A wonderfully weird new project from Sean Lennon and Primus singer/bassist Les Claypool has arrived, with a debut album due in just over two months’ time.
The Claypool Lennon Delirium, as they’re called, will release Monolith of Phobos on June 3, with a tour following shortly after (more info). Live support will feature contributions from Beastie Boys’ Mark Ramos Nishita and Paul Baldi of the Fungi Band.
“Sean is a musical mutant after my own heart,” Claypool said in a press release. “He definitely reflects his genetics – not just the sensibilities of his dad but also the abstract perspective and unique approach of his mother. It makes for a glorious freak stew.”
The recording process took both men in new directions. “Usually I play the drums and percussion on my records but Sean has such a different feel than I do, it just made more sense for him to man the kit on most of the tunes on this project,” Claypool continues. “I took the helm at my old vintage API console and let him bang away. He was happy as a piggy rolling in shit every time he grabbed the sticks…his drumming is like a cross between Ringo and Nick Mason. But I think folks will be most surprised by what a monster guitar player he is, especially when you prod him a bit.”
Lennon added, “It’s been an honor and a challenge playing with someone of Les’ caliber, but luckily the Gods of Pinot Noir shone favorably down and granted us a bundle of devilish tunes about monkeys, outer space and sexual deviancy.”
Claypool’s fanbase will eat this up, while newcomers should find a similarly delighting oddity in the fascinating sounds that they did for Oysterhead, Les’ collaboration with Trey Anastasio of Phish.
The Claypool Lennon Delirium on tour:
06-04 Orlando, FL – The Beacham
06-05 Tampa, FL – The Ritz
06-07 Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre
06-09 Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre
06-10 Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
06-11 Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo
06-12 St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
06-14 Kansas City, MO – Crossroads
06-15 Minneapolis, MN – Skyway Theatre
06-17 Garrettsville, OH – Nelson Ledges Quarry Park
06-18 Port Chester, NY – Capitol Theatre
07-21 Seattle, WA – The Showbox SoDo
07-22 Jacksonville, OR – Britt Pavilion
07-23 Portland, OR – Roseland Ballroom
07-25 Jackson Hole, WY – Pink Garter Theatre
07-26 Missoula, MT – Wilma Theatre
07-27 Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
07-29 Los Angeles, CA – Fonda Theatre
07-30 Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
07-31 Las Vegas, NV – Brooklyn Bowl
08-02 Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory
08-03 San Diego, CA – Observatory North Park
08-04 San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theatre
08-05-07 Buena Vista, CO – Vertex Festival
08-09 Iowa City, IA – Englert Theatre
08-11 Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre
08-12 Columbus, OH – Express Live! Indoor Pavilion
08-13 Scranton, PA – Peach Fest
08-26 Boston, MA – HOB Boston
08-27 New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall
08-28 Portland, ME – State Theatre
08-30 New York, NY – Irving Plaza
08-31 Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
09-01 Washington, D.C. – 9:30 Club