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Since I've become involved in the jam world I get flak from people in other camps. Primus never fit in with anything, yet we kind of played with everybody. We did the Lollapaloozas. We did the Ozzfests. We did the H.O.R.D.E. fests. There are elements of each camp that really dislike the other camps.
-Les Claypool |
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Les Claypool at 10KLF 2005 by C. Monson
The Writing Life
Les Claypool by Jay Blakesberg |
"South Of The Pumphouse started as a screenplay, and like the Pork Soda film I wanted to do, it was never made," explains Claypool about his first novel. "Actually, we put a production company together, raised money and lost money, had producers come on board and leave and give us a bunch of notes. We had meetings with various film companies, but it eventually fell apart. That's when I decided to write it as a book. You always get notes from people with a screenplay. 'It's great but I have some notes.' And you take their notes. You change what you think makes sense and won't hurt the story, and might actually help it. After you get notes from a handful of people, over time you start to realize that a lot of the notes are just wrong. Everybody has their opinion, and I think people are the most opinionated about film. It's just such a huge part of our lives."
The story follows two brothers reunited after many years at their father's funeral, after which they embark on a fishing trip with an old friend that goes terribly wrong. Claypool cites David Sedaris, Charles Bukowski, Ernest Hemingway, and Jean Shepherd as influences. He describes the books as "Deliverance meets The Old Man and the Sea." It's nice to see a veteran like Claypool so excited and nervous about being an author. "It's going to be interesting being in this world because I'm a bass player. I have no idea what I'm doing!"
Being Entertaining
Les Claypool by Jaci Downs |
Claypool's frequent laughter reinforces the impression of him as a hyper-musical court jester. It's a role that's never sat well with him. The pressure to be constantly entertaining can often be a drag.
"In fact, it drives me nuts," says Claypool. "Some of the most creative people I know are also some of the most miserable people I know. I've had this conversation with my kids. My wife is incredibly even-keeled. She's just happy and doesn't let things get too stressful for her. My son is very much like that, but my daughter is more like me – either she's UP or she's DOWN. The peaks and valleys are equal. I can be cackling like a maniac one day, and the next I'm walking around in a funk. I think that's characteristic of a lot of people."
Expectations, like say my own about how Claypool would sound when we spoke, often get in the way of seeing things as they truly are. Those who expect Claypool to constantly be wacky are bound to be disappointed.
"I think if you worry about such things, you shouldn't meet your heroes," offers Claypool. "Ironically though, the people in the music industry have been largely amazing. I've worked with and befriended a good portion of my heroes. Every now and again, you'll meet someone who just lets you down. It's happened more with actors than musicians. I've tried to figure this out. Maybe it's because musicians are out there playing music, not being a character, which is what an actor is doing. For me, bass happens to be the main pencil I chose, just like Skerik and Mike and their instruments. Skerik does things with the saxophone that weren't in the manual. It's like Tony Hawk and his skateboard. It's fun to break out of what's expected."
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