History Music / ThingFish

Musically, ''Thing-Fish'' is Zappa at his least inspired. Most of the album is cobbled together from instrumental tracks recycled from past Zappa songs, and some are [[RepurposedPopSong completely recycled earlier songs]] with new lyrics to fit whatever story the album has, sung by Ike Willis in his obnoxious Kingfish impression. The only stand-out track is the comedy novelty song "He's So Gay", which was often played at Zappa concerts.

* RepurposedPopSong:
** Several songs on this album are recycled from ''Music/ZootAllures'', ''Music/TinseltownRebellion'', ''Music/YouAreWhatYouIs'' and ''Music/ShipArrivingTooLateToSaveADrowningWitch''.
** The background music during "That Evil Prince" and "The White Boy Troubles" is a piece called "Amnerika" [[note]] Yes, spelled with a "n" in the middle [[/note]], which would only appear on a Zappa album in 1994: ''Music/CivilizationPhazeIII''.

Despite its BrokenBase and many fans [[{{Discontinuity}} not acknowledging its existence]], Zappa often called ''Thing-Fish'' "[[MagnumOpusDissonance one of his most essential albums]] because of its political message." Some very forgiving Zappa fans still like it as an underappreciated [[{{Satire}} satirical]] masterpiece.

A right-wing aristocratic theater critic [[UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheories creates a disease to wipe out gay and black people]] and tests them on prisoners led by the titular character Thing-Fish; they are mutated into potato-headed, duck-mouthed creatures called "Mammy Nuns". The resulting disease is interpreted by many as a "punishment of God", which helps MoralGuardians climb up the government's ranks. Meanwhile, the Mammy Nuns put on a [[ShowWithinAShow Broadway musical]] which is attended by Harry and Rhonda, a WhiteAngloSaxonProtestant couple that Thing-Fish eventually holds captive. The musical causes the pair to confront their pasts, which results in Harry coming out as gay and Rhonda (who is a blow-up doll brought to life) having sex with a briefcase out of sexual frustration.

* {{Satire}}: The album is both a satirical parody about the UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheory that AIDS was manufactured by the US government as well as Broadway musicals. The lifestyle of homosexuals is also spoofed in "He's So Gay".

** Kingfish says "one-Adam twelve", a reference to ''Series/AdamTwelve'', and "Book 'Em Dano", a reference to the catchphrase from ''Series/HawaiiFiveO''.

''Thing-Fish'' is a 1984 album by Music/FrankZappa. It's a RockOpera based around the character Kingfish from the old radio and TV show ''Radio/AmosNAndy'' (1928-1960) [[note]] Originally a radio serial that aired from 1928 to 1960 in different formats, but always the same concept. It featured several Afro-American characters; the naïve but honest Amos, the arrogant, but lazy and gullible Andy, and the conniving Kingfish, all of whom spoke in a stereotypical "black" accent and exemplified various stereotypes of African Americans. A TV adaptation ran from 1951 to 1953, but hasn't been shown on TV since 1966 due to increased awareness of its anti-black overtones. [[/note]], who is called "Thing-Fish" here. According to the plot Thing-Fish has been deformed by a right wing [[UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheories government biochemical warfare plan to get rid of homosexuals and blacks to create "divine retribution"]]. As a result all people "the government wants to get rid off" are mutated into potato-headed, duck-mouthed creatures called "Mammy Nuns." The resulting disease is interpreted by many as a "punishment of God," which helps MoralGuardians and conservative Christians get more political power in the elections and more influence in the government. Meanwhile, the mutated people put on a Broadway musical, attended by a WhiteAngloSaxonProtestant couple, Harry and Rhonda, who attend this play and are held captive by Thingfish. This StoryWithinAStory eventually leads to the pair being confronted with their past, which results in Harry coming out of the closet as gay and Rhonda (in reality a rubber sex doll brought to life) having sex with a briefcase out of sexual frustration.

A 21-page extract with photos appeared in the April issue of the pornographic magazine "Hustler", with the intent of staging the musical later, but this idea remained in DevelopmentHell until 2003, ten years after Zappa's death, when it was finally staged.

