Les Claypool discusses the evolution of his band Primus and their collaborations, highlighting the consistent thread that reflects his unique style in all their music.
Les Claypool emphasizes his admiration for musicians who chart their own musical paths and create their unique sound, discussing his influences and collaborations that result in diverse and innovative music.
Les Claypool reflects on the impact of the South Park theme song, discusses the challenges of the changing music industry, and emphasizes the need to diversify income streams through touring and merchandise sales.
Deep dives
The Rise of Primus and Collaborative Music-making
Primus, the band led by Les Claypool, started as a local band in the Bay Area and did not anticipate their success. They never thought they would have any of it. They were approached to create the theme song for South Park, which brought them more visibility. Claypool discusses the band's evolution and their various collaborations with other musicians, such as Billy Strings and Sean Lennon. He emphasizes that every collaboration is different, like different conversations, but there is a consistent thread that reflects his unique style in all the music he creates.
The Influence of Zappa, Ween, and Others on Claypool's Music
Les Claypool discusses his musical influences, including Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, Blue Öyster Cult, Pink Floyd, Ween, the White Stripes, and Danny Elfman, among others. He admires musicians who chart their own musical paths and create their unique sound. Claypool's collaborations with various musicians, such as Sean Lennon and Larry LaLonde, have resulted in diverse and innovative music that reflects their shared influences and individual artistry.
The Impact of the South Park Theme Song and Catalog Band Dynamics
Claypool reflects on the impact of the South Park theme song and how it provided temporary financial stability. However, he clarifies that the music industry has drastically changed, and with streaming services, revenues from record sales are minimal. He mentions how being a catalog band, like Primus, means that they have a loyal fan base and sell records steadily over time. Claypool discusses the challenges of the changing music industry and the need to diversify income streams through touring and merchandise sales.
Collaborations and Working with Musicians like Billy Strings and Sean Lennon
Les Claypool shares his experiences of collaborating with musicians like Billy Strings, Sean Lennon, and Mark Rebo. He discusses the creative process and the joy of jamming with other musicians. Claypool mentions that each collaboration brings something unique and enriching, as every conversation in music is different. He highlights how these collaborations have expanded his musical horizons and brought fresh perspectives to his work.
Summary of Podcast Episode
In this podcast episode, the speaker reflects on their experiences working with various musicians and bands. They discuss their early days playing in rock and R&B bands, as well as their transition into the New York music scene. The speaker highlights their collaborations with artists like Tom Waits and John Zorn, emphasizing the importance of process and experimentation in music. They also touch on their exploration of different genres and world music influences. Overall, the episode paints a picture of the speaker's diverse musical journey and the impact of working with a range of musicians.
Les Claypool is the first guest who flew himself to his WTF interview. Whether he’s studying aviation, perfecting fly fishing or starting another band, the Primus founder and bass virtuoso is always doing new things to stave off boredom. Les and Marc talk about his origins, Tom Waits, Adrian Belew, South Park, Sean Ono Lennon, and the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade. Les also mentions that one of his favorite guitar players is the genre-hopping Marc Ribot. So the two Marcs sit down in the garage to talk about classical guitar, being at Woodstock, jazz influences, and Tom Waits again.