rama June 21, 2016

Tags: Eat That Question: Frank Zappa In His Own Words, Moon Zappa

I was fortunate enough to have recently interviewed Moon Zappa in honor of director Thorsten Schütte's documentary, "Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words" which was about Moon's legendary father, the late great music icon, Frank Zappa. Those of us fans of cinema and TV would also recognize some of Moon Zappa's works in such gigs as "National Lampoon's European Vacation" and TV's "High School USA."

In my conversation with Moon, I mostly wanted to know more about what it was like to be growing up with a father like Frank, and Moon was generous enough to answer my questions. Below is my entire interview with Moon Unit Zappa.

Rama's Screen: So if Frank was alive today, what would he say about this documentary? Because at the end of the film he himself said he didn't want to be remembered.

Moon Zappa: "I think he really would’ve enjoyed this film, while he may not have wanted to be remembered, I think what he was saying in that moment was that it didn’t matter; that it’s irrelevant if you are remembered or not. I think he was talking about the time that you are alive that matters. Because the time that you’re gone is for other people anyway. So it was not a goal.. it didn’t summarize him in some way if he was remembered or if he wasn’t remembered. Possibly he was afraid he wouldn’t be remembered I don’t know, but I think he would’ve really loved this film because one thing I know he wanted to be seen is as an American composer and I think Thorsten’s tells that story beautifully"

Rama's Screen: I had a hard time growing up liking Frank's music mainly because it was so unconventional, he'd add in xylophone or flute, much of his composition sounded experimental, I admire that he was doing something unique and new and unlike anything every body else was doing, but his songs weren't your regular verse bridge chorus catchy songs, ya know, definitely not the kind that's easily marketable by record labels. So I guess my question is.. if he was around today, would his music find a place in today's generation that prefers Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez?

Moon Zappa: "I think that he probably would’ve had a lot of fun either spoofing it or if he enjoyed their work, he probably would’ve wanted them to come and do some kind of collaboration. He was a big fan of excellent musicians who took their job as musicians seriously but also could be playful and could improvise. I think he would get along with Justin Timberlake and possibly Beyonce."

Rama's Screen: This documentary doesn't have talking heads, it doesn't even feature you or any of Frank's loved ones talking about Zappa. Were you ok with that format?

Moon Zappa: "I think that’s an inspiring format, I had nothing to do with that decision-making, I think that was 100% Thorsten decision and I think there are many stories he could’ve told, but I think this story about Frank wanting to be understood as an American composer was a fantastic way to ground this journey and make it a human adventure that you’re watching. My mother was in charge of giving him the keys to the kingdom, I’m amazed that he pulled it off. That was 8 years it took him to.. I think two years was just asking her nicely and her saying maybe."

Rama's Screen: So you've seen the film?

Moon Zappa: "Yes, I’ve seen it four times now."

Rama's Screen: So seeing this docu film, when you were watching it, what sort of memories come rushing in? What does the film make you remember?

Moon Zappa: "It makes me remember how he smelled, especially when I see him with no shirt on and composer, I’m like ‘O, right, I remember that room, I remember how it felt to be in that room with him, I remember him smelling like winston cigarettes and kind of musky from not bathing because he was up working for many days in a row. It just reminded me of silly things in the house like we had this thing where we lower food down to the basement and then bring it back up and then there was like an intercom system throughout the house so you could always be hearing the music. You’d be trying to sleep or do your homework and you’d just be hearing this dissonant sound."

Rama's Screen: At one point in the film, Zappa said that his wife was the only one buying toys for the kids in the house. So is that correct? Was your mom the only one buying you guys toys?

Moon Zappa: "Ya, I’m trying to think, there were couple of things that he purchased, actually I have it on today, he gave me this little charm I wear around my neck. But ya, one of the things my mom liked to do was that she’d take tampon applicator and she’d wrap tinfoil around them and they become scuba gear for our dolls. She was crafty, a little MacGyverish that way, we had a lot of art supplies in the house, that was probably the thing we were most interested in, a lot of books. But he was just a presence in the house, a very strong presence. It’s so interesting to me that his presence lingers, such a big presence that even him not here, he’s still a presence, it’s fascinating."

Rama's Screen: I really loved the part where Frank strongly advocated against censorship. It seems that time and time again, there will always be those uptight ringt-wingers trying to bring us down. I went to Europe once and when I was there I thought America was the land of the free, but it felt so much more free there in Europe. Why do you think that is? What is your take on that?

Moon Zappa: "I don’t know but if you believe in reincarnation, I do think that it’s interesting that this man appeared on American soil to wake people up over here and that he was so much more well-received in Europe especially Eastern bloc countries where people there really valued freedom, they really understood it. We just take so many things for granted here, and it’s embarrassing and I think he was embarrassed by that, and he had no time for ignorance or for being wasteful with your time. He would not have been a Netflix guy, he would’ve been generating Netflix content. But ya, I think.. some of his ideas are just beginning to be.. we’re just getting to understand that a person like this existed and now be on the look out for even more of these kinds of people and his message is as strong now, even more important. You have to get out there, educate yourselves, vote, be reasonable, if we’re trying to keep this planet together, we don’t go plundering and harming other people. We’re really moving forward towards every man for himself kind of approach to living and that’s not what he would’ve wanted, it’s not sustainable, it’s not kind, it’s not smart."

Rama's Screen: Did Frank pass his musical talent down to you? Did you ever get bit by that musical bug? Are you a musician?