Out of all the albums Zappa released during TheEighties which got a negative reception by fans, ''Thing-Fish'' got the biggest backlash. Together with ''Music/TheManFromUtopia'' (1982) it's generally considered to be his absolute worst album. The plotline, as described above, is so far-fetched and pointless that the general message ultimately gets lost and difficult to take seriously anymore. The comedy is mostly the OverlyLongGag that Ike Wilis imitates the character Kingfish from the 1940s/1950s sitcom ''Radio/AmosNAndy'' all throughout the album, even singing in this voice. Seeing that ''Amos 'N' Andy'' hadn't been shown on American TV since the 1960's due to extremely dated Afro-American stereotypes, and that most other countries in the world [[NoExportForYou never saw this show at all,]] the joke was totally lost on most audiences. Musically the album is also Zappa at his least inspired. The only stand-out track is "He's So Gay", often played during concerts, but in itself nothing more than a comedy novelty song. To make matters worse several songs are just the [[RepurposedPopSong recycled instrumental tracks]] from earlier Zappa albums, some actually ''are'' earlier songs with lyrics modified to fit the story (or whatever story one can gather from the album) while Ike Willis sings over them in this obnoxious Kingfish imitation.

--> ''We learned how to hide secret stuff, wrapped up in the middle of those severe terminal buns we wear! Little transmitters, HARRY, little receivers! Oh, don't pretend to be surprised, HARRY! We even had room left over in there for all of our most favorite little, embroidered, delicate, secretly feminine, child-like, helpless, pathetic, sentimental, totally useless, personal "girl-things" that smell like the stuff they put in the toilet paper.''

[[caption-width-right:350: ''This is a complete and utter disaster, Harry! A complete and utter disaster!'']]

-> ''I'll say it's disgusting, atrocious, and dull''

-> ''At a Tupper-Ware Party, so do be a smarty!''

-> '''The Torchum Never Stops'''

-> '' "Thing-Fish" is best summed up by the character Harry. When Rhonda asks him: "Is this entertainment? He replies: "This is a disaster, a complete and utter disaster." ''

-> '''Barry Miles''', quoted from "Zappa: A Biograpy", Grove Press, 2005, page 330.

''Thing-Fish'' is a 1984 album by Music/FrankZappa. It's a RockOpera based around the character Kingfish from the old radio and TV show ''Radio/AmosNAndy'' (1928-1960) [[note]] Originally a radio serial that aired from 1928 to 1960 in different formats, but always the same concept. It featured several Afro-American characters; Amos, Andy and Kingfish; who spoke in a stereotypical accent. A TV adaptation ran from 1951 to 1953. Since 1966 it hasn't been shown on TV anymore due to racial insensitivities. [[/note]], who is called "Thing-Fish" here. According to the plot Thing-Fish has been deformed by a right wing [[UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheories government biochemical warfare plan to get rid of homosexuals and blacks to create "divine retribution"]]. As a result all people "the government wants to get rid off" are mutated into potato-headed, duck-mouthed creatures called "Mammy Nuns". The resulting disease is interpreted by many as a "punishment of God", which helps MoralGuardians and conservative Christians get more political power in the elections and more influence in the government. Meanwhile, the mutated people put on a Broadway musical, attended by a WhiteAngloSaxonProtestant couple, Harry and Rhonda, who attend this play and are held captive by Thingfish. This StoryWithinAStory eventually leads to the pair being confronted with their past, which results in Harry coming out of the closet as gay and Rhonda having sex with a briefcase out of sexual frustration.

Out of all the albums Zappa released during TheEighties which got a negative reception by fans "Thing-Fish" got the biggest backlash. Together with ''Music/TheManFromUtopia'' (1982) it's generally considered to be his absolute worst album. The plotline, as described above, is so far-fetched and pointless that the general message ultimately gets lost and difficult to take serious anymore. The comedy is mostly the OverlyLongGag that Ike Wilis imitates the character Kingfish from the 1940s/1950s sitcom ''Radio/AmosNAndy'' all throughout the album, even singing in this voice. Seeing that "Amos 'N' Andy" hadn't been shown on American TV since the 1960s due to extremely dated Afro-American stereotypes and most other countries in the world never saw this show the joke was totally lost on most audiences. Musically the album is also Zappa at his least inspired. The only stand-out track is "He's So Gay", often played during concerts, but in itself nothing more than a comedy novelty song. To make matters worse several songs are just the [[RepurposedPopSong recycled instrumental tracks]] from earlier Zappa albums, while Ike Willis sings over them in this obnoxious Kingfish imitation.

