Leslie Claypool Bass guitarist and lead vocalist, best known for the alternative rock band Primus. Date of Birth: 29.09.1963 Country: USA

Biography of Les Claypool

Les Claypool is a bass guitarist and lead vocalist, best known for his work with the alternative rock band Primus. He was born and raised in California in a working-class family. As a teenager, Claypool developed a deep love for rock music, influenced by artists such as Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix, thanks to his classmate Kirk Hammett (later guitarist of Metallica). He started playing bass at the age of fourteen.

In 1986, when Metallica was looking for a replacement bassist for the late Cliff Burton, Claypool auditioned but was not chosen. James Hetfield jokingly argued that Les didn't become their bassist because he played too well. In the 1980s, Claypool played in the band Blind Illusion, where he also played with Larry LaLonde. After recording the album "Sane Asylum" in 1988, Claypool and LaLonde left Blind Illusion and formed Primus. The group gained widespread recognition and headlined the alternative festival Lollapalooza in 1993. They appeared on David Letterman and Conan O'Brien's late-night shows in 1995 and even performed at Woodstock '94.

In the mid-1990s, Claypool recorded the album "Highball With The Devil" with the project Les Claypool And The Holy Mackerel. In 2000, Primus temporarily ceased their creative activity, and Les Claypool actively participated in other projects. He formed the group "Les Claypool's Frog Brigade" (officially known as "Colonel Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade") and released two live albums and one studio album. The band performed songs by artists like Pink Floyd, King Crimson, and The Beatles. Claypool referred to the "Frog Brigade" as his "mid-life crisis" band.

During this time, Claypool also collaborated with the band Oysterhead. His next project was "Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains" (also known as "C2B3"). The lineup included virtuoso guitarist Buckethead, funk keyboardist Bernie Worrell, and former Primus drummer Brian Mantia. Their shows were improvised performances without prior rehearsals. At one performance, the musicians even made sandwiches on stage for the audience.

In 2003, Primus reunited to record the DVD/EP "Animals Should Not Try to Act Like People" and embarked on a two-month tour. Since 2004, they have been giving irregular concerts. In 2005, Claypool released the video "5 Gallons Of Diesel," featuring a retrospective of all his work outside of Primus. He also directed the film "Electric Apricot," about a fictional rock band.

In 2006, Claypool released his solo album "Of Whales and Woe" and his first book, "South of the Pumphouse."