Leslie Edward "Les" Claypool is a musician, best known as the bassist in the band Primus. Claypool's funky, creative playing style on the electric bass mixes finger-tapping, flamenco-like strumming, a Larry Graham-like slap technique, and Geddy Lee influences. He is a multi-instrumentalist, novelist, music producer, actor, and film director.Claypool has also self produced and engineered his solo releases from his own studio "Rancho Relaxo." Les got the studio's name from a joke in an episode of The Simpsons. 2006 saw the release of a full-length feature film Electric Apricot written and directed by Claypool as well as a debut novel South of the Pumphouse.
The original Primus members are Claypool, Jay Lane and Todd Huth. The side project band Sausage is a reunion of the original Primus members (who recorded the Primus demo "Sausage" before Lane and Huth left, hence the side project name).
Auditioned for bassist position in Metallica in 1986 after their previous bassist, Cliff Burton , was killed in a tour bus accident. Claypool didnt get the gig because his style was considered "too funky".
High-school friend of Metallica s Kirk Hammett.
(2003-) Touring with Primus , after the 2-year break-up.
Lead singer, songwriter and bassist for Alternative Music group, Primus.
Member, with Sean Lennon , of Claypool Lennon Delirium.
Comedians get jokes offered to them, rock stars get women and underwear,thrown onstage, and I get guys that want to take me fishing.
Because nobody wanted to play bass, I was instantly in a band.
Daniel Day-Lewis is my favorite actor walking the planet right now. He,never ceases to amaze me.
I liked the name Frog Brigade because it lent itself to a lot of cool,imagery with the whole frog thing.
More than anything, I think the best thing you can do as an artist is,just stay as true to yourself as possible and hope that your fan base,will appreciate that.
For me to do a project - I have a pretty successful solo career, so -,for me to even want to do Primus, it had to be a creative step forward.
From my experience, moving through life, things tend to go in eight- to,10-year cycles. Friends, relationships and whatnot.
I have a very difficult time describing my music.
Music in general is looking for something new overall.
I think the world is very much embracing this whole concept of musicians,going out and playing their instruments and playing music for music as,opposed to music that has something to do with some form of image or,imagery.
In the early days all I hoped was to make a living out of what I did best. But, since there’s no real market for masturbation I had to fall back on my bass playing abilities.
I liked the name Frog Brigade because it lent itself to a lot of cool imagery with the whole frog thing.
I think the world is very much embracing this whole concept of musicians going out and playing their instruments and playing music for music as opposed to music that has something to do with some form of image or imagery.
