Ike Willis (Frank Zappa) and Marcus Rezak (Shred is Dead, Gateway to the Galaxy) have assembled an all-star cast aka “The Brothers of Invention” featuring David Nolden, Scott Hannay, and Matt Kellen to perform the music of Frank Zappa and more across the Pacific Northwest February 26-29 with an additional Chicago play on March 5th.
Originally formed as “FrankenZaps Monster” led by Rezak and Zappa bassist, Arthur Barrow, the project got off the ground in 2016 with members of Umphrey’s McGee (Joel Cummins & Kris Myers) at TRiP in Santa Monica, CA. Rezak, a world-class guitarist and session player, had called upon Barrow “The Clonemeister” (a name given to him by Zappa for leading rehearsals) to form a tribute project for the music of Frank Zappa. Since the inception, the group has included several Frank Zappa band alumni including Chad Wackerman on drums, Robert Martin on vocals & saxophone, Ed Mann on Vibes, with this upcoming run including the infamous Ike Willis who performed on guitar and vocals in Zappa’s band and in the studio (including the triple LP Joe’s Garage ) from 1978-1988.
With Rezak hot off the heels of his debut solo album Gateway to the Galaxy (also featuring Barrow, Cummins, and Myers), teaming up with Willis is sure to melt faces and display a fresh 2020 vision of Zappa’s iconic catalog, "Ike Willis here—Please join me along with Marcus Rezak and The Brothers of Invention on our first Northwest tour (Bend, Eugene and Portland Oregon) and Seattle, February 26-29th. We will also be playing the Umphrey's McGee after-parties as well. This is gonna be FUN!! I GUARANTEE it! BE there!!” he exclaims to drum up the excitement and extend the invitation to all.
The Pacific Northwest and Chicago dates are as follows:
2/26 - Silver Moon Brewing - Bend, OR * 2/27 - Sessions Music Hall - Eugene, OR ^ 2/28 - World Famous Kenton Club - Portland, OR ^ 2/29 - Funhouse Seattle - Seattle, WA ^ 3/5 - Martyrs’ - Chicago, IL
*denotes Umphrey’s McGee Pre-Party, ^ denotes Umphrey’s McGee After-Party
