Primus [ tickets ] leader Les Claypool [ tickets ] is wrapping up 2006 on the road with his best-known band, but he'll spend the beginning of 2007 actively promoting his novel, "South of the Pumphouse," with a series of readings and autograph sessions.

"I'm going to be doing a bunch of readings and really pushing this book," said Claypool, who is also working in a few readings during the Primus tour.

According to his website, "South of the Pumphouse" is a "dark, clever tale of two brothers, a fishing trip, misconceptions, drugs and murder." The book "combines classic motifs of epic struggle and intelligent layers of imagery, reminiscent of 'The Old Man and the Sea,' and the raw, tweaked perspective and hallucinogenic tutorial of a Hunter Thompson novel."

Claypool currently has two readings scheduled tfor this year: 6:30 p.m. tonight (11/21)at Denver's Tattered Cover Bookstore (1628 16th St.), and 6:30 p.m.Thursday (11/30) at Seattle's Elliott Bay Book Co. (101 S. Main St.).

Meanwhile, the bassist/vocalist continues to tour with the reunited Primus, which also includes guitarist Larry LaLonde and drummer Tim Alexander. The band is gigging behind the release of the CD "They Can't All Be Zingers: The Best of Primus" and the DVD "Blame It on the Fish." The 16-track album features remastered versions of iwell-known Primus tracks including "My Name is Mud," "Wynona's Big Brown Beaver" and "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver."

"We picked the obvious songs, which are fan favorites and the hits, as well as our favorite songs," said Claypool, who said initially he wasn't thrilled about the project.

"It was fun having Steve Marcus remaster them. I just give him the stuff and away he goes," he added.

Claypool is vague about Primus' future, but said there's talk of a new Primus record.

"We'll have to see what happens. … Basically, there are various things being kicked around."