News & Features » February 2013 » Literary Lions: 15 Questions with Les Claypool

Literary Lions: 15 Questions with Les Claypool

Johnny Temple: Who’s the first person that encouraged you to be a writer?

Les Claypool: I don’t think anyone encouraged me to be a writer. My father was always after me to get a real job.

JT: What is your biggest pet peeve?

LC: Drunk drivers. They should loose a body extremity for every infraction.

JT: What is/was your most effective tactic for getting your children to sleep?

LC: My kids are teenagers now so anything of interest to me tends to bore them to slumber.

JT: What book has given you nightmares, or otherwise appeared to you in dreams?

LC: The Bible.

JT: What book(s) are you reading right now?

LC: I am currently reading a biography on Django Reinhardt and I always keep a few Bukowski books in the bathroom for a quick chuckle.

JT: What is the worst film adaptation of a great book that you have ever seen?

LC: Tim Burton absolutely destroyed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Though a great director, he needs to stick to his own material.  Every time he interprets someone else he shits himself. Pee Wee’s Big Adventure is one of the all-time greats.

JT: Have you ever been to a town hall meeting?

LC: Only to burn witches.

JT: Have you ever been to a freak show?

LC: My life is a freak show.

JT: Who’s your favorite author (or book) that no one’s ever heard of?

LC: Gene Shepherd. He wrangles words well.

JT: Who’s your favorite author that everyone’s heard of?

LC: Bukowski. (I’m a dude.)

JT: Do you avoid high school and college reunions or do you embrace them?

LC: They avoid me.

JT: What’s your favorite single syllable word?

LC: Cock.

JT: If you could make up a word, what would it be? No definitions permitted.

LC: I have…greaze.

JT: What existing word would you prefer had a different definition? State word and redefine.

LC: Pancake: To be in a state of complete bliss twenty-four hours a day.

JT: What question would you like to ask of me?

LC: How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

LES CLAYPOOL established himself as the most original rock bassist in the 1990s, as frontman for the hit band Primus. They have toured the world with groups like Jane’s Addiction, Public Enemy, and U2. Claypool penned the theme song to TV’s South Park, and has guested on albums by many other artists, including Jerry Cantrell and Tom Waits. Les has also been involved in a host of collaborations (with musical giants like Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio), including the most recent Colonel Claypool’s Bucket Of Bernie Brains, which released its debut album The Big Eyeball in the Sky in 2004. South of the Pumphouse is his debut novel.

Posted: Feb 27, 2013

Category: Literary Lions | Tags: Johnny Temple, Les Claypool, Literary Lions, Primus, South of the Pumphouse