fascination and admiration for 1970's psychedelic rock music.
I've received a digital download copy of the album, and I'm enjoying it a lot.

Bandcamp download, but also out on CD.
Check it out !

EIDON - THE K'UX OF THE BISCUIT

'The K'ux of the Biscuit'
by Eidon

Eidon explained:
"K'ux refers to the heart as the source of the 'vital spirit' of a thing, or that which gives it life. According to Coto’s dictionary, it is also believed to be the center of thought and imagination." (Popol Vuh: Sacred Book of the Quiché Maya People, by AJ Christenson)

"The Crux of the biscuit is the apostrophe." (Frank Zappa)

In an e-mail message, Eidon added:
“A short composition for jazz piano trio, “inverted” with the addition of Arabic percussion. The title is my way of asking the question, “Was Frank Zappa aware that the Mayan word ‘Ku'x’ has a meaning compatible with his use of it in the expression ‘The crux of the biscuit’?

ROLAND AND I H8 CAMERA

The Starman record label has just released Roland And I H8 Camera's "Two Days In August", a collaboration between Belgian blues legend Roland Van Campenhout and the I H8 Camera collective.

A RICHARD HEMMINGS / EVIL DICK UPDATE

Evil Dick has just released "Coprophagism 2025 Master", a mastered recording of recordings that got previously released in 1998.

Plus "The Sound Of Merzic", recordings from a 2002 event, including contributions by Lol Coxhill and Pat Thomas !

KEVIN KASTNING, CARL CLEMENTS, SOHEIL PEYGHAMBARI - TRIPLE HELIX

• Kevin Kastning, Carl Clements, Soheil Peyghambari: Triple Helix
      (2025, cd, USA, greydisc)

Acoustic guitar maestro Kevin Kastning released several albums in 2024. He recorded an album with saxophonist Carl Clements called " Partitas, Book 1", and another one with clarinetist Soheil Peyghambari called " The Second Realm".

The three musicians joined for the recording of "Triple Helix".
With Kevin Kastning leading the way on his contraguitars, both Carl Clements and Soheil Peyghambari explore the imposed routes. 
These exchanges result in beautiful melodic lines and soundscapes.
Sometimes together, sometimes alone. Occasionally following, but also searching and wondering.

Kevin Kastning, Carl Clements and Soheil Peyghambari each have their different musical voice, but they complement each other perfectly.
A fitting album title.

Check it out.

BUSTER KINGSTON - ASIAN ORNETTE

• Buster Kingston: Asian Ornette
      (2017, cd ep, France, skalab)
      (2017, 12", France, skalab)

The Buster Kingston package arrived last week.
One CD EP and on 12" EP.

Both look great and sound even better.
Both carry a great ska version of Frank Zappa's 'Take Your Clothes Off'.

Another fine addition to The Others Of Invention.

TWISTED PINE - LOVE YOUR MIND

• Twisted Pine: Love Your Mind
      (2024, cd, USA, signature sounds)

Bluegrass from Boston.
Out on CD and on LP, but only the CD includes the band's version of Frank Zappa's 'Peaches En Regalia', featuring Kathleen Parks on violin, Chris Sartori on bass, Dan Bui on mandolin, and Anh Phung on flute and keyboard.

"Love Your Mind" is a fine album. The instrumentation says bluegrass, but the songs would suit any pop band.

And 'Peaches En Regalia" sounds great.

NEW ALBUM BY STEVEN WILSON

Steven Wilson's new album, "The Overview", will be out on March 14.
It will present two tracks: 'Objects Outlive Us' and 'The Overview' and is announced as .inspired by the ‘overview effect,’ a profound emotional and cognitive change that astronauts experience when seeing the Earth from space. 

February 25, the album will be presented at BFI IMAX in London.
A tour will follow later tin 2025.

BARRY ALTSCHUL

May 2025, Barry Altschul's 3Dom Factor will be performing at jazz club 'De Singer' in Rijkevorsel, BE.

