The Man

Self taught musical genius Mike Keneally was born on December 20, 1961 (his birthdate is one day before Frank Zappa's) in Long Island, NY. Keneally plays guitar and keyboards, sings and composes and produces and does a lot of other things, all of which are amazing pieces of music and nearly impossible to categorize in any of the "labels" imposed on modern music. Some categorize Keneally as "progressive rock". Some call him "fusion jazz/rock". Some like to label him as they would label that man who took Keneally under his wing in 1988, Frank Zappa. That label is a classification all its own. As one would label Zappa's music simply "Zappa's Music", one would label Keneally's music as simply "Keneally's Music."

Mike Keneally did not grow up in a particularly musically inclined family. Mike's first musical instrument was a small organ given to him on his seventh birthday, which he hadn't asked for. Soon little Mikey was playing "Paint It Black" with little effort. This was the very humble beginnings of the musical genius we know today. Later a friend would introduce him to Frank Zappa and everything for Keneally would change forever. On his eleventh birthday Mike received his first guitar along with a copy of Frank Zappa and the Mothers "Fillmore East June 1971" album. While his interest in guitar was minimal, his brother Marty picked up the guitar and his interest in music began. Mike and Marty began to play and record together through the 70s. Mostly cover tunes of Santana and CSNY, with a few weird original songs thrown in for good measure.

Through the 80s Mike was quite adept at the keyboards but was also playing guitar for fun. Keneally was learning Zappa tunes in what can only be called a sort of psychically influenced job preparation for his future. Through the 80s Mike continued to play in clubs with his brother Marty in a band called Graphic. One day in 1985, Mike called the 818-PUMPKIN hotline to the Zappa family. In those days Frank answered the phone occasionally. On this particular day when Mike called, Frank answered! In the course of their conversation Mike mentioned to Frank that his dream was to some day work with him. To which Zappa responded, "Keep dreaming. I'm never going on the road again."

Keneally continued to play in LA clubs with his brother Marty for a couple more years. Around this time frame Mike called 818-PUMPKIN again and the recording informed him that Frank was in rehearsals with a new band. At first Mike only saw this as an opportunity to see Frank live again. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that this could be his last chance to make his dream come true. So the next day Mike called the hotline again and reached a human being by the name of Gerald Fialka. Mike informed this person that he could play guitar and keyboards and could sing as well. He also mentioned that he was very familiar with the Zappa repertoir and would like a chance to audition. Mike was thanked for the information and he hung up thinking nothing would come of this. Mike actually got a call back with a chance to audition for Frank that next night and turned it down due to a gig with his band. Later he would discover that the venue he was playing had replaced his band! So after a miserable weekend until Monday when he called 818-PUMPKIN again, Mike left a message and the next day he got a call from Frank Zappa himself!

Zappa challenged Keneally to come up to his house and prove his claim of knowing the complete Zappa catalog. Frank instructed Mike to come up that evening to audition and to be prepared to play "What's New in Baltimore?" and "Sinister Footwear II". Both of which Mike did not know! On the drive to Zappa's house in LA Mike learned these and several other Zappa tunes. After a successful audition with Zappa obviously impressed, Mike was invited to return to the next rehearsal so the rest of the band could see him play. After a succession of alternately disastrous and impressive rehearsals with Frank and the band, Keneally was invited to join the band.

The 1988 Zappa tour was a complete success for Mike on vocals, keyboards and "stunt guitar." Fans and band members alike were quickly impressed by the "new guy." Since then, along with his solo albums and work with Beer for Dolphins, Keneally has also recorded or performed with XTC, Robert Fripp, Sting, Kevin Gilbert, Steve Vai and Screamin' Jay Hawkins just to name a few. You can get all the information you could ever hope to find about Mike Keneally at his very own official website: www.Keneally.com

The Music

Among Keneally's discography there few works that do not stand out as masterpieces of modern composing and performing. The most recent release from late 2000, "Dancing," by Mike Keneally and Beer For Dolphins, debuted at Number 167 on The Billboard 200 chart. Critics praised the album. Fans called it a revalation and an innovation of Keneally's signature sound. "Dancing" can easily be called Keneally's best work to date and maybe even one of the best releases of the year 2000. This album is a departure from previous releases that were more "rock" oriented. On "Dancing" we find Keneally experimenting with a more jazz/fusion sound reminiscent of Frank Zappa's "Grand Wazoo" era bands. We have horns and percussion instruments throughout this release that signify a more polished side of the "Keneally sound."

