SATCHVAI BAND TO TOUR NORTH AMERICA SPRING 2026

The wait is over, North America! 💥⏰
The SATCHVAI Band is thrilled to announce their upcoming North America “Surfing With The Hydra” tour with special guest Animals As Leaders , kicking off Spring 2026! But that’s not all — Joe and Steve have new music coming March 2nd with a brand new collaboration, “Dancing”. 🎸
Tickets and exclusive VIP package pre-sale begins Wednesday, December 10th with general on-sale Friday, December 12th at 10:00am local time at satchvaiband.com

• Apr 01, 2026 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theater
• Apr 02, 2026- Portland, OR - Arlene Schnitzer
• Apr 04, 2026 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater
• Apr 05, 2026 - Reno, NV - Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
• Apr 07, 2026 - Long Beach, CA - Long Beach Terrace Theater
• Apr 08, 2026 - San Diego, CA - CalCoast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
• Apr 10, 2026 - Mesa, AZ - Mesa Amphitheatre
• Apr 11, 2026 - Las Vegas, NV - The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
• Apr 14, 2026 - Denver, CO - Mission Ballroom
• Apr 16, 2026 - Houston, TX - 713 Music Hall
• Apr 17, 2026 - Dallas, TX - Music Hall
• Apr 18, 2026 - Austin, TX - ACL Live at The Moody Theater
• Apr 20, 2026 - Mobile, AL - Saenger Theatre
• Apr 22, 2026 - Pompano Beach, FL - Pompano Beach Amphitheater
• Apr 24, 2026 - Clearwater, FL - The BayCare Sound
• Apr 25, 2026 - St. Augustine, FL - Saint Augustine Amphitheatre
• Apr 26, 2026 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live Orlando
• Apr 27, 2026 - Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Symphony Hall
• Apr 29, 2026 - Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium
• Apr 30, 2026 - Durham, NC - Durham Performing Arts Center
• May 02, 2026 - Minneapolis, MNState Theatre
• May 03, 2026 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
• May 05, 2026 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater 
• May 07, 2026 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium 
• May 08, 2026 - Cincinatti, OH - PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center 
• May 09, 2026 - Indianapolis, IN - Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park 
• May 10, 2026 - St. Louis, MO - The Factory 
• May 12, 2026Buffalo, NY - Kleinhans Music Hall
• May 13, 2026 - Toronto, ON CA - Meridian Hall 
• May 15, 2026 - Northfield, OH - MGM Northfield Park
• May 16, 2026 - Rochester Hills, MI - Meadow Brook Ampitheatre 
• May 17, 2026 - Syracuse, NY - Landmark Theatre 
• May 20, 2026 - Boston, MA - Leader Bank Pavilion
• May 21, 2026 - Albany, NY - Palace Theatre 
• May 22, 2026 - Waterbury, NY - Waterbury Palace Theater 
• May 23, 2026 - Virginia Beach, VA - The Dome
• May 27, 2026 - Reading, PA - Santander Performing Arts Center 
• May 28, 2026 - New York, NY - Beacon Theatre
• May 29, 2026 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Resort and Spa Casino 
• May 30, 2026 - Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts

BEAT TO TOUR EUROPE NEXT SUMMER

BEAT is proud to announce that we are bringing the 1980’s music of King Crimson to Europe in the summer of 2026!

Tickets for most shows go on sale to the public this Friday, December 12th (check with venues for dates and time).

TICKETS: BEAT-tour.com

08/06 London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
10/06 Paris, France @ Olympia
11/06 Dusseldorf, Germany @ Mitsubishi Electric Hall
13/06 Strasbourg, France @ Palais des Congres
14/06 Hamburg, Germany @ Stadtpark
15/06 Berlin, Germany @ Uber Eats Music Hall
16/06 Aarhus, Denmark @ Musikhuset
19/06 Munich, Germany @ Tollwood Festival
20/06 Vienna, Austria @ Wiener Stadthalle
23/06 Brussels, Belgium @ Cirque Royal
24/06 Tilburg, Netherlands @ 013
26/06 Madrid, Spain @ TBA
28/06 Barcelona, Spain @ TBA
30/06 Gardone Riviera, Italy @ Festival del Vittoriale Tener-a-mente
02/07 Pompei, Italy @ Amphitheatre of Pompeii
03/07 Bari, Italy @ Fiera del Levante
04/07 Perugia, Italy @ Umbria Jazz – Arena Santa Giuliana
06/07 Udine, Italy @ Castello di Udine
07/07 Zagreb, Croatia @ SRC Salata
09/07 Sofia, Bulgaria @ NDK Hall 1
11/07 Istanbul, Turkey @ Harbiye Cernil Topuzlu Open Air Theatre
13/07 Bucharest, Romania @ Arenele Romane’s Tent
15/07 Budapest, Hungary @ Barba Negra Music Stage

-- info: Philippe Lamoot

GOV'T MULE'S NEW YEARS RUN 2025

ARTHUR BARROW

Arthur Barrow keeps on adding music to his Bandcamp page.

Here's the previously unreleased 'Alexandria':

A couple of weeks ago, Arthur also added 'Channel Frank'.
From his 1999 "On Time" album.

Arthur added:
I wrote this shortly after Frank Zappa passed away. It is a tribute to the great composer. I was honored to play in his band and record with him.

UNMATCHED

Caballero Reynaldo's Producciones Psicotropicas has made the entire Unmatched series available on Bandcamp.

26 volumes of amazing music.

https://unmatched.bandcamp.com/music

A NEW PIECE BY EIDON

'Deux Petits Rien'
by Eidon

ROBBIE SEAHAG MANGANO - SHUT UP, DON'T WORRY (SAL)

Just in time for Christmas.

Robbie Seahag Mangano (with Adam Minkoff): 'Shut Up, Don't Worry (Sal)'

THE IMPERIAL TIGER ORCHESTRA

Check out the latest release by the Imperial Tiger Orchestra.
Out on the Les Disques Bongo Joe label.

YĪN YĪN

YĪN YĪN has announced "Yatta" for January.
Pre-orders (and teasers) are on Bandcamp.

MARK WINGFIELD'S "ELEMENTAL" IS OUT

The download / streaming version of Mark Wingfield's "Elemental" album has just been released. 

