Oysterhead Grand Pecking Order CD

When is a supergroup not a supergroup? When it's stellar members don't tote along the sonic baggage of their former groups into their new collective endeavor. In that spirit, it's time for the world to meet Oysterhead. This power trio consists of Police drummer Stewart Copeland, Primus bassist/vocalist Les Claypool, and Phish guitarist/Jerry Garcia of the Gen-X set Trey Anastasio. Whether fans of these gents' former bands are impressed that THE GRAND PECKING ORDER doesn't rehash former glories, or disappointed that echoes of great bands past can't be heard to their satisfaction, Oysterhead must be given their due. There's not even a trace of rock-star pomposity to be found in these tunes, which are defined by quirky, often-humorous lyrics, and slippery, funky grooves that make the most out of Copeland's superhuman polyrhythms and Claypool's wide variety of bass tones. For diehard Primus fans, there's probably more of Claypool's past at work in the sound than that of the other members, but Oysterhead is still very much it's own group.

Recorded at The Barn, Vermont in April 2001.

Audio Mixer: Toby Wright.

Recording information: The Barn, VT (04/2001).

Photographer: Danny Clinch.

Oysterhead: Trey Anastasio (vocals, guitar); Les Claypool (vocals, bass); Stewart Copeland (drums).

Alternative Press (12/01, p.90) - 7 out of 10 - "...Otherworldly jazz-funk excursions compacted into 3 and 4-minute pop shells..."
CMJ (10/8/01, p.18) - "...Combines the best elements of Primus and Phish and distulls them into a psychedelic stew..."