MAGDALENA WESTMAN TALKS ABOUT HER MEETING WITH FRANK ZAPPA

1990 Frank Zappa was invited to Czech Republic by musician, politician, and former Minister of Culture Michael Kocáb. He introduced Frank to his sister, Magdalena Westman.

From Pauline Butcher's YouTube channel:

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PYGMY TWYLYTE TOURDATES

 

TODD RUNDGREN TOURDATES

TODD RUNDGREN “DAMNED IF I DO” TOUR

June 11 – Arcada Theatre – St. Charles, IL
June 12 – Des Plaines Theatre – Des Plaines, IL
June 14 – Vibrant Music Hall – Waukee, IA
June 16 – Majestic Theatre – Dallas, TX
June 17 – House of Blues – Houston, TX
June 19 – Tobin Center for the Performing Arts – San Antonio, TX
June 20 – Golden Nugget – Lake Charles, LA
June 22 – Buckhead Theatre – Atlanta, GA
June 23 – The Parker – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
June 25 – Capitol Theatre – Clearwater, FL
June 26 – Capitol Theatre – Clearwater, FL
June 28 – Circle Square Cultural Center – Ocala, FL
June 30 – Charleston Music Hall – Charleston, SC
July 01 – Carolina Theatre of Durham – Durham, NC
July 03 – The Caverns – Pelham, TN
July 05 – KEMBA Live! – Columbus, OH
July 06 – Riviera Theatre – North Tonawanda, NY
July 08 – Community Arts Center – Williamsport, PA
July 09 – Warner Theatre – Washington, DC
July 11 – Keswick Theatre – Glenside, PA
July 12 – Keswick Theatre - Glenside, PA
July 15 – Patchogue Theatre – Patchogue, NY
July 16 – Tarrytown Music Hall – Tarrytown, NY
July 18 – Bally’s Twin River Casino – Lincoln, RI
July 19 – Cabot Theater – Beverly, MA

August 8, 2026 – Englewood, NJ – Bergen PAC
August 9, 2026 – Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse
August 11, 2026 – Ocean City, NJ – Ocean City Music Pier
August 12, 2026 – Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Theater
August 14, 2026 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
August 15, 2026 – Newport, KY – MCL Pavilion
August 17, 2026 – Kalamazoo, MI – Bells Beer Garden
August 18, 2026 – Saginaw, MI – Temple Theatre
August 20, 2026 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Theatre
August 21, 2026 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theater
August 23, 2026 – Ft. Wayne, IN – Clyde Theater
August 25, 2026 – Minneapolis, MN – Uptown Theatre
August 26, 2026 – Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theatre
August 28, 2026 – Louisville, KY – Brown Theater
August 29, 2026 – St Louis, MO – The Pageant

September 6, 2026 – Lorica, IT – Campo Sportivo
September 9, 2026 – London, UK – Cadogan Hall
September 10, 2026 – Bristol, UK – Bristol Beacon
September 12, 2026 – Manchester, UK – Opera House Manchester
September 13, 2026 – Glasgow, SCT – Theatre Royal Glasgow
September 18, 2026 – Aalburg, DK – Skraaen
September 19, 2026 – Helsingor, DK – Kulturvaerftet - The Culture Yard
September 21, 2026 – Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso Main Hall

October 21, 2026 – San Francisco, CA – Castro Theater
October 22, 2026 – Santa Cruz, CA – Rio Theater
October 24, 2026 – Sacramento, CA – Quarry Park Amphitheater
October 25, 2026 – Oxnard, CA – Oxnard PAC
October 27, 2026 – San Diego, CA – The Sound
October 29, 2026 – Temecula, CA – Rhythm On The Vine
October 30, 2026 – Newport Beach, CA – Back Bay Amphitheatre at the Hyatt Regency
November 2, 2026 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
November 4, 2026 – Tucson, AZ – La Rosa
November 6, 2026 – Albuquerque, NM – Kimo
November 7, 2026 – El Paso, TX – Plaza Theatre
November 9, 2026 – Colorado Springs, CO – Pikes Peak Center
November 10, 2026 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
November 12, 2026 – Phoenix, AZ – Celebrity Theatre
November 13, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – ZOUK
November 15, 2026 – Boise, ID – Egyptian Theatre
November 16, 2026 – Spokane, WA – Bing Crosby Theater
November 18, 2026 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
November 19, 2026 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
November 21, 2026 – Salt Lake City, UT – Capitol Theatre

THE FURIOUS BONGOS PLAY ZAPPA - - - TOURDATES AND MORE

April 2027 will be two weeks in the Northeast. We’re finally going to be able add shows in Boston and Connecticut, plus we’ll be back in New Hampshire, Maine, Albany, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh. July 2027 will be two weeks in Germany, Netherlands, and France. That’s just a tease for what’s coming in 2028….

October 2027 will cover a LOT of ground. We’ll start in North Carolina, head south to Florida (finally!), then work our way back up through Atlanta, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. The last show of the tour will be on Halloween night at Reggies in Chicago – and that will be EPIC fer sher fer sher.

And then, there’s 2028, our 10 year anniversary! More about that soon, but we’re finally going to be able to hit the US West Coast, more Canadian dates (including the Atlantic provinces), and if all goes as planned, an extended run through Europe.

So, thank you all for bearing with us as we grow, and we can’t wait to get back out there in September!

HENRY KAISER

"Henry Kaiser demonstrates Neodymium GS Q-tuners",
improvising on FZ's 'Outside Now'.

-- info: Kjell Knudde

WINTER IN EDEN

Winter in Eden have just released their fifth album ‘Never Untold’.

Here's 'In Plain Sight':

We think we’re the users — but we’re the product.
And it’s all happening in plain sight.