If you're into instrumental guitar music, check this out:

There's also a limited CD release, in collaboration with the MoonJune Records label.

200 MOTELS PERFORMANCE IN GENEVA WILL FEATURE MIKE KENEALLY

 And even more news from Mike Keneally:

200 MOTELS in GENEVA in JUNE 2026

I’m also immensely grateful to have been invited to perform Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels in Geneva next year, as a special guest with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the Chœur du Grand Théâtre de Genève, the HEM percussion ensemble, and a fantastic organ/bass/drums trio called Steamboat Switzerland – myself and Steamboat will be the “rock band” for this presentation, and it’s gonna kill.

This is the version of 200 Motels that was originally performed at the Holland Festival in 2000, a legendary performance, and one which I believe incorporates much of the writing that wasn’t heard in the original soundtrack album, but which was later released on the 200 Motels: The Suites 2-CD release in 2015 (an album I really love – the version of “The Pleated Gazelle” on that album is one of my favorite recordings of Zappa music ever).

It’s happening at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices on the following days and times:

• June 18 and 20, 2026 – 8PM
• June 21 and 28, 2026 – 3PM
• June 23 and 25*, 2026 – 7PM (*Glam Night)

The 25th is Glam Night! You gotta come on that night and get all fancied up! See you there. Here’s all the info.

https://www.gtg.ch/en/2025-2026-season/200-motels/

MORE NEWS FROM MIKE KENEALLY WHO WILL BE TOURING WITH EDDIE JOBSON NEXT YEAR

 More news from Mike Keneally's recent newsletter !

EDDIE JOBSON/U.K REVISITED in JAPAN and on CRUISE TO THE EDGE

Eddie Jobson: keyboards
Mike Keneally: guitar
Marc Bonilla: bass and vocal
Marco Minnemann: drums

• Feb. 24, 2026 — Billboard Live, Tokyo
• Feb. 25, 2026 — Billboard Live, Yokohama
• Feb. 26, 2026 — Billboard Live, Tokyo
• Feb. 27, 2026 — Billboard Live, Osaka

Not sure where the optimum ticket links to these Japan gigs are, but with a little poking around I’m sure you can find them.

Rehearsal with Eddie and Marc a few weeks ago was fantastic fun. Learning all of the Holdsworth parts from the debut U.K. has been brutally challenging, but hugely rewarding – it feels amazing to get these iconic parts under my fingers, and I can feel that it’s already had an extremely positive effect on my playing in general. I’m starting to feel like a real grown-up guitarist!

We’re also playing on Cruise to the Edge in March:

Cruise to the Edge Miami – Key West – Nassau March 4-9, 2026 (booking info is here.)

This will be my first time on the cruise in four years. I had the best time in 2022 and am really excited to be back on the boat with so many amazing acts (including Marillion, Steve Hackett, Big Big Train, Adrian Belew, Lifesigns, Stick Men, Pete Roth Trio featuring Bill Bruford, and a whole bunch more greatness). We’re playing two sets during the cruise, don’t know which days exactly yet, but the schedule will be announced at some point. See you on the boat!

The music on the original U.K. albums was a major component of my formative musical years; I really love these songs and it’s an incredible honor to have been invited by Eddie to play them with him and this fantastic band.

LISA LOEB - THE UNDERDOG E.P.

• Lisa Loeb: The Underdog EP
      (2002, cd ep, USA, artemis records)

Here's a nice little thing from a bit over 20 years ago: Lisa Loeb's "The Underdog EP".
Released in a limited (and numbered) edition of 1000 copies.
Four tracks, one of which was co-written by Dweezil Zappa, and three out of the four tracks were produced by Lisa Loeb and Dweezil Zappa.

Not on this album, and even a bit older: 'Let's Forget About It'.

RESIDENTS UPDATE

The Residents' newsletter:

Festive greetings from the increasingly overcrowded shared desk of The Cryptic Corporation and New Ralph Too!

You probably know that this is a time of year when The Residents tend to become nostalgic and sentimental, which isn't usually their way. Well, this year is no different - the guys are currently warm and safe, and lost in the latter half of the 1970s as they work on their forthcoming 'Eskimo' live show, which will surely be coming to a town near you over the next few months (check residents.com for dates). It's sure to be a HIT everywhere it plays, and there'll be a handful of newly written pieces of music in the mix too. They just can't resist, can they?

But today's BIG news is the announcement of a 3CD 'Evolution Edition' 'Animal Lover' release, which has been some time in the making. This one sees a slightly different approach to a pREServed release, being that the album itself had a very different gestation from any other Residents record - three or four years in the making, and mutating across several ideas and titles, the album is seen by The Residents as a sister set to 'Demons Dance Alone', and this 'Evolution Edition' tells that story, all the way from its 2001 origins. Containing over forty previously unheard demos, alternate versions and abandoned songs, and all pulled together by RENALDO M and CARLA FABRIZIO, it's everything an 'Animal Lover' fan could wish for and more.

For the collectors among you, The Residents have also provided us with some ridiculously rare collectables which will be given away to randomly selected mail order customers. Your chance to BUY AND WIN OR DIE! You can check it all out and pre-order HERE
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/the-residents-animal-lover-evolution-edition-3cd-box-set, and there's a taster track on this month's giveaway mini-album thing.

Meanwhile, The Residents continue to work on their next magnum opus album, as well as overseeing a forthcoming Bandcamp site which, we're told, will be packed with previously unheard goodies, old rarities you may have missed, curios, weird shit and everything else you'd expect from them. It's sure to be a lot of fun, but until then please accept something the guys are calling 'Things To Come Pt 2' (you may remember the original 2009 release). In there you'll find a taster or two from the forthcoming 'Animal Lover' set, a few things that will appear on the Bandcamp site, and maybe even some stuff they just found lying around on an old hard-drive and thought you might enjoy... As we all know, The Residents are givers not takers, lovers not fighters, and you can find the latest evidence of that right HERE:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0tlow6wv8f14rrmj8tth2/AOt1_jfKrSea-MLWGoWYiJU

Please enjoy (no obligation), have a great Festivus/Christmas/Yule/Whatever, stay hydrated and we'll see you on the other side.

