Live Performance: The Furious Bongos/ Iron Works, Buffalo/May 13/24

Live Performance: The Furious Bongos/Iron Works, Buffalo/May 13/24

When one thinks of the term “tribute act” what generally comes to mind is a slavish recreation of popular acts from back in the day.

In most cases harking back far enough into the past where we’ve witnessed the demise of said act, due to age or other circumstances. The “Tribute” is basically a musical salute to those beloved artists, at times duplicating both the sound and look of the original.

It was my immense privilege this past May 13^th to be present for The Furious Bongos show at the Iron Works club in Buffalo.

First and foremost: while they were there to pay homage to the late, great Frank Zappa, this was NO typical tribute act. Far from it. If you’re a musician or dedicated Zappa fan, your likely aware that he has composed some of the most starkly unique and complex music this side of Conlon Nancarrow. Performing any of his music would significantly challenge even the most accomplished musicians (and has).

Throughout the two set performance, it was evident the Bongo’s nine members could deftly handle these challenges.

But most impressive was the arranging and re-imagining of these intricate soundscapes. The band incorporates several Zappa tropes, including abrupt musical insertions (referencing a wide gamut of odes from the Bee Gee’s to the Munsters theme, sort of a musical culture “quiz” for the audience), manic conducting, and multi character verbal vamps. The members are permitted to add their own spice to Zappa’s already well seasoned musical gumbo.

Front and center we have two extraordinarily talented young female vocalists leading the pack.

Lo Marie and Danielle Dougherty. Their harmony work throughout the show is simply glorious, yet both are strong individual vocalists in their own right, and nail the solo passages as well. But man, when they sing together and hit that “blend”, its nothing short of shiver inducing.

Bassist extraordinaire Conrad St. Clair wears several hats in the band.

Acting as musical director and chief arranger for the band, while displaying a total command of his instrument that would have made Zappa himself proud.
The stellar guitar work by Chris Huntington is equally impressive. This is Zappa after all, so no ordinary slouch would suffice here. He effectively alternates between Zappa’s signature licks and creating his own colorful flourishes, all the while respecting the musical idiom he navigates.

Rounding out this imposing ensemble are Scott Fischer on vocals and keys, Jonathan Sindelman also on keys and vocals, Pauline Roberts NAILING the vibes and percussion (not an easy feat considering the jaw dropping capabilities of Ruth Underwood from Zappa’s heyday). Saxes, Harmonica and “Tuvan throat singing” courtesy of “Fluffy”, and holding it all together on the drums is newcomer Leland Nakamura. Mike Stehr takes the vocal lead for an awesome version of “ Cosmic Debris”.

Pulling from Zappa’s enormous discography, the audience was treated to bang on versions of “Chunga’s Revenge, Peaches En Regalia, Dirty Love, Zombie Woof and Andy among others. All wrapped with a gorgeous vocal version of “Sofa #2” sung beautifully by Lo and Danielle, that levelled all in attendance.

I feel compelled, also, to mention that, after two full arduous sets pouring out their all on stage, they took the time to come out in the crowd and greet their fans.I personally enjoyed conversations with Lo, Danielle, Chris, Pauline and Conrad..sharing humorous anecdotes , music banter and future plans for the band.

Finally, I firmly believe that you don’t even have to be a Zappa fan to enjoy these guys. There’s just so much going on as far as musicality, lyrical engagement, and an animated, character driven sense of fun and hilarity that one cannot help being won over.