Les Claypool

Les Claypool / Untitled (2008-2009)

Following the summer 2007 Fancy Band tour in support of the DVD, Les has engaged in a number of projects with various lineups. He returned to Gathering of the Vibes (last played in 2002) in 8/07, playing a unique solo bass banjo set, followed by a reunion of the 2000 one time 'Rat Brigade' with Chimenti and Lane. In 10/07 he played single show in a trio format with Dillon and Skerik only, and talked in interviews about plans of working with new, less traditional band formats. After a final Fancy lineup show for NYE, in spring 2008 he did a full tour without Gabby in an untitled band (they did NOT wear the FANCY t-shirts). Then in summer 2008 he premiered a new lineup with Sam Bass (from Deadweight fame on cello) and MIRV, which only played a handful of shows, including NYE. Fall 2008 saw another one off show with Bass and the return of Gabby. In 2009 he settled on a lineup of Dillon, Baldi and Sam Bass, which recorded and released Of Fungi and Foe, and toured in its support in 2009-10.

Musicians

The spring 2008 tour consisted of Les, Dillon, Baldi and Skerik; the 2009 lineup replaced Skerik with Sam Bass.

Instrumentation

Les Claypool - see Claypool's Unusual Instruments

Live Repertoire

Of Fungi and Foe

Mushroom Men - Premiered 03/04/09, its appearance in the middle of the lengthy Drum/Whamola Jams helped bring balance (and more Les) to what had over the years become 15 minutes of drum mayhem with a scant minute or two of whamola goodness. It was regularly played beginning in the latter half of the spring 2009 tour, then faded out summer 2009. Essentially played like the studio version.
Amanitas - Premiered 01/04/09 (it was on the setlist for NYE 2008 but was not played),this became a live staple in 2009-10; usually jammed out.
Red State Girl - Premiered 03/04/09, this became a live staple in 2009-10; featured modest soloing.
Booneville Stomp - Premiered 03/04/09, this became a live staple in 2009-10; usually jammed out.
What Would Sir George Martin Do - Premiered 03/22/09 and played intermittently spring-summer 2009 before disappearing. Essentially played like the studio version.
You Can't Tell Errol Anything - Premiered 03/26/09 in its only appearance on the spring 2009 tour, then played regularly. Usually jammed out.

Of Whales And Woe

One Better - It remained the tour de force live number of the 2008-10 tours, with extended improvisation and frequent teases of multiple songs. Officially released on the Live from Bonnaroo 2008 DVD.
Lust Stings - Played only 3 times in 2008, it made a comeback beginning summer 2009.
Of Whales And Woe - heavily played 2008 and semi regularly 2009, it sank in 2010.
Vernon the Company Man - heavily played 2008, but only once in 2009 (the last night of the spring tour, so that Trey Spruance could make a one time guest solo spot)
Phantom Patriot - in similar fashion to the Fancy days, it was too rarely played...
Iowan Gal - Played heavily 2008-9, it disappeared in 2010.
Rumble Of the Diesel - heavily played 2008-10
Filipino Ray - Played twice only in 2008, then it disappeared.

Purple Onion

David Makalaster I - regularly played 2008-10, and beginning summer 2009, often with a segue from the jam section into a full version of Southbound Pachyderms (instead of the typical intro tease)
Buzzards Of Green Hill - heavily played 2008-10
Long In The Tooth - heavily played 2008 and semi regularly 2009-10
Whamola - played rarely in 2008, then disappeared after one appearance in 2009, only to resurface Europe 2010.
Ding Dang -regularly played 2008-10
D's Diner - heavily played 2008-10
Up On The Roof - regularly played 2008-10
Cosmic Highway - regularly played 2008-10
David Makalaster II - disappeared for spring 2008 and 2009 tours, only to make a handful of appearances during summer 2009, usually as part of the lengthy and awesome DM I > Southbound Pachyderms > DM II medley

Unreleased Originals

Drum/Whamola Jam - this nightly tradition continues, although for most of the 2009-10 shows, the 12-15 minute long drum/percussion duet was trimmed to (a more tolerable) 5 minutes, (in spring 2009 followed by a segue into Mushroom Men, capped off by another minute of drum extravaganza).

