After years of performing as Zappa Plays Zappa, guitarist and Frank Zappa son Dweezil Zappa recently announced that he was no longer allowed to tour under that moniker. Instead, he changed the name to Dweezil Zappa Plays Frank Zappa, hoping to avoid the controversy by properly identifying himself and his father.

However, it seems that Dweezil Zappa was hit with a cease and desist order, compelling him again to change the name. Henceforth, Zappa Plays Zappa is now officially… Dweezil Zappa. 

The kicker, however, is the name of his upcoming tour. It’s now Dweezil Zappa Plays Whatever the F@&k He Wants! — the Cease and Desist Tour. No, really.

The tour itself runs through July, starting on the 1st in New Mexico and ending on the 22nd in Tromso, Norway. It’s no secret that there has been bad blood between Dweezil Zappa and his brother Ahmet Zappa. In fact, both published open letters to the other addressing the family’s grievances, dragging the problems into the open and explaining their frustrations. From a neutral standpoint, it’s hard to say which is right.

Dweezil addressed the name change, saying:

When there is an injustice what do you often see people do? They rally together, make signs and shout in the streets so that people can hear about the injustice they are suffering.

Since the efforts to deal with this ZFT matter privately have been met with threats I have been put into the position to have to share the story publicly and stand up for myself by figuratively walking the picket line with a sign that says ZFT Don’t Tread On Me!

The last thing I want is for any of this drama to overshadow my Father’s music. His commitment to excellence and his integrity have always been a guiding light for me.

I understand there may be some public confusion about all of this. Multiple name changes etc. I also understand that this drama may be a turn off to people.

At the end of the day I believe my father’s music deserves to be heard not silenced. I will now be playing it with an even stronger resolve than ever before under the name my father gave me:

DWEEZIL ZAPPA

Regardless, we look forward to seeing Dweezil Zappa play whatever the f@%k he wants.

[H/T LA Times]