Your pals,
All at NRT & TCC

MIKE KENEALLY & BEER FOR DOLPHINS TO PERFORM AT THE BAKED POTATO IN JANUARY

A message from Mike Keneally

MK/BFD at the BAKED POTATO in LA on JANUARY 20/21, 2026

We’re coming back! The BFD quartet (me, Bryan Beller, Rick Musallam, Joe Travers) are returning to the Baked Potato January 20 and 21. These are immediately before the beginning of the NAMM Show in Anaheim, so if you happen to be in SoCal around then for NAMM-ish activities, you ought to come see us play.

Two sets each night! Here are the ticket links (replete with some really exciting misspellings of nearly all of the band members – part of the charm of this venue for decades now):

https://www.thebakedpotato.com/events/mike-keneally-beer-for-dolphins-january-20-2026/

https://www.thebakedpotato.com/events/mike-keneally-beer-for-dolphins-january-21-2026/

EUGENE CHADBOURNE & JIMMY CARL BLACK - THE JACK AND JIM SHOW - JACK AND JIM PLAY THE MUSIC OF FRANK ZAPPA

• Eugene Chadbourne & Jimmy Carl Black:
  The Jack And Jim Show – Jack And Jim Play The Music Of Frank Zappa
      (2002, cdr, Germany, inkanish records)

I somehow missed this when it got released back in 2002. Glad to have found a copy.

“Jack And Jim Play The Music Of Frank Zappa” was the third release in a series of tributes by Jack and Jim.
The first one was “Pachuco Cadaver”, the tribute to Captain Beefheart, and the second one was “Reflections And Experiences Of Jimi Hendrix”.

[1] from the “The Taste Of The Leftovers” CD,
recorded in Italy and Slovenia in 1995, feat. Sandro Oliva.
[2] from the “Uncle Jimmy’s Master Plan” CD
recorded during 1994-95
[3] from the “The Early Years” CD
[4] from the “Pachuco Cadaver” CD

01. I’m Not Satisfied [1]
02. My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama [3]
03. Mom And Dad [2]
04. Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance [2]
05. Love Of My Life [1]
06. Concentration Moon [2]
07. Lonesome Cowboy Burt [3]
08. Willie The Pimp [4]
09. Trouble Coming Every Day/ Oh No! [3]
10. How Could I Be Such A Fool [1]
11. Help, I’m A Rock [1]

VARIOUS ARTISTS - ART LABOE'S MEMORIES OF EL MONTE

• Various Artists: Art Laboe’s Memories Of El Monte
      (1991, cd, USA, original sound record co)

The “Art Laboe’s Memories Of El Monte” compilation album opened with The Penguins’ ‘Memories Of El Monte’, written by Frank Zappa and Ray Collins.
Released in 1991, and quite a fine collection of songs !

-

SNARKY PUPPY & METROPOLE ORKEST - - - AS YOU ARE BUT NOT AS YOU WERE

Another track from the Snarky Puppy / Metropole Orkest collaboration has been released:

'As You Are But Not As You Were'.

From the "Somni" album.

MIKE KENEALLY'S "MKAF '03" IS OUT ON BANDCAMP

Recorded in Germany and in Finland in 2003, during the Mike Keneally & Friends tour, "MKAF '03" is now available on Bandcamp.

33 tracks.
I've been listening to this all morning (and I've just reached track number 20, a superb cover version of 'Inca Roads'.)
Comes with a beautiful 25-page pdf booklet.

And just maybe, '40,000 Headmen' ends with the arpeggio of 'The Deathless Horsie'. Or am I imagining this?
Plus, the collection includes '1988 Was A Million Years Ago', a track written in remembrance of FZ.

THE RESIDENTS' "ANIMAL LOVER" WILL GET AN EXPANDED EDITION

The Residents: Animal Lover (Evolution Edition), 3CD Box Set

Release date : 27th February 2026

The fan-favourite 2005 masterpiece, complete with 2cds of works-in-progress and demos charting the four-year writing and recording process. 

44 previously unreleased tracks, including lost and forgotten new songs. 

Compiled by Renaldo And The Loaf’s Brian Poole and Residents collaborator Carla Rabrizio.

Essay by Jim Knipfel and sleevenotes by The Residents’ mysterious archivist.

CORRIE VAN BINSBERGEN - - - WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW

Earlier this week, we caught the latest Corrie van Binsbergen project at Tivoli Vredenburg in Utrecht, NL.
"What The World Needs Now".

In case you missed it, the show will be still be performed a couple of times:

• 28/02/2026 Pardox Tilburg NL
• 01/03/2026 Jazz Inverdan Zaandam NL
• 02/03/2026 Pletterij Haarlem NL
• 14/03/2026 Mahogany Hall Edam NL

To get an idea of what you will be treated to... the 28/11/2025 concert at the Bimhuis in Amsterdam NL got recorded and can be viewed on YouTube !!

MONIKA ROSCHER BIGBAND

A message from Monika Roscher

Dear friends,

Did this year fly by for you, too?

We want to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you - everyone we met at shows, everyone who wrote to us, supported us, and listened to our music! From Gouveia in Portugal to the Zappanale, from Łódź in Poland all the way back home to Nuremberg - I got to chat with so many of you after the concerts. It was wonderful getting to know you!

I also had the chance to visit a few fantastic podcasts this year! (MakeWeird Music, MetalProgPopCast, Sheep Music, Tante Tofu at Rockradio, Klassik-Pop-et cetera at Deutschlandfunk)

A special highlight for us: Our very first live album (live at Ampere Munich) was released in April! And there are four live videos on YouTube to go with it - the newest one is "Future 3". Feel free to check it out: I even got to shred the guitar in it (even though it’s a ballad :D).

With everything getting wilder in the world of AI music and Spotify, we decided to go "old school": the live album is available exclusively on CD and vinyl, best ordered directly from us ;)

https://monikaroscher.bandcamp.com/

We wish you a wonderful and hopefully relaxed Advent season, and we’d love to see you at our last two concerts of the year::
December 27 - Pavillon | Hanover
December 28 - Jazzclub | Regensburg

PS: Our new band shirt with the bird design is now available in our band shop and on Bandcamp! And since today, Friday, December 5, is Bandcamp Friday, Bandcamp waives their fees and gives everything directly to the artists - which is very kind :)

Much love,
Monika & Bigband

PIERRE HENRY

Yesterday, we went to Ghent (BE) to a concert by Flat Earth Society, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Ham Sessions organisation and concert series.

