Sean Lennon, Primus’ Les Claypool Unite for Collaborative LP, Tour
Sean Lennon and Primus vocalist-bassist Les Claypool will release Monolith of Phobos, their debut LP under the moniker the Claypool Lennon Delirium, on June 3rd. They will launch a U.S. tour the following day in Orlando, Florida, running until September 1st in Washington D.C., Pitchfork reports.
The duo teased their album by unveiling “Mr. Wright,” a creepy prog-funk barnburner built on Lennon’s wailing electric guitar and the Primus frontman’s signature elastic bass work. “He’s creeping, creeping, creeping, creeping through the night … to ease his lustful plight,” the pair sing of the title pervert, who enjoys setting up “little cameras ’cause he likes to watch” people dance, shower and pee.
The duo announced the project in January and unveiled their debut track, the psychedelic “Cricket and the Genie” suite. As Claypool told Rolling Stone, the project was born after the musicians “hit it off” during a joint tour with their respective bands, the Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger and Primus.
“We had a few backstage, acoustic jamborees that I found interesting but when [Sean] sat in with us and melted our faces with his guitar during ‘Southbound Pachyderm,’ I realized that this fella had some chops,” the bassist said in a statement. “Primus was about to take some time off and I was gearing up a new project, so I asked Sean if he’d like to come to Rancho Relaxo and see if we couldn’t get some interesting sounds on tape. Next thing I know he’s staying in my guesthouse over the holidays and we’re drinking vino, hunting mushrooms and throwing musical pasta at the walls.”
“Sean is a musical mutant after my own heart,” Claypool said in a new statement. “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.”
“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,” he continued. “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 acknowledged the musical chemistry, adding, “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.”
The Claypool Lennon Delirium – The Monolith of Phobos Track List
1. “The Monolith of Phobos”
2. “Cricket and the Genie (Movement I, the Delirium)”
3. “Cricket and the Genie (Movement II, Oratorio Di Cricket)”
4. “Mr. Wright”
5. “Boomerang Baby”
6. “Breath of a Salesman”
7. “Captain Lariat”
8. “Ohmerica”
9. “Oxycontin Girl”
10. “Bubbles Burst”
11. “There’s No Underwear in Space”
The Claypool Lennon Delirium Tour Dates
June 4 – Orlando, FL @ The Beacham
June 5 – Tampa, FL @ The Ritz
June 7 – Athens, GA @ Georgia Theatre
June 9 – Wilmington, NC @ Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre
June 10 – Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel
June 11 – Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo
June 12 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
June 14 – Kansas City, MO @ Crossroads
June 15 – Minneapolis, MN @ Skyway Theatre
June 17 – Garrettsville, OH @ Nelson Ledges Quarry Park
June 18 – Port Chester, NY @ Capitol Theatre
July 21 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox SoDo
July 22 – Jacksonville, OR @ Britt Pavilion
July 23 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Ballroom
July 25 – Jackson Hole, WY @ Pink Garter Theatre
July 26 – Missoula, MT @ Wilma Theatre
July 27 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
July 29 – Los Angeles, CA @ Fonda Theatre
July 30 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
July 31 – Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl
August 2 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
August 3 – San Diego, CA @ Observatory North Park
August 4 – San Luis Obispo, CA @ Fremont Theatre
August 5-7 – Buena Vista, CO @ Vertex Festival
August 9 – Iowa City, IA @ Englert Theatre
August 11 – Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre
August 12 – Columbus, OH @ Express Live! Indoor Pavilion
August 13 – Scranton, PA @ Peach Fest
August 26 – Boston, MA @ HOB Boston
August 27 – New Haven, CT @ College Street Music Hall
August 28 – Portland, ME @ State Theatre
August 30 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
August 31 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore
September 1 – Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club