This trio jammed in Trey's barn in early 2000, then each member took home DAT tapes and used the jams to write song structures and lyrics. The group had one live warm up at the 2/21/00 Primus show in Burlington, VT, when Les invited Trey and Stewart onstage during Tweekers. The band then played its first full show during the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Apparently Copeland had wanted to cover an entire Zeppelin album, but Les had convinced him that a set of largely original material, heavy on the jamming, would be more exciting for the fans. Besides launching Oysterhead, the show held multiple rewards for Claypool. Just days after Primus had played its final show and disbanded, Les was able to demonstrate to the music community that he was moving on and forming other viable projects. Besides boosting his confidence, the connection with Trey and the Jazz Fest appearance gave Claypool instant access to the jam band community (in the next two months he would appear onstage with the Disco Biscuits, Galactic, and Ratdog, bands with whom he had previously not had any relationship).

The band had a mini reunion on 9/30/00 when the newly formed Frog Brigade and Phish (about to enter a long hiatus of its own) both came through Las Vegas. In the spring of 2001, between Frog Brigade and Trey Anastasio Band tours, Oysterhead recorded their first studio album in Trey's barn. The album was released in 10/01, and the band played a full fall tour. Chris Kuroda from Phish did the light work, which while nothing compared to a Phish show, was more interesting and creative than what one typically finds at theater-sized venues. Sets ranged from 80 min to two hours, and most songs involved extensive jams. While the new material was not particularly intricate or complex, it nicely showcased this trio's ability to creatively play in a variety of styles, from up-tempo rock to noodly ambient jamming to bluegrass. The only major shortcoming of the tour was the lack of material itself, although the improvisations and change ups in set list order kept most shows fresh.

As for the band's sound, it is an interesting blend of the three musicians' usual tones. Les, comfortable in the power trio format, plays aggressively, but his overall sound is softer and more legato, his role more supportive and dare we say traditional (Trey has said that Claypool adjusted his style to accommodate Copeland's ability to follow the guitar melodies drumistically). Copeland plays like his old aggressive self, although his drums and cymbals sound more washy and jazzy than the real crisp, high pitched tones for which he was known with the Police. Also gone are the reggae beats and octobans of yore, replaced by jazzy tom fills and amazingly powerful cymbal accents. While Les and Trey are well-known live powerhouses, many people had forgotten what an unbelievable drummer Copeland had been. Despite the passing years, his technique and absolute intensity remain awe inspiring (during the whole show, he just stares at his bandmates, totally locked into the music). His killer drum tones and stage presence (two drumsets, set up nearly level with Trey and Les) left little doubt that he was a major part of the trio's look and sound. Copeland also demonstrated his melodic and orchestral capabilities by creatively incorporating a second percussion setup into the band's music, thus increasing the trio's tonal options.

Perhaps the most interesting changes came from the guitar chair. While Trey had toured with his own trio in 1999, Oysterhead was the first time he had really played in a power trio format, particularly with such strong, stylistically well established band mates. While his solos and strong rhythm playing are reminiscent of his sound in Phish, the most glaring difference was his newfound creative use of loops and sound effects (during many a Phish show in 1999-2000, it seemed that Trey would get stuck within the constraints of the same delay effects, making many jams sound similar). Whether you loved the band or thought their individual styles did not mesh well enough, in 2001 Oysterhead provided a vehicle for Copeland to return to rock drumming, and for Claypool and Anastasio to break out of their molds.

Another point worth mentioning about the live shows was the contrast in fan base between the Phish heads that came primarily to hear Trey versus Les' fans. It was quite comic to see erstwhile Phish fans, who attempted to stake out their god-given turf ("I got here an hour early for this spot") and demanded personal space so that they could zone out, do drugs or noodle-dance. At the same time, much to the consternation of Trey and peace loving hippies, muscle-bound, male dominated Primus fans assaulted the stage during any rowdy song, threw their weight around and formed mosh pits wherever possible. This contrast in fan base extends to the virtual medium as well. A brief perusal of the show review section on phish.net yields mostly complaints (excerpted and paraphrased, with editorial commentary in italics):

·         The shows were too short and repetitive. Fans pointed out that despite all the "power trio" talk by the band members, they played very few covers of other famous power trios. And yes, these shows were not of the epic length to which Phish fans are accustomed (the best line is by a Phish reviewer, who at the end of the show keeps insisting that there is going to be a second set) - But what could be reasonably expected from a band with one album? As far as using covers to lengthen the set, it seems that the tour emphasis was on building band live chemistry (compare any fall show with the 5/4/00 debut) and working out the original material. It is probably for these reasons that there was also a conscious decision not to perform any Phish, Primus or Police songs. 

·         The band personalities did not gel, with particular reference to Claypool's 'antics' (e.g. 'strutting around the stage' and 'playing the same licks'). These are probably the most funny, yet tragic comments of all, since regardless of whether one likes Les as a musician, they demonstrate the delusions entertained by many Phish fans, for whom only their band can do no wrong. Yes, Claypool is an entertainer and quite the character. But how are his "antics" any worse than when Fishman acts like a fool, or when Trey runs laps around the stage waving a megaphone around? And yes, Claypool has a stock of licks and specific teases that he likes to play. But what musician doesn't? Also, these kinds of modules serve multiple purposes, and are not just a cheap joke at the audience's sake. For example, in Frog Brigade jams, Les often teases Dueling Banjos to alert his band mates that his bass solo is over and they should be ready for a composed section. These licks and teases are also a way to keep the audience on its toes, as if the musician was personally checking if the audience is paying attention. Let's not forget that Trey frequently resorts to certain riffs (how many times did he play the same delay loop between 1997-2000), or that Phish played their audience participation riffs (especially the Simpsons theme) repeatedly in the early to mid 1990s.

After a 5 year hiatus, Oysterhead played a reunion show in 2006 at the Bonnaroo festival.

Les Claypool

• See Claypool's Unusual Instruments

Trey Anastasio

Besides his usual Paul Languedoc guitars, Trey also used the following instruments:

• Matterhorn (a guitar with a built in theremin-type instrument (and deer antlers), allowing him to change the pitch of a note). This instrument was used consistently on: Shadow Of A Man, Matterhorn/Whamola Jam, and occasionally on: Immigrant Song, Army's On Ecstasy, Grand Pecking Order

• Acoustic Guitar on: Birthday Boys

• Keyboards: Sinkin' Down

Stewart Copeland

Besides his regular kit, Copeland also used a percussion kit (with roto-toms, cymbals, bells, chimes and assorted percussion) on: Shadow Of A Man, Radon Balloon, Grand Pecking Order, Wield the Spade and Matterhorn/Whamola Jam.

Grand Pecking Order

• Little Faces – Premiered 05/04/00 in a slightly different version titled “I Am Oysterhead.” The song was rearranged and received new lyrics for the album version, which was the version performed at all subsequent shows. While the Little Faces arrangement is tighter, it lacks the wonderful “I am Oysterhead till the day I die” chorus line of the original version. Essentially like the studio version, but with a longer guitar solo.
• Oz Is Ever Floating – Premiered on 10/21/01. Similar to the studio version, with short jams.
• Mr. Oysterhead – Premiered on 05/04/00, this was Les’ big live solo spot, incorporating lots of classic covers and teases. Used to close the set on the fall 2001 tour.
• Shadow Of A Man – Officially released on 5 Gallons of Diesel DVD. Premiered on 10/21/01 (web cast exists from the private 09/15/01 show). With Trey on Matterhorn, Copeland on percussion set; the live version usually had eerie soloing by Trey over Les’ loops.
• Radon Balloon – Premiered on 10/21/01. An Anastasio composition, this song has also been played live by the Trey Anastasio Band (an instrumental originally titled “Waves”, it was later also recorded, in yet a third arrangement, on Trey’s eponymous solo disc as Ray Dawn Balloon). The Oysterhead version gained lyrics and a unique arrangement. Essentially performed like the studio version. With Copeland on percussion set in 2001 tour, and on regular drumset in a shorter, more muscular version at Bonnaroo 2006.
• Army’s On Ecstasy – Premiered on 10/21/01 (instrumental demos exist from 03/00; there was also a web cast of this song from the private 09/15/01 show). A major jam vehicle, with a fake-out ending leading to a composed outro section.
• Rubberneck Lions – Premiered on 05/04/00 (instrumental demos exist from 03/00).  A major jam vehicle.
• Polka Dot Rose – Premiered on 10/21/01. A major improv vehicle.
• Birthday Boys – An Anastasio composition, the song was premiered on 05/04/00 as an instrumental entitled “Happiness In My Pants.” The album version was rearranged as a country tinged acoustic piece, gaining lyrics and a new name in the process. Trey plays acoustic guitar (starting the song by himself), Les plays bass banjo, and Copeland plays his regular kit with brushes. Some live versions included an improv breakdown on bass banjo and acoustic guitar (Trey would introduce Les as “Clickety Clack Claypool.”)
• Wield the Spade - Premiered on 10/23/01, with vocals by both Les and Copeland, Copeland on percussion set (and regular drumkit) and Claypool on upright bass (plucked and bowed). A major jam vehicle with dissonant ambient guitar solos by Trey.  Copeland played this song (and sang all the lyrics) at the 2006 Modern Drummer festival, in a rare public appearance by his own band GIZMO.
• Pseudo Suicide – Premiered 05/04/00 (instrumental demos exist from 03/00). A major jam vehicle.
• Grand Pecking Order – Premiered on 10/21/01. Trey provided some very Resident-ish solos that would come as quite a surprise to Phish fans. With Copeland on percussion set.
• Owner Of the World - Premiered on 05/04/00 (instrumental demos exist from 03/00). A major jam vehicle.