After the concert, a DJ took over, kicking off with The Mothers Of Invention ('Why Don't You Do Me Right') followed by Pierre Henry ('Psyché Rock').
We had to leave but not before congratulating both Michel Mast (= Ham Sessions) and the DJ. The latter for his excellent choice in music.

MARCO MINNEMANN - TEAM NEKO

Marco Minnemann's latest release is called "Team NEKO".
Featuring some familiar (and less-familiar) names. Always worth to investigate !

WONK VISION - APPROACHING THE CHICANE

A message from Alan Jenkins

There is a brand new Experimental Surf Music album on Bandcamp today:

"Approaching the Chicane" by Wonk Vision.

Out on Bandcamp / Cordelia Records.

FLAT EARTH SOCIETY - ORFEUS - INTEGRALE VERSIE

 As expected, following yesterday's "De Liederen", Flat Earth Society now also released the complete version of their "Orfeus" theatre show.

JING CHI - JING CHI

• Jing Chi: Jing Chi
      (2001, cd, USA, tone center)

Jing Chi was a fusion trio that released three records between 2001 and 2004, plus another one in 2017.
Featuring Jimmy Haslip on bass, Robben Ford on guitar & Vinnie Colaiuta on drums.

I received a digital download of their first album a couple of days ago, and I have had it on standard rotation (between the other albums that I listened to).
Excellent !!

-- info & such: Philippe Lamoot

DOUBLE BILL : KAMEEL + MOJO AND THE KITCHEN BROTHERS

I was very impressed by a recent gig by Kameel, the Belgian jazz / rock trio.

They have another gig coming up next February, opening for Mojo And The Kitchen Brothers.
In Retie, BE.
21/02/2025

https://www.eventbrite.be/e/tickets-kameel-mojo-the-kitchen-bothers-1976642896112

Kameel

Mojo And The Kitchen Brothers

-- info: Philippe Lamoot

FLAT EARTH SOCIETY - ORFEUS - DE LIEDEREN

The Flat Earth Society has just released "Orfeus - De Liederen", the songs from the recent theatre performance which was a collaboration between composer Peter Vermeersch and actor Koen De Graeve.

In Flemish / Dutch !!

 

THE YOCKAMO ALL-STARS - DEW DROP OUT

New Orleans / Mardi Gras / Rhythm and Blues band The Yockamo All-Stars released their "Dew Drop Out" album in 1998!

I have to agree with my buddie Till who pointed out to me that when the trombone enters the 'Jambolero' piece, it resembles Frank Zappa's arrangement of Ravel's 'Bolero'.
Check out that trombone !

That being said, "Dew Drop Out" is a fun album.
Recommended listening.

• Yockamo All-Stars: Dew Drop Out
      (1997, cd, --, rykodisc)

Together with John Boutté, The Yockamo All-Stars released "Cubanismo In New Orleans / Mardi Gras Mambo".

Also very enjoyable.

• John Boutté And The Yockamo All-Stars: Cubanismo – Mardi Gras Mambo
      (2000, cd, USA, hannibal)

Here's 'Jambolero':

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH - I. O. U. LIVE

• Allan Holdsworth: I.O.U. Live
      (1997, cd, --, outer music)

Filling gaps in the Allan Holdsworth discography...
Released in 1997, "I. O. U. Live" was actually recorded in concert in Japan in 1984. It presented pieces from the "I. O. U.", "Road Games", and "Metal Fatigue" albums.

In 2018, "I. O. U. Live" would get re-released as a CD / DVD package called "Live In Japan 1984" by the Manifesto record label.

Allan Holdsworth on (breathtaking) guitar, Chad Wackerman on drums, Jimmy Johnson on bass, and Paul Williams on vocals.
Personally, I'm more in favor of the instrumental stuff, but this is a great album.
If you have the choice, go for the Manifesto release (with the DVD !!).

BRETT SPIVEY - DIE WEIHNACHTSMASCHINE

Die Weihnachtsmaschine (The Christmas Machine)
- A Holiday Tribute to Kraftwerk

brand-new release by Brett Spivey

NEW BANDCAMP RELEASE BY MIKE KENEALLY

"MKAF ‘03"
Mike Keneally & Friends
Live Adventures in Europe

COMING TO BANDCAMP
THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5!

The album will only be added to Mike's Bandcamp page on Friday:

https://mikekeneallymusic.bandcamp.com/

Mike added:

What is MKAF ‘03? Here’s some background:

Since the early ‘00s, concurrent with my Beer for Dolphins activities and the other stuff I get involved with, I’ve also had what I guess you could call my European Power Trio, consisting of me, Jaan Wessman (who lives in Finland) on bass, and Schroeder (who lives in Germany) on drums. We play when we can – three years ago we did the Zappanale Festival in Germany, and last year we played a few shows in Finland. I dearly love any opportunity to play with these guys – it’s a very special, and not widely known, part of my life and music.

Since 2016 we’ve been called The Mike Keneally Report, but when we started doing shows in 2002, and up until 2004, we were called MIKE KENEALLY & FRIENDS.

ZAPPANALE PREVIEW

Added to the Zappanale line-up:

German kraut rockers Agitation Free

Portugese band The Brothers Of Invention

Dutch / German collaboration The Filthy Brillos

= Fred & Armin of the Jeff Hollie trio & Sebastian, Sascha & Flo from the HuSos.

German band Die Miserablen Husos

ASTRAL MAGIC

 Astral Magic is a relatively new project by Santtu Laakso.
Santtu is the bass player for psychedelic space rock band Dark Sun.
His Astral Magic project comes from the same stable.

Kicked off by some home recordings during the covid-19 lockdown, Santtu has released over 40 albums up until today.

Here are the albums that I enjoyed / am enjoying today:

"Cruising The Celestial Highways" (2024)

"Shadows Over Jupiter (Remixed)"

"Strange Sensation"

"Mind Melt Machine EP"

ANTON ROOLAART - THE BALLAD OF GENERAL JUPITER

• Anton Roolaart: The Ballad Of General Jupiter
      (2026, cd, --, moonjune records)

With Anton Roolaart's "The Ballad Of General Jupiter" to be released in early January, the MoonJune Records label is already making one track available as a teaser.

