Les Claypool Live @ The Forum, Melbourne, Australia

Booneville Stomp

I was running so late tonight, that I thought I would miss the start of the show and of course, my allotted shooting in the first three songs. I barely made it by the skin of my teeth and by the time I got into the photo-pit – the lights had dimmed and Les Claypool and his masked cohorts had hit the stage.

To be perfectly honest, I hadn’t done my homework tonight and really, did not know what to expect. My knowledge of Les and his music is pretty much entrenched in Primus folklore – so I was not prepared for the musical brilliance that was about to envelop me. I mean sure, who doesn’t know of Mr Claypool’s prowess on the bass. And sure, who isn’t aware of the man’s quirky eccentricness – but I can assure you here and now – I was completely and utterly blown away by what I experienced tonight.

It was all such a strange sight to behold.

Looking like something akin to the League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the band (drums, percussion/xylophone, cello) were all masked. Les himself looked like a strange steampunk Doctor Fu Manchu. It was all so mind-fuckingly surreal, ethereal and a trip! I shudder to think what folks with a few ales in them made of the whole thing?

“Is that a pig onstage?!?!”

“Better yet, is that George W himself on that there xy-lo-phone???!?”

You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

I appreciate so much when a band goes to some effort to visually entertain the crowd – and of course, the photographers.

As strange and utterly bizarre the band looked – the sound was simply breathtaking. To be able to witness this bass virtuoso so close, and to be amongst the privileged few allowed to photograph him tonight – just made my day. Quite honestly, this would have to have been the most unique and entertaining gigs I have been to this year. As much as I enjoyed shooting Les and the band, I equally enjoyed the show and music on offer twice as much.

Photographically, I shot in TV mode once again tonight. Shutter speed was switched from 1/40 and at one point I went to 1/250. ISO was predominantly at 800 but then I kicked it back to Auto for the majority of the set. Partial Metering was in force, shooting in Continuous Mode and AI Focus. That’s as technical as I can take it at this point.

As an aside, the shots you are seeing in this set – are all straight out of the camera. I haven’t done any post-processing at this stage as frankly – I don’t really think they need any work. Granted, I’ll do some edits in a few days – but for now – what you see is what I shot.

Gosh, what a freaking amazing evening’s entertainment! Wow!

View the complete set over at the Slideshow to the right, or on