-- info: GlassOnyonPR

ZAPPANALE #35 - - - PART 5 - - - THE PRE-PARTY PREVIEW

The Zappanale festival lasts three days.
From Friday to Sunday.
On paper, that is, because there has always been a warm-up party with live music.

In the past, this event was often held in the town's park, near the Kamp Theater, but to accommodate the people who are camping near the festival ground, this has moved to Galopp-Rennbahn, the festival ground itself.

On top of that, it's no longer just a 'warm-up party' as it has grown into an additional day of the festival.

Fast forward to July 16 :

Kicking off on Thursday at 14h00 already, Superthousand will take the stage.
Progressive rock from Germany.
As one might guess from the title of their latest release, the band has released four albums so far.
Sounds pretty good to my ears !

At 16h00, smalltape will be up. smalltape is Berlin-based Philipp Nespital's project.
Melodic, atmospheric and theatrical.
He could be performing solo or bring his band... Very keen to find out.

At 18h00, we'll be treated to a mix of Black Sabbath and Frank Zappa songs, delivered by Blanck Zappath.
The band is a regular feature and has performed at several warm-up parties. This will be fun.

And then, at 20h00, it's time for Icarus Burns.
The band released their first album in 2025.
Instrumental heavy psych / stoner / metal.
Looking forward to this.

If you're arriving on Thursday, and even if you're staying in the center of Bad Doberan, or in one of the nearby villages, make sure to visit the festival ground. It's where everybody will be. Reconnecting, meeting people, or just enjoying it all.

TYLERSONGS - THE CASIO COOKBOOK

Tylersongs' "The Casio Cookbook" includes a cover version of Frank Zappa's 'Let's Make The Water Turn Black'. Out on Bandcamp and on cassette !! 

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ZAPPANALE #35 - - - PART 4 - - - "ARF" SHE SAID

"Arf" she said.
 An iconic part of the lyrics of 'Evelyn, A Modified Dog'.

But the 'Arf' appears everywhere throughout FZ's Project/Object.

And it's also the name of the quarterly magazine that's issued by The Arf Society: "The Arf Dossier".

"The Arf-Dossier" is the official, bilingual (German/English) fanzine of the Arf Society, the international Frank Zappa fan club based in Germany.
The publication, which has been printed continuously since 1994, is generally released four times a year (March, June, September, and December). It contains a mix of festival and concert reviews, album critiques, historical features, and news on musicians connected to Frank Zappa.

So weather you're visiting Zappanale or not, if you want to be posted on what's happening in the Zappa Universe, subscribe to The Arf Dossier. (50 € / year)

STEFANO BOLLANI

I recently received a recording of Stefano Bollani's concert at the Cappella Paolina del Palazzo del Quirinale in Rome, Italy, from October 10, 2004.

Broadcast on Italian national radio, Rai Radio Tre, the recording is of excellent quality.
At least as interesting is the fact that Stefano performed Frank Zappa' s 'Eat That Question' !

The piece can also be found on Stefano's "Sheik Yer Zappa" album.

NEW BOOK BY PIERREJEAN GAUCHER

Pierrejean Gaucher wrote:

Hello everyone,

I’m delighted to present my latest work to you. But I’m afraid I might disappoint some of you, because my new release… is a book! ☺️

That said, it’s very much about the guitar and music. It’s not an autobiography, nor an encyclopaedia, but rather a collection of reflections on how we think about and experience music today. I’ve written it in the form of an ABC, to appeal to musicians and music lovers alike.

As a friend put it, “it’s a book to buy with your eyes closed”, but it’s best to open them again afterwards to read it, and also to keep your ears open for the accompanying soundtrack. Here’s a short video to illustrate it.

https://youtube.com/shorts/n1BCIwJUL40

EUGENE CHADBOURNE & JIMMY CARL BLACK - THE JACK AND JIM SHOW - THE REFLECTIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF JIMI HENDRIX

• Eugene Chadbourne & Jimmy Carl Black: The Jack And Jim Show - The Reflections And Experiences Of Jimi Hendrix
      (20??, cdr, Germany, inkanish records)

I recently came across this re-issue of "The Reflections And Experiences Of Jimi Hendrix".
The original 2001 release, also released on Jimmy Carl Black's DIY Inkanish Records label, had Eugene, Jimmy Carl and Black Paddy on the album cover.
I don't know when this re-issue got released or even if there are other versions out there, but I'm glad I found it.

Eugene Chadbourne and Jimmy Carl Black plus Pat ‘Black Paddy’ Thomas (piano) did a Jimi Hendrix tribute show on October 26, 2001 in Emilia, Italy.
The album presented Zappa’s ‘Hey Punk’ mixed with Hendrix’ ‘Hey Joe’ as FZ took the chords of Jimi’s song as inspiration.

 Here's what the duo looked and sounded like in 1995:

DWEEZIL ZAPPA & VINNIE COLAIUTA

 

DANIEL ROHR - ALLES ÜBER FRANK - 14. JULI 2006, ZAPPANALE 17

• Daniel Rohr: ZAPPA! Alles Über Frank – 14. Juli 2006, Zappanale 17, Bad Doberan
      (2006, dvdr-promo, Switzerland, private release)

Daniel Rohr performed his "Zappa! Alles Über Frank" theater show at Zappanale in 2006.
I knew of a promotional CDR of the Zappanale recording, but it seems that Daniel also made a video recording available as a (promotional) DVDR.
Recorded, directed and edited by Jörg Herrmann’s Zappanale video team.

I wasn't aware of its existence.
Pretty happy that I could get hold of this. Another fine addition to The Others Of Invention.

