Scott Carter Thunes

While Scott Thunes’s (pronounced Too-nis) bass-playing career is extensive, his stint with Frank Zappa from ’81 to ’88 is why fans like Fabrizio from Italy write, “Thanks a lot for the many emotions!!! I love you!” Tomas Ekeberg from Norway sends his “greetings” and Petehead in the UK wants to know if he’ll consider touring again with the “Z” brothers. Much to the chagrin of his dedicated followers, Thunes has turned in his hallowed instrument to be home with his daughter Hazle Nova Thunes and son Virgil Mars Thunes, who attend Novato Charter School in Hamilton Field. But fans and friends can find him and his ongoing blog on his website geoscott.com.

Describe your personal style. Extreme casual with flashes of pseudo-cool.

What are you wearing? Black pants, black shirt and black tie.

Who are your fashion influences? My wife, Georgia who looks stylish in everything she buys, and people who don’t look good. Since I react to them by trying to look nice, I have to put them down as influences.

Where do you love to shop in Marin? I wish I had enough money to shop. I have no budget for clothes, so I have to bust out once a year at the Gap and Macy’s sale racks. I get my Levis at Sears.

What is always in your bag/pockets? Bag: pens, music paper, crossword puzzles, camera and reading glasses. Pockets: tons of change, iPhone, 60-gig iPod and my Swiss army knife.

What is your best cheapo secret? Buying a double espresso and asking for a glass of ice at my coffee shop. Use the milk or half-and-half from the pitchers and you’ve got an iced latte at around half the price.

What’s your fashion pet peeve? Tracksuits on men. Sweats on women. Crocs on adults. Fleece on anybody. Hair bands with bows for infant girls and sweater vests for infant boys.

What is your view of Marin style? Unfortunately, it’s mostly fleece.

Where do you love to eat in Marin? Joe’s Taco Lounge in Mill Valley (spicy fish tacos). The Buckeye in Mill Valley—we’ve had our wedding anniversary dinner there for the past 11 years. Hilda’s in San Anselmo. Sonoma Taco Shop in Terra Linda.

How do you spend your weekends? Whatever the children want to do. Whatever the wife wants to do. Then whatever I want to do, in that order.

Where do you go to pamper yourself? Amsterdam.

How would your friends describe you? Obnoxiously intelligent. Annoyingly lovable. Adorably flaky. Consistently inconsistent.

What was the last movie you saw? Horton Hears a Who! Loved it.

If your life were a movie, what would be your theme song? The first movement to Charles Ives’s first String Quartet.  I decided years ago that it would be played at my wake. Its archaic Americana is refreshingly sweet, but it’s spicy and rhythmically adventuresome, just like me. Or, to pick a pop song: “You Only Live Twice,” the version sung by Björk Guomundsdóttir. I love the Nancy Sinatra version, but she’s too brassy.

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