Banned From Utopia to bring Frank Zappa's music to Martyrs' in Chicago July 12

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

 

Banned From Utopia was formed in 1994 to keep the true spirit of Frank Zappa's music alive.

The band is comprised of former members of Zappa's band, including singer and guitarist Ray White, who grew up in Aurora and is a 1963 graduate of West Aurora High School.

Banned From Utopia will perform at 7:30 p.m. July 12 at Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, as part of the We Love Zappa Tour.

The Paul Green Rock Academy also is part of the bill. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 the day of the show, available at martyrslive.com.

I had the chance to talk to White about the upcoming show.

Q – Great to hear that you grew up in Aurora. I understand that when Frank took you to his home, you were impressed by his musical catalog, especially all the doo-wop albums you saw.

That was our commonality. 

Doo-wop was it, man. Frank loved doo-wop. I loved doo-wop. 

It was a done deal. It was cool.

Q – Maybe some people who hear Banned From Utopia playing Zappa’s music are hearing his music for the first time. If they are, are you hoping that they will discover Frank Zappa's music?

 

Absolutely. When I see people bringing their kids and their grandkids out to the shows, it's the coolest thing.

 

 

Q – But are you trying to add a new dimension to his music as well?

We want to keep moving forward, because you don't want to become boring. It's got to sparkle.

If it doesn't sparkle, you're just playing notes. I just want to have more and more and more fun.

Q – You are touring with another Zappa tribute band this year, The Stinkfoot Orchestra. How would you say the bands are different from each other?

 

They're night and day. They play the same music with the same respect.

Nick and those guys just have a lot more of the show stuff in it, like Frank used to do. It's really, really cool.

They spend a lot of time putting the music together. I just love them.

They're good people and they're doing the work. You want more people to play Frank's music.

 

Q – What was it like playing with Dweezil Zappa in the summer of 2007 as part of the Zappa Plays Zappa tour?

 

It was fun. I've known Dweezil since he was a little kid.

 

Q – Of course, no one can replace Frank Zappa. But was it good connecting with somebody from his family?

Dweezil amazed me. This kid gravitated to some of the most difficult stuff ever.

Being able to read notations is one thing. But to have the spirit to play fluidly like that, that's a different thing. 

That's a different animal completely. And he's got that.