If it will sound anything like his 2019 "Live In Krakow" album, it is something to look forward to.

TOBIAS FISCHER INTERVIEWED MARK WINGFIELD

A great interview about jazz and directions in jazz, with the guitar poet Mark Wingfield for Fifteen Questions online magazine by Tobias Fischer.

Tobias Fischer: Jazz was about a lot more than just music in the 60s and 70s, from politics to fashion. For you personally, is jazz still a way of life – and if so, in which way?

Mark Wingfield: For me it does represent a way of life. It represents rebelliousness, the commitment to risk taking, innovation, and the courage and generosity to share your feelings without reservation. It also represents total commitment to your craft, and a lifestyle that allows time for the level of practice necessary, even if that means financial instability. A commitment to being true to your art, to playing the music you really feel, even it doesn't lead to commercial success. And finally an affirmation of humanity, justice, connection and global community through the universal language of music and emotion.

Read more:

https://www.15questions.net/interview/mark-wingfield-about-directions-jazz/page-1/

 

LA JUNGLE / KERMESZ À L'EST - JUNKZ II

Mons, Belgium-based duo La Jungle teamed up with KermesZ à l'Est for their recent "Junkz II" release.

The result is an excellent album with astonishing artwork.
Out on LP whish means that I'll be enjoying the artwork even more very soon.

Their previous collaboration got released as "Junkz" in 2023.

KERMESZ A L' EST

Belgian brass band KermesZ à L'Est mixes Balkan, metal and electronic music.
The band released "Octophilia" in 2023.

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JON ANDERSON'S NORTH AMERICAN TOURDATES

From GlassOnyon PR

JON ANDERSON AND THE BAND GEEKS ANNOUNCE LEG ONE OF THEIR 2025 NORTH AMERICA TOUR

Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks announce today the first leg of their 2025 North American tour. The 18 show tour begins at the Rialto Theater in Tucson Arizona on April 1st and concludes at the Carteret New Jersey Performing Arts Center on May 18th. The evening will consist of YES epics and classics as well as songs from the band’s debut album TRUE which was released in August 2024 to worldwide critical acclaim.

The tour will be in support of the band’s live cd/dvd , vinyl, and blu-ray Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks Live - Perpetual Change set for release on March 14th. The album is available for preorder here: https://ffm.to/jonandersonperpetualchange

A video for the YES classic And You And I, taken from the dvd:

Dates for leg one are below:

• April 1 Tucson AZ –The Rialto Theater
• April 3- Anaheim CA-The Grove of Anaheim
• April 5-Las Vegas NV-The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
• April 8-Oakland CA-Fox Theater
• April 11-Sacramento CA- SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center
• April 14-Seattle WA- Moore Theater
• April 19-Rockford IL-Coronado Pac
• April 23-Milwaukee WI-Pabst Theater
• April 25-Des Plaines IL-Des Plaines Theater
• April 27-St.Charles IL-The Arcada Theater
• April 30-North Tonawanda NY-Riviera Theater
• May 2-Cleveland OH-The Agora
• May 4-Lancaster PA-American Music Theater
• May 7-Wilmington DE-The Grand Opera House
• May 10-Ridgefield CT –The Ridgefield Playhouse
• May 12-Ridgefield CT-The Ridgefield Playhouse
• May 16-Westbury NY-Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair
• May 18-Carteret NJ- Carteret Performing Arts Center

DWEEZIL ZAPPA UPDATES

In preparation of the upcoming tour, Dweezil Zappa has uploaded several updates to YouTube.
Here's the latest one.

FRANK ZAPPA LULLABIES

In 2022, the Sweet Little Band released an album of lullabies of Frank Zappa songs through several digital music platforms.