Other Les Claypool Band Material

None to date.

Unreleased Originals

• Floyd Jam – An extended instrumental that was played at the premiere 05/04/00 show only, this unofficially titled song is reminiscent of mid-late 70s Pink Floyd compositions.
• Lobotomies 1 &2 – Never played live as is; these are studio/live snippets that have been overdubbed and rearranged by Copeland into new ‘compositions’ and added to the Oysterhead website for listening (similar in concept to the 7 ‘new’ Police songs that appeared as backing music on the 2006 official Police documentary).
• Matterhorn/Whamola Jam – Premiered on 10/26/01 (there was a web cast of this song from the private 9/15/01 show). Claypool and Anastasio obviously play the instruments for which this unofficially titled jam is named; Copeland played his percussion kit in 2001, and regular drumset at the 2006 Bonnaroo show.
• Sinkin’ Down - Premiered and played on 05/04/00 only, this is the only Oysterhead song to feature keyboards (by Trey).

Covers

• All Day and All Night Long (Kinks) - Premiered on 05/04/00 as a one time performance. First played by Claypool with this band.
• Communication Breakdown (Led Zeppelin) – Premiered at the band’s surprise first appearance during Primus’ 02/21/00 show, as a one time performance. First played by Claypool with this band.
• God Bless America (Irving Berlin) – Played as set closer on 10/31/01 as a one time performance. First played by Claypool with this band.
• House Of the Rising Sun (traditional) - Premiered on 05/04/00 as a one time performance (presumably given the New Orleans reference in the lyrics). First played by Claypool with this band.
• Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin) - Premiered on 05/04/00. Featured raging Trey soloing. One of the only Oysterhead covers played semi regularly during the fall 2001 tour.
• Israelites (Desmond Decker) - Premiered on 05/04/00, then played once more on the fall 2001 tour. First played by Claypool with this band.
• My Generation (Who) – Premiered on 10/23/01, then played once more on the fall 2001 tour. First played by Claypool with this band.
• Them Changes (Jimi Hendrix) - Premiered on 10/24/01. First played by Claypool with this band. One of the only Oysterhead covers played semi regularly during the fall 2001 tour.
• Tomorrow Never Knows (Beatles) – A Frog Brigade-Oysterhead merger during the 09/30/00 Frog Brigade encore.
• Wildwood Weed (Jim Stafford) – Premiered on 05/04/00 in a reggae version reminiscent of the arrangement played by Lalonde in Caca.

Teases

• Claypool originals: Mud, Tommy, Toys, Wynona
• Phish or Police originals: Be My Girl (Police), Stash (Phish) – Trey only, Walkin On the Moon
• Covers: All Day And All Night, Another One Bites the Dust/Rapper’s Delight, Barracuda (Heart), Crazy Train, Cygnus X-1, Dueling Banjos, Family and the Fishing Net (9/15/01 web cast of Whamola/Matterhorn Jam), Immigrant Song, Loves Me Like A Rock (Paul Simon), Master Of Puppets, Moby Dick, My Generation, NIB, Other One (Grateful Dead) – Trey only, Smoke On the Water, Space Oddity, Thank You, Tomorrow Never Knows, Voodoo Child (Hendrix) – Trey only, What You’re Doing (Rush), You Really Got Me (Kinks)

Vocal Teases / Lyrics

• Claypool originals: Jerry Was A Racecar Driver, Shattering Song
• Phish or Police originals: Reba (Les only)
• Covers: Cygnus X-1, Hello Skinny, Jailhouse Rock (Elvis Presley), Wildwood Weed

Official Video

• 5 Gallons of Diesel: Shadow Of A Man.

Guest Performers

None to date.

Special Shows

Historically Important Shows

• 02/21/00 – First live appearance (at Primus show), the new lineup ripped through Communication Breakdown into a strong improv.
• 09/30/00 – First reunion, during encore of Frog Brigade show in Vegas (Phish played larger venue in Vegas same night).
• 06/16/06 – First show in 5 years; plus largest audience to date at the Bonnaroo festival.

Radio/TV Appearances

• 09/15/01 - two shows in 9/01 that were slated to be televised were cancelled after 9/11. The  band instead played a private show on 9/15; Army, Shadow and Whamola/Matterhorn Jam are available for download off the band’s website in grainy video.
• 10/27/01 – HBO Reverb – Radon Balloon, Polka Dot, Army’s On Ecstasy, Little Faces. 
• 11/15/01 - Conan O'Brien - Oz Is Ever Floating

Classic Shows

• 05/04/00 – First full show, at least Victor Wooten (from Bela Fleck’s Flecktones) and members of Phish were in the audience. When compared to well rehearsed shows from late in the fall 2001 tour, this opening show comes off as pretty weak, but it has good moments and remains a collector’s item.
• 10/21/01 – Opening night of fall tour. Band plays all but one song from new studio album in a strong, raw 2hr set (as the tour wore on, the sets slowly shortened to 80-90 minutes).

Frog Brigade

Overview

Claypool's main interest post-Primus (until he transitioned into the Fancy Band – see below), the Frog Brigade is a chameleon, having changed names, lineups and set lists since its inception in the summer of 2000 through 2005. Unlike Claypool’s other projects, within the context of the Brigade, Les has been able to act as a bandleader much in the same way that Frank Zappa operated. He has picked interesting musicians and varied the line ups, changed set lists to reflect the strengths and knowledge base of a given lineup, and acted as an overall impresario and master of ceremonies. The Frog Brigade remains Claypool’s most vital and prolific tool for improvisation and experimentation, and is the band that has cemented his reputation in the jam band community.

After two one-off shows, in 8/00 Les unveiled the first long-term version of the band, with the rather unwieldy name of “Colonel Les’ Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade.” This six-piece band toured in 8/00, with sundry shows in the fall (Claypool has released live albums culled from the 10/8 and 10/9 shows, appropriately titled Live Frogs I and II). The year culminated with the first annual FrogOut, a two-day extravaganza with long sets and multiple guest stars. The same lineup reunited for a tour in Jan-Mar 2001, in the middle slot between headliner Galactic and various opening bands.

After a few June 2001 shows with changing lineups; a different, leaner Frog Brigade (with a shorter name, having dropped the “fearless” and “flying” adjectives) toured in the summer of 2001. This lineup premiered several new Claypool compositions, his first Frog Brigade songs with vocals. Fall 2001 was quiet, as Les toured with Oysterhead. The year finished with the second Frog Out.

2002 witnessed yet another stylistic change in lineup, as Mike Dillon of Critters Buggin’ joined on percussion and xylophones to augment the changing roster of drummers. There were three separate tours, a spring tour with shows scattered from April through early June, a summer tour during which Tim Alexander and Claypool reunited (!), and a fall tour. Claypool’s first solo album as a bandleader since Primus, the Purple Onion, was released in 2002. During the course of the year’s tours, the album material was incorporated into set lists. The year ended with the third FrogOut.

Les has said in interviews that the Purple Onion recordings were a new experience for him because it was the first time that he composed music without specific musicians in mind. Instead, he wrote the music regardless of instrumentation limitations, and then picked the right musicians to record it. Just like the addition of Dillon and the use of xylophones both compositionally and as a soloing instrument in concerts, this approach to writing and recording music was very reminiscent of Zappa’s work and mindset.

