Aux amateurs de rock progressif.

We know the stories of Adrian Belew and Vai, but what about your audition for Frank? What was your background at that time?

I called the Zappa office in late 1987 asking for a job, not expecting a reply. After a tortured series of events which I'm too tired to relate at the moment, Frank called me back a couple of days later, expressing some disbelief that I could really cut the gig. His exact words were "I don't believe you. Get your ass up here and prove it." My brother drove me from San Diego to L.A. while I played guitar in the back seat of the car. At the audition I played "Black Page", "Sinister Footwear II", "What's New in Baltimore", "Night School", "We're Turning Again", "Cheepnis" and "Studebacher Hoch" on guitar, harmonized with Frank on a couple of tunes and played "Strictly Genteel" on keyboard. At the end he shook my hand and said I was to return in two days so "the rest of the band can witness your particular splendor".

My background was strictly obscure- playing in bars in San Diego doing Huey Lewis and the News covers. I was completely unknown, but had spent a few years learning FZ tunes and writing weird songs of my own.