01. Bobby Brown
02. Willie The Pimp
03. Joe’s Garage
04. Camarillo Brillo
05. Montana
06. Muffin Man
07. Nanook Rubs It

VARIOUS ARTISTS - DAY OLD DONUTS

Wax Donut is stoked to announce the drop of "Day Old Donuts," our latest tribute compilation that revamps early rock and roll classics. This epic project pulls together a wild mix of new and old friends of the label, spanning rockabilly, post-punk, and alternative metal. With such fresh takes on timeless tracks, "Day Old Donuts" is anything but stale.

But that's not all—this release is also a charity benefit! All proceeds (after Bandcamp and payment fees) go straight to the CDP Global Recovery Fund, an amazing organization committed to maximizing the impact of efforts to help victims of catastrophes worldwide. Keep an eye on our Instaspam for donation updates.

The album incudes Skeletonized performing Jackie & The Starlites' 'Valarie', a song that we know from "Burnt Weeny Sandwich" as it got recorded by Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention.

When asked if the Skeletonized version was inspired by The Mothers, Matt (from Skeletonized) answered: We actually found out that Zappa covered this song while we were working on our version for the compilation.
We stumbled upon this song after being invited to take part in the comp, with the stipulation being a Doo-Wop song from '55-'65 if I recall correctly.
"Valerie" was a song that we thought we could have some fun with, and we definitely did.

A good cause & some fine music, so I ordered the CD.
Received it a little while ago and it's fun.

AN UPDATE FROM THE DUR & DOUX LABEL

07.01 Ni – La Source (BRUXELLES – BE)
08.01 Ni – Zollkantine (BREMEN – DE)
09.01 Ni – Hafenklang (HAMBURG – DE)
10.01 Ni – Neue Zukunft (BERLIN – DE)
11.01 Ni – Klubovna (PRAGUE – CZ)
12.01 Oasis Boom – A.E.R.I (Montreuil – FR)
12.01 Ni – Pink Whale (BRATISLAVA – SK)
13.01 Ni – Crna kuća (NOVI SAD – RS)
14.01 Ni – Pave Club (SOFIA - BG)
15.01 Ni – A38 Hajó (Budapest – HU)
15.01 Sec + Bouche Amplifiée – Périscope - Musiques Innovantes (LYON - FR)
16.01 Ni – Klub Močvara (Zagreb – HR)
17.01 Ni – Malý Berlín (Trnava – SK)
18.01 Ni – Mknž Ilirska Bistrica (Ilirska Bistrica – SI)
19.01 Ni – ZIGGY Club (TORINO – IT)
29.01 Oasis Boom – The Barrel House (Mâcon – FR)

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CONCERT HALL LE TRITON CELEBRATES ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

And how...

A closer look at the schedule reveals that Magma will open the festivities.
And there's Wax'in with Christophe Godin at 21h30,
plus Zappa's Songs concert by Jimi Drouillard at 23h00 !!

SIMONE SIMONS - VERMILLION

• Simone Simons: Vermillion
      (2024, cd, Europe, nuclear blast records)

Simone Simons is known as the (powerful) soprano vocalist for Epica.
Last year, she released here first solo album, "Vermillion".

With the lyrics written by Simone and Lori Lindstruth, and the music written, performed and produced by none other than Arjen Lucassen, you just know that you're in for a treat.
Multi-faceted, both bombastic and atmospheric.

Beautiful. And the album cover fits the music perfectly.

Love it.

THE ULLULATORS - WHERE THE WILD THINGS GROW

• The Ullulators: Where The Wild Things Grow
      (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

The Ullulators add:
At last, after 7 months in the making, here is our latest release.
This is a studio album that sees us return to the roots of our original tape release genre - with basically an eclectic mix of styles, with elements of ambient, rock, space, fusion, latin, trip hop, and some pretty punchy riffs and eclectic world flavours.
We have had a real blast recording this album, and we hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed recording it!!

Nice !!
Also out on CD, in a limited run of 200 copies.