Musicians

• Tim Alexander (drums) - Member for summer 2002 tour.  # shows played with Claypool: see Give the Drummers Some page.
• Paulo Baldi (drums) – Member of Deadweight and touring drummer for Cake, he played in Frog Brigade in the spring and summer 2003 tours, and all 2004 and 2005 shows (then replaced Jay Lane in summer 2006 version of Fancy Band). # shows played with Claypool: see Give the Drummers Some page.
• Jeff Chimenti (keyboards) - Has worked for various jazz musicians, including Pharaoh Sanders. Member of Bob Weir’s Ratdog. # shows played with Claypool: 53 (06/24/00 Rat Brigade, Frog Brigade summer 2000 and  2001 tours, 06/28-29/01).
• Mike Dillon (percussion) – Best known for work in Critters Buggin’ and Malachi Papers. Member of Frog Brigade 2002-05, then Fancy Band 2005-present. # shows played with Claypool: see Give the Drummers Some page.
• Eenor (guitar, vocals) – Outside projects included own band Front 47. Member of Frog Brigade summer 2000 through spring 2003. # shows played with Claypool: 148.
• Fish Fisher (drums) – Best known as drummer for Fishbone. Member of Frog Brigade west coast half of fall 2002 tour. # shows played with Claypool: see Give the Drummers Some.
• Todd Huth (guitar, vocals) – Co-founder of Primus, member of Sausage, member of band Porch. Member of Frog Brigade 8/00-3/01. # shows played with Claypool: 50.
• Dean Johnson (drums) – Member of Frog Brigade spring 2002 and east coast half of fall 2002 tour. # shows played with Claypool: see Give the Drummers Some page.
• Brian Kehoe (guitar, vocals) – Member of MIRV and longtime Claypool friend and collaborator, member of Frog Brigade 07/03-4/05. # shows played with Claypool: 22.
• Jay Lane (drums, vocals) – Primus drummer in 1988, member of Sausage, played on Highball With the Devil. Outside projects include Charlie Hunter band and Bob Weir’s Ratdog. Member of Frog Brigade 06/00-03/01 (then Fancy Band summer and fall 2005). # shows played with Claypool: see Give the Drummers Some page.
• Skerik (sax) – Outside projects include Garage A Trois, Stanton Moore’s band (as well as frequently appearing at Galactic shows), and Critters Buggin’. Member of Frog Brigade 05/00-04/05 (then Fancy Band summer 2005-present). # shows played with Claypool: 233 (essentially all FB shows, minus 06/24/00, 08/29-09/02/00, 05/31/03).
• Paul Svena (drums) – Member of Frog Brigade summer 2001. # shows played with Claypool: see Give the Drummers Some page.

Note: The following musicians played one-off Frog Brigade performances:

• MIRV (MIRV, Holy Mackerel) – guitar (05/27/00)
• Jack Irons (ex–Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers) - drums (05/27/00)
• Dave Sobel (Klezmer All Stars) - drums (12/31/01)
• Wes Anderson (Idiot Flesh) – drums (12/31/01).
• Deadweight (All Members) on 12/31/02, 5/30/03 (see Guest Performers)
• Adam Gates – guitar (07/01/01).

Instrumentation

Les Claypool – see Unusual Instruments
Todd Huth - acoustic guitar: Pigs On the Wing Pt I, Dogs
Mike Dillon – percussion includes xylophone, marimba, timbales, cowbells, cymbals, tabla, etc.
Eenor:

• Yaili tambour: Tomorrow Never Knows, Groundhog’s Day, Buzzards of Green Hill
• slide guitar: David Makalaster II, Long In the Tooth

Live Repertoire

Purple Onion

• Purple Onion – Premiered 10/13/02, played occasionally fall 2002 and 05/03.
• David Makalaster I – Premiered 04/18/02 and played regularly 2002-5. Officially released on the 5 Gallons of Diesel DVD (06/21/02). Often followed by its sister piece, although not necessarily back to back. A major jam vehicle, including audience participation on the “Yo Ho” chant. Beginning 07/02, frequently incorporated Southbound Pachyderms tease. During the fall 2002 tour, frequently featured guest violin or cello work by members of Deadweight.
• David Makalaster II – Premiered on 04/18/02, played regularly in 2002 and less so in 2003. Often preceded by its sister piece, although not necessarily back to back. Generally similar to the studio version. With Les on upright and Eenor on slide guitar.
• Lights In the Sky – Premiered on 06/28/02, played occasionally in 2002-3. Occasionally improvised, featuring slow, ambient jamming.
• Barrington Hall – Premiered on 11/15/02, then played only a handful of times when the members of Deadweight were around to help reproduce the string parts. Essentially like the studio version.
• D’s Diner – Premiered on 10/08/02, played regularly in fall 2002 and 2003. Usually featured short jams, including a guitar and vocals breakdown of the chorus line.
• Long In the Tooth – Premiered on 04/18/02, played regularly through 2005. Officially released on the 5 Gallons of Diesel DVD (06/21/02). This Waits-ish composition features Les on upright and Eenor on slide guitar. Usually included surf sax solos.
• Buzzards Of Green Hill – Premiered on 10/08/02, played regularly in fall 2002 and 2003. Officially released on the 5 Gallons of Diesel DVD (01/08/05). A major jam vehicle, including extended percussion intros with Mike Dillon on tables.
• Ding Dang – Premiered on 12/31/01, played regularly in 2002-5 shows. Officially released on the 5 Gallons of Diesel DVD (01/08/05). (Bootleg quality video from 07/06/03 is also available on the lesclaypool.com site for download). A major jam vehicle.
• Cosmic Highway - Premiered on 07/08/01 (at a slower tempo), this was the first post Primus Claypool composition with lyrics. Part of the summer 2001 space medley (always after Space Oddity or Planet Claire). Played regularly in 2001-3. A pro shot video from 05/05/02 is available at tipitinas.com (it fades out 5 minutes into the song). A major jam vehicle.
• Up On the Roof – Premiered on 07/09/01. Played regularly in 2001-3. A major jam vehicle.
• Whamola - Premiered on 02/14/01, this was the first Frog Brigade original written by Les (specifically for the then new instrument of the same name). Officially released on the 5 Gallons of Diesel DVD (06/21/02). (Bootleg quality video footage from 07/06/03 is also available on the lesclaypool.com site for download). Similar to the studio version, with short rotation solos by the band members. Regularly played 2001-3, frequently as the set closer. In 2002 it gained the closing lyrics “now we do what Simon says.”

Live Frogs Set 1

Culled from the first sets of the 10/8-9/00 shows, the first Frog Brigade album was released in early 2001 and won Les an award at the 2001 Jammys for best live album. Live Frogs I serves as a representative sample of the first set of fall 2000 shows, replete with long jams and Les’ gushing liner notes about the power and potential of his first touring live band since Primus.
The album includes mildly edited versions of:

• Sausage – Riddles Are Abound Tonight (10/09), Girls For Single Men (10/08), Shattering Song (10/08)
• Holy Mackerel  – Hendershot (10/08), Running the Gauntlet (10/09)
• Covers - Thela Hun Ginjeet (? which date), Shine On You Crazy Diamond (10/08)

NOTE: Song descriptions are under specific headings below for ease of readability and taxonomy.

Live Frogs Set 2

A complete rendition of the fall 2000 Set II performance of Pink Floyd’s Animals, recorded at the same time as Vol 1, but released in late 2001. All songs were premiered on 08/17/00 and played at every show until 12/30/00 (except for Pigs).

• Dogs - Faithful to the original version and retired on 12/30/00.
• Pigs On the Wing Parts 1 & 2 - With Todd Huth on acoustic guitar for Pt 1 and electric for Pt 2. Just like the original. Retired on 12/30/00.
• Pigs (Three Different Ones) - The one number from Animals that stayed in the set list into winter 2001, and the only Animals song to serve as a jam vehicle.
• Sheep - Faithful to the original version and retired on 12/30/00.

Note: While this is an all-cover set, it remains listed here for conceptual continuity with Live Frogs 1. All of these songs were first played by Claypool with this band.

Other Les Claypool Band Material

C2B3

• Big Eyeball In the Sky – Premiered 04/29/05 in last Frog Brigade show as set list and lineup transitioned into Fancy Band.
• Elephant Ghost - Premiered 04/29/05 in last Frog Brigade show as set list and lineup transitioned into Fancy Band.
• Thai Noodles - Premiered 04/29/05 in last Frog Brigade show as set list and lineup transitioned into Fancy Band.
• Holy Mackerel
• Calling Kyle - Premiered 12/30/00, played 2001-3 (also by C2B3 and Fancy Band). A major jam vehicle with spacey, ambient solos, sonically richer than the rather sparse Holy Mackerel/studio version.
• Cohibas Esplenditos – Premiered 06/16/01, played regularly summer 2001, then dropped from setlists barring one fall 2002 show (later resurrected by Fancy Band). Similar to the original in arrangement, but usually included some improvisation.
• George E. Porge – Premiered 07/10/01, yet very rarely played. Usually featured some improv.
• Granny’s Little Yard Gnome – Premiered 05/04/03 and played in complete or partial renditions. Officially released on the 5 Gallons of Diesel DVD (7/06/03). Similar to the original in arrangement, but usually included some improvisation.
• Hendershot - Premiered 05/27/00, this was a live staple in all 2000-3 tours. Similar to the original in arrangement; the home of surf sax solos by Skerik (and surf guitar by Eenor). Officially released on Live Frogs Set I.
• Highball with the Devil - Premiered on 12/31/00, a live staple in all 2001-3 tours. Similar to the original in arrangement, but arguably THE monster jam song of most FB lineups (especially after Shattering Song was dropped after winter 2001). A pro shot video from 05/05/02 is available at tipitinas.com
• Holy Mackerel – Premiered 06/16/01, intermittently played through 2004 (most heavily during fall 2002). Similar to the original in arrangement, but a major jam vehicle; summer 2001 versions teased Hamburger Train, while 2002 versions often had Mud teases. A pro shot video from 05/05/02 is available at tipitinas.com
• Precipitation – Premiered on 07/01/01 and played regularly summer 2001, then shelved until its return to regular status 05/03. Usually included some improvisation; as well as an instrumental partial cover of Kashmir mid-song (similar to Primus versions from 1991-3 era).
• Running the Gauntlet – Premiered on 8/18/00 and sporadically played through 2003. Officially released on the 5 Gallons of Diesel DVD (10/09/00 – same version as on Live Frogs Set I). Similar to the original in arrangement, but usually featured short rotation jams.
• Oysterhead
• Mr. Oysterhead – Part of jam during 06/01/02 show with Copeland guesting.
• Pseudo Suicide – Part of jam during 06/01/02 show with Copeland guesting.

