Les Claypool and his Fearless Flying Frog Brigade

[Lobster11]

Saw these guys night before last and they were amazing. This reconstituted (after 20 years) version of the band includes Sean Lennon on guitar and Roger Waters' son Harry on keys. The set featured the entirety of Pink Floyd's Animals, reimagined as only Les Claypool could do, sandwiched between a variety of Claypool originals.

Also, this was the first of a 10-show tour leg with Jerry Harrison/Adrian Belew's Remain in Light show as the opening act -- featuring the always-awesome Julie Slick channeling Tina Weymouth on bass.

Fun fun fun. Don't miss this if it happens to be coming your way....

 

[JonathanPDX]

How was the tone?

I've seen Les in various configurations, including this one, at least 7 or 8 times and it's always sounded terrible. Oysterhead was the only decent tone, but the Frog Brigade and all his other non-Primus bands had wildly boomy, muddy bass tones that just turned into a wall of mush. The last time I saw Primus the mix was similar, with muddy bass that was indistinct to the point that their signature tunes all sounded the same.

I vowed to stop giving him my money years ago because the tone was always so bad live that I regretted buying tickets. I'm curious if it's improved since then.

 

[J Posega]

How was the tone?

I've seen Les in various configurations, including this one, at least 7 or 8 times and it's always sounded terrible. Oysterhead was the only decent tone, but the Frog Brigade and all his other non-Primus bands had wildly boomy, muddy bass tones that just turned into a wall of mush. The last time I saw Primus the mix was similar, with muddy bass that was indistinct to the point that their signature tunes all sounded the same.

I vowed to stop giving him my money years ago because the tone was always so bad live that I regretted buying tickets. I'm curious if it's improved since then.

Weird, the 3 or 4 times I've seen Les, his tone has been great. I also always wear Etymotic earplugs to shows, so maybe that has something to do with my perception of the sound.

 

[Lobster11]

How was the tone?

I've seen Les in various configurations, including this one, at least 7 or 8 times and it's always sounded terrible. Oysterhead was the only decent tone, but the Frog Brigade and all his other non-Primus bands had wildly boomy, muddy bass tones that just turned into a wall of mush. The last time I saw Primus the mix was similar, with muddy bass that was indistinct to the point that their signature tunes all sounded the same.

I vowed to stop giving him my money years ago because the tone was always so bad live that I regretted buying tickets. I'm curious if it's improved since then.

Hard for me to judge, as I was very close to the stage on Les' side and thus was hearing his stage rig rather than the PA. From that vantage point he seemed (understandably) loud in the mix, but clear as a bell. Don't know how he sounded to the rest of the venue.

My location made a huge difference during the Harrison/Belew set, since Julie was set up on the same side of the stage and I was able to hear her stage rig instead of the PA version. I've learned from many shows that the aggressive, gnarly tone Julie gets through her Aggie stage setup rarely translates to the PA, and being able to hear her stage rig makes all the difference in the world to me.

 

[Cristo]

I saw them and I thought his tone was quite nice, except for when he used an electric upright, at which point the big boomy mud you referred to appeared.

Who knows if it sounds the same night after night in all those different venues though.

 

[Ooba Tooba]

Just hit the Detroit show and It was a great set with excellent sound. It was my 4th time seeing the Frogs with the first 3 shows 20 years ago. They were a bit smaller back then and if you wanted to you could meet the band. We talked with Les several times in the 90s early 2000s. He was always gracious after a show signing things and taking pics with whoever wanted one.

Saw these guys night before last and they were amazing. This reconstituted (after 20 years) version of the band includes Sean Lennon on guitar and Roger Waters' son Harry on keys. The set featured the entirety of Pink Floyd's Animals, reimagined as only Les Claypool could do, sandwiched between a variety of Claypool originals.

Also, this was the first of a 10-show tour leg with Jerry Harrison/Adrian Belew's Remain in Light show as the opening act -- featuring the always-awesome Julie Slick channeling Tina Weymouth on bass.

Fun fun fun. Don't miss this if it happens to be coming your way....

 

[Ooba Tooba]

Boy I made a mess of that post sorry

 

[Les Fret]

Saw these guys night before last and they were amazing. This reconstituted (after 20 years) version of the band includes Sean Lennon on guitar and Roger Waters' son Harry on keys. The set featured the entirety of Pink Floyd's Animals, reimagined as only Les Claypool could do, sandwiched between a variety of Claypool originals.

Also, this was the first of a 10-show tour leg with Jerry Harrison/Adrian Belew's Remain in Light show as the opening act -- featuring the always-awesome Julie Slick channeling Tina Weymouth on bass.

Fun fun fun. Don't miss this if it happens to be coming your way....

They did that Animals set years ago already. I would rather see them play all original songs. I also didn't like the Primus Farewell to Kings Rush set. There are too many tribute bands doing that thing already.

I hope Primus will record another Full lenght album one day. There last full length was more than 10 years ago.

 

[Ooba Tooba]

They did that Animals set years ago already. I would rather see them play all original songs. I also didn't like the Primus Farewell to Kings Rush set. There are too many tribute bands doing that thing already.

I hope Primus will record another Full lenght album one day. There last full length was more than 10 years ago.

It was very enjoyable because they clearly enjoyed themselves playing Animals. And unless you were fortunate enough to catch Floyd in '77, chances are you haven't seen much of that iconic record performed live. I saw both Floyd and later Roger Waters play Pigs and Dogs, but Sheep was amazeballs to witness. And Waters kid was on keys. They did a healthy mix of Frogs, Holy Mackerel and other tunes from Les' repertoire.

 

[zombywoof5050]

Just saw them last night in Houston, what a great show!
It was an outdoor show, and the sound of both bands was nice and clear.
Julie Slick's bass and Les' bass sounded just right, not muddy at all.
I recommend checking them out if you get a chance.

 

[BooshBass]

Saw him inside of the new Salt Shed in Chicago last night. Holy poopie that was intense and amazing, one of the best shows I've seen. Tone was extremely clear and very good, some of the best bass tone I've heard.

 

[RoadieP]

Saw these guys night before last and they were amazing. This reconstituted (after 20 years) version of the band includes Sean Lennon on guitar and Roger Waters' son Harry on keys. The set featured the entirety of Pink Floyd's Animals, reimagined as only Les Claypool could do, sandwiched between a variety of Claypool originals.

Also, this was the first of a 10-show tour leg with Jerry Harrison/Adrian Belew's Remain in Light show as the opening act -- featuring the always-awesome Julie Slick channeling Tina Weymouth on bass.

Fun fun fun. Don't miss this if it happens to be coming your way....

Les is amazing and Animals is my favorite floyd so I'll have to try and find one of these sets on the youtubes

 

[Lobster11]

Les is amazing and Animals is my favorite floyd so I'll have to try and find one of these sets on the youtubes

Here's a good one:

 

[RoadieP]

Here's a good one:

Right on!

 

[Ooba Tooba]

Les is amazing and Animals is my favorite floyd so I'll have to try and find one of these sets on the youtubes

The official release from the last tour is also a must have
https://www.amazon.com/Live-Frogs-Sets-1-2/dp/B083XTGCB9
Both sets are spectacular