Kozmic Dreams Photography of Project Object

Being a Frank Zappa fan (now that's an understatement), my favorite live band right now would have to be Project Object. Up to three original members of Zappa's bands play in Project Object and they perform Frank's music. Now that Frank's gone, this is the best it gets. I've seen 24 shows and even driven 5-7 hours on ten different occasions to see these guys---that's how awesome they are! I have obtained a set list from every show I've attended. Click here to see my set lists. Most of my pictures are of me with band members hanging out before or after shows, often around the Music Machine, my airbrushed art car dedicated to Frank Zappa, although there are a few photos of the band playing.

I was able to catch three shows on the fall tour this year. One at the Magic Bag in Ferndale, MI on October 18, 2007 and two at Martyr's in Chicago on October 19-20, 2007. This time, Ike wasn't with them, so Andre was able to finally do some major soloing. I think the band was the best they've ever been. They also added a new drummer, Josh.

I ended my winter break on a wonderful note this year---I went to Chicago to see 2 Project Object shows at Martyr's on January 5th and 6th, 2007 for their "Staying the Course for Zappa" winter tour. On this tour, there was no Napoleon Murphy Brock because he is currently with Zappa Plays Zappa, although Robbie "Seahag" Mangano was able to join them and play guitar, which is always a nice treat. Once again, Eric Svalgard saved the night and moved the equipment truck across the street so that I could have the prime location in front of the Martyr's window to display the Music Machine. I tried to take a few pictures of the band playing, but they are pretty dark (Photoshop helped lighten them up a bit).

Here I am pictured with Robbie "Seahag" Mangano (guitar), Andre Cholmondeley (guitar), and Eric Slick (percussion) after the show on January 6th.

This year, I was able to attend four shows: One at Martyr's in Chicago on April 22nd, 2006, one at the Magic Bag in Ferndale, MI on April 24th, 2006, and two at Club Cafe in Pittsburgh, PA on May 12th and 13th, 2006. I took a few photos at each venue.

Magic Bag, Ferndale, MI

car out front horizontal.jpg (111875 bytes)

car out front vertical cropped.jpg (106670 bytes)

car out front horizontal with me and robbie cropped.jpg (106558 bytes)

I parked as close to the Magic Bag as I could. If you look closely, you can read "Project Object" on the marquee. Robbie "Seahag" Mangano was able to join this tour for a short time---I was very happy because he's an amazing guitarist. We are pictured above, just before the show started.

Club Café, Pittsburgh, PA

band no flash 5 levels adj cropped rot.jpg (145055 bytes)

band no flash 8 levels adj cropped vertically.jpg (140026 bytes)

band no flash 6 levels adj cropped.jpg (142545 bytes)

band with flash 2 cropped adj.jpg (129560 bytes)

band no flash 2 levels adj cropped.jpg (141758 bytes)

band with flash cropped adj.jpg (142767 bytes)

car alone out front 2.jpg (132937 bytes)

outside with car 1 cropped.jpg (145145 bytes)

outside with car 1 cropped twice.jpg (147345 bytes)

outside with car 2 cropped adj.jpg (141404 bytes)

outside with car 2 cropped twice adj.jpg (139505 bytes)

On May 12 and 13, 2006, I saw Pittsburgh for the first time. It took us a little longer to get there than I had hoped. When I first pulled up, it was about 10 minutes until show time, and I was disappointed that all the front parking spots were taken since I had driven the Music Machine all the way there. At intermission, Eric Svalgard surprised me and offered to move the tour van so I could park the car in front. He had to park several blocks away by that time of night. What a nice guy! The second night, I got there early enough to get a spot. The Pittsburgh crowd was very welcoming and seemed glad that I brought the car to share. I am pictured with all of the members of the current P/O line-up except for Ike Willis. From left to right are Dave Johnsen (bass), Andre Cholmondeley (guitar), Eric Slick (drums), and Eric Svalgard (keys, Moog). Brian also took a few pictures of the band playing. The lighting made it difficult to get photographs, so I made adjustments in Photoshop and posted the results above. I also took some Nature and Wildlife photos while at the hotel.

I was able to see two shows of the spring tour in April 2005---once in Chicago at Martyr's on April 15th and once at the Trolley Stop Bar in Taylor, MI on April 16th. I saw three of the fall tour shows---twice in Chicago at Martyr's on October 21st and 22nd and once at the Magic Bag in Ferndale on October 24th. I also took the Music Machine to these all of these shows. I took some pictures during the spring tour, shown below...

I was fortunate enough to see three shows for the Fall Tour in October 2004---once at the Magic Bag in Ferndale on October 7th and twice at Martyr's in Chicago on October 9th and 10th. I drove the Music Machine to all three shows which was really a lot of fun. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures though. At this point, Don Preston was no longer touring with them so I was very glad to have seen the previous shows with Don.

They came to the Magic Bag in Ferndale, MI again on March 11, 2003. I also went to Chicago to see them that weekend. Below are some pictures of me with some of the band members at the show at Martyr's in Chicago, IL on March 14 and 15, 2003. It is important to note that all three of them played in Zappa's bands at one time or another.

One of the most exciting things I got to do in the fall of 2003 was take the Music Machine to Chicago to see Project Object for two Martyr's shows on October 24th and 25th. It's interesting, with a car like mine, people either love it or hate it, they get it or they don't. It was so nice to show the car to these guys because I knew they got it and loved it. In fact, after they saw it, every one of them ran back inside to get their cameras. It was crazy---it was like I was the celebrity because they were all taking pictures of me with the car! Unfortunately, my pictures didn't even show the hood because it was dark out. I hope their pictures turned out better. Below are some pictures of me and the band members out by the car as well as a picture of Napoleon with the sax he's had since 1969.

My first show was at the Magic Bag in Ferndale, MI on March 21, 2002. I saw them again at Docksider's in Erie, PA on October 25, 2002.

Before you leave my website, you might also enjoy looking at the following pages: