Les Claypool on the Frog Brigade, Oysterhead, Billy Strings and More

Les Claypool is speaking from his ranch in Sonoma County, where he lives with his wife and enjoys such hobbies as fishing, making wine, writing, reading (he loves Steinbeck, Hemingway, David Sedaris, Jean Shepherd and Bukowski) and, most recently, flying planes. He just got his pilot’s license, and he flew the plane he bought with a friend to Burbank last week to play with Primus alongside Tool for a benefit concert.

“I’ve got a good spot out here,” Claypool reflects. “It’s a very comfortable spot. People like to come to West Sonoma County; it’s pretty. So they come out, we do some fishing. We go get some oysters, we go get some clam chowder. We now can fly around in my airplane. And we make music. It’s all fodder for making music.”

And screenplays, too. He’s planning to meet with his…