The Fab Faux

The Fab Faux, a band that performs the works of The Beatles, is just a sample of the acts scheduled to take the stage as part of the 2014-2015 season at the Valley Performing Arts Center at California State University, Northridge.

The Fab Faux, which includes bassist Will Lee, a member of the “Late Night with David Letterman” house band, has a reputation for performing some of The Beatles’ most difficult works with note-perfect precision. The band is expected to tackle the complexities of the “Abbey Road” album in its entirety when they perform on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Feb. 25, for the show, which offers a “sneak peek” of the Valley Performing Arts Center’s upcoming season. The center’s complete 2014-2015 season will be announced in late March, with the full season beginning in September.

“Having The Fab Faux performing in the Great Hall is something that I’ve been excited about since we first started talking to them,” said CSUN music professor Steve Thachuk, the center’s interim executive director. “This is a show for all fans of music. We are really proud that The Fab Faux will be joining us and uniting our audiences across all genres and ages when they take the stage.”

The Fab Faux do not attempt to sing like The Beatles or dress like them, Thachuk said.

“They focus only on the thing we love about The Beatles — the music — in the form we first heard it,” he said. “Every detail and nuance of The Beatles’ recording is recreated on instruments and executed by the instrumental forces necessary to carry it out.”

The Fab Faux was born in 1998 when Lee, who has played with all four members of The Beatles, set out to organize the greatest Beatles’ tribute band without any props — including period wardrobe, fake accents and wigs — and focus on the intricacies and “soul” of the music.

The rest of the band includes Jimmy Vivino, music director and guitarist for “Conan” and a longtime music partner of Levon Helm, John Sebastian and Laura Nyro; lead-singing drummer and producer Rich Pagano, who has performed with Rosanne Cash and Roger Waters, among others; guitarist Frank Agnello, who has performed with such artists as Marshall Crenshaw and Phoebe Snow; and keyboardist/guitarist Jack Petruzzelli, who has performed with such music stars as Rufus Wainwright and Patti Smith.

All five principals contribute vocals, making the Faux’ soaring harmonies as resonant as their multi-instrumental chops. Joining them are The Creme Tangerine Strings and the four-piece Hogshead Horns, who has performed with the Blues Brothers and Blood, Sweat & Tears and is comprised of alumni of the “Saturday Night Live!” house band.

Tickets for The Fab Faux’ performance on Sept. 20 will be available for $25 to $120 per person.

The 1,700-seat Valley Performing Arts Center has established California State University, Northridge as a hub for culture and performing arts in the region. It was recently voted one of the top 10 performing arts centers and theaters in Los Angeles by Time Out Los Angeles. For more information about the center or performances, visit the center’s website at http://www.valleyperformingartscenter.org/ or call the ticket office at (818) 677-3000.

Featured, Music, Valley Performing Arts Center