I saw them last night opening for Dream Theater. An amazing show! I'm not familiar with their bass player (Pete Griffin) but the guy is INCREDIBLY good!! Great tone that cut through the complex mix very well. Has anyone else seen them?? http://www.zappaplayszappa.com/
I was at the Portland show a couple of years ago that's on the DVD. I'd never seen Steve Vai before, and he was much more of a team player than I expected. Terry Bozzio was big fun too. But in all honesty, the younger crew were phenomenal, and I'd be perfectly happy to see a show without the guest stars. I was lucky enough to see FZ several times in the early 70s, and the ZPZ show nails a good part of the vibe, for sure.
I saw a HD broadcast on SKY TV. It was very good and they sure have the chops. If there is an issue, it is that the they looked a bit too serious whilst doing it...you gotta have those chops with tongue in cheek to recreate the vibe..
I saw ZPZ at the Lincoln Theatre last year in Raleigh. The band was nothing short of phenomenal and the theatre which is an old movie theater was perfect. It holds about 500 tops and there's not a bad seat in the house (in fact,there are no seats). Anyway, after the show Dweezil came out and talked to fans and signed autographs and was very gracious and appreciative of the love for his dads music...a really great person. He signed my FZ ticket stub from a show I saw in 1975. If you have a chance to see them, I guarantee you will be truly amazed.
I've seen them twice, I really enjoy seeing them, but I agree that lack some of the humour that I have seen come out in videos of Zappa shows. Two great Zappa tribute bands are: www.muffinmen.co.uk and Petulant Frenzy from Australia. They both recreate that Zappa vibe really well. However, my understanding is that the Zappa Family Trust has put the brakes on Zappa tribute acts at the moment (probably because of competition with ZPZ), but that's just rumour.
Longtime Zappa fan here! Seen ZPZ twice now, and have tickets for their upcoming show in November. As long as Dweezil keeps it alive, I don't think I'll ever miss any shows that I have a chance to see. IMO one of the very best acts to see these days. Pete Griffen is doing a great job!
Those guys kick serious a**! I saw them play here in Asheville, which was one of their first shows ever (back in 2007 I think). Every musician was uber-talented and captured the essence of what Zappa was all about. The best part was when The Grand Wazoo himself was soloing with the band on a giant projection screen. It was an incredible feeling to see and hear him as though he were still alive.
My son and I saw them at Bonnaroo last year. They put on a great show. The tent was standing room only.
I saw them about a month ago, fantastic show. All the players are really talented. I thought the new singer was amazing.
I've never seen ZPZ live, but have seen some of their YouTube vids! Great stuff!! Saw his dad a few times. He brought his son up well! How was Dream Theater? Never seen them either, but enjoyed the couple of cuts I have heard. Love prog stuff!
Dream Theater was dead on, perfect. My only thought was ZPZ actually sounded better and more clear. Dream Theater overdrove the small venue slightly. I'd like to see ZPZ by themselves or as a headliner, their show was over too quickly Really great musicians and very entertaining.