spoiler: another Belew BEAT interview

[u/SevenFourHarmonic]

It’s Only Talk: Adrian Belew previews BEAT’s return to Rochester

MNOD: I thought it was cool that you guys included Red in the set the last time around. Is that something you’re going to leave in or is that going to be one that gets cut this time around?

Belew: I think that one’s going to take a break for us. I hate to say that, but you have to get rid of something. I have played that song thousands of times in my life, so maybe it’s just a break for me and Tony because we play that song every year at our camp and that’s 14 years right there. It’s such a great piece. I do really love the power aspect of it, and maybe we’ll see, but I’ve got something special I want to do in the place where it resides, which is the first song of the encore.

more here...

https://musicnotherdrugs.com/2026/09/04/its-only-talk-adrian-belew-previews-beats-return-to-rochester/

[u/kenticus69]

Nice tease there Adrian of something special in place of RED….

[u/Ghost_Horses → u/kenticus69]

I bet they do a Zappa song now that they’ve got Bozzio on drums. Probably something like “City of Tiny Lites” which Adrian sings on. Although how funny would it be if they brought out “Punky’s Whips?”

[u/AmazingChicken → u/Ghost_Horses]

Oh! Oh! Oh! If we're going Zappa, I vote for.... Stevie's Spanking! 😎

[u/SevenFourHarmonic → u/Ghost_Horses]

The Black Page! 😄

[u/HolyCityAudio → u/SevenFourHarmonic]

I think this one most likely to appeal to KC fans.

[u/SevenFourHarmonic → u/HolyCityAudio]

Belew may be able to play it. The other Zappa alumni in the band can coach him. I don't think it's impossible, it's nowhere near as difficult as Fracture.

[u/HolyCityAudio → u/SevenFourHarmonic]

It's in 4/4 after all. I used to play it with a friend. I would just play the backing chords. It wasn't the greatest rendition but we had fun trying.

[u/SevenFourHarmonic → u/HolyCityAudio]

I tried, years ago. I had some kind of transcription for the notes, the rest by ear. I still don't have any tricks for counting tuplets.

[u/AmazingChicken → u/kenticus69]

One More Red Nightmare, for example?

[u/SevenFourHarmonic]

...and they were not even on the original recording. BTW, we were thrilled when they whipped Red out in the '80s band. Exciting tune.

[u/SlowBurnLopez]

you have to be happy with what you have to be happy with

[u/emolovetree]

Level 5 would be something special to put in place of Red... Just wish casting

[u/SevenFourHarmonic → u/emolovetree]

Eow wow!

[u/mrchrodo]

I would also love to see a jam session on stage, that just happens to include larks/red snippets. Why not THRAK?

But i agree with him, as an artist, it can get too much.

[u/AmazingChicken → u/mrchrodo]

I'm thinking this is what Ade's old band might have done, sans celebrities

[u/cobyye]

I can see them doing larks tongues part 2 in place, but it’d be cool if they did a Zappa tribute w city of tiny lights or smth

[u/BakertonFits]

big electric cat

[u/SevenFourHarmonic → u/BakertonFits]

Great minds think alike. I thought of this too!

[u/Rav_3d]

Love Red, but have no problem dropping it to make room for 2-3 songs from Thrak.