Yet despite its BrokenBase and many fans [[{{Discontinuity}} not acknowledging its existence]] Zappa did often call it "one of his most [[MagnumOpusDissonance essential albums because of its political message."]]. Some very forgiving Zappa fans still like it as an underappreciated [[{{Satire}} satirical]] masterpiece.

'''Tracklist'''

'''Personnel'''

* AlbumFiller: This record is padded out to a double album with a lot of songs that appeared earlier on other and better Zappa albums, with the only thing that makes them slightly different the vocal delivery and a few extra lines here and there.

** The original album has a [[ContentWarnings content parody]] sticker, referencing the PMRC' criticism of lyrics with questionable content around that time. It first appeared on ''Music/ThemOrUs'' (1984) and would reappear again on ''Music/FrankZappaMeetsTheMothersOfPrevention'' (1985).
--> ''WARNING/GUARANTEE: This album contains material which a truly free society would neither fear nor suppress. In some [[BeliefMakesYouStupid socially retarded areas, religious fanatics]] and [[CorruptPolitician ultra-conservative political organizations violate your First Ammendment Rights by attempting to censor rock & roll albums]]. We feel that this is un-Constitutional and [[MyCountryTisOfTheeThatISting un-American]]. As an alternative to these government-supported programs (designed to keep you docile and ignorant). Barking Pumpkin is pleased to provide stimulating digital audio entertainment for those of you who have outgrown the ordinary. The language and concepts contained herein are GUARANTEED NOT TO CAUSE ETERNAL TORMENT IN THE PLACE WHERE [[{{Satan}} THE GUY WITH THE HORNS AND POINTED STICK CONDUCTS HIS BUSINESS]]. This guarantee is as real as the threats of ther video fundamentalists who use attacks on rock music in their attempt to transform America into a nation of check-mailing nincompoops (in the name of Jesus Christ). If there is a hell, [[FireAndBrimstoneHell its fires]] wait for them, not us.''

--> ''Now he talks like a Kingfish, from ''Amos 'N' Andy'' ''
** The mutations caused by the failed government plan bring the United Mutations concept from ''Music/AbsolutelyFree'' back in mind.

** Ike Willis imitates the voice of the character Kingfish from ''Radio/AmosNAndy''. This is also where the album title gets its name from. Another character, Sister Owl-Gonkwin-Jane Cow-Hoon, is based on the "Amos 'N' Andy" character Algonquin J. Calhoun. Willis has also explained in an interview that he based the accent on the writings of the Afro-American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906).

** In "Harry & Rhonda" Rhonda wonder "what happened to Broadway" and mentions it "used to be you could come to one of these things and the wind would be rushing down the plain". This is a reference to the TitleTrack of ''Theatre/{{Oklahoma}}'', which starts with the line "where the wind comes sweeping down the plain". The change in verb was probably done to avoid getting sued for copyright infringement. She also says there used to be "a fairy on a string", referencing ''Theatre/PeterPan'' where the title character was indeed also

* ConspiracyTheory: The main plot is inspired by the conspiracy theory that AIDS was created with the intention of killing off blacks, homosexuals and drug addicts. In the early 1980s not much was known about this new deadly disease. As a result many people were frightened of this mysterious epidemic. Since the first victims that were widely reported were all either heroin users, homosexuals and Afro-Americans a lot of people initially thought that AIDS was only dangerous for these risk groups. As a result many governments were very late to react to and inform the public appropriately about the seriousness of this disease. Within this context is understandable where this conspiracy theory came from. After more information about the cause and nature of AIDS became available and the knowledge that people who weren't drug addicts, gay or black could also contract the disease this theory became far less believable.

* {{Satire}}: The album is both a satirical parody about the ConspiracyTheory that AIDS was manufactured by the US government as well as Broadway musicals. The lifestyle of homosexuals is also spoofed in "He's So Gay".

