Interview | Les Claypool of Primus returns with Fearless Flying Frog Brigade Tour 2023 

What a humble dude!! Absolutely one of the best bass players ever!!!

Les is an odd but very interesting person, his contribution to the arts has been in a class of it's own, Les Claypool is brilliant.

Les is a national treasure at this point.

great interview , excellent questions . definitely wish the background rock track was quieter or muted, i found it distracting

You can literally "see" Les' IQ shining through in every word he speaks. He is truly a gift, not just to the music world, but as a kind man he is, a gift to humanity as well. Rock on Les! Mad respect for you.

I hope this guy keeps touring and putting out new music for at least 2 more decades. He is THEE MAN.

I know 5 guys which started playing Bass because of him. I can’t imagine how much bass players worldwide exist just because of him. He did so much for the music!

I always appreciate how Les doesn't take things or himself too seriously. Always seems like such a good dude.

Les. You’re an international treasure.

LEGEND

What a great dude. If only most people could find and become as talented in what they naturally are good at as he is. He has always been a bit weird and off Center and loving to do his thing and show it off. He has a spark in him that I have never seen in myself and don’t see around very much. You can see many people have the potential for that spark and they do well enough with where they landed. But are not fully as lite as people like Les. It’s a dream to live that type of life. At 54 now I feel so lost and empty sometimes and cry watching and listing to people like Les as they for me embody what we all should try and find in ourselves. Got to hand it to his parents I think, and I know nothing about his upbringing, but I can’t imagine him being as he is with out great parents who loved him and helped him shine. Not that mine didn’t love me, but I think they had no idea or we didn’t have the opportunity to help each other shine. We were always worried about losing the farm literally, and just getting by. I had no clue about the world or what I would be allowed to try and do let alone be able to or even feel I could. So good for his parents I think for helping him find that, it’s rare. That’s my take. Ok time to go cry in my many beers .

Southbound Pachyderm has always been, and always will be, my favourite Primus song. But I've just loved everything Les has done since I first discovered him ages ago. :)

Lots to be excited about here folks!!! Primus Live album(s) in the works. Primus Documentary in the works. Billy Strings album in the works. Primus setlist book in the works. In another interview a few days ago he said a new Claypool Lennon Delirium album is in the works too!

I believe I saw the Frog Brigade's second show ever in Sacramento. The venue was not that big, I don't even think it was sold out. I was first row and me and my 2 friends had no idea what to expect. Needless to say it was, and remains to this day, the BEST live music show I have ever experienced. "Animals" in its entirety was mind-blowing.

I'm looking forward to the new Claypool Lennon delirium album. Great band.

Les is SO cool & doesn't have a bad thing to say about anyone.I'll always follow his projects.

Saw them several times in many incarnations...I just love Les Claypool!

Sean's addition to the Brigade has been amazing from all the different videos I've seen.

This was a great interview with Les he is a class act who has the utmost respect for his peers which is comendable and he is so laid back for being a legendary bass player a man who wears many hats. I can't speak for anyone else but I'm looking forward to hearing more from the weird wonderful quirky brilliant world of Les Claypool...Primus sucks😉

Excited for another Claypool Lennon Delirium album!

Fishbone was the first concert I saw at 16 at an all ages show. Great band. And if you get a chance, see Claypool's bass live. I think they opened for GWAR at the time if my memory serves me correctly. What I remember about the show was how *deep* the bass resonated in my chest. The sheer physical power of it...

So awesome to see this! Id love to meet this dude someday

Les is an awesome dude and down to earth.

Les, if you’ve never met him, is just an amazing person, very kind and as genuine as it gets. Support the delicious winery and as always, support the music!

Claypool Lennon Delirium is amazing!!!

Nobody asks nor does Les ever talk about his days before Primus, with the band Blind Illusion, where he just played bass, I'm sure some really interesting stories are tucked in that archive..

Les, you just played animals at summer camp 23 and I cried the whole entire time. I love you and thank you for what you do for us! 🫶

To be totally clear it doesn't matter what so ever anything Mr Claypool decides to dabble in, as it's all amazing & completely gold!!

Everything this man touches turns to gold.

I saw the original Frog Brigade in Vegas in 2000. It was one of the best shows I've ever been to!

