2011 Readers’ Favorite Bassists – #2: Les Claypool

Les Claypool

Les Claypool said that Primus went “back on the front burner” in 2011, with the reintroduction of original drummer Jay Lane and the band’s release of Green Naugahyde, the first new full-length album since 1999. News of the reunion, the new CD and touring activity pushed the bassist to the #2 slot on the reader favorites list here.

We caught up with Les for an exclusive interview to find out more about the Primus reunion, his creative process, and drunken mischief with some of the world’s greatest drummers.

Speaking of that, the video of Les with Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland and Danny Carey was one of the most shared videos on No Treble in 2011.

Les also performed on Tom Waits’ Bad As Me, also featuring RHCP bassist Flea.

In January, a book of photography was published, chronicling Les’ career from his time with Primus, Holy Mackerel, Sausage, Oysterhead and the Frog Brigade.

Check out our complete Les Claypool archive.

2011 Top 5 Most Viewed Les Claypool-Focused Features:

Les Claypool Forms Supergroup with Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland and Danny Carey

1. Les Claypool Forms Supergroup with Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland and Danny Carey

Les Claypool has joined forces with Rush’s Neil Peart, the Police’s Stewart Copeland and Tool’s Danny Carey to form “Carey Claypool Copeland Peart” or “CCCP.” The supergroup is documented with a jam called “Count Drumula,” recently posted on Neil Peart’s website. The extent of the collaboration is unclear, as no other announcements about the group…

Les Claypool: “Iowan Gal”, Live Bass Banjo Performance

2. Les Claypool: “Iowan Gal”, Live Bass Banjo Performance

Les Claypool rocks the bass banjo on this live performance of “Iowan Gal”, a tune written for his “wonderous, lovely wife”, Chaney Claypool. “Iowan Gal” is from Claypool’s Of Whales and Woe album.

Still Fishin’: An Exclusive Interview with Les Claypool

3. Still Fishin’: An Exclusive Interview with Les Claypool

Les Claypool is a man that defies genres and labels. Since picking up bass at an early age, his influences of funk, prog rock and everything in between have melded to create his unique sound, which the bassist admits even he has trouble labeling. Of course, his creativity doesn’t stop at bass playing – Claypool…

Les Claypool with Gov’t Mule: Greasy Granny’s Gopher Gravy

4. Les Claypool with Gov’t Mule: Greasy Granny’s Gopher Gravy

After the passing of Allen Woody, Gov’t Mule played with a host of bassists, resulting in two albums and culminating an a 6+ hour concert that was released as The Deepest End. This performance is from that concert, and has Primus’s Les Claypool jamming with the group on “Greasy Granny’s Gopher Gravy” parts 1 and…

Les Claypool Talks New Bass, Primus European Tour

5. Les Claypool Talks New Bass, Primus European Tour

Les Claypool has finally revealed some clues about the new mystery bass he was sporting during Primus’ New Year’s Eve shows. “What I played at those shows was a semi-finished prototype bass that I designed and had built by my old pal Dan Maloney,” he wrote in a Primus update. Maloney is also responsible for…

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Leave a Reply to Kato Mckay Cancel reply

  1. Kato Mckay

    a True Talent’.