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Les Claypool sets sights on solo trek
Eclectic rocker Les Claypool continues to unleash a steady stream of new projects, but he'll slide into his most familiar role next month during a headlining outing with his band.
The Primus frontman/bassist/ringleader will lead his so-called Fancy Band--Gabby La La (sitar/ukelele), Skerik (saxophone), Mike Dillon (vibraphone/percussion) and Paolo Baldi (drums)--on a romp through 23 cities, kicking off Feb. 29 in Charlotte, NC. The trek includes a March 6 slot at southern Florida's multi-day Langerado Music Festival. Dates are below.
Claypool continues to support his latest solo album, 2006's "Of Whales and Woe," his first studio collection released under his own name. He also recently released the "Fancy" DVD, which captures last year's solo tour from a fan's perspective. The film was assembled using footage shot by a small group of fans over the course of several performances, according to Claypool's website.
Claypool's beloved original band, Primus, reunited last year to tour behind a best-of CD, "They Can't All Be Zingers," and the "Blame It on the Fish" DVD, which the band describes as "an abstract look at the 2003 Primus Tour de Fromage."
Claypool and other members of Primus have publicly discussed the idea of recording a new studio album several times over the last few years, but no concrete details have yet emerged.
The chameleon-like performer recently completed his first feature film. "Electric Apricot: Quest For Festeroo," now playing in limited release, was written and directed by Claypool, who also stars in the "mockumentary" as Lap "Lapdog" Miklovich, drummer for the fictional jam band Electric Apricot.
