A blisteringly hot summer evening, made better by the sounds of slap-bass filling the air. On Friday, June 16th, Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade brought their Summer of Green tour to the lawn of Houston’s White Oak Music Hall.
Despite near triple-digit temperatures, fans showed up in droves for the Brigade’s first tour since 2003, with many lining up even before doors opened for the chance to snag a signed show poster. One of Claypool’s numerous side projects, the Brigade first formed in 2000 while Primus was on hiatus.
After several lineup changes, two live albums, and a sole studio record, Claypool put the group on the back burner as he went on to other projects, including the return of Primus in 2003. Having only played a handful of one-off shows since the early 2000s, the band was reformed for this year’s Summer of Green tour, featuring an almost entirely new lineup including Sean Lennon on guitar, Harry Waters on keys, Paulo Baldi on drums, percussionist Mike Dillon, and Skerik on saxophone, with Claypool taking on his usual role as bassist and vocalist.
Opening up the show was Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads and Adrian Belew of King Crimson, along with their band Cool Cool Cool. Playing through hits from throughout Talking Heads discography, along with a few other covers, the band brought fans as close to the original band as they could, with a setlist including “Psycho Killer,” “Once in a Lifetime,” and “Life During Wartime,” along with a cover of Al Green’s “Take Me to the River.”
As the band played their final notes, the sun finally began to fade, though much of the heat and humidity remained. As darkness fell, so too did the stage lights as the main event of the evening approached. The Brigade took the stage garbed in bright green jackets and pith helmets, with Lennon and Claypool bringing up the rear.
With a 16-song set including originals, covers of songs by Claypool’s other projects, and the entirety of Pink Floyd’s Animals, the band brought their heavy-jam sound to White Oak’s lawn. Towards the end of the show, Claypool brought out his whamola, a single-string upright bass that was popularized by the man himself.
Despite the heat, both acts put on an impressive show to the Houston crowd, full of hits, covers, and nostalgia, along with a heavy dose of bass. Claypool never fails to put on a great show, and this was no exception, moving around the stage with his usual swagger.
It’s hard to say when the Brigade will return with another show, but if they ever hop their way back into town it is a show not to be missed.
I'm a Houston-based concert and automotive photographer. I've been a music fan my whole life, and previously was the director for Coog Radio, the University of Houston's student radio station. I listen to a bit of everything, from blues to rock to EDM, but predominantly metal. Some favorites include Slayer, Iron Maiden, and Metallica. When I'm not behind the camera, you can catch me skating, going to car events, and buying too many coffee table books.