Other Les Claypool Band Material

Holy Mackerel

Calling Kyle - Played semi regularly in spring 2008, then only twice in 2009, and semi regulalry 2010
Hendershot - Played sporadically in 2008-10
Highball With the Devil - After years of terrorizing setlists,it settled down to a less frequent pace of appearances, but never went away in 2008-10.
Precipitation - heavily played 2008-10
Running the Gauntlet - played once in spring 2008 on bass banjo only, then just once summer 2009, and once again fall 2011 (see classic shows)
Granny’s Little Yard Gnome - played just twice in summer 2009.

Primus

American Life - played regularly 2008-10 on solo bass banjo only
Coattails of a Dead Man - Premiered 03/21/08 and played 4 times on the spring 2008 tour. This song represents the first time a Primus song (that had never been played by Primus live) received its live premiere by another Claypool helmed project, and only the second time in his career that a band other than the original recording lineup premiered a Les original song live (the first time was when Fancy Band played the Holy Mackerel composition Delicate Tendrils).
Duchess and the Proverbial Mind Spread - Premiered 02/29/08 in a one time only upright performance, then on 4 string bass on 03/01/08. It was played heavily in 2008; then regularly in 2009-10.
Fisticuffs - Premiered 02/29/08 and quickly became a major jam vehicle. Heavily played in 2008-10.
Groundhog's Day - played twice in spring 2008 on solo bass banjo only
Hamburger Train – a nicely jammed out one time treat on NYE 2009 (first time since Primus fall 2006)
Harold Of the Rocks - played twice in spring 2008 on solo bass banjo only
Here Come the Bastards - played twice in spring 2008 on solo bass banjo only
John the Fisherman -Technically premiered 12/31/07 as a full band rendition by the Fancy Band as their swan song, it was regularly played during the spring 2008 tour, then disappeared in 2009.
Southbound Pachyderms – The intro tease during the DMI jam since 2002, in summer 2009 this evolved into a complete rendition with its own extensive jam, followed by a segue back into the DMI outro verse (as previously). On a handful of occasions, this medley continued into DMII for a half hour long triple threat! It was also occasionally played as a stand alone number. Frequently played in 2009 summer-2010.
Those Damned Blue Collar Tweekers - played once in spring 2009 on solo bass banjo only
Too Many Puppies - played once in spring 2008 on solo bass banjo only
Toys Go Winding Down - played once in spring 2008 on solo bass banjo only

Sausage

Riddles Are Abound Tonight - Played 8/11/07 during Rat Brigade reunion show with Jay Lane, and rarely in spring 2008, it then made a comeback summer 2009 before becoming a near nightly number in 2010
Prelude to Fear - Rat Brigade reunion (8/07) and then once more in fall 2011 at the HopMonk Tavern show.

Covers

A Shot In the Dark (Henry Mancini) - Played occasionally in spring 2008, last time once in 01/09.
Awakening (Reddings) - Played rarely 2009-10
Electric Funeral (Black Sabbath) - Premiered 03/01/08 and played true to the original song. It was heavily performed in 2008 and semi regularly in spring 2009, then had its funeral with only two appearance in summer 2009.
.50 Cal (MIRV) - Premiered 06/13/08 when MIRV was in the band, then played once more on 12/31/08 (Holy Mackerel played it once as well in their only 2008 show).
Hello Skinny (Residents) - Played in full 02/28/08, and teased occasionally in spring 2008 tour.
Honey White (Morphine) - Premiered 03/14/08 and played one other time that tour, it was then played once in spring 2009, in a nostalgic version as the remaining members of Morphine sat in to play their own song for the first time in a decade
Locomotive Breath (Jethro Tull) – a one time resurrection on NYE 2009 (first time in over 6 years)
Master of Puppets (Primus) - single complete solo bass banjo rendition on 3/24/09.
One Step Beyond (Madness) - Played occasionally in spring 2008, then just once each in 2009 and 2010
Russian Dance (Tom Waits) - After playing this at the 2008 Bonnaroo SuperJam as a guest of Gogol Bordello, Les premiered this with his own band on 12/31/08. It was performed semi regularly in the spring 2009 tour.
Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pink Floyd) - Played occasionally in spring 2008 only.
Spirit Of the Radio (Rush) – Premiered in 3/12/10 (for the first time since a rare appearance 20 years earlier during Primus’ club days)! Rush was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 3/10 (it had long been inducted into that country’s Rock Hall of Fame) on the strength of 5 of its classic songs, including Spirit. Three bands, including Les, played their tribute versions at the ceremony (presumably each band got to pick one of the 5 songs).
Thela Hun Ginjeet (King Crimson) - Played 4 times only in 2008-9, the last two times when Eenor sat in.
Tomorrow Never Knows (Beatles) - Rat Brigade reunion only, with multiple members of Ratdog guesting, including Bob Weir.