Here's a promo for an October 2006 concert:

KOMMISSAR HJULER - ANTIFLUX 2

• Kommissar Hjuler: Antiflux 2 / Free Frank Zappa Anti-Object 7”
      (2026, 7”, Germany, private release)

Kommissar Hjuler produced this Frank Zappa Anti-Object 7” in 2026.
I received it as a gift. It was part of a series of works with / inspired by Milan Knizak.
It has pictures of Frank Zappa's face glued on the grooves of the 7".
The particular item, an anti (or non-playable) 7” was #41 in the Antiflux 2 series.

J.M. SMIG

Released in February 2025, J.M. Smig's 'Bar Mangled Standard'.

TWO NEW BOOKS

Mentioned a little while ago, these two books recently arrived:

• Alan Jenkins: The History Of Expermental Surf Music

If you are a fan of Jenkins’ delightfully weird discography (including his work with The Deep Freeze Mice or R. Stevie Moore), or simply love unclassifiable, delightfully eccentric garage-psych or his surf music excursions, "The History Of Experimental Surf Music" will be very enjoyable reading.
Although the booklet discusses several releases on Alan's Cordelia Records label, the reader should not expect any answers, details or other insights. Instead, you will be treated to stories that sprang from the imagination of Alan Jenkins. (At least, that's what I hope they are.)

• Raphael Henry: Frank Zappa

Another book about Frank Zappa. I quote the writer:
What interested me more was how he constructed his music, his ideas, and his independence over time.

RUSS STEDMAN - AROXOMONOPEDIA

New release by Russ Stedman: "Aroxomonopedia".
If someone has a clue as to what the title might mean, let me know.

Funny detail: I was listening to the first track and I really liked it. It was turning into a Zappa-esque guitar solo.
So I bought the album, dowloaded it, and started listening to it again. It was only then that I discovered that three minutes and twenty-five seconds into the first track, Russ quotes part of FZ's 'Inca Roads'.
Serendipity !!

GOOSE

American jamband Goose will perform in Saratoga Springs tonight.
It will be their last concert this month with the new series of concerts kicking off on August 13 in San Diego.

Due to the wonders of modern technology, Goose is making all of their concerts available for download and streaming through Bandcamp.
What a joy.

ZAPPANALE #35 - - - PART 3 - - - KOSMISCHE BROCKEN

Attending a festival where there's several bands performing the music of Frank Zappa, the greatest inconvenience will be that you will hear 'Cosmik Debris' performed a lot. Perhaps even once too many.

That being said, "Cosmik Debris / Kosmische Brocken" also is the name of the documentary that was made about the Zappanale Festival.

It's about 90 minutes long and it will be shown with English and German subtitles at the Kamp Kino. That's the Kamp Theater Cinema (Severinstrasse 4, Bad Doberan), next to the little park in the center of town.

• Thursday July 17th - 2:00 pm
• Friday July 18th - 1:00 pm
• Saturday July 19th - 1:00 pm
     Kamp Kino, Bad Doberan

And whilst we’re on the subject of subtitles, Bad Doberan is located in former Eastern Germany. Not everybody is fluent in English but that has improved enormously over the last 20 years.
Plus there's always dozens of optional translators around. Easy to spot by their Zappa T-shirts. The friendliest people you could ever meet.

Another nice introduction to the Zappanale Festival is the "We Are The Other People" book, compiled by Dieter Jakob, Burkhard Schempp and Robert Riedt to celebrate 25 years of Zappanale.
It got published in 2014 which seems like ages ago (and, in fact, it is), but it's great reading with lots of superb pictures.
There are also quite a few excerpts from interviews I conducted (as UniMuta) with some of the musicians.

the book, hardbound and 496 pages
cover artwork by Helmut King
(who will have another expo this year)

STEVE SWALLOW - WINTER SONGS

• Steve Swallow: Winter Songs
      (2016, cd, --, ecm records)

Bass player and composer Steve Swallow has a very impressive discography. Not only has he recorded with Gary Burton, Carla Bley and John Scofield, he also released an impressive set of albums as a leader.

According to my pal Danny, "Winter Songs" is Steve's 15th release.
Out on the ECM record label.
9 tracks, titled and numbered from "One" to "Nine".
Is it the winter melancholia, or is it because it will force the listener to be open-minded?

Whatever the reason, we're treated to an excellent set of tracks.

• Mike Rodriguez - Trumpet
• Chris Cheek - Tenor Saxophone
• Steve Cardenas - Guitar
• Gil Goldstein - Piano
• Steve Swallow - Bass
• Adam Nussbaum - Drums

Warm, accessible melodies and complex harmonic designs.
Very nice.

-- info: Danny Mathys

FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2027, STEVE VAI & METROPOLE ORKEST IN CONCERT IN UTRECHT, NL

Next year, on June 6, 2027, Steve Vai will perform with the Metropole Orkest, under the direction of Jukka Iisakkila.

At Tivoli Vredenburg.

It will not be perfect as it's standing room only, but I'm still looking forward to it.

https://www.tivolivredenburg.nl/agenda/99326734/steve-vai-metropole-orkest-11-06-2027

ZAPPANALE #35 - - - PART 2 - - - TOWN + RACECOURSE = FESTIVAL

All roads lead to Rome, but fans of Frank Zappa's music also know how to find their way to Bad Doberan.

When you go to the Zappanale festival, and you come from a bit further away, you don't have much choice. The final part of the trip to Bad Doberan must be made by train or by car.

Whatever you choose, you will enter the town of Bad Doberan with a view on the Alexandrineplatz and the park, and that's where you'll find the Frank Zappa bust. Created by Václav Česák, the bust was unveiled in 2002.

