Scott Thunes (born January 20, 1960, in Los Angeles) is an American bassist best known for his tenure with Frank Zappa's band from 1981 to 1988, during which he played on numerous studio albums and tours and served as rehearsal director from 1984. He contributed to "Jazz from Hell", which won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1988. He continues to perform with Banned from Utopia, a group of Zappa alumni, and works as a rock band teaching artist in California.
Thunes urged on Facebook fans to buy tickets to Banned from Utopia's upcoming Baked Potato concert and hinted that the band might not exist much longer.
Banned from Utopia plays in Copenhagen (Bremen Teater), Gothenburg and Stockholm in October 2026 as part of the tour "We're Only in it for the Euros" - a rescheduling of the originally planned 2025 tour.
Premier Guitar published a portrait of Thunes, who now teaches rock bass at Marin School of the Arts at Novato High School in California.
Banned from Utopia conducted a North American "We Love Zappa" tour with Thunes, Ray White and Bobby Martin, including support band The Paul Green Rock Academy.
Thunes founded Scott Thunes Institute for Musical Excellence, a touring ensemble of young musicians between 14 and 20 years old who perform professionally worldwide.
