Chris DeLine

Whether performing with Primus, his Frog Brigade, Fancy Band, or any number of other groups, Les Claypool has never been one to shy away from the bizarre. Despite the tireless schedule he’s maintained throughout the years, with his continual shift away from mainstream rock, it’s no wonder that his creativity has spread outside the world of traditional recording. Among other projects, he’s written and recorded the themes for both South Park and Adult Swim’s Robot Chicken in addition to recently scoring the Mushroom Men video game and low budget Pig Hunt motion picture. The elder statesman of eccentric booty-bass hasn’t gone completely off the edge, however, and proof of that comes with his live show. Typically donning any number of masks and vibrant costumes, Claypool is accompanied by musicians playing anything from a sitar to a xylophone, while personally rotating through such instruments as an electric upright bass and his homemade “Whamola” (essentially an electrified washtub bass). Actually, I take that back: The man is long gone. Either way, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you turn away from the opportunity to see one of the most unusual and talented musicians of the past 20 years. With DeVotchKa, Saul Williams, and Secret Chiefs 3. All ages.

[This critics’ pick was originally published by City Pages.]