The festival and the camping site are located at the racecourse, a few kilometers are away from the town's center.
By car, it's a five to ten minute drive, but you can also take the Molli, the famous steam train.

Molli operates between Bad Doberan, Heiligendamm and Kühlungsborn over a total distance of 15.4 km with a running time of 40 minutes. It also makes a stop at the race track (the Galopp Rennbahn) and that's where the festival and the camping site are located.
Within Bad Doberan the line runs through the street, and later along a linden tree-lined avenue. It's like a tram, but much loader. Hard to miss.

Bad Doberan (in the below right corner), the Galopp Rennbahn (center), and Heiligendamm (top left).

NEW BOOK ABOUT FRANK ZAPPA

 New book about Frank Zappa by Raphael Henry.

THE HISTORY OF EXPERIMENTAL SURF MUSIC

Alan Jenkins wrote a book on the history of experimental surf music !
That looks very promising.

 

"ZAPPA AND ME", AN UPDATE ON THE MOVIE

Check out the promo video on vimeo:

https://vimeo.com/1192248253/486f6fa869

The website

https://www.wilddogworld.com/zappa-and-me-the-image-that-created-an-icon/

The update

We had a terrific conversation with LA rock photographer Rob Shanahan the other day.

In 2019, Rob took a great photo of Dweezil Zappa on the loo in front of the famous poster of Frank. What a find by Andrew Greenaway from Zappa News!

Rob has agreed to tell us all about it, where the poster is and also why he thinks Robert Davidson's picture is so special. Rob has photographed all the greats over the last 30 years so his story is amazing and his perspective on Robert's work is invaluable.

All will be revealed in the film and of course we've reached out to Dweezil to take part too.

We're also delighted to say that Bev Bevan, drummer from The Move, ELO and Black Sabbath will be speaking to us.

Robert famously photographed The Move signing their deal on model Liz Wilson's back.

Bev will speak about manger Tony Secunda - the man who booked Robert to cover the Zappa press conference at the Royal Garden Hotel in 1967 where the famous photo of Frank was made.

HAWKWIND - PSYCHEDELIC SELECTION

Legendary space rock band Hawkwind has a new album out: "Psychedelic Selection".
15 tracks, featuring founder Dave Brock, his musical companion Richard Chadwick and a nice selection of guests.

Out on 2 LP and on CD, plus Bandcamp.

THE UNIVERSE BY EAR

 A message from The Universe By Ear

After a long break, The Universe By Ear are back with some new songs!

We’re playing on Saturday 11 July at the Wydekantie in Dornach, show starts at 10 pm.
Come along!

Cheers,
Beni, Stef, Pascal

https://wydekantine.ch

ZAPPANALE #35 - - - PART 1 - - - WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT ?

The 35th edition of the Zappanale Festival will kick off in about two weeks.

The Zappanale is the world’s only annual music festival completely dedicated to the legacy and avant-garde music of late American composer and guitarist Frank Zappa. Organized by the Arf Society, the multi-day event takes place every July in the coastal German town of Bad Doberan.

Bad Doberan is a small town in northeastern Germany.
15 km west of Rostok.
150 km east of Hamburg
200 km north of Berlin

Bad Doberan is in the middle of nowhere, but it's a beautiful little town.
Near the Baltic Sea, friendly people, and well-known for its spa / bathing resorts.

And once every year, it brings together a couple of thousand music fans from all around the world to celebrate the music of Frank Zappa.

Don't get me wrong. It's not just Frank Zappa's music that's being performed at the festival.
There's a lot of it, but there's also music that's inspired by FZ, or music by bands that share the same eclectic approach: "Music Outside The Norm".

My wife and I have been going since 2002 and we've heard some wonderful music, discovered some great bands, and made a lot of friends.

If you're still considering going, have a look at the Zappanale website where you can find all the info on how to get to Bad Doberan:
https://www.zappanale.de/en/#anreise

Or join the Zappanale group on Facebook (is that still a thing?).

THE PETE ROTH TRIO, FEAT. BILL BRUFORD

The Pete Roth Trio return with Group Chat, a striking new CD/DVD release that captures the spontaneity, interplay and fearless musical conversation at the heart of this exceptional band. Led by guitarist Pete Roth, alongside bassist Mike Pratt and legendary drummer Bill Bruford, Group Chat is Roth's third major album and a release of particular significance, marking Bruford's eagerly awaited return to headline performance after a 13-year hiatus, as well as his first appearance on new material in 19 years.

• Pete Roth Trio: Group Chat
      (2026, cd + dvd, UK, cherry red)

OCTOBER EQUUS - SATURNAL REVISITED

"To commemorate fifteen years since the release of October Equus's album 'Saturnal' on the AltrOck label, I delved into our archives in search of all the tracks not used in the final mix. I then created a remix in which I replaced each instrument track with alternative takes where possible, which was the case for almost all the guitars and keyboards. I also grouped the music into two blocks or suites: one composed by me, which we'll call the Saturnal Suite (tracks 1-5), and one composed by keyboardist Víctor Rodríguez, respecting his original concept, inspired by the Central European folktale 'Sandman' (tracks 6-11). I believe this new mix is closer to the sound of October Equus live at that time. In any case, it's not intended to replace the original album, but simply to offer another perspective."
Ángel Ontalva

NEW RELEASE THE FLAT EARTH SOCIETY

November 2023, the Flat Earth Society performed at the café of De Bijloke in Ghent, BE.
The concert was entitled "Zonk Sessie #1" and celebrated the music of Miles Davis.

April 2024, FES would do a second session at the same location, called "Zonk Sessie #2 - De Misha Mengelberg Mutations".

