I’m not sure what I like more about the upcoming Les Claypool DVD: the art direction or the fact that it’s a Les Claypool DVD. The individual that does all of the Claypool projects websites, package and promotional design is a design/developer heavyweight. He goes by the name Zoltron and has a bit of a cult following in the Bay Area due to his stickers/wheatpasting campaigns. I keep his link on my site because I really, really dig his stuff.
From the looks of it, Zoltron has done an incredible interpretation of the Col. for his DVD. It’s a must have for my music collection and will make a perfect companion to the Animals and Primus Live DVDs.
Speaking of bass players, not that I’m in the same league, but I feel compelled to make an announcement:
I am retiring from the bass guitar.
I haven’t come to this decision very lightly and it almost pains me to say it. However, I can’t justify having expensive bass gear taking up space when I probably only get 30-45min of practice time a week. My interest in the instrument is still there but my skills and technique have plateaued as much as I can expect from only playing solo with a Boomerang pedal. It’s become discouraging to play without other musicians yet I don’t feel that I have the skills/time/interest to seek out other musicians to play with. Not to mention hauling my bass gear around as a pedestrian just isn’t feasable.
I am not abandoning music or musicianship as a hobby. I am interested in getting back into playing the cello - something I haven’t done since Junior High School before I transitioned to upright bass. Perhaps an upright bass might be in my future as well. But when I can’t stand to listen to myself play the same licks, lines and riffs - I think it’s time for a change.
Growing up is tough…abandoning dreams of being a rock musician sucks, even if it is just an intimate fantasy. But it makes sense at this time in my life…change is good.
I will always have Les Claypool, though.
I was just listening to Les Claypool - 5 Gallons of Gasoline DVD loop