Primus

• Groundhog’s Day – Premiered on 12/31/01 in a radically different arrangement, with both Les and Eenor on banjos, different music for the verses and a much slower tempo. Despite its 10 plus minute length, it featured minimal improvisation, although the slow build was interesting. This version was played throughout 2002, then dropped.
• Harold Of the Rocks  - Premiered on 08/17/00, played 2000 and winter 2001 only. Similar to the official Primus version, with a Huth solo.
• Here Come the Bastards  - Premiered 12/31/00, has been played several times and only when Alexander was a guest performer (but for some reason not during summer 2002 when he was a full band member), either in full or partial versions. Similar to the original.
• My Name Is Mud – Teased since summer 2001, occasionally played as partial cover (1-2 verses), often during Holy Mackerel. Not played in full.
• Ol' Diamondback Sturgeon – Premiered 05/27/00 in a lengthy, jammed out new arrangement, with Les playing his part on upright bass (both plucked and bowed), then rarely performed.
• Spegetti Western – Premiered as jam on 06/02/02 and in full on 06/23/02. Played occasionally during summer 2002 tour only (apparently at Alexander’s request). Similar to the original. Usually featured some improvisation.
• Seas of Cheese – Premiered 11/16/02, played once only after that.
• Tommy the Cat – Partial cover on 06/24/00, otherwise limited to teases.
• Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver – Partial cover on 06/24/00, otherwise limited to teases.

Sausage

• Girls For Single Men - Premiered on 08/17/00, played through winter 2001 only. Similar to the original in arrangement, but a major jam vehicle. Officially released on Live Frogs Set I.
• Here's To The Man – Premiered on 08/18/00, rarely played that fall and only twice the entire winter 2001 tour, then retired. Officially released on the 5 Gallons of Diesel DVD (10/09/00 version). Similar to the original in arrangement, but a major jam vehicle.
• Prelude To Fear - Premiered on 12/30/00, played on winter 2001 tour only. Similar to the original in arrangement (with Chimenti’s keyboards adding a nice extra layer of texture, but usually featured some improvisation.
• Recreating – Premiered on 12/30/00, played winter 2001 only. Similar to the original in arrangement, but usually featured some imrov.
• Riddles Are Abound Tonight – Premiered on 08/17/00, it was in regular rotation through winter 2001. Similar to the original in arrangement, but a major jam vehicle. Officially released on Live Frogs Set I. (the May 2003 lineup practiced it in soundcheck, but it took the Fancy Band to bring it back to the stage).
• Shattering Song – Premiered on 06/24/00, this was a set list regular and THE jam vehicle of most 2000 and winter 2001 shows, often including multiple teases and a partial cover of  Riders On the Storm. Officially released on Live Frogs Set I. These versions did not include the "churn churn the butter churn" breakdown mid-section.

Note: All Sausage material was played on 2000 and winter 2001 tours only (See Fancy Band for more information).

Unreleased Originals

None to date. During summer 2003, the band sound checked (but never played live) an instrumental called Ancient Mariner, reportedly written by Les and Kehoe.

Released Covers

• Bonnaroo Festival 2002 CD
  • Locomotive Breath (Jethro Tull) – Premiered on 06/18/02, played summer and fall 2002, then made one time reappearance on last show of May 2003 tour. Usually featured some improv. First played by Claypool with this band.

  Unreleased Covers

  • 16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six (Tom Waits) - Premiered on 05/27/00, then played winter and summer 2001 only. Usually featured some improvisation. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • 2000 Light Years From Home (Rolling Stones) – Premiered on 01/23/01, played 2001-3. A massive jam vehicle on a par with Highball, it nonetheless suffered from painfully prolonged ambient noise intros and mid sections that ruined the flow (of the song and of the set in general). First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Another Brick In the Wall Part II (Pink Floyd) – Premiered 12/31/03, then played at the 2004 and 2005 Jam Cruise shows. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Another One Bites the Dust (Queen)/ Rapper’s Delight (Sugarhill Gang) – A mixed partial cover played during the 06/24/00 Rat Brigade show.
  • Awakening (Reddings) – Premiered on 06/24/00 in celebration of the reunion of the Les and Lane rhythm team, it was a semi regular in 2000, then popped up rarely in 2001-3 (until it was resurrected by the Fancy Band in 2005). These versions sometimes included the outro bass riff and drum workout that had not been played since the Holy Mackerel days.
  • Batman Jam (?) – Instrumental one time performance on 6/24/00. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Big In Japan (Tom Waits) – Premiered 12/31/03, played only once since. Les (and Ler nad Brain) played on the studio version of this song from Waits’ Mule Variations album. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Climbin up the Ladder (Isley Brothers) – Played as excerpt on 01/26/01 and premiered in full on 02/04/01. Played heavily on the winter 2001 tour only. Usually featured wickedly greasy sax work by Skerik. During his Metallica audition in 1986, Les apparently suggested that the band jam on some Isley Brothers tunes, and they suggested in turn that he would be better served in a band of his own making. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Cloudburst (Critters Buggin’) – Premiered 01/08/05 in a one time performance (FB also often incorporated an excerpt of the CB song Shag into Thela jams). CB is one of Skerik and Mike Dillon’s projects and a band with whom Les has sat in. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Hair (Graham Central Station) – Played as excerpt beginning 02/12/01, premiered in full on 02/23/01 for several appearances, then briefly resurrected in 2003. Even complete renditions usually sounded rickety and off the cuff. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Holy Ghost (?) - Premiered 10/11/02, played 5 times total on the west coast leg of the fall 2002 tour only (either in full or as an excerpt), apparently at Fish Fisher’s request. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Intruder (Peter Gabriel) – Premiered on 05/27/00, it was added to setlists as a regular number from summer 2002 through 2003. Lushly arranged, with Skerik’s sax work and Dillon’s xylophone adding textures from the Gabriel original that Primus as a trio had been unable to replicate live. A major jam vehicle.
  • Kashmir (Led Zeppelin) – Premiered on 07/01/01 as an instrumental excerpt, occasionally played summer 2001 (and later in 2003) in partial form, often in the middle of Precipitation. A key exception is the show stopping, full blown 10 minute cover version with lyrics from NYE ’02, with Bob Cock on vocals and Deadweight adding the Middle Eastern string parts.
  • Maggot Brain (Parliament Funkadelic) – Premiered 12/31/03, then played at the 2004 and 2005 Jam Cruise shows. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Moby Dick (Led Zeppelin) – Premiered on 05/27/00, played twice winter 2001 and several times summer 2002. Essentially a damn good excuse to give the drummer(s) some. The definitive version is the fifteen minute Lane/ Alexander/ Perkins trio performance from the first Frog Out. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Monkey Boy (MIRV) – Premiered 07/05/03, played twice more that summer only. Very odd and carnival like, with bizarre guitar and sax effects. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Planet Claire (B-52s) - Premiered 07/18/01, played on summer 2001 tour only. This song joined the space medley between Space Oddity and Cosmic Highway. It was brief and  played like the original, but with the metallic sound of the space suite. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Polka Your Eye Out (?) – Premiered 07/15/03 and played summer 2003 only. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Riders On the Storm (Doors) – Premiered on 06/24/00, played in 2000 and winter 2001 as a partial cover (two verses), frequently in the middle of Shattering Song. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Sartori In Tangier (King Crimson) – Premiered on 05/27/00 in a one time performance. First played by Claypool with this band (the 1992 Cheesy Home Video included an interesting snippet of Les playing the main bass line a practice room).
  • Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (Beatles) – Premiered on 12/30/00, played heavily in winter 2001 only. A note-for-note perfect rendition, except the new chorus lyrics to "We're Colonel Claypool's Fearless Frog Brigade." Always segued into With A Little Help From My Friends. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pink Floyd) – Premiered on 05/27/00 and steadily played in 2000-03. A major jam vehicle. Pretty true to the original, although without the lengthy keyboard and sax intro that Pink Floyd used live. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Space Oddity (David Bowie) – Premiered as a partial cover on 06/29/01 and in full on 07/06/01, played nightly during summer 2001, then more sporadically in 2002, it made only two appearances in May 2003. Performed in a gorgeous 10 minute arrangement, complete with an ambient, layered sax solo by Skerik. This song kicked off the space medley on the summer 2001 tour. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Star Spangled Banner (Francis Scott Key) – FrogOut 2001, at midnight. ‘Nuff said.
  • Taxman (Beatles) - Premiered on 06/24/00, played intermittently 2000-3. A major jam vehicle. First played by Claypool with this band. (Les teased the bass line at a 1993 Primus show, right before the "suppose the taxman he comes to town" line in To Defy). 
  • Thela Hun Ginjeet (King Crimson) – Premiered on 05/27/00, and played regularly in 2000-3. Officially released on the Bonnaroo 2002 DVD (6/21/02). A major jam vehicle; Les often used a Dueling Banjos tease to specifically signal the end of his bass solo and a return to the song proper. (Of note, this song has remained a staple of King Crimson shows. In fact, on 08/10/01 when KC opened for Tool in Berkeley, CA, Adrian Belew dedicated their performance of Thela to Les (the Frog Brigade had played there a week earlier, with Les urging his fans to see KC/Tool). The ultimate version may very well be 10/19/02, when Belew sat in with FB, a precursor to his appearance with Primus at Bonnaroo 2004 and the studio trio work of Les, Belew and Danny Carey. 
  • Tomorrow Never Knows (Beatles) – Premiered on 05/27/00, played heavily in 2000 and winter 2001, then more sporadically summer 2001, it made just one appearance in summer 2002 (the May 2003 band only sound-checked it). A major jam vehicle. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Walking On the Moon (Police) – Premiered on 06/29/01, played on summer 2001 tour only. A significantly different arrangement than the Police original, it was used to close the space medley and had the same lean, metallic timbre. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • Wanna Be Like You (?) – Premiered 12/31/04. First played by Claypool with this band.
  • With a Little Help From My Friends (Beatles) - Premiered on 12/30/00, played nightly during winter 2001. Lead vocals on the verses provided by Jay Lane, who changed the lyrics to reflect on his favorite pastime…weed. Always followed Sgt Pepper's, always true to the original with no jamming whatsoever. First played by Claypool with this band.