Several years ago there was a place called Zeke's BBQ which was adjacent to a famous practice studio in West Hollywierd. It was there in my pursuit for fatty sustenance that I heard a familiar twangy voice to my 7. As I turned my head, as certain as silver it was indeed Mister Claypool in the flesh. I thought to myself "Now's my chance to be that guy and meet one of my mentors" but the better of me thought that perhaps in that moment the kinder act that one could bestow on the man was to let him enjoy his food in peace. It took everything I had to simply let it be that. Of all the famous musicians out there, I love how Les can be so down to earth while also continuing to be on the relentless chase for a sounds unlike anyone else. I will likely attend the SLO show which will coincide with my 44th spin around the sun.

ive seen him live 3x. always a treat. saw them with fishbone and de la soul.

Been listening to Primus since the beginning, and took my son to see Flying Frog Brigade in Baltimore in June from the third row. Mind blowing show. My son has been messing with his bass the last year, but after seeing Les Claypool play, he started bass lessons the next week. The impact people like him has on young people shouldn't be overlooked. I hope he knows how special he is to the world.

I remember seeing Primus with Fishbone opening up at Georgia State. During Fishbone a guy jumped up from the crowd and climbed the lighting trelas The whole band stepped back and waited for a "splat"

I've been watching Les and Primus, and all his projects, play live for 30 years.... he is truly like fine wine (gets better with age). If you have a chance to see this show, GO, it is Les as his most groovy funky LEsness ever.

1:45 - Saw you two together at the State Theater in Kalamazoo MI!! Kibby was crowd surfing with a tiny webcam - it was 1994 or 5? Can't remember. Angelo wrote a song about me - HAHAHHAHA (Alcoholic). I saw the FFFB in Chico CA years later at the Brickworks. Fish was on the drums, I had a broken foot, so I sat behind Bob Tolar's mixing board all night long. I also saw Laundry at the Brickworks around that time. Melvins played there too - pretty close to the same year. Memories, Man. Thanks for every single NOTE!

Everything he does is so great and such a joy to listen to and I love all the live performances I’ve seen. Just seen the frog brigade in Detroit it was so much fun. Can’t wait to see Primus again!

Love the fearless flying frog brigade..got to see them at the first Bonnaroo

I love this guy, so real in all the ways that matter other than talent - and there, he's beyond unreal! 🙏

Please come back to the U.K., Les!

I absolutely LOVE music history and one thing that never gets old is hearing how all these famous musicians grew up together and are the staples of music in the 80s and 90s it’s amazing how tight some of these guys were before ever being famous…. Imagine your group of friends becoming 3 or 4 of the biggest bands on the planet…. Crazy!

Will we not always worship this man. His age only brings more respect and adoration. This guy will very likely be killing it in his eighties. Wow

I've been listening to Les since I was 10, he's the reason I took up the bass and am in a band now at 30

I saw Primus for the first time in 1990 at a small club in Boston when they were opening for 24-7 Spyz. We had no idea who they were at the time, but were totally blown away.

Gotta love Les appreciation for all his fellows musicians.

He's in the middle of recording an album with Billy Strings??? OMG!!!!

Saw Primus live when they did the tour for The Desaturating Seven in 2018. It was an awesome show. Got to do a meet them and it was super relaxed and everyone was awesome.

Oyster head broke me. That line up is just the greatest "cream" trio ive ever heard.

It’s just amazing that he seems to let life BE. As in not worry about any popularity. Just be an awesome musician and let what happens HAPPEN

Also any chance that Primus would do Hemispheres like you said during the tour last year! Since it was your first concert at age 14 I think that would be very cool as well! I really enjoyed the A farewell to kings tour last year! Saw you twice in LA and San Diego

...there is such a deep reservoir of awesomeness here... I have only scratched the surface...I'm happy to be on the path....

I've seen the Brigade TWICE and it was AWESOME!! Cool to hear they're getting back out there!!

Les is the man.

My drummer friend turned me on to Primus in the 90’s a few years after I accidentally saw Jerry Was a Racecar Driver on mtv. I wasnt a fan of mtv since 1983, but when my friend gave me a copy of Sailing the Seas of Cheese, I recognized what a cool power trio they were and we would jam Primus songs. Glad to see Les still going strong, and was glad Herb recovered and rejoined, some of my favorite artists, and excited for more!! “Too much of anything is just enough!!!”