In this Beer for Dolphins "Dancing" lineup we have the lovely and extremely talented Tricia Williams on percussion and marimba. The excellent saxaphone and flute work of Evan Francis. The trumpet of Chris Opperman, who sadly is no longer a part of the "Dancing" tour lineup. Rick Mussalum on guitar and backing vocals. Jason Smith on drums, who was a part of Keneally's 1998 touring band. Smith has since been replaced by Nick D'Virgilio, drummer extraordinare from the progressive rock band, Spock's Beard. Mark Ziegenhagen is on keyboards and vocals, another standout from the 1998 band who now takes over full keyboard responsibilities from Keneally. And last but certainly not least Bryan Beller, longtime Keneally cohort, on bass.

Keneally's 1999 solo album "Nonkertompf," performed and composed by Keneally in it's entirety, is perhaps one of the least accessable albums to new fans of Keneally. Nonetheless it is a piece of pure genius. There is enough here to entice any fan of wonderful guitar work reminiscent of Frank Zappa at his most experimental stages. The origins of the whole conception of this album can be traced back to a childhood dream of Keneally. The musical textures certainly transport one into a dream-world of beautiful, haunting, scary and often hilarious sounds.

1997's "Sluggo!", is probably the most appropriate album to introduce new listeners to Keneally. This album is certainly more "rock" oriented and even downright radio friendly at times. While certainly not lacking at all in the experimental and original department. This release is deeply rooted in progressive and classic rock sounds.

Whichever the direction the listener wants to go in, it can certainly be said that there is something in Keneally's discography for everyone. This is a man who transcends labels and genre's and simply writes and performs beautiful and complex pieces of music.

The Discography

• 1988 Frank Zappa- Broadway the Hard Way
• 1990 Dweezil Zappa- Confessions
• 1991 Screamin' Jay Hawkins- Black Music for White People
• 1991 Frank Zappa- The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life
• 1991 Frank Zappa- You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, vol. 4
• 1992 Frank Zappa- Make A Jazz Noise Here
• 1992 Frank Zappa- You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, vol. 6
• 1992 Mike Keneally- Hat
• 1993 Zappa's Universe
• 1993 Zappa's Universe- Choice Morsels
• 1993 Screamin' Jay Hawkins- Stone Crazy
• 1993 Z- Shampoohorn
• 1994 Mike Keneally- Boil That Dust Speck
• 1994 Screamin' Jay Hawkins- Somethin' Funny Goin' On
• 1995 Tales from Yesterday (Yes Tribute) Stanley Snail - Siberian Khatru
• 1995 Supper's Ready (Genesis Tribute) Kevin Gilbert - Back in N.Y.C.
• 1995 The Mistakes- The Mistakes
• 1995 Frank Zappa- Strictly Commercial [LP vinyl only]
• 1995 Frank Zappa- Kill Ugly Radio Some More
• 1995 Z- Music for Pets
• 1996 Mike Keneally and Beer For Dolphins- Half Alive in Hollywood
• 1997 Mike Keneally- The Tar Tapes Vol. 1
• 1997 Mike Keneally and Beer For Dolphins- Sluggo!
• 1997 Steve Vai- G3 Live In Concert
• 1997 Steve Vai- Merry Axemas- A Guitar Christmas
• 1998 Frank Zappa- Cheap Thrills
• 1998 Steve Vai- Flex-Able Leftovers
• 1997 Mike Keneally- The Tar Tapes Vol. 2
• 1998 Chris Opperman- Oppy Music, Vol. I: Purple Crayon
• 1999 Mullmuzzler- Keep it to Yourself
• 1999 Frank Zappa- Son of Cheep Thrills
• 1999 Mike Keneally- Nonkertompf
• 2000 Frankly A Cappella: The Persuasions Sing Zappa
• 2000 Mike Keneally and Beer for Dolphins- Dancing
• 2001 James Labrie's Mullmuzzler - II
• 2001 "NDV" Nick D'Virgilio - Karma