  Note:

  • Claypool, Eenor and Dean Johnson covered “Hot Rod Lincoln” (?) for the NASCAR compilation CD (studio recording includes a Jerry Was A Racecar Driver tease) – this song has not been played live.
  • Claypool, Skerik and Zach Hill (drummer from Hella) covered Call Me the Breeze on the tribute CD entitled “Under the Influence – A Jam Band Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd” – this song has not been played live.
  • Also see Live Frogs 2 for info on Animals cover set.
  • The following songs have been played in sound check ONLY:
  • Close Encounters (?)
  • Closer To the Heart (Rush)
  • Custard Pie (Led Zeppelin)
  • Free Ride (?)
  • Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin)
  • Misty Mountain Top (Led Zeppelin)
  • Sing A Simple Song (Sly and the Family Stone)
  • The Song Remains the Same (Led Zeppelin)
  • Voodoo Child (Hendrix – while the summer 2003 band teased it live, in soundcheck this was a raging, jammed out beast)
  • When the World Is Running Down … (Police)
  • Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin)

  Teases

  • Primus/Claypool: Bob, D’s Diner, DMV, Eleven – Alexander only, Groundhog’s Day, Hamburger Train, Here Come the Bastards, Is It Luck?, Jerry, Mr. Krinkle, My Name Is Mud, Ol’ Sturgeon, Owner of the World, Shadow of a Man, Shattering Song, Southbound Pachyderms, To Defy, Tommy, Too Many Puppies, Toys, Wynona
  • Covers: A Love Supreme (John Coltrane) – Skerik/Chimenti only, A Passage To Bangkok, Aqualung (Jethro Tull) – Dillon only, Batman Theme Song (?), Blowin’ In the Wind (?), Crazy Train, Cygnus X-1, Dueling Banjos, Heart of the Sunrise, How Many More Times (Led Zeppelin), Immigrant Song, In the Flesh, Kashmir, Master Of Puppets, Moby Dick, NIB (Black Sabbath), No Quarter (Led Zeppelin), Passage To Bangkok, Rapper’s Delight, Runnin’ With the Devil (Van Halen), Shag (Critters Buggin), Smoke On the Water, Stranglehold (Ted Nugent), Third Stone From the Sun (Jimi Hendrix), Venus and Mars (?), Voodoo Child (Hendrix), What You’re Doing (Rush),
  • Sound Check Only: Afro Blue (Mongo Santamaria) – Skerik only, Hold On Loosely (38 Special), Little Wing (Jimi Hendrix), Nobody’s Fault But Mine (Led Zeppelin), Ten Years Gone (Led Zeppelin), Xanadu (Rush)

  Vocal Teases / Lyrics

  • Primus/Claypool: Air Is Getting Slippery, Seas Of Cheese, Wynona
  • Covers: ? (Emerson Lake Palmer), 2000 Light Years, Cygnus X-1, Green Eggs and Ham, Hello Skinny, O Sole Mio – Kehoe only, Runnin’ With the Devil, Wildwood Weed, Wondrous Boatride, When I’m Sixty Four (Beatles), Yellow Submarine (Beatles)

  Official Video

  • Bonnaroo VHS/DVD – Thela Hun Ginjeet (06/21/02)
  • 5 Gallons of Diesel - Buzzards of Green Hill (01/08/05), David Makalaster I (06/21/02), Ding Dang (01/08/05), Granny’s Little Yard Gnome (07/06/03), Here’s To the Man (10/09/00), Long In the Tooth (06/21/02), Running the Gauntlet (10/09/00), Whamola (06/21/02)

  Guest Performers

  Tim Alexander (drums)

  • 10/09/00 - Tomorrow Never Knows.
  • 12/31/00 - Thela Hun Ginjeet, Sixteen Shells, Hendershot, Ol Diamondback Sturgeon, Shattering Song, Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Here Come The Bastards, Moby Dick, Tomorrow Never Knows, Harold Of the Rocks
  • 03/03/01 - Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Taxman, Tomorrow Never Knows
  • 06/01/02 – Here Come the Bastards, Thela Hun Ginjeet, Mr. Oysterhead, Pseudo Suicide
  • 06/02/02 - Here Come the Bastards, Spaghetti Western (jam)
  • 10/15/02 – Highball With the Devil

  Trey Anastasio (guitar and vocals) – Phish leader, Les’ bandmate in Oysterhead.

  • 09/30/01 - Tomorrow Never Knows
  • 05/25/02 - Whamola

  Peter Apfelbaum (sax) - Best known for collaborations with Phish as member of Giant Country Horns.

  • 06/01/02 – Thela Hun Ginjeet, Mr. Oysterhead, Pseudo Suicide

  Paulo Baldi (drums) - Member of Deadweight, SF area band that opened FB shows in 11/02. All three members sat in on 12/31/02 and 5/31/03. Paulo became the FB drummer in 2003, and later played with Fancy Band as well (see Give the Drummers Some page).

  • 04/27/02 – Cosmic Highway
  • 11/15/02 – drum trio w/ Johnson, Dillon
  • 11/16/02 – 2000 Light Years: drum trio w/ Johnson, Dillon
  • 11/18/02 – Highball With the Devil: drum/prc trio w/ Johnson, Dillon
  • 11/21/02 – 2000 Light Years: drum/prc jam w/ Johnson, Dillon, Skerik (!)
  • 11/22/02 – Barrington Hall
  • 11/24/02 – Highball With the Devil: drum/prc jam w/ Johnson, Dillon, Skerik (!)
  • 12/31/02 –Roof, David Makalaster I, Long In the Tooth, Hendershot, Buzzards, A Ding Dang, Highball, Kashmir, Barrington Hall, David Makalaster II, Whamola, D’s Diner
  • 05/31/03 –

  Ben Barnes (violin, fiddle) - Member of Deadweight, SF area band that opened FB shows in 11/02. All three members sat in on 12/31/02 and 5/31/03. Participated in the recording of Purple Onion.

