Got Afro?
Andy Frasco & the U.N. return to Lake Tahoe for a hair-raising night of free music, which starts at 10 p.m. Friday in the Crystal Bay Casino’s Red Room.
Frasco, 28, took a singular path to the bandstand. He was a band manager, worked for some record labels and took classes at San Francisco State University.
“All these bands would break up,” Frasco told Tahoe Onstage. “I said screw it I am just going to micro market my own band and learn how to play an instrument.
“I had a piano at my house. My mom always bitched at me about learning how to play it but I never did. I just got real lazy. Then I saw a band play that I fell in love with (Damien Rice). At 19, I quit school, bought a van, hired a band on Craigslist said I am gonna call 1,000 venues and see how many shows I could get.”
While Frasco had an affection for Damian Rice’s band, Buddy Guy was his inspiration as an entertainer.
“It was his smile,” Frasco said. “I didn’t want to be a recording artist. I just wanted to be a live show performer. It’s party blues. Try to get people to live in the moment, put down the cell phone and live for a little bit. The crowd is just as important to our set as the songs are.”
Frasco’s experience as a band manager helped him build a fan base. He invites local musicians to jam at his impromptu shows, which never include a set list. He returns to venues where his performances resonate with the audience, and the local musicians spread the word and bring more friends at each appearance.
“It’s super tiring and my body sometimes gives up on me,” Frasco said. “But it keeps the fire in my stomach.
