the mother people The Mother People are a UK band that perform the music of Frank Zappa. The 9 piece ensemble plays the Zappa compositions in arrangements of Lewis Riley. The picture on the right was taken at the band's third concert, on 2009 09 10 at the Ariel Centre in Totnes, Devon, UK. Lewis Riley- Keys Harry Fulcher- Tenor Sax Mick Green - Alto Sax Dave Holdsworth - Trumpet Bob Martin - Trombone Pat Butterly - Bass Guitar Dave Sheen - Drums Andy Christie - Guitar Harriet Riley- Percussion

www.myspace.com/themotherpeople

Formed in 2008 by keyboard player Lewis Riley, this 9 piece band helps to keep the music of Frank Zappa (1940-93) and his band The Mother of Invention, alive. Considered by some to be a controversial figure, there is no doubt that his music was unique in 20th Century American music and covered a wide range of influences, from rock and roll and 1950s "doo-wop", through jazz to 20th Century "classical masters such as Stravinsky and Varese.

The current band leans towards the instrumental and jazz element of Zappa's extensive oeuvre with classic compositions such as Peaches en Regalia and Blessed Relief, although songs like Mr Green Genes and I'm The Slime also feature.

The idea of forming this band has been with Mick Green and Lewis for some years, but with Lewis' daughter becoming a talented percussionist and able to provide an essential element of Zappa's sound, the time was right to make the idea into a reality. Bristol based Andy Christie was also a key choice as an experienced rock and jazz musician to interpret complex guitar parts but also play solos in the spirit of Zappa. Dave Sheen, Harry Fulcher and Pat Butterly are also long time Zappa fans and were keen to be involved, whilst Dave Holdsworth and Bob Martin bring the essential brass sound to much of this repertoire. 

concerts

Lewis Riley- Keys
Harry Fulcher- Tenor Sax
Mick Green - Alto Sax
Dave Holdsworth - Trumpet
Bob Martin - Trombone
Pat Butterly - Bass Guitar
Dave Sheen - Drums
Andy Christie - Guitar
Harriet Riley- Percussion

• 2009/06/21 The Mother People - concert "Kingsbridge Festival", Devon, UK
  

• 2009/09/04 The Mother People - concert 'Topsham Rugby Club', Devon, UK
  

• 2009/09/10 The Mother People - concert 'The Ariel Centre', Totnes, Devon, UK

  • The Mother People plus guests from KEVICC (students from the King Edward VI Community College)

  • setlist

    • Orange County Lumber Truck Medley (Let's Make The Water Turn Black > Harry You're A Beast > The Orange County Lumber Truck) > Mr Green Genes > Eat That Question, Peaches En Regalia > I'm The Slime > Twenty Small Cigars, The Idiot Bastard Son, King Kong, Sofa, Oh No, Blessed Relief, Willie The Pimp, Dog Breath, Son Of Mr Green Genes, You Can Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance, Sofa

  • This show was part of the Totnes Festival

  • a video recording of the biggest part of the concert circulates:

    • http://www.zappateers.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=17082
      

• 2009/10/0 9 The Mother People - concert 'The Flavel', Dartmouth, Devon, UK

  • setlist

    • first set

      • Orange County Lumber Truck Medley (Let's Make the Water Turn Black/Harry You're a Beast/ The Orange County Lumber Truck) > Mr. Green Genes > keyboard solo > Eat That Question, Peaches En Regalia > I'm The Slime > 20 Small Cigars, The Idiot Bastard Son (Instrumental version) > You Can Take Your clothes Off When You Dance

    • second set

      • Oh No > Blessed Relief > Willie The Pimp, Dog Breath > The Idiot Bastard Son, King Kong > Son Of Mr. Green Genes

    • encore

      • Sofa