Multi-instrumentalist Anton Roolaart was born in Teheran, Iran, and moved to the USA with his family at an early age. 
In 2007, Anton released his first album, "Dreamer', followed by a second one, "The Plight Of Lady Oona" in 2014.
In 2020, however, after living most of his life in the USA, Anton Roolaart moved to Amsterdam in The Netherlands where he continues to work on new music.

On "The Ballad Of General Jupiter", Anton does not hide his admiration for early nineteen seventies progressive rock music.
Eight tracks. Seven fine original compositions plus Jon Anderson's 'Yesterday And Today' (which fits great).

Blending rich musical textures with evocative and lyrical storytelling, The Ballad of General Jupiter is a collection of sonic tales — snapshots of imagination, emotion, and resilience. With echoes of David Bowie, Pink Floyd, early Genesis and Caravan, Roolaart paints vivid musical portraits shaped by imagination, introspection, and social consciousness as he explores not only personal themes, but also broader reflections on a world grappling with chaos, greed, and injustice.

If you're in or around Amsterdam on December 13th at Teatro Munganga, don't miss Anton Roolaart's acoustic concert. In addition to occasional local shows, Anton will be on a short tour of Benelux and Northern France in 2026, and he will perform at the 4th MoonJune International Festival in Teramo, Italy, in July 2026.

"The Ballad Of General Jupiter" will be out on CD, on LP and on Bandcamp in January 2026.
I was fortunate to give the complete album a listen and this one got a thumbs up from me.

Check out 'Star Child' on Bandcamp.

NEW RELEASE BY CHANAN HANSPAL

Chanan Hanspal's latest album, "Space Nordic", features Mike Keneally !

GUITAR WORLD INTERVIEW WITH MIKE KENEALLY

EXCELLENT Guitar World interview with Mike Keneally.
Talking about playing in Frank Zappa's band, but also discussing performing with Dweezil Zappa, Steve, Vai, XTC,...

 

J DILLA'S "DONUTS" ALBUM GETS ANOTHER RE-ISSUE

J Dilla's "Donuts" album celebrates is 20th anniversary in a couple of months.
Which translates into another re-issue of this excellent album.

The Donuts Audiophile Edition is lacquer cut at Bernie Grundman and manufactured at Fidelity Record Pressing - 2LP 180g vinyl at 45rpm. Deluxe art printed Stoughton jacket.

And here's one of the reasons why I like J Dilla: 'Mash', sampling Frank Zappa.

STICK MEN ON TOUR

Stick Men kicked off their West Coast 'Brutal' tour in Vancouver. 

• Tony Levin - Chapman Stick
• Markus Reuter - touch guitar
• Pat Mastelotto - drums, electronics

 

NEW SAMPLER : JOIN THE BAND! EARLY DAYS AND FAVORITE BLUES OF LITTLE FEAT

• Various Artists: Join The Band! Early Days And Favorite Blues Of Little Feat
      (2025, cd, Japan, oldays records)

The band members' musical history prior to the band's formation and the blues numbers they covered are all on this one disc!

So it's not Little Feat, but the music that influenced them, and music by the bands some of the members played in before they joined Little Feat.
Including The Factory with Lowell George, and The Mothers Of Invention, featuring Roy Estrada.

1.Join The Band / John Davis & Group
2.Smile, Let Your Life Begin / The Factory
3.No Place I'd Rather Be / The Factory
4.Trippin' Out / Something Wild
5.Why Don't You Do Me Right / The Mothers Of Invention
6.Forty-Four Blues / Howlin' Wolf
7.How Many More Years / Howlin' Wolf
8.You'll Be Mine / Howlin' Wolf
9.Wang Dang Doodle / Howlin' Wolf
10.Lonesome Whistle / Hank Williams
11.Framed / Coasters
12.Can't Be Satisfied / Muddy Waters
13.They're Red Hot (Hot Tamales) / Robert Johnson
14.You're Taking Up Another Man's Place / Mable John
15.That's A Pretty Good Love / Big Maybelle
16.Last Night / Little Walter
17.It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry / Bob Dylan
18.Going Down In Louisiana / Joe Hill Louis
19.Big Road Blues / Tommy Johnson
20.My Daddy Was A Jockey / John Lee Hooker

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

JUPITER ORBIT ESCAPE

Jupiter Orbit Escape - Mehr!

With Chato Segerer on the guitar !!

"MUSIC ACROSS" WITH GERNOT FRIEDBACHER

The "Music Across" radio show.
Every first Monday of the month, at 21h00

RADIO ORANGE - ORANGE 94.0
https://o94.at/radio/sendereihe/music-across/
https://cba.media/podcast/music-across

Produced by Gernot Friedbacher

Episode 130 – Zappanale 2025 #1 – "Music Outside The Norm – On the 85th birthday of Frank Zappa – December 1, 2025, 21h00

From 17 to 20 July 2025, the 34th Zappanale took place in Bad Doberan on the Baltic Sea.

Music Across was there again and interviewed all the musicians, which will be featured in several Music Across broadcasts along with live recordings from the concerts. Among the artists were Zappa alumni Bobby Martin and Ray White, and, believe it or not, 92-year-old Don Preston, who made music history with Frank Zappa's ‘Mothers of Invention’. And it is no coincidence that this programme is being broadcast for the first time in December, as Frank Zappa would have celebrated his 85th birthday on 21 December 2025. In this first programme about Zappanale 2025, you will hear interviews and music from British musician Geoff Pointer, alias Turbulator, who has spent most of his life in Australia, the Berlin Federal Police Orchestra, German-born composer Stefan Hakenberg, who lives in Austria, Zappa alumni Ray White and Bobby Martin, the Treacherous Cretins from Great Britain, and French musician Clémence Manachère, who lives in Germany. 

NACHO PICASSO

Another Frank Zappa sample.
'Treacherous Cretins' !!
Listen to Nacho Picasso's 'Voices In My Head'.
The final track on his "AntiHero Vol. 1" album.

PEDRO LADROGA

For another Frank Zappa sample, check out 'Ke Kiere Ase (Ke Kie)' on Pedro LaDroga's "Hologram" EP.
From 2014.

