![Mission Impossible](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5213/383955/5dce2f1c31378/Mission-Impossible.jpg)
There’s a good reason why you’ll never hear a covers band attempt Frank Zappa’s Hot Rats. It’s impossible. It’s unperformable. It’s unfathomable. Even putting aside the art-rock icon’s leftfield guitar virtuosity, the 1969 album is a tapestry of overdubs and tape manipulation, a web of sonic subterfuge and obtuse one-off manship, with makeshift ‘instruments’ that include a plastic comb and a mechanic’s wrench. Given that even Zappa himself couldn’t recreate these tracks on the stage – what hope do mere mortals have?
But that hasn’t stopped Dweezil Zappa accepting the challenge. For the last 13 years, the fabled guitarist’s talented son has been the frontman and driving force behind Zappa Plays Zappa: a passion project that seeks to keep his late father’s music alive. Now, in a new chapter that has seen the guitarist slip between the roles of detective, genealogist and gear anorak, Dweezil has dissected every last element of Hot Rats – from signal flow to studio tricks – and he will present the results at seven UK dates in December, starting at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
“We want these shows to be like a time machine,” he says.
What made you want to bring Hot Rats to the stage?
Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av Guitarist.
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Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av Guitarist.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![BASIC INSTINCTS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/MPMlY46Ko1716554046732/BASIC-INSTINCTS.jpg)
BASIC INSTINCTS
The sophisticated range of Swedish-designed guitars made by .strandberg* has lured thousands of players over to the headless side. But the company's new stripped-back Boden Essential model is its strongest play yet for the hearts and minds of mainstream players
![Second String](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/sBvIB9aL_1716553429966/SECOND-STRING.jpg)
Second String
As PRS's more affordable USA-made S2 line moves into its second decade, the series gets a revamp with - at last - USA-made pickups and electronics. What took so long?
![PABLO VAN DE POEL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/pliVW8Gi81716553146589/PABLO-VAN-DE-POEL.jpg)
PABLO VAN DE POEL
When a band from The Netherlands describes themselves as 'raw, psychedelic Southern rock', it may take a little cognitive processing to work out what that might mean. One listen to DeWolff, however, and you will be duly transported to the 60s for some fuzzed-out rock 'n' roll
![THE BERNIE MARSDEN COLLECTION](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/fTGNQAUsa1716552615812/THE-BERNIE-MARSDEN-COLLECTION.jpg)
THE BERNIE MARSDEN COLLECTION
With a fabulous collection of the late Bernie Marsden's guitars, amps and other highly collectable music gear going under the auctioneer's hammer on 11 June, we were thrilled to have the chance of a sneak preview
![LENNY KRAVITZ](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/ne2PrIV6l1716552113747/LENNY-KRAVITZ.jpg)
LENNY KRAVITZ
Some 35 years since the release of his debut LP, for his 12th record, Blue Electric Light, Lenny Kravitz is back again with equal doses of vigour and vibes, using vintage guitars and the purest valve amps
![GEORGE VJESTICA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/PizpXRgr21716551673569/GEORGE-VJESTICA.jpg)
GEORGE VJESTICA
You may not know him at first glance, but the work of Stoke-on-Trent native George Vjestica has probably impacted some of your favourite albums and movies
![DICKEY BETTS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/S1yn6-n1d1716550402126/DICKEY-BETTS.jpg)
DICKEY BETTS
Emerging from the shadow of Duane to write signature hit Ramblin' Man, the Allman Brothers guitarist was a hard-living pioneer of Southern rock
![NICK GUPPY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/oT2xY-izl1716550275271/NICK-GUPPY.jpg)
NICK GUPPY
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our highly valued amplifier guru, who died suddenly in April
![Lucky Break](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/yNx8pJTlM1716550134770/LUCKY-BREAK.jpg)
Lucky Break
Alex Bishop blends old wood with new in an attempt to fix a severely damaged guitar headstock
![Tones Behind The Tracks](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/vBB5zBmVh1716549877912/TONES-BEHIND-THE-TRACKS.jpg)
Tones Behind The Tracks
Cedric Burnside learnt at the knee of his fabled grandfather, but his latest album is a hill country blues masterclass on his own terms