Les Claypool’s beard works perfectly with the pig mask.
That was one of the thoughts that came to mind when thinking about the July 6 Primus show at the High Sierra Music Festival.
I had hoped to capture some good photos of Claypool, who would have none of that. The concert was about the entire performance, which featured avant-garde videos to the songs about pachyderms and such. Two giant astronauts whose eyes explored the scene flanked the stage. Claypool remained in the shadows, even when he spun fishing tales. At times the bass player disappeared entirely, replaced by an ape sawing a drumstick across a Whamola.
Some people don’t get Les Claypool, such as David Letterman. Primus was banned from the late night program after its members donned penguin suits and played “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver.”
While he’s best known for the band Primus, Claypool has had many groups, including Oysterhead, Sausage, Holy Mackerel, Colonel Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade and Blind Illusion.
The latest is Les Claypool’s Duo De Twang, which performs at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, in the Crystal Bay Casino’s Crown Room. Claypool will be joined in Tahoe onstage by Bryan Kehoe of the band M.I.R.V., which has a hit song called “Monkey Boy.”
According to a press statement, the duo will play Les Claypool and cover tunes twanged out to sound a little bit country, but a little bit rock ‘n’ roll, all at the same time. Support for Les will be Reformed Whores. This duo of comedic ladies combine one liners with accordion and ukulele accompaniment, Casino Manager Bill Wood wrote in an email.
We were unable to speak with Claypool for this article, but a previous interview was unforgettable.
He went on about how he loves playing in Eugene, Ore., and his band always “pulls out all the stops” when it is in that city.
After being reminded the story was about a show in Tahoe, Claypool replied, “Oh. Well, you guys are screwed.”
Les Claypool’s Duo De Twang
Openers: Reformed Whores
Where: Crystal Bay Crown Room
When: 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20
Tickets: $25 Advance $30 Day of Show