Teases

Claypool originals - Cosmic Highway, Groundhog's, John, Little Faces, Mr Krinkle, Mr Oysterhead, Over the Falls, Robot Chicken (Les (on keyboards) and Mike only), Southbound, Tommy, Tweekers, Up On the Roof, Wynona

Covers - ? (Stanley Clarke), Bed's Too Big, Black Dog, Cygnus, Dueling Banjos, Fantastic Voyage, Glide, Hello Skinny, Kashmir, Master of Puppets, Them Changes

Vocal Teases/Lyrics

Claypool originals -
Covers - Flintstones theme song

Official Video

Live from Bonnaroo 2008 DVD - One Better (06/13/08 - capturing the rare lineup with Bass and MIRV)

Guest Performers

Frank Catalano aka Ballpark Frank (baritone sax)

03/22/08 - A Shot In the Dark

Karl Denson (sax)

01/05/09 - One Step Beyond, A Shot In the Dark

Eenor (guitar)

03/08/09 - Thela
03/14/09 - Thela
06/20/09 - Thela
06/21/09 - Thela
09/19/09 - D'S Diner

Tom Hagerman (violin) - from 2009 spring our opening band DeVotchKa

03/22/09 - Russian Dance

Warren Haynes (guitar)

· 06/04/10 - Buzzards

Eugene Hutz (vocals) - Frontman for the band Gogol Bordello, he first shared the stage with Les at the 2008 Bonnaroo all Waits cover set, and recorded Bite Out of Life off of Of Fungi and Foe.

03/07/09 - D's Diner
07/12/09 - Russian Dance

Gabby La La (sitar)

04/05/08 - Cosmic Highway
12/31/08 - Cosmic Highway
12/31/09 - D's Diner

Brian Kehoe (vocals, guitar)

· 12/31/09 - Locomotive Breath (vocals); D’s Diner (guitar)

Jay Lane (drums)

· 07/10/09 – Riddles

Lonnie Marshall (bass)

03/07/09 - D's Diner

Matisyahu (vocals)

· 06/05/09 - Errol

Morphine (Jerome Deupree on percussion, Billy Conway on Drums and Dana Colley on baritone saxophone) - Les announced that he had been in the studio that day with the remaining members of Morphine

03/26/09 - Honey White

Skerik (sax)

01/04/09 - One Better, Long In the Tooth, Hendershot
01/05/09 - Buzzards

Jeanie Schroder (sousaphone) - from 2009 spring our opening band DeVotchKa

03/22/09 - Russian Dance

Trey Spruance (guitar) - best known as guitar player in Mr Bungle, as well as his work with his own projects, most notably Secret Chiefs 3, which opened for Les in both 2008 and 2009 spring tours.

03/15/08 - Vernon, Calling Kyle
04/04/08 - Vernon
04/05/08 - Vernon, Cosmic Highway
03/28/09 - Vernon

Saul Williams (vocal) - lead vocalist of rap opening band from spring 2009 tour

03/28/09 - D's Diner

Tour By Tour Analysis

Spring 2008

This tour was by the untitled, Gabby less (i.e. ? Fancy) band of Dillon, Baldi and Skerik. The material was similar to Fancy Band 2006-7 tours, although Highball material was de-emphasized, and Lust Stings, Filipino Ray and Phantom Patriot were all rarely played. In exchange, Les raided the Primus vaults, unveiling Coattails of a Dead Man (never before played live!!), Duchess and Fisticuffs off the Brown album (these had not been played in a decade!) and John the Fisherman. The band also premiered two new covers: Sabbath's Electric Funeral and rare performances of Morphine's Honey White.

