The Milwaukee Post

By CATHERINE JOZWIK Special to the Post The Fab Faux is not interested in elabo- rate props or fancy costumes. To them, bringing the timeless music of the Beatles to fans is the most important thing. To date, the group has delighted scores of Fab Four fans, playing many shows and even appearing on David Letterman in 2006. Frank Agnello, who plays acoustic and 12-string electric guitar and does some of the group's vocals, said capturing the Beatles' look and stage mannerisms requires acting chops. "None of us even remotely look like any of the Beatles. We just wanted to bring the records to the stage," he said. Agnello was 6 when the Beatles landed in the United States in 1964. After hearing the "Meet the Beatles" album for the first time, he became enamored with the seminal rock group, especially the guitar chords they played. "I've been a huge fan ever since," he said. Although he has seen every member of the Beatles, with the exception of John Lennon, perform solo, Agnello never got the opportunity to see the Fab Four play together, as the group stopped playing live in 1966. The Fab Faux, which consists of Agnello, Will Lee (bass, vocals) Rich Pagano (drums and vocals), Jimmy Vivino (lead guitar and keyboards) and Jack Petruzzelli (keys, gui- tar, vocals), formed in 1998. For their first, meeting, the five decided to sing "Because," which, according to Agnello, is one of the most challenging songs of the Fab Four. "We said, 'If we can do that, then we have a band. Now here we are, 20 years later," he said. Each member of the group listened to the Beatles' recordings, and the five members decided who could play parts in the songs best. "By the second rehearsal, everything was coming together," Agnello said. To achieve some of the many effects used in the Beatles' songs, such as the tambura on "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," and a theremin, the Fab Faux use a 20-year-old Roland sampler, affectionally dubbed "George Martin" after the Beatles' multi- talented producer and composer. The group typically plays about 30 shows a year. It has toured all across the United States, largely in New York and New Jersey, where many of the members hail from. Internationally, the Fab Faux have played the Liverpool festival in England multiple times, along with Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. As far as favorite Beatles songs go to play live, Agnello said he's a big fan of "No Reply" from the "Beatles for Sale" album. "It's a gem, one of Lennon's best. It's almost like a little movie that plays out," he said. Fab Four fans can expect what Agnello refers to as "a glorious hodgepodge." "Anything is fair game, from the 'Please Please Me' album to 'Abbey Road' and 'Let It Be,'" he said. Having never been to Milwaukee, Agnello said he is excited about performing in Brew City. "We plan on giving a great show. We look forward to playing the Pabst," he said. Fab Faux don't look like the Fab Four, but they bring their sound to the stage 'George Martin' helps with trickier instruments Submitted photo The Fab Faux will bring a deep collection of Beatles songs when they perform at 8 p.m. April 20 at the Pabst Theater. ENTERTAINMENT 16 • Milwaukee County Post • April 13, 2018 Feature your summer events and activities in our May 18th Special Feature: 101 things to do this summer. Send your event & activities line listings by Friday, May 4 to: MILWAUKEE POST ATTN: Dan M. 101 Listings 801 N. Barstow St. Waukesha, WI 53186 OR email to: dmuck@conleynet.com Space available for larger retail ads, call for pricing (414) 744-6370. Would you like to promote your community's 2018 Summer Events and Activities? Milwaukee - Bay View - St. Francis Cudahy - South Milwaukee - Oak Creek Franklin - Greendale - Hales Corners Greenfi eld - West Allis - West Milwaukee Feature your summer events and activities in our May 18th Special Feature: 101 things to do this summer. Send your event & activities line listings by Friday, May 4 to: MILWAUKEE POST ATTN: Dan M. 101 Listings 801 N. Barstow St. Waukesha, WI 53186 OR il t OR email to: dm dmuc uck@ k@co conl nley eyne net.co com Space available for larger retail ads, call for pricing (414) 744-6370. Would you like to promote your community's 2018 Summer Events and Activities? Milwaukee - Bay View - St. Francis Cudahy - South Milwaukee - Oak Creek Franklin - Greendale - Hales Corners Greenfi eld - West Allis - West Milwaukee

• Cover