Fan Response to GZ Letter
posted with permission

Thanks for your support!!!
urrster@uglyradiorebellion.com


What a Mad Dog!
I still say if she wanted to control Franks music,
why did she sell out to Rhino Records? She just
loves to keep those lawyers employeed!
Good Luck with the Tour!!!!
Peace



I am a Huge Zappa fan. I have been a Zappa fan for 40 years. I greatly respect Mr. Zappa and Family. I know Ugly Radio Rebellion. I've seen them perform severaltimes, as I have Frank. I know them personally. They areby no way getting rich touring playing Frank's music.As you know, Frank's music is very difficult to play. Even Dweelzil says how it took him years to feel comfortable playing his Father's music. That's with many professional musicians. If Ugly Radio Rebellion were, to quote Frank, "only in it for the money", I would think they would choose to be playing more "popular music". At least something simpler to play. Even Dweezil's "Zappa Plays Zappa" Tours are not that profitable. I these times of "American Idol", Britney Spears, the Simpson's sisters and the general "Bad Taste" music industry as it has become today. ~(Funny, isn't that what some music critics would say about Frank's Music.")~ I feel it's refreshing to hear and see musicians playing Frank's music. I would think The Zappa Trust would be happy that there is a band going around "spreading the word of Frank!!!!" I'd like to call it "Free Exposure." Ugly Radio is a 3 piece band and they are only trying to do what Dweezil says, "Trying to expose my fathers music to another generation." They do, in my eyes and ears, a fine job of presenting Frank's music. There is No Disrespect what so ever during the show, only admiration! Way more respect than what Frank was shown by our own Government when Frank testified before PMRC hearings. They All Love Frank as do I.
They are truly doing Frank's music out Love not Money.
Again quote Frank, "Play My Music!"



I see that you may be experiencing the legal crap attached to the Zappa legacy. I had a run in with the attorney handling the Zappa family estate in 2000/2001 in regard to my own band "Thingfish". At the time I owned Thingfish.com I was contacted by the attorneys handling the Zappa family legal affairs threatening all kinds of mayhem. They stated that I was selling Zappa music illegally....I was not. I actually had been in contact with Ahmet and he had no problem with my simple classic rock cover band. We were weekend warriors for the most part. Playing typical honky tonks around Michigan. Mostly around Lansing and such. Though we did work steady, we made no money selling Frank covers. I did have an e-commerce enabled site, but offered no Zappa anything........ Ahmet actually sent me a few encouraging reviews on the "ARF AWARD WINNING" web site and the music I had posted there. Turns out the hastle was a result of interns looking for anything they could do to make it seem as if the Zappa family was getting their moneys worth from the attorneys handling the family trust. The letters and phone calls persisted. The band eventually went back to using the well established moniker "Frog and The Beeftones".... It just wasn't worth the trauma. Anyway, just figured I would send you thoughts on my own experience to let you know that it may well be just some punks trying to impress their boss and the Zappa family rather than the actual Zappa klan they represent. Either way, you have what support I am able to provide. Much respect



From "the Real Frank Zappa Book":
For the record, folks; I never took a shit on stage and the closest I ever came to eating shit anywhere was at a Holiday Inn buffet in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 1973. Frank Zappa
I see that your first show is in Fayetteville, North Carolina. I'd invite Gail down and see if would be the first Zappa to take a shit on stage and eat it! She may just shit her pants when she sees how great your band is! Maybe she could eat some crow in Fayetteville that day. Good luck, guys!