J.M. SMIG - ZAPPACRITE: IV. ERRS A PARENT

November 27, J.M. Smig wrote: 

Finally managed to sneak in a few breaks from the real world to revise "Zappacrite" for the first time in over a year. Still far from finished but I managed to add an extra minute to the fourth movement, "Errs a Parent". 

Still unfinished, this updated version got added to the “Apostolatus” album, replacing the shorter February piece.

DWEEZIL ZAPPA

• Dweezil Zappa: Leather Turkey
      (2025, download, USA, reward music platform)

For Thanksgiving 2025, Dweezil Zappa updated his 2022 “Leather Turkey” release. He explained:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! LEATHER TURKEY

Delicious treats for your ears right here!

I have updated "Leather Turkey" to include more songs. It features a rare mash-up, "Twinkle Tits" mixed with "Dupree's Paradise" in Oslo on 11-25-19 with the Norwegian wind Ensemble. "Heavy Duty Judy" from the Rox-Postrophy tour, Live in St. Louis from 2024. There's also a suite of songs Live from Vienna in 2018.

Zappa Plays Zappa with the Norwegian Wind Ensemble
[1] 2019 11 25 Oslo, Norway

Zappa Plays Zappa
[2] 2024 St. Louis
[3] 2018 Vienna, Austria

01. Twinkle Tits & Dupree’s Paradise [1]
02. Heavy Duty Judy [2]
03. Call Any Vegetable [3]
04. Tell Me You Love Me [3]
05. Dog Breath [3]
06. Dog Meat [3]
07. Sleep Napkins [3]

Available from Dweezil Zappa's website.
https://www.dweezilzappa.com/

MOSAE ZAPPA FESTIVAL

This weekend, Heerlen will be the place to be as it's time for another edition of the MOSAE ZAPPA festival.
All venues are to be found in and around the center of Heerlen.

Friday
19h00 at Café Bluff

• Documentary
• A Quiz
• The Disco Boyz (DJ set)

Saturday

11h00 at the Betahuis

• Shut Up And..., a discussion with Michel Delville (The Wrong Object) and Tim Op Het Broek

13h00 at Pat's Tostibar

• Fred Händl

19h00 at the Nieuwe Nor

• Uncle Meat (Zappa tribute)
• Heath
• Orange Claw Hammer (Captain Beefheart tribute)
• Enjaku YoYo 

Sunday

11h00 at the Nieuwe Nor Café

• Record Fair
• The Disco Boyz (DJ Set)

15h00 at Outpoet

• H_U_T._

-

-

PAPIR - IX

Danish trio Papir has a new album out: "IX".

Instrumental rock.
Nice !!

• Nicklas Sørensen - guitar
• Christian Becher Clausen - bass
• Christoffer Brøchmann Christensen - drums

THE DAVE PIKE SET - NOISY SILENCE - GENTLE NOISE

• The Dave Pike Set: Noisy Silence - Gentle Noise
      (2025, cd, Japan, mps / solid records cdsol-3515)

Originally recorded and released in 1969, The Dave Pike Set’s “Noisy Silence – Gentle Noise” has been re-released several times.
This (very) recent Japanese re-release on the Solid Records label comes with an obi.

Dave Pike’s quartet featured Dave Pike (vibraphone), Volker Kriegel (guitar), Hans Rettenbacher (bass), and Peter Baumeister (drums).

The album included FZ’s ‘Mother People’ in an arrangement by Volker Riegel.

THE CHEMISTRY SET - THE TRAGIC FRIDGE MAGNET

'The Tragic Fridge Magnet' is (one side) of the brand new Double A-Side single from The Chemistry Set. The other A- Side is 'STP.'

Released as a limited-edition coloured vinyl on December 19th 2025 by Fruits de Mer records. 

Digital release, with bonus track (extended version of STP) will be released on Bandcamp on January 15th 2026.

Thanks to Drain Hope for the incredible videos.

P&C The Chemistry Set 2025/26

EIDON - JAMMEE 2

Jammee 2
by Eidon

ANOTHER A.I. ALBUM COVER FOR A FRANK ZAPPA RELEASE

I mentioned the "Rock N' Roots Of Frank Zappa (clear vinyl LP)" earlier today.

Look at that album cover.
Something's definitely wrong with that picture.

 

RAOUL PETITE - NI VIEUX NI MAITRE

• Raoul Petite: Ni Vieux Ni Maître
      (2020, cd, France, cannibal pigs / private release)
      (2020, cd promo, France, cannibal pigs / private release)

Raoul Petite’s « Ni Vieux Ni Maître » got released on LP and on CD. The CD carried several bonus tracks, including the Frank Zappa-inspired ‘Music is The Best’.

Two editions of this album exist: the standard digipack release and a promotional cardboard sleeve edition.

MERIDIAN ARTS ENSEMBLE - PRIME MERIDIAN

• Meridian Arts Ensemble: Prime Meridian
      (1995, cd, The Netherlands, channel crossings)
      (1995, cd promo, The Netherlands, channel crossing)

The Meridian Arts Ensemble's "Prime Meridian" album is a must-have for any fan of Frank Zappa's music.
The album presented 6 fine Zappa pieces, in an arrangement of Jon Nelson.

02. Peaches En Regalia
03. Let’s Make The Water Turn Black
04. Oh No (I Don’t Believe It)
05. Igor’s Boogie
06. Eat That Question
07. Echidna’s Arf (Of You)

Next to the standard jewel case release, there's also a promotional version in a cardboard cover.
Very happy with it.

REVOLUTIONARY SNAKE ENSEMBLE - SERPENTINE

• Revolutionary Snake Ensemble: Serpentine
       (2025, cd, USA, cuneiform rune 549)

As ordering from the States is becoming almost impossible due to rising postage costs and exuberant custom handling fees, I was fortunate to see that copies of Ken Field's Revolutionary Snake Ensemble  got distributed into Europe.

Excellent music, including a fine version of FZ's 'Son Of Mr. Green Genes'.

A fine addition to The Others Of Invention.

FRANK ZAPPA - - - ROCK N' ROOTS OF FRANK ZAPPA

Another Frank Zappa related album got announced earlier this week:

Frank ZAPPA - Rock N' Roots Of Frank Zappa
(clear vinyl LP)

I'm curious to fine out what will be on it.

To be released in January 2026.