That's good talk I played bass for 20+ years and I never seen a Les claypool interview he's very sensible actually.

Thanks for posting this!

Fun fact; Les Claypool was born on the same day as fellow rock legend Ernest Anastasio the third, aka Trey. God was feeling rather generous that day.

Man, i hate how i didnt discover this band till i was 23......... he makes great music.

I started listening back in 1991. Instantly loved them! I’m 50 now and still listen very often.

Question: will there be a dvd/Blueray release of the A Farewell to Kings Live shows from last year? As a RUSH and Primus fan and as one who saw Primus open up for RUSH in the early 90’s it would be sweet!

I Love PRIMUS ❤️ 🔥 Band has adventurous, fun songs that make you feel your on a journey

Fascinating that he is potentially going on tour with Fishbone. I was a big fan and saw them a few times in the early or mid 1980s. Raucous fun back in the day.

Ive seen Fishbone and Primus at different shows, would be Cool As Fuxk to have seen them together. Primus and Beck was an unreal show…. Rock on Les!

Such a great show had to buy tickets to see them again on this tour

Bring Buckethead to support please!!🙌

Loved it, can't wait for Les' son to put out the documentary, it's going to be gold!

Had I known Sean Lennon was on the lineup I’d have stalked them here in town. SL is the truth.

The man is a living legend…

Counting down the days to seeing him in WV

I like that he recognizes Primus for the gem that it is. So many passing Primus fans that I know seem to think that he defines their sound. I always clap back that the main reason Primus doesn't sound like every other Les Claypool solo project is Larry LaLonde. Les Claypool is my favourite musician to have ever picked up an instrument. He's my freaking hero. But mark my words, when Larry LaLonde is finished, so is Primus.

Was lucky enough to meet Les Claypool after a Duo De Twang show.

I really wonder if Les realizes just how gifted he is. I play bass. I follow allot of Bass player forums, and watch allot of Bass instructional material. Save but a truly rare few, pretty much every one will say that Les is their favorite Bass player, and in at least half of all cases, he inspired them to pick up the Bass. I'm definitely one of them.

Should be a good time in Cincy in Oct. The Rush tribute was great.

This dudes been a hero of mine since the 90's!The Best!

Claypool is an always will be at the top of the heap when it comes to bass players! Thank you Les!

A new Claypool Lennon Delirium album in the works is great news! The Frog Brigade shows were phenomenal!

So we actually have Metallica to thank for Primus!?! That's so Rock n' Roll!

Thanks for keeping Primus Primus

My ex-boyfriend turned me on to all things Les Claypool and I’m really glad he did. Les is like the male version of me, only I can’t play bass. I get the music. All of it.

I've loved Primus for like 30 years.

I saw them play at Angels Camp over 20 years ago, was quite an experience, there is a video of the show on YT.

Les, come to the UK! I had tickets for the Rush tribute show in London & you guys cancelled, I was gutted!

Whatever lineup or project he is playing with you can rest assured the show will be worth the price of admission. You will see a show. You will hear great music. You will have fun cuz Les is gonna have fun.

Love les and all the guys he plays with!

Les Claypool is the bass MASTER.

Making a record with Billy Strings!?!? A Primus, Strings show would be a dream for me. I asked Les about Billy last summer; and he never told me about this! I knew they were hanging out; but this is so exciting!

Love Les Claypool’s bass playing! ❤❤❤

I cannot wait until Wed!

Thank you for the great interview!

All I freaking heard was a claypool Billy strings album… must have it now!

Yeeees. Back in the studio please!

I love his honesty and I'm jealous of getting to wake up and know you're going to play somewhere cool but not even know where it is.

Such a good show to see!!!

One of the greatest concerts I’ve ever been to. Certainly the best in the last 20 years or so.

I love this man.

Such a talented, creative, cool guy

Love you Les

I've got tickets for Brown's Island in June. Cool that Sean will be there.

Les is a top notch super smart business oriented person, always looking out for making the best decisions not only for himself personally but also his bread n butter first love being Primus & on to his many many other side projects. 💯👍👍

Yes