Arjen Lucassen
Arjen Anthony Lucassen (April 3, 1960) is a Dutch prog rock/ metal singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, banjo player and record producer. He originally played with the band Bodine (1980-1984) and then joined the group Vengeance (1984-1992). He eventually founded his own group, Ayreon, playing most of the instruments himself and writing his own songs. Lucassen has also founded other bands like Star One, Guilt Machine, The Gentle Storm, Ambeon, Stream of Passion and Supersonic Revolution in which he also performs, writes songs and music.
Frank Zappa
Lucassen said that a lot of music often lacks humor, which is why he included it on his albums Songs No One Will Hear and Shaggathon. Interviewed by Johnny Sharp (Lounder Sound, 20 December 2025), Lucassen said:"I’ve liked that in music ever since I heard Frank Zappa. I didn’t want it to be like a heavy dystopian album where we’re all gonna die and it’s all terrible.".[1]. He expressed the same sentiment interviewed by Laureline Tilkin for Tuonelamagazine (August 20, 2025): "I’ve always loved humor in music— like Frank Zappa too. He had some very naughty lyrics, surprisingly got away with it, and that spirit returns in "Shaggathon."" [2]
On his concept album Lost in the New Real (2012), Lucassen covered Frank Zappa's I'm The Slime, with his older brother Gjalt speaking through the megaphone. [3] The only line that is changed is "I'm the slime oozing from your TV set", which is turned into "from the Internet". Rutger Hauer provides narration on the album.