The first session has been made available by FES through their Bandcamp page.
Lovely. And not just because I attended. :-)

MAGMA IN CONCERT AT LE TRITON IN PARIS ON JULY 2, 3 AND 4

From Le Triton:
Some news that’s sure to delight those who missed out last time: following their success in January, Magma are returning in July for a new series of three concerts at the Triton!

“Magma is returning to the Triton. For three explosive concerts! The audience who discovered the core line-up are clamouring for more… They won’t be disappointed. We’ll be back in early July, armed to the teeth. The machines of the celestial powers are running at full throttle! See you soon for thrilling moments, new themes and a burning faith. No compromises.”

and, yes, that's tomorrow.

https://www.letriton.com/programmation

THE ARCHITECT OF TRUTH - THE RITE OF SPRING (PERCUSSED)

'The Rite of Spring (Percussed)'
by Architect of Truth

EXPO MARCEL GOTLIB IN PARIS

The attentive reader must have come across some Frank Zappa references in (the late) comic book artist Marcel Gotlib's oeuvre.

Gotlib.
Displaying a fine musical taste and always fun to read.
One of the greats.
And he's getting an expo in Paris, France, at Huberty & Breyne.

PARIS | 36 avenue Matignon, 75008 Paris

GOTLIB
Rétrospective

Exposition Du vendredi 4 septembre au samedi 10 octobre 2026

ORANG-UTAN

From the Think Like A Key record label:

Eight tracks. One afternoon. Five guys who didn't even know the record existed until it was already in American shops. A young London impresario named Adrian Millar marched a hard-rock outfit called Hunter into one of London's great studios, cut the album with engineer Louis Austin (early Fleetwood Mac, Queen) at the desk, then drove off in a Rolls-Royce with the tapes. The album surfaced stateside in 1971 under a name the band never chose, became a collector's grail, and has been bootlegged ever since — but never from the original source.

Millar's master session tape — recovered from his family's loft years after his passing — is the only tape that matters. The Producer's Cut is the first edition sourced from that multi-track reel. Every previous reissue and bootleg pressed an LP transfer. This is the multi-track itself, freshly remixed, and corrected for the first time: the original tape ran approximately 2% slow, meaning the album the world knows has always been slightly flat and sluggish. Not anymore.

The circulating recording:

STICK MEN - SWIMMING IN TEA

 'Swimming In Tea'
by Stick Men

Three versions / remixes, released as a teaser for the upcoming "Let's Thrak Again" album.

KAPLAN - EVANS - GREENBERGER - QUANTUM FIDGETS

From the David Greenberger (Men & Volts) vault:

Improvised music by Phil Kaplan, Michael Evans and David Greenberger.

HAPPY THE MAN

From the Bandcamp page:

Progressive rock pioneers Happy the Man have been recording and developing Fourth of July: An American Suite, a large-scale musical work composed by Ron Riddle — originally created in the 2000s during Riddle’s years scoring television for Discovery Channel and TLC. 

The music traces its origins to the landmark Houston fireworks spectacular featured in the television series Detonators, where Riddle served as composer for the series. At the time, the Houston event was widely recognized as one of the largest fireworks productions in America, combining massive pyrotechnic displays with live-event drama on an enormous scale.

Written to accompany both the spectacle and the emotional tension behind the production itself, the music moved fluidly between progressive rock, orchestral passages, cinematic Americana, and rhythmically driven soundtrack composition.

Quite theatrical and a bit too much patriotism for my taste, especially if you compare the YouTube movie with the current situation in the USA...
Anyway, here it is:

Also out on Bandcamp.

WIM T. SCHIPPERS SPECIAL ON DWALMACAT

 Dwalmacat dedicated episode 962 to Dutch artist Wim T. Schippers (1942-2026)

CLOUS VAN MECHELEN & WIM T. SCHIPPERS - Eufonie royal
JACQUES PLAFOND & HIS PLAFONNIÈRES - Life is so surprising
JACQUES PLAFOND & HIS PLAFONNIÈRES - Hark ouverture
HENK PAL - De gekgeworden bever
JACQUES PLAFOND, WILHELMINA KUTTJE & JAN VOS - Hersenschimmenrimbim
HENK PAL - Live in BukBuk te Heiloo
ERNIE EN BERT - Ik ben een kerstbal
JACQUES PLAFOND - De lachende scheerkwast
SJEF VAN OEKEL - Wordt het toch nog gezellig
WILHEMINA KUTTJE - De rimbim
DE GLEUFJES - Wat een lul
JACQUES PLAFOND & HIS PLAFONNIÈRES - I’ll just die!
ANNEKE ROL - Een tulp al in een vaasje
JACQUES PLAFOND & HIS PLAFONNIÈRES - Don’t do that
SJEF VAN OEKEL - Vette jus
JACQUES PLAFOND - Op zoek naar Yolanda
JACQUES PLAFOND - Kenide Koda
GERRIT DEKZEIL - Ik ben Gerrit
RONFLONFLONTUNE ‘Met zijn bek vol tanden’
SJEF VAN OEKEL - Oh prachtvolle gloed dezer eeuw

NEW SUN RA RELEASE

A new (download-only) Sun Ra album popped up:

Available from Qobuz.
https://www.qobuz.com/be-nl/album/at-the-crossroads-of-destiny-sun-ra/s1c9wvh78v8xb

 

DWEEZIL ZAPPA 2019 CONCERT UP ON YOUTUBE

Dweezil Zappa's 2019 Bergen Performing Arts Centre concert turned up on YouTube.

UPCOMING RELEASES ON THE CUNEIFORM RECORD LABEL

"Horns & Hooves" by Honey Ride Me A Goat.
To be released on July 31.
Bandcamp & LP.

"Mirrors, Shapes, Objects" by Michael Columbia
To be released on July 31.
Bandcamp & LP.

