Scott Thunes

Bassist Scott Thunes served as a member of Frank Zappa's band for much of the ‘80s, before appearing on a variety of albums by other cult artists. Born on January 20th, 1960 in Los Angeles, CA, Thunes began taking guitar lessons right around the time his family relocated up north to San Anselmo, during 1968. Soonafter, Thunes switched to the bass, but it took a while for him to gain an appreciation of the instrument (comic books and Saturday morning cartoons served as an initial distraction). Inspired to pick up the bass once more after befriending a neighborhood bassist, Thunes played in a local cover band, specializing in such late ‘60s/early ‘70s artists as Yes, ELP, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Frank Zappa, among others. After a stint in juvenile hall, Thunes eventually entered the music program at the College of Marin, at the age of 15. By this point, Thunes' musical interest had shifted from rock to jazz/fusion (Mahvishnu Orchestra, Chick Corea, Jan Hammer, etc.), before the discovery of Devo re-ignited Thunes' interest in rock music -- particularly new wave. The bassist played in a variety of new wave outfits during the late ‘70s, including such obscure outfits as the Readymades (who opened a show for Blondie at the Oakland Coliseum) and No Sisters. Supporting himself by 1980 as a bicycle messenger, Thunes continued to play with others (a band called Derek and The Young Republicans), before he was able to line up an audition for Frank Zappa's band. Thunes landed the gig shortly thereafter - appearing on countless Zappa albums throughout the decade (including 1982's Ship Arriving Too Late, 1983's Man from Utopia, 1984's Thing Fish, 1986's Jazz from Hell, 1988's Guitar, etc.) and tours (the 1985 homevideo, Does Humor Belong in Music?). With Zappa retiring from the road by the ‘90s due to declining health (he would eventually pass away from cancer in 1993), Thunes and the rest of Zappa's backing band were forced to look for work elsewhere. Subsequently, Thunes has appeared on recordings by a variety of other artists, including Frank's son, Dweezil Zappa (Havin' A Bad Day, My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama, Automatic), Fear (Have Another Beer with Fear), Andy Prieboy (Upon my Wicked Son, Montezuma was a Man of Faith), The Vandals (Fear of a Punk Planet), Wayne Kramer (Dangerous Madness), and Cynthia Jane (Lo and Behold), among others. Thunes also took part in a tribute to Frank Zappa in 1991 at the Ritz in New York -- issued as both an album and video (Zappa's Universe). The early 21st century saw Thunes continue to work with others, as well as the launch of his own website (/www.geoscott.com). ~ Greg Prato