''Thing-Fish'' is a 1984 album by Music/FrankZappa. It's a RockOpera based around the character Kingfish from the old radio and TV show ''Radio/AmosNAndy'' (1928-1960) [[note]] Originally a radio serial that aired from 1928 to 1960 in different formats, but always the same concept. It featured several Afro-American characters; Amos, Andy and Kingfish; who spoke in a stereotypical accent. A TV adaptation ran from 1951 to 1953. Since 1966 it hasn't been shown on TV anymore due to racial insensitivities. [[/note]], who is called "Thing-Fish" here. According to the plot Thing-Fish has been deformed by a right wing [[ConspiracyTheory government biochemical warfare plan to get rid of homosexuals and blacks to create "divine retribution"]]. As a result all people "the government wants to get rid off" are mutated into potato-headed, duck-mouthed creatures called "Mammy Nuns". The resulting disease is interpreted by many as a "punishment of God", which helps MoralGuardians and conservative Christians get more political power in the elections and more influence in the government. Meanwhile, the mutated people put on a Broadway musical, attended by a WhiteAngloSaxonProtestant couple, Harry and Rhonda, who attend this play and are held captive by Thingfish. This StoryWithinAStory eventually leads to the pair being confronted with their past, which results in Harry coming out of the closet as gay and Rhonda having sex with a briefcase out of sexual frustration.

* DistinctDoubleAlbum: Both the vinyl LP as the CD are a double album.

'''Thing-Fish''' is a 1984 album by Music/FrankZappa. It's a RockOpera based around the character Kingfish from the old radio and TV show ''Radio/AmosNAndy'' (1928-1960) [[note]] Originally a radio serial that aired from 1928 to 1960 in different formats, but always the same concept. It featured several Afro-American characters; Amos, Andy and Kingfish; who spoke in a stereotypical accent. A TV adaptation ran from 1951 to 1953. Since 1966 it hasn't been shown on TV anymore due to racial insensitivities. [[/note]], who is called "Thing-Fish" here. According to the plot Thing-Fish has been deformed by a right wing [[ConspiracyTheory government biochemical warfare plan to get rid of homosexuals and blacks to create "divine retribution"]]. As a result all people "the government wants to get rid off" are mutated into potato-headed, duck-mouthed creatures called "Mammy Nuns". The resulting disease is interpreted by many as a "punishment of God", which helps MoralGuardians and conservative Christians get more political power in the elections and more influence in the government. Meanwhile, the mutated people put on a Broadway musical, attended by a WhiteAngloSaxonProtestant couple, Harry and Rhonda, who attend this play and are held captive by Thingfish. This StoryWithinAStory eventually leads to the pair being confronted with their past, which results in Harry coming out of the closet as gay and Rhonda having sex with a briefcase out of sexual frustration.

--> ''We learned how to hide secret stuff, wrapped up in the middle of those severe terminal buns we wear! Little transmitters, HARRY, little receivers! Oh, don't pretend to be surprised, HARRY! We even had room left over in there for all of our most favorite little, embroidered, delicate, secretly feminine, child-like, helpless, pathetic, sentimental, totally useless, personal "girl-things" that smell like the stuff they put in the toilet paper.''

Out of all the albums Zappa released during TheEighties which got a negative reception by fans "Thing-Fish" got the biggest backlash. Together with ''Music/TheManFromUtopia'' (1982) [[ParvumOpus it's generally considered to be his absolute worst album]]. The plotline, as described above, is so far-fetched and pointless that the general message ultimately gets lost and difficult to take serious anymore. The comedy is mostly the OverlyLongGag that Ike Wilis imitates the character Kingfish from the 1940s/1950s sitcom ''Radio/AmosNAndy'' all throughout the album, even singing in this voice. Seeing that "Amos 'N' Andy" hadn't been shown on American TV since the 1960s due to extremely dated Afro-American stereotypes and most other countries in the world never saw this show the joke was totally lost on most audiences. Musically the album is also Zappa at his least inspired. The only stand-out track is "He's So Gay", often played during concerts, but in itself nothing more than a comedy novelty song. To make matters worse several songs are just the [[RepurposedPopSong recycled instrumental tracks]] from earlier Zappa albums, while Ike Willis sings over them in this obnoxious Kingfish imitation.