ECLECTIC MAYBE BAND - DOMESTIC DRAGON

• Eclectic Maybe Band: Domestic Dragon
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp / discus music)
      (2026, cd, UK, discuss music)

Thank God for people like Guy Segers who aren't afraid to experiment.
Thank God for a label like Discus Music who has the courage and the risk to release such albums. Not just on Bandcamp, but also on CD.

Bandcamp adds:

Once again studio master / composer / bassist Guy Segers assembles a huge cast of progressive musicians to perform / improvise 8 new pieces. Guy's methods of composition and collage remain as before, but each new Eclectic Maybe Band release brings a new perspective to the music. This time round harder, more brittle sounds emerge from an album with a very punchy attitude. A mixture of avant pop and progressive complexity.

Beautifully packaged and including the detailed credits.
Love it.

BOOGIE STUFF - HAVE MERCY!

• Boogie Stuff: Have Mercy
      (2004, cd, Germany, sky records)

Another nice find.
German band Boogie Stuff released "Have Mercy!" in 2004.
The album presented 15 tracks and featured Jimmy Carl Black doing vocals on three (live) tracks:

• The Indian Of The Group
• Who Did You Love
• Black Limousine

Boogie Stuff is a great blues band. Jimmy Carl Black's guest appearance is the icing on the cake.

Here's 'Black Limousine' !

KOMMISSAR HJULER

Visual and experimental music artist Kommissar Hjuler is not new to this blog.

Pictured below are two books by Kommissar Hjuler: "Der Napfkuchenman" and "Der Napfkuchenman - Part 2".
Next to the standard edition of the books, 100 copies were made available with original art.

The books refer to the Napfkuchenman / Muffin Man, an 18th century murderer from London.
Nothing to do with FZ, except for the name.
Nevertheless, I asked der Kommissar to provide a link with FZ in the artwork  :-)

THE ALMOST THREE - VOL 5

• The Almost Three: Vol 5
      (2026, --, --, digital music platforms)
      (2026, cd, Germany, pottpeople)

The latest album by The Almost Three got released earlier this year, both on Bandcamp and on CD.
The trio did go through quite a change.
Leading man Martin Ettrich is still there, of course, but there are two new faces in the band:
Hannes Vesper on bass, and Mickey Neher on drums.

"Vol 5".
It's actually the 6th album in their discography if you count the "Limited" album the band did in 2019, but it's another excellent album.
Great blues / funk guitar work, plus a fine cover of Frank Zappa's 'Black Napkins' !!

The album can be ordered and streamed through their website.

https://almostthree.de/

MAURO PAWLOWSKI - UNSPECTACULAR TIMES

• Mauro Pawlowski: Unspectacular Times
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      (2026, cd, --, unday records)

Mauro Pawlowski remains Belgium's premier musical shapeshifter, a man whose DNA is permanently intertwined with the avant-garde, rock, and experimental scenes. From the noise-driven frenzy of Evil Superstars to the art-rock heights of dEUS and his various free-jazz and electronic alter-egos, predictability is not part of his vocabulary.

With "Unspectacular Times", his first proper solo album in two decades, Mauro pulls off his most shocking stunt yet: he delivers a meticulously crafted art-pop record, referred to by Mauro and his producers (Bruno Coussée and Stephane Misseghers) as a typical Yachtrock album.

The album got released about a week ago, I've enjoyed it at least once every day.
How's that for a recommendation.

ZAPPATITE

 

DARKO THE SUPER - EVERYTHING IS DARKO - THE MIXTAPE

Darko The Super's latest release has a couple of Frank Zappa references in the lyrics.

In 'Liquid Swords'

I’m like Van Gogh’s ear, plus the one from Blue Velvet
Seldom seen in public, too hell bent on the outcome
Of wild rhymes and loud drums
Conceptual albums I write on the daily
Feet don’t fail me
Frank Zappa Wowee Zowee
Holy cannolis and homemade raviolis

In 'Raspy Shit'

My name featured on the marquee
Next to Frank Zappa and Biz Markie
E-40 and Skateboard P
Kurt Cobain, Ghostface in Clark Wallabies

Out on Bandcamp.

FROGHAT HAS A NEW ALBUM OUT, "WET SOUNDS"

Check it out !
"Wet Sounds", the new album by Froghat.
And yes, it's a a surf album. Sort of.

HENRIK OLSSON - ANTUMBRA ENSEMBLE

The Cuneiform record label has just released Henrik Olsson's "Antumbra Ensemble.
Download and streaming through Bandcamp, but also available on CD.

This sounds great.
Henrik Olsson !!
His fist release on the Cuneiform record label where he will fit in nicely as the label is known for: releasing avant-garde and boundary-pushing music.

GOOD TIGER - WE WILL ALL BE GONE

• Good Tiger: We Will All Be Gone
      (2018, cd, USA, metal blade records)

I don't remember when or why I bought Good Tiger's "We Will All Be Gone"...
Maybe I received it as a gift?
It's been on my desk for quite a while and I've listened to it a couple of times already.

Anyway, I'm very pleased with this second release by London-based progressive rock band Good Tiger. Dynamic music. Heavy, complex rhythmic structures, and great vocals.

To date, the band has released four album. "We Will Be Gone" was their second album, released in 2018.

Check them out.
"We Will All Be Gone" got released on CD and on LP, and it's also available as a digital download / streaming album.

NEW ALBUM BY GARY LUCAS

Gary Lucas teamed up with Lukas Ligeti to record a new album: "Omnidirectional".

Bandcamp / Cuneiform digital download / streaming only, as far as I can tell.

