LARRY "Ler" LALONDE
Overview
see Claypool page
Live Repertoire
see Claypool page
CaCa
This side project is a live-only Frank Zappa tribute band. As many of you know, Ler is a major Zappa fan and considers Zappa to be one of his songwriting and guitar playing heroes. In fact, Rykodisc records (holders of Zappa's published catalog) in 2002 began to release its Zappa Picks series - collections of Zappa material from his extensive catalog picked and sequenced by rock stars who happen to be Zappa fans. Not surprisingly, the first two discs in the series were compiled and curated by none other than Ler (and Jon Fishman of Phish, respectively). Other members of CaCa have included at least MIRV (gtr- MIRV), Brain, Claypool, an unknown keyboard player and Ray White (a Zappa alum and great vocalist/guitar player).
All compositions are by Frank Zappa (with the exception of a cover of Wildwood Weed, a song whose lyrics Les has frequently sung in various guises). The extent of this band's live catalog is not known, but includes at least the following: 555, Advance Romance, Black Napkins, Black Page, Canarsie, Carlos Santana Secret Chord Progression, Doreen, Goblin Girl, Heavy Duty Judy, Illinois Enema Bandit, Inca Roads, Keep It Greasy, Muffin Man, Peaches en Regalia, Shut Up N Play Your Guitar, Stick It Out, Treacherous Cretins, Watermelon In Easter Hay, Wildwod Weed, Zoot Allures It is interesting to note that CaCa's version of Wildwood Weed (from a 1992 show with Les on vocals for this song) is a reggae styled vamp different from the Holy Mackerel version, but resembling the version Oysterhead played at its first full show on 5/4/00.
Beanpole
Ler's side project in the mid-90s, this has been described as a knock-off of the Residents, and featured at least Derek Greenberg, Ler and Adam Gates (Bob Cock). The band performed a few shows, including opening for Primus. Ler has joked in interviews that the Beanpole project was so weird that Interscope records refused to release it, which proved to be the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back in leading Les to create his own Prawn Song label.
unknown
No Forcefield
Ler's new, post-Brain era Primus project is a techno band called No Forcefield, featuring Ler, Adam Gates, Brain and DJ Disk. The band released an album called Lee's Oriental Massage in 2000, and has played a few shows.
unknown
Serj Tankian
Ler toured live in support of the System Of A Down vocalist's solo album Elect the Dead. Brain, who had recorded part of the album, was also in the live band.
Based on an interview Serj Tankian gave online, the 2008 tour consisted of the studio album plus several covers, including a Beatles and a Dead Kennedys song.