CULPHO DOG GYMKHANA

Culpho Dog Gymkhana is a bit of a mystery, although it can be assumed that Alan Jenkins is part of the band.
They have just released their fourth album.

WINNE - WINNE ZONDER STRIJD

• Winne: Winne Zonder Strijd
      (2022, lp, The Netherlands, universal / top notch) – red vinyl

Dutch-rapper Winne’s 2009 CD, “Winne Zonder Strijd”, sampled ‘Uncle Remus’ on his ‘W.I.N.N.E.’ track.
In 2022, the album got released on standard black vinyl but also on red vinyl. The latter as a limited Record Store Day release.

I recently found a copy for a fair price.

(discogs picture)

-

NOXPOX

• Noxpox: Electric Dreams Vol.1
      (2023, download/streaming, --, --)

German experimental, industrial artist Noxpox released two Frank Zappa pieces on his “Electric Dreams Vol.1” album: Noxpox’ version of The Black Page, and a Noxpox mix of ‘Watermelon In Easter Hay’.

https://archive.org/details/electric-dreams

A NEW (LIVE) ALBUM BY MATS/MORGAN

• Mats & Morgan: Make Mats/Morgan Great Again
      (2025, download/streaming, --, bandcamp)

“Make Mats/Morgan Great Again” presents the recordings of the Mats Öberg and Morgan Ågren concert at Fasching, Stockholm on November 24, 2023. Next to Mats on keyboard, harmonica and vocals, and Morgan on drums, the band featured Dan Berglund on double bass.

The album title sets the tone. I need a red baseball cap that says MMMGA.

This is a joy to listen to. From the first seconds of 'Propellerhäst', you enter another universe.
The rhythm, the phrasing, the melodies,...
AMAZING !

For those of you who keep track of this:
The album included ‘Sylox’, a piece with a reference to an unreleased Frank Zappa riff that had previously been used by Steve Vai on his “Flex-Able” and his “Passion And Warfare” records.

But even more important, the show will be released on video as well !!
Can't wait to see it.

-

SCHOOL OF ROCK SAN RAMON - SPRING 2020-THE SOUNDS OF LAUREL CANYON

• School Of Rock San Ramon: SPRING 2020-The Sounds Of Laurel Canyon
      (2020, download/streaming, --, bandcamp)

California-based The School Or Rock San Ramon made their “SPRING 2020-The Sounds Of Laurel Canyon” available as a free download on Bandcamp.

The 16-track album ended with the SoRSR’s version of FZ’s ‘Call Any Vegetable’, ‘Invocation And Ritual Dance Of The Young Pumpkin’, and ‘Soft-Sell Conclusion’.

An excellent choice of tunes, if I may say so.
And another addition to The Others Of Invention.

 

21ST CENTURY SCHIZOID BAND - LIVE IN BARCELONA

• 21st Century Schizoid Band: Live In Barcelona
      (2024, 2cd, USA, cleopatra records)

The 21st Century Schizoid Band, dedicated to the music of King Crimson.
Recorded in concert in Barcelona in 2003 !

The current spotlight on the music of King Crimson is the perfect excuse to give "Live In Barcelona" a try. Especially if you're into a more jazzy approach.

Nice !

THE CARDIACS

Melodic Virtue, the publishing company that released two amazing coffee-table books with artwork and more from The Residents, has just released a book on The Cardiacs.
Also compiled and designed by Aaron Tanner.

Cardiacs: A Big Book and a Band and the Whole World Window
is OUT NOW!