  • 04/27/02 – Cosmic Highway
  • 11/03/02 – David Makalaster I
  • 11/05/02 – David Makalaster I
  • 11/08/02 – David Makalaster I, Cosmic Highway
  • 11/09/02 – David Makalaster I, Groundhog’s Day, Up On the Roof
  • 11/13/02 – David Makalaster I
  • 11/15/02 – David Makalaster I, Barrington Hall
  • 11/16/02 – David Makalaster I, Barrington Hall
  • 11/18/02 – David Makalaster I
  • 11/21/02 – David Makalaster I
  • 11/22/02 – David Makalaster I, Barrington Hall
  • 11/24/02 – David Makalaster I
  • 12/31/02 –Roof, David Makalaster I, Long In the Tooth, Hendershot, Buzzards, A Ding Dang, Highball, Kashmir, Barrington Hall, David Makalaster II, Whamola, D’s Diner
  • 05/31/03 -

  Sam Bass (cello) - Member of Deadweight, SF area band that opened FB shows in 11/02. All three members sat in on 12/31/02 and 5/31/03. Participated in the recording of Purple Onion.

  • 04/27/02 – Cosmic Highway
  • 11/13/02 – David Makalaster I
  • 11/15/02 – Barrington Hall
  • 11/16/02 – Barrington Hall
  • 11/22/02 –Barrington Hall
  • 12/31/02 – Roof, David Makalaster I, Long In the Tooth, Hendershot, Buzzards, A Ding Dang, Highball, Kashmir, Barrington Hall, David Makalaster II, Whamola, D’s Diner
  • 05/31/03 -

  Adrian Belew (guitar) - Best known as vocalist and guitarist of King Crimson (1981-present). Also played with Frank Zappa, Talking Heads and David Bowie. Also sat in with Primus on 6/12/04. Les and Danny Carey of Tool formed rhythm section that recorded five songs released on Belew’s solo records.

  • 11/19/02 – Thela, Highball With the Devil, Holy Mackerel, D’s Diner, Calling Kyle, Taxman

  Kenny Brooks (sax) - Member of Bob Weir’s Ratdog

  • 06/24/00 – Awakening, Shattering Song, Riders On the Storm, Tomorrow Never Knows, Batman Jam
  • 03/03/01 - Sgt Pepper's, Shattering Song, Hair, Tomorrow Never Knows

  Buckethead (guitar) – see Primus, C2B3 pages.

  • 03/03/01 - Whamola, Tomorrow Never Knows
  • 07/09/03 – Highball With the Devil

  Jerry Cantrell (guitar) – Played in Alice In Chains (see Primus)

  • 12/30/00 - Taxman
  • 03/03/01 - Taxman, Tomorrow Never Knows.

  Ralph Carney (sax) - Has played and recorded with Tom Waits.

  • 03/03/01 - 16 Shells From A 30-06, Hendershot, Tomorrow Never Knows

  Frank Catalano aka Ballpark Frank (baritone sax)

  • 11/22/02 – Hendershot, D’s Diner

  Andrew Clark (sax)

  • 11/13/02 – Hendershot, Groundhog’s Day

  Stewart Copeland (drums) – Member of Police; Les’ bandmate in Oysterhead.

  • 09/30/00 - Tomorrow Never Knows
  • 06/01/02 – Mr. Oysterhead, Pseudo Suicide, Thela Hun Ginjeet

  Karl Denson (sax) – member of Greyboy All Stars, Robert Walter’s 20th Congress and his own KDs Tiny Universe.

  • 01/12/04 – Big In Japan, Calling Kyle
  • 01/08/05 – Shine On You Crazy Diamond (sax), Buzzards of Green Hill (percussion)

  Mike Dillon (percussion) – member of Frog Brigade since 2002; also in Fancy Band.

  • 07/09/01 – Space Oddity, Cosmic Highway, Walking On the Moon, Up On the Roof, Tomorrow Never Knows

  Dirty Dozen Brass Band (horns – unknown which members sat in) – A New Orleans band mixing funk, second line rhythms and jazz.

  • 06/21/02 - Hendershot

  DJ Disk (turntables) – see Primus.

  • 03/03/01 - Whamola, Tomorrow Never Knows

  Eenor (guitar)

  • 04/29/05 – Highball With the Devil

  Galactic (unknown which band members and on which instruments) –A New Orleans based largely instrumental band that headlined the winter 2001 tour, with members of both bands sitting in with each other frequently.

  • 01/27/01 - Tomorrow Never Knows
  • 02/02/01 – Tomorrow Never Knows

  Garaj Mahal (unknown which band members and on which instruments) – A jam band featuring drummer Alan Hertz (Les and Trey sat in with him on 5/20/01) and recently deceased keyboardist Vince Welnick, who played with the Grateful Dead from 1990-5.

  • 06/16/01 - Tomorrow Never Knows

  Adam Gates Aka Bob Cock Aka Filthy Ape (vocals)

  • 10/11/02 – Calling Kyle
  • 12/31/04 – Precipitation

  Mike Gordon (bass, vocals) - Bassist and vocalist in Phish.

  • 05/04/03 – Precipitation, Bass Duel (Gordon played one of Les’ four string basses)

  Brian Haas (keys) – Member of Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey.

  • 07/06/03 – Holy Mackerel

  Mike “MIRV” Haggard (guitar) – Played in original Mountain Aire lineup. Member of MIRV.

  • 10/11/02 – Hendershot
  • 10/15/02 – Cohibas Esplenditos
  • 12/31/02 – Hendershot

  Colonel Bruce Hampton (guitar) – Founder of Aquarium Rescue Unit, Fiji Mariners, Code Talkers and various other jam bands and cultural figurehead within jam-band community.

  • 01/12/04 – Big In Japan, Calling Kyle

  Warren Haynes (guitar) - Guitarist and vocalist best known for work with Allman Brothers, Phil Lesh and Friends and own band Government Mule. Claypool collaborator since 2001, Haynes played on the studio recording of Buzzards of Green Hill. Claypool has sat in with Gov’t Mule in return.

  • 07/06/01 - Tomorrow Never Knows
  • 05/03/02 - Whamola
  • 06/21/02 – Shine On You Crazy Diamond
  • 07/05/02 – Highball With the Devil
  • 04/29/05 – Buzzards of Green Hill

  Jimmy Herring (guitar) – Best known for work with Phil Lesh and Friends, as well as Project Z (with members of Aquarium Rescue Unit) and other jam bands.

  • 01/08/05 – Buzzards of Green Hill, Maggot Brain

  Houseman (vocals) - member of Limbomaniacs and various other SF area bands.

  • 03/03/01 - Hair

  Junior Brown (guit-steel = guitar plus pedal steel on same body) - Country musician, leader of own bands.

  • 06/28/01 - Taxman

  Brian Kehoe (guitar, vocals) – Member of MIRV; joined FB summer 2003.

  • 03/03/01 - Climbin' Up the Ladder, 2000 Light Years From Home, Tomorrow Never Knows
  • 12/31/02 – Kashmir (vocals)

  Briggan Krauss (sax) - Member of Drums and Tuba.

  • 02/16/01 – Hendershot 

  Gabby La La (sitar) - Played on studio recording of D’s Diner. See C2B3, Fancy Band.

  • 10/15/02 – D’s Diner
  • 12/31/02 – D’s Diner
  • 04/29/05 – Elephant Ghost, Big Eyeball In the Sky, D’s Diner

  Jessica Lurie (sax) – Member of band Living Daylights.

  • 05/04/03 – Highball With the Devil
  • 07/06/03 - Precipitation

  Brian “Brain” Mantia (drums)

  • 10/11/02 – Calling Kyle

  Lonnie Marshall (bass) - Bassist in Weapons Of Choice, a band that opened some 1996 Primus shows. Played on studio version of D’s Diner.

  • 10/15/02 – D’s Diner
  • 12/31/02 – D’s Diner

  Eric McFadden (guitar) – Has played with Eenor in his side band.

  • 06/02/02 – Cosmic Highway
  • 07/06/03 – Ding Dang (on violin)

  Stanton Moore (drums) - Member of Galactic, Garage A Trois.

  • 01/23/01 – Thela Hun Ginjeet
  • 02/09/01 - Moby Dick
  • 01/08/05 – Buzzards of Green Hill (percussion)

  Stephen Perkins (drums and percussion) - Best known for work with Jane’s Addiction, Porno For Pyros and Banyan.

  • 12/31/00 - Moby Dick

  Paul Shaffer (keyboards) - Bandleader of David Letterman’s band.

  • 06/28/01 - Taxman.

  The Slip (unknown which band members and on which instruments)

  • 07/30/01- Tomorrow Never Knows.

  Mark Sutherland (sax) - Member of Malachi Papers, which also includes Mike Dillon.

  • 07/09/01 – Walking On the Moon, Tomorrow Never Knows

  Mike Watt (bass) – Member of Minutemen and leader of own bands.