ZAPPALOUS

I assume the name of the band is Zappalous, or maybe Tokyo Zappalous.
Here's their December 6, 2025 concert

ANDY MERTENS - REGYPTIAN STRUT

 

J.M. SMIG - MARY MIRROR

a message from J.M. Smig

Musical work in progress: "Mary Mirror", a virtual piano and string quintet inspired by the unpainted reflecting pool at the Christian Science Center in downtown Boston.

J. M. Smig · Mary Mirror (Work in Progress)

DIGGING DEEP WITH VAULTMEISTER JOE TRAVERS

 

MEAT LOAF - HANG COOL TEDDY BEAR

• Meat Loaf: Hang Cool Teddy Bear
      (2010, cd, --, mercury)

(The late) Meat Loaf released "Hang Cool Teddy Beer" in 2010.
Lots of guests on this typical Meat Loaf album, including Steve Vai (on ‘Love Is Not Real / Next Time You Stab Me in the Back’ and ‘Song of Madness’), and Brian May (also on 'Love Is Not Real / Next Time You Stab Me in the Back’).

BANDCAMP RE-RELEASE OF THE WRONG OBJECT'S "STORIES FROM THE SHED" HAS A BONUS TRACK

The Wrong Object's 2007 "Stories From The Shed" album has been made available on Bandcamp.
And it includes a bonus track: a 10-minute live version of 'The Unbelievable Truth' !

NEW ALBUM BY THE ECLECTIC MAYBE BAND

New album by the Eclectic Mayby Band, Guy Segers' progressive music project.

"Domestic Dragon",
out in July,
on the Discus Music record label.
Bandcamp & CD release.

Once again studio master / composer / bassist Guy Segers assembles a huge cast of progressive musicians to perform / improvise 8 new pieces. Guy's methods of composition and collage remain as before, but each new Eclectic Maybe Band release brings a new perspective to the music. This time round harder, more brittle sounds emerge from an album with a very punchy attitude. A mixture of avant pop and progressive complexity.

BEAT PLAYS BOWIE

In concert in Berlin.

SUN RA'S "EAST TWO + 7" IS OUT

 'East Two' + 7 other tracks.
The CD got released a couple of days ago.

FRENCH TV - THE SPANISH CAPER

• French TV: The Spanish Caper
      (2026, cd, USA, cuneiform rune 544/545)

The Cuneiform record label has released a beautiful 2 CD album by Louisville-born avant-prog veterans French TV.
Disc One offers complex instrumentals written in Northern Spain, while Disc Two delivers an obscure collection of late-60s/early-70s heavy-rock and psych covers.

Disc One sounds great, but check out this great list of tracks on Disc Two.
There's a lot of nice things to discover here !

Disc Two

1. 20th Century Man (R. Davies)

2. Nantucket Sleigh Ride (to Owen Coffin) (F. Pappalardi, G. Collins) = Mountain

3. Goin' a Little Crazy (B. Cummings, K. Winter) = The Guess Who

4. Fresh Garbage (J. Ferguson) - Spirit

5. Butterfly Bleu (D. Ingle, L. Dorman, R. Bushy) = Iron Butterfly

6. Deadman's Dream (G. Brooker, K. Reid) = Procol Harum

7. Take a Look Around (J. Walsh) = James Gang

8. Funky Judge (A. Williams, L. Hutton) = Bull & The Matadors

9. Freedom Rider (S. Winwood)

10. Days and Nights (S. Hill, W. Ham) = Bloodrock

11. A Million Miles Away (R. Gallagher)

12. Renegade (J. McKay, G. McJohn, G. Biondo) = Steppenwolf

CHEER-ACCIDENT - YOU SMILE - THE SONG IS OVER

• Cheer-Accident: You Smile – The Song Is Over
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp / cuneiform)
      (2026, cd, USA, cuneiform)

Cheer-Accident's "You Smile – The Song Is Over" is sprawling, hour-long avant-prog masterpiece.
It marks the Chicago group's 27th studio release, or even their 37th release if you count every album in their vast output.
Made available on the legendary Cuneiform Records, "You Smile - The Song Is Over" offers dense, adventurous math-rock next to experimental (almost pop) songs and meditative soundscapes.

While the deluxe edition of the album bundles the CD with a DVD of live performances, the Studio Album Only Bandcamp version strips the package down to its core 11-track studio narrative, adding  an edited version of 'They Won't Talk To Me' as a bonus track.

Pure Avant-Prog / RIO (Rock in Opposition) / Math-Rock.
Love it.

-- info: Danny Mathys

RAY MARCHICA WITH EDDY'S CHEMISTRY SET TO PERFORM AT BIRDLAND ON JUNE 28

Ray Marchica is one of New York City’s most versatile and accomplished drummers. Drawing from his extensive musical world he will be bringing Eddy’s Chemistry Set, the smaller ensemble from the renown Ed Palermo Big Band, to join him on the Birdland stage.

https://www.birdlandjazz.com/tm-event/ray-marchica-with-eddys-chemistry-set/

Oz Noy, Ray Marchica, Ugonna Okegwo

THE MUSIC ACROSS RADIO SHOW

Special Live Broadcast
Live Radio Concert with the Friedemann Dähn Trio – 21 June 2026, 11.00 pm

This time, “Music Across” is broadcasting live from the radio studio on Gaußplatz in Vienna. Our guests in the studio is the Friedemann Dähn Trio. Friedemann “Fried” Dähn has appeared on “Music Across” several times before with various groups, and we’re delighted that he’s back with us live this time with his trio. Great music and interesting conversations are guaranteed, and we’re also happy to take calls from listeners during this live broadcast.

