Muffin Men
Encyclopedia
The Muffin Men are a British band, based in Liverpool, England, which primarily plays the music of Frank Zappa. The group formed in 1990 (with original members: Ian (Bammo) Bamford, Lead Guitar & Vocals - Paul (Rhino) Ryan, Drums & Vocals - Mike Kidson, Saxophones, Trousers and Vocals - Andy (Waco) Jacobson, Keyboards & vocals - Roddie Gilliard, Guitar & Vocals - Naraish Nathaniel, Bass & Vocals - Ian Jump, Lead Guitar & Vocals and Roy Stringer, Apple Macintosh, samples, vocals and noises) for a concert in honor of Zappa's fiftieth birthday. They went on to perform his music as a tribute band, along with some of their own compositions, worldwide. Until his death in 2008, the band often featured guest vocals and percussion by Jimmy Carl Black, former drummer and vocalist from Zappa's Mothers of Invention, with whom they also performed songs by Captain Beefheart.
In 18 years of operation, the Muffin Men have featured no less than six original Zappa band members, along with original Mothers Of Invention drummer/vocalist Jimmy Carl Black, as well as performing with Don Preston and Bunk Gardner in 1993. In 1994 they played a nine-week European tour with guest vocalist Ike Willis, and again teamed up with Willis in 2003 for a special Zappanale festival show, which also featured Napoleon Murphy Brock. Zappanale is a yearly tribute concert festival dedicated to Frank Zappa's compositions. Mike Keneally has also appeared with the band.
Rather than play pieces note-for-note, the band plays Zappa's material working to the strengths of the current line-up, often giving the music a different slant to the original versions.
The Muffin Men Videography:
In 18 years of operation, the Muffin Men have featured no less than six original Zappa band members, along with original Mothers Of Invention drummer/vocalist Jimmy Carl Black, as well as performing with Don Preston and Bunk Gardner in 1993. In 1994 they played a nine-week European tour with guest vocalist Ike Willis, and again teamed up with Willis in 2003 for a special Zappanale festival show, which also featured Napoleon Murphy Brock. Zappanale is a yearly tribute concert festival dedicated to Frank Zappa's compositions. Mike Keneally has also appeared with the band.
Rather than play pieces note-for-note, the band plays Zappa's material working to the strengths of the current line-up, often giving the music a different slant to the original versions.
Muffin Men Discography
- 1992 - Let's Move To Cleveland/I'm The Slime (7", 33rpm Vinyl Single)
- 1992 - The Muffin Men (4-Track CD-Single)
- 1993 - Say Cheese And Thank You
- 1994 - Mülm (with Ike Willis)
- 1996 - Feel The Food
- 1996 - Frankincense
- 1998 - MufFinZ
- 1999 - God Shave The Queen
- 2001 - More Songs From The Campfire
- 2002 - Live @ The Cavern
- 2003 - Baker's Dozen
- 2003 - When Worlds Collide (with Ensemble 10:10)
- 2008 - Live In The Kitchen Of Love (with Ike Willis) (Limited Fan Release)
- 2008 - Looks Like Noodles To Me (Limited Fan Release)
The Muffin Men Videography:
- 1990-1997 - Muffin Moovies Vol.1
- 1998-2003 - Muffin Moovies Vol.2
- 2003 - Live At Zappanale 14 (with Ike WillisIke WillisIke Willis is a singer and guitarist who was a regular sideman for Frank Zappa, first joining Zappa's band for the fall 1978 tour and remaining in the band for several years. He did not tour with Zappa in 1981 and 1982 for personal reasons, but returned to touring with Zappa for his final two...
& Napoleon Murphy BrockNapoleon Murphy BrockNapoleon Murphy Brock is an American singer, saxophonist and flute player who is best known for his work with Frank Zappa in the 1970s, including the albums One Size Fits All, Roxy and Elsewhere, and Bongo Fury...
) - 2004-2005 - Muffin Moovies Vol.3