The Fab Faux

Last year they gave us two completely contrasting shows - the astounding Psychedelia show at the Royal Court, and the back-to-basics rock 'n' roll fest in the Cavern Club. Previous years have seen the performance of some of the Beatles most complex albums: The White Album and Abbey Road in their entirety. So what next for the truly Fab Faux? Well, as they edge ever closer to the milestone of having performed every one of the 211 released Beatles songs, they've accepted Bill Heckle's challenge to raise the bar and include the songs the four Beatles wrote and recorded after the band broke up. Yes, for 2005 The Faux bring us the Ex-Factor solo years show.

The band has played some solo Beatles material before - back in October 2001 they played a John Lennon birthday tribute show which included 6 of the man's solo records, and Frank Agnello gave fans a little taster last year when he played a solo set in the American Bar which was made up entirely of songs recorded by John, Paul, George and Ringo post-1970. But to learn an entire solo years show certainly is a momentous challenge. Mind you, if anyone can do it, it's The Fab Faux!

The band are no doubt well-known to regular conventioneer's, but just in case you're new here, it's time to meet The Faux! Jimmy Vivino plays guitar for the Max Weinberg 7 on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Will Lee is bassist in the Late Show with David Letterman band, Rich Pagano runs a busy Manhattan recording studio, Jack Petruzzelli has been touring Australia, Europe and North America this year with Rufus Wainwright, and Frank Agnello works for the major music performance rights society ASCAP.

Since last Beatle Week, the band has been busier than ever. In October last year, Will Lee was honoured to receive a Lifetime Achievement award from Bass Player magazine. The Faux were honoured to be asked to perform a set at that event, for Will's peers, which included some of the world's best bassists including Anthony Jackson & Jerry Jemmott, amongst others. The following month The Faux were interviewed by famous NY radio host Pete Fornatale for his long-running Mixed Bag series. In addition, the 90-minute program features the band in concert at The State Theatre in New Brunswick, NJ, also recorded that month. As of this writing, the show has not yet aired, but we hope it will be soon! That New Brunswick concert was also the source of a Will Lee interview & band photo session for Joe Johnson's famous Beatle Brunch radio program, which was broadcast nationwide, and webcast as well.

In January, The Fab Faux had the pleasure of playing "Twist and Shout" with John Mellencamp and his guitarist, long-time "6th Faux" Andy York, at a bash for MTV in San Juan, Puerto Rico. An honoured guest at the bands' February Abbey Road show at Webster Hall in NYC was Rolling Stone Magazine editor and publisher, Jann Wenner. Mr. Wenner casually asked if his magazine had ever done a piece on The Fab Faux. When told they hadn't, he replied "Hmmm..." A few days later, they received word that Rolling Stone wished to do a story on the band. The magazine's Senior Editor, David Fricke, did a series of interviews with each Faux member, and a photo shoot took place at the band's May-June Bowery Ballroom shows. The full-page story was in the August 11th issue of the magazine (with Jimi Hendrix on the cover).

Just a few weeks ago on August 2nd, The Faux were honoured to take part in a benefit show at BB King's in NYC for Dave Clark 5 keyboardist/lead vocalist/songwriter Mike Smith, who was tragically paralyzed in 2003 after an accident at his home in Spain. The event was organized by Late Show with David Letterman bandleader Paul Shaffer, and featured The Zombies, Billy J. Kramer, Denny Laine, The Fab Faux, and the first reunion in over 35 years of Peter and Gordon. Each act performed a Dave Clark 5 song, and the show was filmed for a DVD and TV broadcast.

The Fab Faux are:
Jack - quietly seducing the entire room....
Rich - the heartbeat of the Faux....
Will - funny clothes....
Frank - sorry girls, he's taken....
Jimmy - master of all, jack of none....