Out of all the albums Zappa released during TheEighties which got a negative reception by fans "Thing-Fish" got the biggest backlash. Together with ''Music/TheManFromUtopia'' (1982) it's generally considered to be his absolute worst album. The plotline, as described above, is so far-fetched and pointless that the general message ultimately gets lost and difficult to take serious anymore. The comedy is mostly the OverlyLongGag that Ike Wilis imitates the character Kingfish from the 1940s/1950s sitcom ''Radio/AmosNAndy'' all throughout the album, even singing in this voice. Seeing that "Amos 'N' Andy" hadn't been shown on American TV since the 1960s due to extremely dated Afro-American stereotypes and most other countries in the world never saw this show the joke was totally lost on most audiences. Musically the album is also Zappa at his least inspired. The only stand-out track is "He's So Gay", often played during concerts, but in itself nothing more than a comedy novelty song. To make matters worse several songs are just the [[RepurposedPopSong recycled instrumental tracks]] from earlier Zappa albums, while Ike Willis sings over them in this obnoxious Kingfish imitation.

** The original album has a content parody sticker, referencing the PMRC' criticism of lyrics with questionable content around that time. It first appeared on ''Music/ThemOrUs'' (1984) and would reappear again on ''Music/FrankZappaMeetsTheMothersOfPrevention'' (1985).

** "The Mammy Anthem" mentions the lines "Dominus Vobiscum et cum spiritu tuo", a Latin phrase used before in "St. Alphonso's Pancake Breakfast" from ''Music/{{Apostrophe}}''

** "You Are What You Is", "Mudd Club", "The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing" re-use the instrumental tracks from ''Music/YouAreWhatYouIs'' (1981).

** The character Opal, who appeared earlier during "Lonesome Cowboy Burt" from ''Film/TwoHundredMotels'' (1971) and "No Not Now" from ''Music/ShipArrivingTooLateToSaveADrowningWitch'' (1982) is re-used as a character on this album.

** "The Crab-Grass Baby" mentions an Oldsmobile, a car brand that was mentioned before in Zappa's songs. The line about "tear up the upholstery, rip the seats completely out" references to "Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder" from ''Music/FreakOut'' (1966). The line about "going doody" was referenced before during "Disco Boy" from ''Music/ZootAllures'' (1976). The line "barf me out, gag me with a Volvo" is similar to "barf me out, gag me with a spoon" from "Valley Girl", from ''Music/ShipArrivingTooLateToSaveADrowningWitch'' (1982).

** Ike Willis imitates the voice of the character Kingfish from ''Radio/AmosNAndy''. This is also where the album title gets its name from.
** During "You Are What You Is" and "The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing" Kingfish says "one-Adam twelve", a reference to ''Series/AdamTwelve'', and "Book 'Em Dano", a reference to the catchphrase from ''Series/HawaiiFiveO''.

'''Thing-Fish''' is a 1984 album by Music/FrankZappa. It's a RockOpera based around the character Kingfish from the old radio and TV show ''Radio/AmosNAndy'' (1928-1960) [[note]] Originally a radio serial that aired from 1928 to 1960 in different formats, but always the same concept. It featured several Afro-American characters; Amos, Andy and Kingfish; who spoke in a stereotypical accent. A TV adaptation ran from 1951 to 1953. Since 1966 it hasn't been shown on TV anymore due to racial insensitivities. [[/note]], who is called "Thing-Fish" here. According to the plot Thing-Fish has been deformed by a right wing [[ConspiracyTheory government biochemical warfare plan to get rid of homosexuals and blacks to cry "divine retribution"]]. As a result all people "the government wants to get rid off" are mutated into potato-headed, duck-mouthed creatures called "Mammy Nuns". The resulting disease is interpreted by many as a "punishment of God", which helps MoralGuardians and conservative Christians get more political power in the elections and more influence in the government. Meanwhile, the mutated people put on a Broadway musical, attended by a WhiteAngloSaxonProtestant couple, Harry and Rhonda, who attend this play and are held captive by Thingfish. This StoryWithinAStory eventually leads to the pair being confronted with their past, which results in Harry coming out of the closet as gay and Rhonda having sex with a briefcase out of sexual frustration.