NUBIYAN TWIST & ENIOLA

Beautiful artwork & enjoyable music.
A great combination.

"Chasing Shadows"
by Nubiyan Twist and Eniola

Full album to be released in February 2026.

SPIKE JONES

From the liner notes of "The Best Of Spike Jones - The Funniest Show On Earth:
Spike was a true innovator whose comedic genius was light years ahead of this time, directly influencing such iconoclasts as Frank Zappa, Ernie Kovacs, Weird Al Yankovic, George Carlin and Billy Crystal.

• Spike Jones: The Best Of Spike Jones – The Funniest Show On Earth
      (2009, 3dvd, --, infinity)

For those who want to dive into the Spike Jones discography, here's a list of his albums
(thanks to Danny Mathys):

1	Spike Jones: Spike Jones Presents A Xmas Spectacular (1956, lp)
2	Spike Jones: Spike Jones Demonstrates Your Hi—Fi — Dinner Music For People Who Aren't Very Hungry (1957, lp)
3	Spike Jones: Spike Jones In Stereo — A Spooktacular In Screaming Sound ! (1959, lp)
4	Spike Jones And The Band That Plays For Fun: Omnibust (1960, lp)
5	Spike Jones And The Band That Plays For Fun: "60 Years Of ""Music America Hates Best""" (1960, lp)
6	Spike Jones: Washington Square (1963, lp)
7	Spike Jones: Spike Jones' New Band (1964, lp)
8	Spike Jones: My Man (1964, lp)
9	Spike Jones: The New Band Of Spike Jones Plays Hank Williams Hits (1965, lp)
10	Spike Jones And His City Slickers: Spike Jones Murders Them All (1973, 2lp)
11	Spike Jones And His City Slickers: Spike Jones Murders Again (1973, 2lp)
12	Spike Jones And His City Slickers: Spike Jones Can't Stop Murdering (1974, 2lp)
13	Spike Jones: The King Of Corn (1978, lp)
14	Spike Jones And His Other Orchestra: The Uncollected Spike Jones And His Other Orchestra — 1946 (1982, lp)
15	Spike Jones & His City Slickers: Radio Days (1990, cd)
16	Spike Jones And His City Slickers: The Radio Years Volume 1 (1993, cd)
17	Spike Jones And His City Slickers: The Radio Years Volume 2 (1993, cd)
18	Spike Jones: (Not) Your Standard Spike Jones Collection (2003, 3cd)

And another DVD you might want to check out:

• Spike Jones: Wild Music
      (2011, dvd, --, tgg direct)
  
  

FLO & EDDIE - - - HOLLYWOOD MEMORIES

• Flo & Eddie: Hollywood Memories
      (1976, tv documentary, dutch VARA television)

Broadcast as an episode of a series called Wonderland on Dutch television.
Probably in 1976.
I recently got hold of an (excellent) DVDR copy.

50 minutes, where Flo & Eddie guide the viewer through the new Hollywood.
Hilarious.
(Frank Zappa is mentioned very briefly in the documentary.)

PRINCE AND THE REVOLUTION - AROUND THE WORLD IN A DAY

• Prince And The Revolution: Around The World In A Day
      (2025, 2cd, --, npg records)

Originally released in 1985.
Monumental.

This 'deluxe re-release' presents the remastered album, an extended version (21 minutes) of 'America', and several remixes.
I went for the 2 CD set but there are a lot of options, even a picture disc.

SNARKY PUPPY & METROPOLE ORKEST - IT STAYS WITH YOU

Snarky Puppy & Metropole Orkest - It Stays With You (cond. Jules Buckley)

 

JEAN-LUC PONTY - - - 1976 11 21 'THE BOTTOM LINE', NEW YORK CITY, NY

I recently got hold of a fine concert recording, sourced from an FM broadcast, by Jean-Luc Ponty.
(from the 101 Guitars website)

"Jean-Luc Ponty - 1976 11 21 Bottom Line, NYC, NY (FM)"

Promoting his "Imaginary Voyage" album, Jean-Luc's band featured Tom Fowler (bass), Alan Zavod (keyboard), Darryl Stuermer (guitar) - all three also present on the record -, and Steve Smith (drums).

Both J.-L. Ponty and Tom Fowler had played in Zappa's band prior to 1976, while Alan Zavod would eventually join Zappa's band in 1984. I guess having played with J.-L. Ponty contributed to convince FZ to hire him.

JETHRO TULL - LIVE IN BERLIN 1985

• Jethro Tull: Live In Berlin 1985
      (2025, download / streaming, --, digital music platforms)

A 2025 remastered version of Jethro Tull's "Live in Berlin 1985" got released on digital platforms (Amazon Music, Apple Music, TIDAL, and Spotify) earlier this month.

The concert featured Eddie Jobson !

Restricted to streaming, Live In Berlin 1985 may seem strange, as it doesn’t contain a single cut from the group’s then-latest record, but the special performance – featuring the temporarily returning Eddie Jobson, it’s known to aficionados as “Bach-Rock” and circulated for years in video form – celebrated Johann Sebastian Bach’s 300th birthday, so there’s logic to it.

SNARKY PUPPY & METROPOLE ORKEST - SOMNI

• Snarky Puppy & Metropole Orkest: Somni
      (2025, 2lp, --, groundup music)
      (2025, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Released through several digital music channels, and available as a 2 LP set on blue vinyl, Snarky Puppy's recent collaboration with the Metropole Orkest, is another amazing release.

Beautiful compositions, typical Snarky Puppy timbres, and lyrically emphasised by the Metropole Orchestra.

Brilliant.

"Somni" is the second collaborative album by Snarky Puppy — the GRAMMY-winning, genre-fluid collective led by bassist-composer Michael League — and Metropole Orkest, the Netherlands-based hybrid ensemble renowned for fusing jazz, classical, and popular music on a symphonic scale. Captured live over three nights (January 17–19, 2025) in Utrecht, the project reunites the two groups a decade after their first joint effort, Sylva — an orchestral suite released in 2015 that earned the GRAMMY for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album the following year.

"Somni" will be out as a combined CD and DVD set early next year, which I'm also looking forward to. In the meantime, I'm more than happy with the audio (and the YouTube pieces).

