Public radio from Western Michigan University 102.1 NPR News | 89.9 Classical WMUK
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
0000017c-60f7-de77-ad7e-f3f739cf0000Arts & More airs Fridays at 7:50 a.m. and 4:20 p.m.Theme music: "Like A Beginner Again" by Dan Barry of Seas of Jupiter

Former Frank Zappa Musicians, Michigan Natives Form Unique Band

courtesy of Roister

The band Roister is coming to Bell’s Brewery Thursday night. It’s an original band built like a super group.

Four members of Roisterhave played with Frank Zappa, one played in the Jerry Garcia Band, and one still plays with local Michigan favorite The Macpodz. 

Markus Messina is the founder of the group. He says the name "Roister" means boisterous merry making. 

"We're kind of trying to create a celebration of life," says Messina. "And in that you have a lot of funk mixed with some fusion and we've added a couple Frank Zappa tunes because a lot of the guys have played with him."

Messina says a lot of the band members were influenced by Zappa's work ethic and his improvisational style.

"As a young musician, what I've always respected and liked about Frank Zappa was the approach to a live show and not having it be set in stone," he says.

Three of the band members--Messina, Ray White, and Jesse Clayton--are also Michigan natives. 

Messina says the band members strive to make playing music together and performing fun. He says the group has too many talented musicians to let one single person overshadow anyone else.

"It's really all about listening to each other and creating these moments for everyone else to shine," Messina says.

Messina says the band has big plans for this upcoming show at Bell's Brewery. The band will debut a storytelling song from Roister's Ray White called "Spring Water." They'll also play a few other new songs and you might even see a Beatles medley in there.

Messina says the band will go to Chicago to record their first album soon after their performance at Bell's.

Related Content