Les Claypool Unveils Montage Documenting 25 Years Of New Year’s Eve Extravaganzas

On December 31, 1992 bassist Les Claypool started a trend that has lasted 25 years thus far with his first Bay Area New Year’s Eve gig. That year, Claypool and Primus teamed with Mr. Bungle and The Melvins at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. This past New Year’s Eve Les and his three current projects: Duo de Twang, The Claypool Lennon Delirium and Primus played The Fox Theater in Oakland, marking Claypool’s 25th Bay Area New Year’s Eve Extravaganza. Les Claypool and Primus have combed their archives to share an incredible montage documenting each and every New Year’s Eve gala dating back to 1992.

The 22-minute montage shows off the poster for each gig, video footage where available and photos. While Les played with Primus on most New Year’s Eves, there was a five-year stretch featuring the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade and a number of times he performed under his own name. Primus has headlined each December 31st concert for Les since 2010. One thing that struck us in viewing the montage was the unbelievable array of openers from Dweezil Zappa to Spearhead to Tool to Banyan to The Deftones. The bassist has also performed at many Bay Area venues over the past 25 years including the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Henry J Kaiser Convention Center, The Fillmore, Warfield, War Memorial Opera House and Fox Theater.

Watch a montage of Les Claypool’s 25 New Year’s Eve Extravaganzas: