Las Vegas Weekly

Feelin’ the groove at Freakin’ Frog

Andy Frasco performs at Freakin’ Frog.

Photo: April Corbin

Andy Frasco is hopping on one leg. In one hand a half-empty (half-filled, he might prefer) plastic cup with beer swishing around, threatening to spill. In the other the neck of a microphone stand angled down toward a saxophonist who jumped into the song unannounced.

Frasco’s head bobs, self-described Jew-fro swaying slightly, as he closes his eyes, feeling the music, not caring for a second that he has no idea where any of this is going.

This unplanned moment Thursday at Freakin’ Frog began when Frasco joined Elliot Szabo (the band) onstage to provide backing vocals for their cover of “Only The Good Die Young.” It quickly evolved into a full-on jam session including Frasco’s saxophonist. It’s a natural fit for Frasco, whose own set three hours earlier featured three accompanying musicians he’d met only that day.

Though no one on stage seems uncomfortable, Frasco seems the least concerned. “It is tricky,” he says of playing with musicians without prior practice. “It’s pretty stressful, but that’s music. You have to vibe it.”

Photo: April Corbin

Feelin' the groove at Freakin' Frog.

Tonight is the talented piano man’s second appearance at the Frog. He’s on a four-week tour with a slightly smaller-than-usual band (himself and three others, rather than his usual seven-piece funk band) to promote his album, Along for the Ride. With a voice full of soul and a natural stage presence, it’s difficult to believe the bluesy musician is only 21. Or that he began this musical journey working behind the scenes.

Frasco was booking shows for bands, including HelloGoodbye, in Los Angeles when he was only 16. He also worked for Drive Thru Records. Not bad gigs by any means.

Eventually, he took the plunge into performing himself, and in the only four or so years he’s been on stage, he’s managed to hook up with VH1’s Save The Music tour and perform 500 shows across the country in two years. A much better gig.

Photo: April Corbin

Andy Frasco (right) and Elliot Szabo perform together live at the Freakin' Frog.

So what prompted his change from booking to being booked and rocking out on this college-bar stage? There are two answers. The first, Frasco says, is that he disliked a lot of the music produced in the decade and wanted to create music his future kids could be proud of.

The second reason is more logistical. He explains, “All these bands kept breaking up. I said I’d just do it myself.”