  • 12/31/00 - Tomorrow Never Knows
  • 10/15/02 - Taxman

  Bob Weir (guitar) – Founding member of Grateful Dead; later Planet Drum, The Other Ones, Ratdog (live band includes Jay Lane, Jeff Chimenti)

  • 06/24/00 – Batman Jam

  Vince Welnick (keys) - Piano player and vocalist, affiliated with Grateful Dead.

  • 06/16/01 - Tomorrow Never Knows.

  G. Calvin Weston (drums) – Best known for playing with Ornette Coleman and with collaborations with MMW’s drummer Billy Martin.

  • 07/16/03 – Drum Jam, Hair

  John Whooley (sax)

  • 07/06/03 - Improv

  Ike Willis (guitar, vocals) - Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist on nearly all Frank Zappa tours from 1978-88, currently affiliated with/bandleader of Zappa tribute band Project/Object.

  • 07/13/02 – Calling Kyle, Taxman
  • 10/18/02 – Highball With the Devil, Thela Hun Ginjeet
  • 11/03/02 – Holy Mackerel

  World Accordion To… (accordion player and percussionist only) – A New Orleans based band.

  • 05/04/03 –Lights In the Sky, Taxman

  Eric ? (drums)

  • 05/04/03 – D’s Diner

  ? (violin)

  • 07/08/02 – Groundhog’s Day, Long In the Tooth, Tomorrow Never Knows

  Lineups and Tour By Tour Analysis

  Blueprints: Mountain Aire Frog Brigade and Rat Brigade

  Following the success of Oysterhead, Claypool formed another lineup for the 05/27/00 Mountain Aire Festival. This lineup featured both Jeremy Irons (ex-Pearl Jam and Chili Peppers) and Tim Alexander on drums, MIRV on guitar and Skerik on sax. Although that was the premiere and swan song for this supergroup (and the only time Les and Jeremy Irons played live together), it led to other a strong creative relationship with Skerik, and spawned the various Frog Brigade (and eventually Fancy Band) tours and lineups.
  The band played an 80 minute set, introducing the following material to FB shows:

  • Primus: Ol' Diamondback Sturgeon
  • Holy Mackerel: Hendershot
  • Covers: 16 Shells From a 30-06, Intruder, Moby Dick, Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Thela Hun Ginjeet, Tomorrow Never Knows

  Claypool's next project was a one-time organ trio that played on 06/24/00 only at the first Gathering of the Vibes festival. Claypool, along with Jay Lane and Jeff Chimenti (both in Ratdog at the time), performed a loose 75 minute set, introducing the following material to Frog Brigade shows:

  • Sausage: Shattering Song 
  • Covers: Awakening, Riders On the Storm, Taxman 

  In summary, these two one-off shows served as blueprints for the future Frog Brigades, as Les experimented with new musicians (e.g. playing with keyboards and sax, instruments that he had always said would never be a part of the Primus sound), new lineups (e.g. an organ trio) and a wealth of both new and old material from various phases of his career. Most of these songs from were incorporated into Frog Brigade setlists (the exceptions being the one off Sartori In Tangier and Batman Jam). In particular, the premiere of Shine On heralded the Pink Floyd onslaught of the 2000 Frog Brigade.
  During these shows, Les clearly demonstrated both his affinity towards and abundant ability for improvisation. These shows also provided an early glimpse into his experiments with bass loops, a skill that he developed in his post-Primus gigs. The loose and improv-oriented structure of these shows allowed Les to both pay homage to his favorite musicians and bands (e.g Pink Floyd, Gabriel, Waits and King Crimson), and to simultaneously explore other influences within a more open format. Most obviously, in recent years Les has talked more and more about the impact of the Beatles on him, and the incorporation of various Beatles songs into the Brigade's repertoire is the result of this newly expressed affection.

  Summer/Fall 2000

  In 8/00, Les unveiled the first FB lineup, consisting of old Sausage bandmates Jay Lane and Todd Huth, Eenor (who had won a mail-order competition Claypool had sponsored to decide on his last band member), Jeff Chimenti and Skerik. The six-piece band was rich with tonal possibilities and soloists, showing that Claypool was about to embrace a new sound and concept.
  For those who lamented that (pre 2003 reunion) Primus had not been a jam band, the Frog Brigade was Claypool's ultimate answer. All shows were 2+ hours long, with loads of jamming. In a break from all prior gigs, this edition of the Brigade played two sets - the first set usually consisted of 5 songs and ran from 65-70 minutes, while the second set at every show through 12/30/00 was Pink Floyd's Animals album, covered note for note in its entirety (45 min)!! Claypool has released live albums culled from the 10/08 and 10/09 shows, appropriately titled Live Frogs Set I and II. Live Frogs I was a representative sample of the first set, while Live Frogs II was Animals cover to cover.
  Besides the long jams, other aspects of these shows were more in keeping with jam bands and their concepts than with Primus shows. Each show had two sets, a concert theme more familiar to fans of bands such as Phish or the Grateful Dead. For the first time, Claypool allowed an open taping policy (audio only). He spoke out against moshing and other aggressive fan behaviors at shows. The fan base changed accordingly, with more females and more jam-nation fans than one would have seen at a Primus show.
  All in all, the first tour was a critical success. Les proved that the band was commercially viable, broke new musical ground for himself and introduced fans to new material. The only drawback were the limited set lists, particularly since all the second sets were identical. Nonetheless, the group’s freshness, musical prowess and epic jams more than made up for this.
  This lineup/tour introduced the following complete songs:

  NOTE: Those in ( ) were premiered on 05/27/00 or 06/24/00, but put into regular rotation by this band:

  • Primus: Harold of the Rocks
  • Sausage: Girls For Single Men, Here’s To the Man, Riddles Are Abound Tonight, (Shattering Song)
  • Holy Mackerel: (Hendershot), Running the Gauntlet
  • Covers: (Awakening), Dogs, Pigs, Pigs On the Wing I/II, Sheep, (Shine On You Crazy Diamond), (Taxman), (Thela Hun Ginjeet), (Tomorrow Never Knows)

  Total # Complete Songs Played On Tour: 17 

  Winter 2001 – First Frog Out/Sno Core Tour: Galactic (opening slot)

  This tour saw the same lineup playing a single set, ranging from 55-85 minutes. The band had more material to play, and the sets alternated between long performances and tidy, short pieces, providing for better pacing and contrast. By mid tour, Les had broken new ground by introducing both a new instrument, the Whamola, into his repertoire, and his first new composition written specifically for the Frog Brigade (the song Whamola).
  The winter 2001 Sno Core tour also stands out as the most fertile period in the history of the Frog Brigade in terms of band members sitting in with each other and enjoying a high caliber of musical cross-pollination. Members of Galactic, FB and openers Lake Trout or Drums and Tuba joined each other onstage on a near nightly basis, leading to many memorable jams.
  This lineup/tour introduced the following complete songs:

  NOTE: Those in ( ) were premiered on 05/27/00 or 06/24/00, but put into regular rotation by this band:

  • Frog Brigade: Whamola
  • Primus: Here Come the Bastards, (Ol’ Diamondback Sturgeon)
  • Sausage: Prelude To Fear, Recreating
  • Holy Mackerel: Calling Kyle, Highball With the Devil
  • Covers: (16 Shells From A 30-06), 2000 Light Years From Home, Climbing Up the Ladder, Hair, (Moby Dick), Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, With A Little Help From My Friends

  Total # Complete Songs Played On Tour: 27

  Summer 2001 – Headliner and Phil Lesh and Friends (opening slot)

  With Chimenti, Lane and Huth all leaving (Chimenti played in the first few 06/01 shows, and Bob Cock played one show, the last two guitarist FB show to date) the lineup tightened up to a 4 piece, including new drummer Svena. While this leaner lineup lacked some of the timbral range of the prior group, it really showcased the talents of Eenor and Skerik, who became the de facto lead soloists. The band stuck with the one set format, playing 45 min opening sets for Phil Lesh and 100-120 min headlining shows in clubs.
  The material also changed quite a bit. Without Huth or Lane, Les replaced the Sausage and Primus material with an expanded focus on Holy Mackerel songs. He also premiered two new original songs, his first FB compositions with vocals. This tour also distinguished itself by having a song suite organized around a specific theme, namely outer space! By mid tour, Les and company were donning strobe light equipped space helmets for a medley of David Bowie's Space Oddity, the B52s Planet Claire, Cosmic Highway, and Walking On the Moon by the Police. All four songs had similarly lean, metallic arrangements, with Les shouting out the vocals through a distorted wireless mic in his helmet. While the latter part of some sets seemed at times like deja vu, the massive jams made up for the less diverse set lists.
  This lineup/tour introduced the following complete songs:

  • Frog Brigade: Cosmic Highway, Roof
  • Holy Mackerel: Cohibas Esplenditos, George E Porge, Holy Mackerel, Precipitation
  • Covers: Planet Claire, Space Oddity, Walking On the Moon