FRANKIE COFONE - THE SOLINA RECORD

• Francis Cofone: The Solina Record
      (2025, cd, Germany, iapetus media)

Guitarist and composer Francis Cofone creates ambient, atmospheric soundscapes.
Perfect for an early morning with a cup of coffee, or for any other moment when you need some time in seclusion.

"The Solina Record" is a collaboration between Francis Cofone and Markus Reuter, who, for this occasion played an analog Solina String Ensemble synthesizer.
It's their second collaboration, the first one being the 2024 "Space Fabric" album.

Markus Reuter added:
This album came into being almost by accident — one of those rare moments when time, space, and sound align in perfect harmony.

In May 2025, Frankie Cofone came to Berlin to record his second ambient guitar album at the legendary Hansa Studios, with me serving as producer. Over the course of the day, he recorded nearly three hours of extraordinary solo music — rich, spacious, and deeply personal.

As the night wound down, we realized we still had about an hour left in the studio. That’s when I noticed a vintage ARP Solina String Ensemble tucked away in the corner. We asked the engineer to patch it in, and without much thought or planning, Frankie and I began to play together. It was the first time I played a real Solina, and it was wonderful.

What you hear on The Solina Record is the result of that spontaneous session — a genuine, unfiltered moment of creation. The music is almost untouched, just as it unfolded that night. It holds a special place in our hearts, and we hope it will speak to yours as well.

Bandcamp release, and available on CD.
Out on the Iapetus Media record label.

ALIENO DE BOOTES' "UNCONVENTIONAL RESIDENTS IV" AVAILABLE ON BANDCAMP

The CD got released a couple of months ago on the Klanggalerie record label, and now Volume 4 of Alieno De Bootes' tribute to The Residents, "Unconventional Residents IV" has also been made available on Bandcamp.

NEW ALBUM BY DWIKI DHARMAWAN

Dwiki Dharmawan - "Anagnorisis"

New album on MoonJune Records by the Indonesian piano and keyboards icon, producer, composer, arranger, improvisor, educator, cultural ambassador.

Out on the MoonJune Records label.

PRIORY OF BRION (WITH ROBERT PLANT)

'Evil Woman' / 'Morning Dew'
by Priory of Brion with Robert Plant 

• Robert Plant - vocal
• Kevyn Gammond - guitar
• Paul Timothy - keyboards
• Paul Wetton - bass
• Andy Edwards - drums

"SONGS FOR THE DEAD" AT MAGASIN 4 IN BRUSSELS ON DECEMBER 3, 2025

Magasin 4 has scheduled an evening of (morbid) sounds and music, with Catharine Graindorge and with Berlinde Deman.

"Songs For The Dead"
Catharine Graindorge

"Plank 9"
Berlinde Deman

at Magasin 4, Brussels - 3/12/2025

https://www.magasin4.be/zoom/songs-for-the-dead/47099/

-- info: Philippe Lamoot

THE CHEMISTRY SET

Here's the brand spanking new Chemistry Set video for 'STP', a track on their Fruits de Mer 7" single that will be released on December 15th - full details here https://www.fruitsdemerrecords.com/fridge.html

FURIOUS BONGOS WORKING ON A CD RELEASE

 The Furious Bongos:
Just finished going through all the official recordings/videos, and we are definitely going to release the full show from Third Room in Asheville, NC on CD and video. The band was on point, the venue looks awesome (and the staff/crew are lovely humans), and the audience was off the hook.

Here's a nice snippet from a 2024 show:

 

PANZERBALLETT & VIRGIL DONATI - - - PICK UP THE PIECES

Recorded live in May 2025 @ BeardyMountainStudio in Pressbaum/ Vienna.
Song "Pick Up The Pieces" written by AVERAGE WHITE BAND,
performed by PANZERBALLETT and VIRGIL DONATI

A GRANDMOTHERS UPDATE !!

Reinhard Preuss (from Muffin Record Productions" says:

I started looking into the archive and decided to do it because..., long story short: THE GRANDMOTHERS aka THE GRANDMOTHERS OF INVENTION never before released studio sessions from 1993 with Jimmy Carl Black, Don Preston, Bunk Gardner, Roland St Germain, Ener Bladezipper, Linda Valdmets & Sandro Oliva will hit your Ears soon!

BELEDO MECHANISM, FEATURING CHAD WACKERMAN

Beledo Mechanism - - - two great nights in So-Cal

Beledo (guitar, electric piano)
Chad Wackerman (drums)
Anthony Crawford (bass guitar)
Nick Mancini (vibraphone).

• January 14 - Los Angeles, CA (The Baked Potato, 2 shows)
• January 15 - San Pedro, CA (Alva's Showroom)

BANNED FROM UTOPIA UPDATE

A Banned From Utopia update.

With a date added for the Paradox club in Tilburg NL (4/10/2026)
And featuring Mike Keneally on guitar.

FLAT EARTH SOCIETY ORCHESTRA UPDATE

Upcoming concerts

• 20/11 Jazz Pelt, CC Palethe, Pelt, BE
• 04/12 Ham Sessions Feestconcert, De Centrale, Gent, BE
• 12/12 De Kern, Wilrijk, BE
• 13/12 Nova Express, Nona, Mechelen, BE

And there's a new album being recorded !

"Missa Asinorum"

Album release concerts

• 28/04/2026: première @ HA Concerts, Gent, BE
• 01/05/2026: BIM Huis, Amsterdam, NL
• 08/05/2026: Paradox, Tilburg, NL

THURSDAY 20/11 - - - MATS & MORGAN AT LE TRITON IN PARIS, FRANCE

Thursday, 20 November at 8:30 p.m.
MATS AND MORGAN
FEAT. HENRIK LINDER & MÉDÉRIC COLLIGNON

MATS AND MORGAN are back at Le Triton, much to our delight!

The Swedish duo was discovered in the early 1990s by the great Frank Zappa himself. We heard them in 1991 alongside Mike Keneally and Steve Vai in the Zappa's Universe project, supervised by the master himself. Since then, they have been flying solo in a stunningly virtuosic band that is restoring jazz-fusion to its former glory, thanks to compositions that are not mere pretexts for a display of technical prowess.
For their grand return to the Triton stage, they will be accompanied by Swedish virtuoso bassist Henrik Linder and the explosive troublemaker Médéric Collignon.