This lineup/tour introduced the following complete songs:

Claypool originals: Coattails, Duchess, Fisticuffs, John the Fisherman
Covers: Electric Funeral, Honey White

Total # Complete Songs Played On Tour: 30 band, 8 bass banjo only

NYE 2008, Jam Cruise and Spring 2009

This tour was in support of the Of Fungi and Foe CD, and featured the lineup of Baldi, Dillon and Sam Bass on cello. The band premiered 6 songs off the new studio album, as well as Waits' Russian Dance. After the first 4 tracks off the studio album were all premiered in the opening days of the tour, George Martin and Errol made late and rare appearances as the tour wound down. There were typically 3 openers the entire tour, limiting Les' set to about 90 minutes.

This lineup/tour introduced the following complete songs:

Of Fungi and Foe: Amanitas, Booneville, What Would Sir George Martin Do?, Mushroom, Red State, You Can't Tell Erroll Anything
Covers: Russian Dance

Total # Complete Songs Played On Tour: 30 band, 4 solo bass banjo only

Summer 2009 and 12/09 shows

Basically a lengthy 2 part continuation of the spring 2009 tour, with overall similar setlists, most notable for a lack of premieres of any further material off the Fungi and Foe album. On a positive note, this lineup played Southbound Pachyderms in its entirety. The band co headlined some shows with Matisyahu. There was also a short run of Australia shows in 12/09, mostly notable for being the first time Les had gone to Australia with a solo act, and the first time he had played there since a handful of Primus shows in 2000.

This lineup/tour introduced the following complete songs:

· Claypool originals: Hamburger Train (once), Southbound Pachyderms (first full performances outside of Primus)

· Covers: none

Total # Complete Songs Played On Tour: band, solo bass banjo only

Winter-Spring 2010

Again, the setlists stayed pretty similar to the 2009 shows (the band did premiere a Rush cover, and started playing Whamola), as Les concluded the final tours with this specific lineup. The short US legs of the tour bookended a jaunt through Europe, a first for any of his solo projects, which was also his first time back to Europe since the Primus summer 1998 tour.

This lineup/tour introduced the following complete songs:

· Claypool originals: none

· Covers: Spirit Of the Radio

Total # Complete Songs Played On Tour: band, solo bass banjo only

Special Shows

Historically Important Shows

· 06/13/08 – The transitional lineup with Bass and MIRV appear at Bonnaroo, premiering .50 Cal.

· 01/04/09 – Jam Cruise 2 night run, including premiere of Amanitas and several guest spots, these were the first official shows of the Fungi lineup

New Year’s Eve

· 12/31/08 – The transitional lineup with Bass and MIRV, this set is notable for the premiere of Russian Dance, and a guest spot by the long gone Gabby.

· 12/31/09 – Notable for a one time performance of Hamburger Train, a one time return of Locomotive, and several guest spots.

· 12/31/10 – A one time NYE super band consisting of prior Frog Brigade and Fancy Band members (including Kehoe, Gabby, Lane, Skerik), they played an opening set for Primus. The setlist is totally standard 2009-10 material, except one has to consider that half the band had never played Amanitas or Booneville before.

Radio/TV Appearances

· 04/01/2009 – Red State Girl, Booneville Stomp

Classic Shows

· 11/10/09 – a guitar masturbation night one off, as Ler, Eenor and Gabby all sat in on a short set at an intimate venue, as Les premiered his brand of red wine.

· 11/19/11 – the third annual Les wine related show, featuring a mixed bag of Les accomplices playing a modified 2009-10 era setlist, including rare performances of Gauntlet and Prelude To Fear, and Lee Van Cleef played for the first time by a non Primus band.