BB Video: Les Claypool of all things not Metallica

Derek Bledsoe, Boing Boing Video producer, is blogging daily Boing Boing Video episodes while Xeni's on the road in Africa.

---

Les Claypool is a man of many dimensions. Known for gathering an eclectic mix of talented musicians from around the world, Les has fronted a number of projects including the Frog Brigade, Colonel Claypool's bucket of Bernie Brains, Sausage, and Electric Apricot.

But, when Les visited the Boing Boing Video studio, we asked him about the band he didn't get to play for. In 1986, before Primus came into fame, Claypool auditioned for a heavy metal band called Metallica after their bassist Cliff Burton was killed in a tragic bus accident.

BB Video pal Matty Kirsch got the inside scoop on all things Les: past, present, and future. Since boingers seemed pretty jived about the interview we posted earlier in the week, we thought we'd give you a little more Les love.

---

Flash video embed above, click "full" icon inside the player to view it large. You can download the MP4 here. Our YouTube channel is here, you can subscribe to our daily video podcast on iTunes here. Get Twitter updates every time there's a new ep by following @boingboingvideo, and here are the archives for Boing Boing Video.

---

(Special thanks to Boing Boing Video's hosting and publishing provider Episodic.)

[#1 posted by Boeotian, March 6, 2009 3:46 AM]

Thank god he never made it. Les was too creative to be just Metallica's bassist. And don't get me wrong, I love them. I definitely heard a lot more Metallica back in the 80's, didn't even like Primus, but that is just because I was young and dull and couldn't "get" it, just like James and Lars couldn't.
Nowadays, my Metallica CDs are collecting dust. But I still like them.

[#2 posted by devophill, March 6, 2009 3:48 AM]

I don't think I ever realized how much Les sounds like Dr. Jonas "Rusty" Venture.

[#3 posted by Boeotian, March 6, 2009 5:07 AM]

#3 Jonjonz:

Well, I don't know, I'm not familiar with TFK's behaviour. Maybe they turn into mutant trolls.

[#4 posted by Adam Stanhope, March 6, 2009 8:39 AM]

Les:

I knew you at Barrington way back when.

Those were the days!

Adam
B'tonH 1989

[#5 posted by Phikus, March 6, 2009 9:16 AM]

Jonjonz@3: Like all trust fund kids, he was "workin' a carpentry job" until he managed to take off with music -which is not an easy thing to do in itself while creating something wholly original. Did you actually watch the video or just act on auto-troll? If you think one of the best bass players in the world is "almost relevant" then I shudder to think what you find relevant. His mark in music is deep and wide, son. It is sad that you have nothing to learn from such amazing and prolific talent.

[#6 posted by dectia, March 6, 2009 3:12 PM]

Yay! Moar Les please!

[#7 posted by Kickass McGrass, March 11, 2009 12:41 AM]

I'm so glad he didn't make it. I hate Metallica, false metal. Not choosing Les just proves that.

My favorite band ManOwaR was being interviewed and they were asked "What do you guys think of Metallica" and Joey DaMaio reaplied "I dont like Country music." Very metal answer.

[#8 posted by Anonymous, March 17, 2009 11:15 AM]

Hey! You guys should all check out Les Claypool on The Street Date. You can even download their song Mushroom Men for free, just click below
Les Claypool on The Street Date