Les Claypool

Les Claypool has been many things in his time--band leader, improviser, architect of alternative music. But this year the bass wizard stretches even his formidable talents. He has completed his first film, a mockumentary about the jam band scene called “Electric Apricot: Quest for Festeroo”, which won an award for Best Comedy at California's Tiburon Film Festival this year. His first novel, “South of the Pump House”, will be published this summer. And a new album, Of Whales and Woe, is about to be released.

Hard rock steeped in the groove that has made Les one of the most respected bass players in the industry, Of Whales and Woe features more spectacular instrumentation and catchy, wacky tunes in the uncompromising, gritty Claypool style. Tracks like the lead single "One Better" as well as the theme from the Seth Green Cartoon Network series Robot Chicken already have fans buzzing. And, in keeping with his tradition of recruiting the most formidable talents around, the former frontman for alt-rock innovators Primus has assembled an incredible and genre-bending line-up to accompany him on this year's tour: Mike Dillon on percussion, Skerik on sax, Gabby La La on sitar and miscellaneous instruments, and Paulo Baldi on drums.