Compiled and designed by Aaron Tanner, Cardiacs: A Big Book and a Band and Whole World Window spans the group’s formative years as Cardiac Arrest to their last single, Ditzy Scene.
This book features rare and unseen photos, artwork, and other ephemera that will captivate long-time fans and newcomers alike.
With an introduction by Shane Embury (Napalm Death), this fully authorized book is both a tribute and a comprehensive chronicle of the band’s artistry as a whole, providing a wealth of behind-the-scenes looks from the perspectives of band members past and present, alongside fans and contemporaries such as: Mike Patton (Mr. Bungle, Faith No More), Billy Gould (Faith No More), Todd Sucherman (Styx), Boff Whalley and Dunstan Bruce (Chumbawamba), Mike Keneally (The Zappa Band), Joanna Wang, Martin Atkins (Public Image Ltd), Rob Crow (Pinback), Amon Tobin, Rhodri Marsden (Scritti Politti), Charlie Harper (U.K. Subs), Ego Plum, Pitchshifter, Dan Mongrain (Voivod), Paul Masvidal (Cynic), J.G. Thirlwell (Foetus) and many more!

 

THE BONZO DOG DOO DAH BAND

 The Madfish record label is releasing a gigantic Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band box set:

"Still Barking".

a limited 17 CD box set + 3 DVD + hard-back book

At 270 UK £, this does not sound like a bad deal.

SOFT WORKS - ABRACADABRA IN OSAKA

• Soft Works: Abracadabra In Osaka
      (2020, 2cd, --, moonjune records)

Discogs:
Soft Works was a first attempt to resurrect the legendary band Soft Machine, and was formed with ex-members of the band at the request of Leonardo Pavkovic for a Japanese tour in 2003. But soon, Allan Holdsworth would leave and history repeated itself when he was replaced by John Etheridge - who already replaced Holdsworth in Soft Machine in 1975 - and the band changed its name to Soft Machine Legacy.

Soft Works featured 

• Elton Dean
• Allan Holdsworth
• Hugh Hopper
• John Marshall

and released "Abracadabra" in 2003.

Almost 20 years later, the MoonJune Records label released the recording of the 2003 Osaka concert.

Beautiful.

HASCO ENJOYMENTS - WOW!

• Hasco Enjoyment: Wow!
      (2025, download, --, bandcamp)

Being the influencer that I am, I would like to introduce you to Hasco Enjoyment's "Wow!" album.

Scheduled for a 12" vinyl and a CD release in a couple of weeks, the album is already available for download and streaming through Bandcamp.

Hasco Enjoyments is a musical group featuring baritone guitar, flute, synthesizers and saxophones played by an ensemble of iridescent bubbles. The soundtrack to pleasant characters eating discount hot dogs at a baseball game while coupons for decorative wax fruit drift in the wind.

Floating between ambient and pop, "Wow!" is a fine listening experience.
Instrumental and calming, it offers an beautiful mood-setting for the start of the day.

Someone will have to explain the artwork to me, but the music is great (and the song titles are hilarious).

The CD is being released by the Warsaw-based Rope Worm record label. Both as a regular CD, but also in a clam shell box.

https://ropeworm.bandcamp.com/album/wow

Check it out :

A NEW PIECE BY EIDON

'Huracàn',
a new piece by Eidon.

 

AMOEBA SPLIT - A TIEMPO - UNA RETROSPECTIVA 2016 - 2018

• Amoebe Split: A Tiempo – Una Restrospectiva 2016-2018
      (2019, cdr + dvdr, Spain, private release / discos pat)

Amoeba Split is a Spanish progressive rock band, formed in 2001. The band has released several albums.

Discos Pat released “A Tiempo – Una Restrospective 2016-2018” in a limited edition of 100 numbered copies.
The DVDR offered excerpts from four Amoeba Spit concerts. The 2018 Uma, Malaga concert excerpt included the band’s version of FZ’s ‘Eat That Question’.

I couldn't find a clip of the jazzy version of 'Eat That Question', but here's another fine track, 'About Life Memories And Yesteryears'.

COR MUTSERS & GEERT CHATROU

Cor Mutsers & Geert Chatrou - Lumpy Gravy (F. Zappa)

 -- link: Jan van Kemenade

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing everyone a joyful and peaceful new year !
With lots of music !!