  Total # Complete Songs Played On Tour: 20

  FrogOut 2001/Spring 2002

  The main change in this lineup was in the rhythm department. Once again, there was a new drummer, Dean Johnson, who brought with him a larger drumset and more sound options than prior Brigade drummers. More importantly, Skerik’s band mate from Critters Buggin’, percussionist Mike Dillon, joined the band, adding a variety of colors and orchestral marimba/xylophone capabilities to the group’s sound (all future Frog Brigade and Fancy Band lineups stuck with this 5 piece, drums and percussion paradigm). The set lists changed once more, incorporating a variety of new Frog Brigade originals, while trimming off some of the Holy Mackerel and space suite covers.
  This lineup/tour introduced the following complete songs:

  • Frog Brigade: Ding Dang, David Makalaster I and II, Long In the Tooth
  • Primus: Groundhog’s Day

  Total # Complete Songs Played On Tour: 18

  Summer 2002 – Headliner and moe. (opening slot)

  This tour was important for two reasons. First, Claypool and Alexander reunited, bringing Tim back into the spotlight and hinting at the 2003 Primus reunion. Second, the band played a number of shows with Les’ friends in moe., leading to members of both bands sitting in with each other. The band played 95 min sets on the moe. double-headers and two hour plus shows when by themselves. Set list material was similar to the spring tour, with the addition of a number of songs for extra variety and jam potential.
  This lineup/tour introduced the following complete songs:

  • NOTE: Those in ( ) were premiered on 05/27/00 or 06/24/00, but put into regular rotation by this band:
  • Frog Brigade: Lights In the Sky
  • Primus: Spaghetti Western
  • Covers: (Intruder), Locomotive Breath

  Total # Complete Songs Played On Tour: 25

  Fall 2002/FrogOut 2002

  Once again, the drum chair changed hands, first held by Fishbone drummer Fish Fisher on the West Coast dates and then back to Dean Johnson for the East Coast shows. Claypool worked the remaining tracks from Purple Onion into live rotation on this tour. Another major highlight was the presence of opening band Deadweight, whose members sat in on a near nightly basis.
  This lineup/tour introduced the following complete songs:

  • Frog Brigade: Barrington Hall, Buzzards of Green Hill, D’s Diner, Purple Onion
  • Covers: Holy Ghost, Kashmir

  Total # Complete Songs Played On Tour: 25

  Spring 2003

  The drum chair changed hands yet again, as Deadweight drummer Paulo Baldi took over. This was otherwise a short tour featuring similar material.
  This lineup/tour introduced the following complete songs:

  • Holy Mackerel: Granny’s Little Yard Gnome

  Total # Complete Songs Played On Tour: 26

  Summer 2003 and 2004-5 Shows

  For once the drum chair stayed the same, although FB underwent a major stylistic change as Eenor was let go and replaced by Brian Kehoe of MIRV fame, who got plenty of soloing room (on guitar of course, but also including his a capella operatic renditions of O Sole Mio). The band debuted a number of new covers (although just as maddening were the excellent soundcheck versions and jams of covers that never made the setlists) over the course of the summer tour, two FrogOuts and the Jam Cruise shows. 2004-5 were very quiet, as Les focused on the Primus reunion and C2B3. The FB lineup played a final show on 4/29/05 (exactly five years after the Primus lineup with Brain went on hiatus), showcasing the transition into Fancy Band, as Gabby La La sat in on the first and last performances of C2B3 material.  
  This lineup/tour introduced the following complete songs:

  • C2B3: Big Eyeball, Elephant Ghost, Thai Noodles (each played just once)
  • Covers: Another Brick In the Wall Part II, Big In Japan, Cloudburst, Maggot Brain, Monkey Boy, Polka Your Eye Out, Wanna Be Like You

  Total # Complete Songs Played On Tour: 34

  Special Shows

• Historically Important Shows

  • 05/27/00 – The first FB show and a blueprint for a post Primus world; it introduced new material and Skerik as a Claypool collaborator. See Tour By Tour Analysis section for more.
  • 06/24/00 – The one time only Rat Brigade at the first Gathering Of the Vibes festival, this show introduced Chimenti, brought back Jay Lane for the first time since 1994, and exposed the jam band community to Les at a major show. Bob Weir sat in; Les in turn played with Ratdog the same night.
  • 08/17/00 – The premiere of the first official lineup, Harold, Girls For Single Men, Riddles Are Abound Tonight and the entire Animals album.
  • 09/02/00 – Moedown. FB played a single set that gave audiences a preview of what future FB shows would be like, without the two set, Animals format. Claypool sat in with moe.
  • 09/30/00 – A typical fall 2000 show, highlighted by an Oysterhead reunion during the encore, as both Phish and FB played Vegas on the same night.
  • 10/08-09/00 - Officially released on Live Frogs Sets I and II, and the 5 Gallons of Diesel DVD (13 songs from both nights in total). Alexander guested on Tomorrow Never Knows the second night.
  • 06/28/01 – JAMMYs. Les’ 2nd  appearance at this new event, but his first with his own band (he played with Disco Biscuits the prior year). Live Frogs I won live album of the year; a modified Brigade played with Junior Brown and Paul Shaffer.
  • 06/29/01 – Gathering of the Vibes. Les’ 2nd  appearance at this new event, but his first with his own band (he played the one-off Rat Brigade show the prior year). Les unveiled new lineup and two of the space songs (Walking On the Moon and Space Oddity – the entire 4 song suite did not appear until 7/21/01).
  • 06/21/02 – Bonnaroo Festival. Warren Haynes and Dirty Dozen brass band sat in. Band premiered Locomotive Breath. Between the official Bonnaroo CD and DVD, as well as Les’ 5 Gallons of Diesel DVD, 5 songs from this show have been officially released.
  • 07/05/02 – Les played Gathering of the Vibes for third year in a row. Warren Haynes sat in.
  • 07/05-06/03 – High Sierra Music Festival and the first shows with Brian Kehoe replacing Eenor. The first night featured the premiere of Monkey Boy; the second night had multiple guests. 3 songs from 7/6 have appeared in video form (Granny’s was officially released on 5 Gallons of Diesel; 2 other videos are available on lesclaypool.com for free download).

  New Years Eve (Frogouts)

  • 12/30/00 - The last performance of Animals. The band unleashed 5 new songs: Recreating, Kyle, the Sgt Pepper's/With A Little Help medley and Prelude To Fear. Jerry Cantrell sat in.
  • 12/31/00 – The band incorporated 16 Shells, Sturgeon and Highball into setlists and played rare versions of Bastards and Moby Dick. Tim played double drums for almost the entire show and Mike Watt guested on Tomorrow Never Knows.
  • 12/31/01 – A strong show with a long set list composed mostly of summer 2001 material. The special twists included a resurrected Climbing Up the Ladder, a one time Star Spangled Banner at midnight, and the premieres of A Ding Dang and the new Groundhog’s Day.
  • 12/31/02 – All three members of Deadweight joined in for the entire show! The set list consisted of typical fall 2002 fare, with the addition of a complete rendition of Kashmir at midnight with Brian Kehoe on vocals. MIRV, Lonnie Marshall and Gabbie La La all sat in.
  • 12/31/03 – The setlist of summer 2003 regulars was spiced up with the one time return of George E Porge, and three new covers (Maggot Brain, Big In Japan and Another Brick II).
  • 12/31/04 – Bob Cock sat in and a new cover was premiered.

  TV/Radio Appearances

  None to date.

  Classic Shows

  • 03/03/01 - The tour closer in San Fran, this show had an extra long set list, hot jams and (count them!) 8 guest stars.
  • 05/05/02 – New Orleans Jazz Fest. Brigade played 15 song, four plus hour long show at this important event. (The first 35 minutes of the show (2.5 songs) are available as a webcast from tipitinas.com).
  • 07/12-13/02 – The summer tour closed with the two day Les or moe. festival. The Frog Brigade played a set each night, with absolutely no repeat performances! Ike Willis sat in the second night, and multiple Froggies joined moe. for their last set.
  • 05/04/03 – New Orleans Jazz Fest. Three plus hours in length, with multiple guest stars (most notably Mike Gordon from Phish), the premiere of Little Granny’s Yard Gnome, the return of Precipitation and a one off bass duel/Wynona jam with Gordon playing one of Les’ four strings while Les played the upright and yodelled.
  • 05/31/03 – Les used a unique band arrangement with all of Deadweight and no Skerik.
  • 01/11-12/04 - Jam Cruise I. The second night had Karl Denson and the original Colonel (Bruce Hampton). The Frog Brigade played a set each night, with no repeat performances!
  • 01/07-08/05 - Jam Cruise II. Only one song played on both nights; 2 songs from 1/08/05 were officially released on the 5 Gallons of Diesel DVD; guests included Jimmy Herring, Karl Denson and Stanton Moore.