When I think of Les Claypool I can’t help but smile. He is so unapologetically authentically weird-wild-silly-light and dark all at the same time. I love all of those parts of Les because they are the essence of who he is to the core. Most of his bass driven music sounds a little like a freaky dark soundtrack to a fabulously crazy scary fairytale. Les showed us his take on what he thinks the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory soundtrack should sound like with his band Primus’s latest album Primus and the Chocolate Factory. And then he took it on the road for our hearing and viewing pleasures.
My senses were treated to the Primus and the Chocolate Factory tour at the Flynn Theater in Burlington, Vermont. When the curtain opened I was immediatly transported into the chocolate factory in Les’s mind. It was incredible. It looked like this:
That magical evening Les taught me many valuable life lessons. Here’s what they were:
- Work hard with ease. Les has been quoted saying he doesn’t like to do things if they feel like they’re a struggle. He enjoys doing things that come naturally. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t work hard. If Les sat on his couch playing video games everyday instead of practicing his bass he wouldn’t be the legend he is today.
- Go ALL in. The Primus and the Chocolate Factory album and tour didn’t have one foot in and one foot out. Les jumped in head first and the result was amazing. You don’t have to be fearless (because that’s basically impossible.) The key is to feel the fear and do it anyway.
- Take action on your dreams. Recreating the soundtrack of this iconic film was a dream for Les. He could have kept this fantasy in his head, or he could take daily action to allow it to become a reality. If you have a dream, take one step (big or small) every day towards it and before you know it, it will be happening!
- Never apologize for who you are. The second you hear Les strike his bass you know it’s Les. How amazing is that? There are millions of bass players in the world and all you have to hear is one note and you know it’s Les behind it. The same goes for his voice. I’m sure when he was in the process of “making it” people told him to change his sound, voice, look etc, but Les never did. He always stayed true to who he was and that’s why you either hate him or love him. I personally choose love and so did millions of others.
Thank you Les Claypool for being an inspiration to so many. Keep on bringing your insides out into the world and we’ll keep listening.
Here’s a sneak preview from the Primus and the Chocolate Factory tour.
In the comments section below, let me know which life lesson you are going to implement into your life.
Are anxiously waiting for the next show to feel that festival high? Let’s rage the Morning Dance Party together. It’s ALL happening Nov 19-21st. Sign up >>> here.
The awesome in me sees and bows to the awesome in you,
umpa dumpa doopadeedo
Mr. Claypool’s name may indeed be mud, yet his stage presence commands the likes of silver & gold. Truly blessed to have witnessed this marriage of two of my favorite things… Primus and the wonkavator. Stay humble. Smile, and love.