About the Friedemann Dähn Trio:

Together with drummer Bernd Settelmeyer and saxophonist, clarinettist and flautist Carsten Netz, cellist Friedemann ‘Fried’ Dähn has created an ensemble that moves with ease between contemporary jazz, free improvisation and polyphonic sound sculpture, whilst constantly exploring new forms of expression. The trio invites the audience to embark on a musical journey centred on curiosity, openness and immediate experience.

Auf ORANGE 94.0 dem Freien Radio in Wien:
Internet Live Stream: http://o94.at
(click on the green line on the top of the page, the line with the 'play' triangle)

 

PIERRE BOULEZ - ARNOLD SCHOENBERG

The Pierre Boulez series by Sony Classical is joy to discover.
Beautiful packaging and adventurous music.
Today's focus is on Arnold Schoenberg.
It's hard to believe that this music was composed over 100 years ago.

• Pierre Boulez: SCHOENBERG – Serenade – 5 Pieces For Orchestra – Ode To Napoleon
      (1993, cd, --, sony classical smk 48 463)

• Pierre Boulez: SCHOENBERG – Suite, op. 29 – Verklärte Nacht – 3 Pieces
     (1993, cd, --, sony classical smk 48 465)

ANGINE DE POITRINE

Canadian costumed math-rock duo Angine de Poitrine is currently in the middle of a massive international tour. After shooting to internet fame from a viral KEXP performance, the mysterious pair has been touring, playing festivals, and releasing their music worldwide.

For those who are catching up, the duo has released two albums.
Recommended listening.

• Angine de Poitrine: Vol. I
      (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      also out on CD and on LP

---

• Angine de Poitrine: Vol. II
      (2026, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
      also out on CD and on LP

Fun facts: both CDs include an untitled bonus track & both CDs come with a fan club card, hidden behind the tray.

THE CRAMPS - LOOK MOM NO HEAD

The Cramps' "Look Mom No Head" album is getting a re-issue on red vinyl.

The album includes The Cramps' version of 'Hardworkin' Man', a song written by Jack Nitzsche and originally performed by Captain Beefheart (with Ry Cooder on the guitar) for the "Blue Collar" movie.

THE 2ND COMING

Of interest for those how enjoy late sixties psychedelic rock and southern rock music !

The 2nd Coming issued one 7" in 1968.
They also recorded an album but that never got released. Until now, that is.

https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/the-2nd-coming-evaluations-interview

NEW BANDCAMP RELEASE BY ANDREW LATIMER

Guitarist, composer and founding member of Camel, Andrew Latimer.has just released "From The Vault" through Bandcamp.

SENDELICA - AN INTRODUCTION TO SENDELICA

• Sendelica: An Introduction To Sendelica
      (2026, 4cd, UK, fruits de mer)

"An Introduction To Sendelica" is an impressive 4-disc retrospective from the Fruits de Mer Records label.
For fans of hypnotic space rock and psychedelic jazz.

It also includes the band's excellent version of Frank Zappa's 'Don't Eat The Yellow Snow', a track that they had previously released on 7", a split release with Superfjord, from 2017.

A great collection of music and, indeed, a great introduction to Sendelica.

Here's the sneak preview for the Superfjord / Sendelica 7", from 9 years ago.

RICHARD RAY FARRELL & JIMMY CARL BLACK - CATARACT JUMP

• Farrell & Black: Cataract Jump
      (1996, cd, Spain, big bang bb-116-cd)

I didn't know about this Spanish edition of Richard Ray Farrell & Jimmy Carl Black's "Cataract Jump" album.

Originally released in 1996 on the German Fritz Records label.
Re-issued in Spain on the Big Bang record label. Also in 1996.

The album included FZ’s ’Road Ladies’ and Don Van Vliet’s’Sho Nuff N’ Yes I Do’, and sported a different album cover.

The artwork for the (original) German release:

-

CUNEIFORM ANNOUNCED A LIVE RECORDING BY BOUD DEUN

Cuneiform Records just announced "Pronounced Booed Dee-un : Churches : Live Boud Deun at Orion April 5, 1997" by Boud Deun

THE ALMOST THREE - IT'S JUST MUSIC

• The Almost Three: It’s Just Music
      (2020, cd, Germany, pottpeople)
      (2020, lp, Germany, pottpeople)

The Almost Three is familiar with Frank Zappa's output as they already covered a Zappa tune or two.

"It's Just Music, their 2020 album, included a track entitled 'Zoppo', of which I assume that it's a nice nod to FZ.
Not necessarily musically, just the title.

Out on LP and on CD.

BSQRD

BSQRD released a Frank Zappa tribute on her "Yesterday's Tomorrow" album.
From 2013 !

Growing up, our father would make my brothers and I mixed CDs of all my dad's favorite music from the 70s. Every CD he made us had to have Frank Zappa's Mudshark on it, because the Secret Word for tonight is Mudshark!

The track is called 'Secret Word (Tribute To Frank Zappa)' and it samples Frank Zappa.

THE MAN FROM UTOPIA

Nothing can beat Tanino Liberatore's artwork for Frank Zappa's "The Man From Utopia" album, but this Rick Griffin comic book from 1972 (from the comixjoint archives) would also have been nice :-)

https://comixjoint.com/manfromutopia.html

-- info: Danny Mathys

PIERRE BOULEZ - BARTÓK / SCRIABIN

• Pierre Boulez: BARTÓK – The Wooden Prince – Music For Strings, Percussion And Celestra – Dance Suite // SCRIABIN – Le Poeme De L’extase
      (1994, 2cd, --, sony classical smk 64 100)

Today, my musical adventure will start by exploring the works of Béla Bartók and Alexander Scriabin.
Music performed by the New York Philharmonic and by the BBC Orchestra, under the direction of Pierre Boulez.
Released in the beautiful Sony Classical series.