Leslie Edward Claypool is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, filmmaker, and author. He is best known as the founder, lead singer, bassist, and primary songwriter of the band Primus since its formation in 1984. Frequently considered to be one of the greatest bassists of all time, his playing style mixes tapping, flamenco-like strumming, whammy bar bends, and slapping.
Wayne Horvitz is an American composer, keyboardist and record producer. He came to prominence in the Downtown scene of 1980s and '90s New York City, where he met his future wife, the singer, songwriter and pianist Robin Holcomb. He is noted for working with John Zorn's Naked City among others. Horvitz has since relocated to the Seattle, Washington area where he has several ongoing groups and has worked as an adjunct professor of composition at Cornish College of the Arts.
Bobby Previte is a drummer, composer, and bandleader. He earned a degree in economics from the University at Buffalo, where he also studied percussion. He moved to New York City in 1979 and began professional relationships with John Zorn, Wayne Horvitz, and Elliott Sharp.
Matthew Chamberlain is an American session musician, drummer, producer and songwriter. He has played with various artists, including Pearl Jam, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, David Bowie, Tori Amos, The Wallflowers, Elton John, Lisa Marie Presley, Brandi Carlile, Garbage, and Macy Gray.
Colonel Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade is a musical project with rotating personnel, led by American singer/bassist Les Claypool. The Frog Brigade was formed during a hiatus from Claypool's main group Primus.
Critters Buggin is a Seattle, Washington-based instrumental group which performs in a jazz, rock and African-influenced, eclectic style. The band is composed of Matt Chamberlain, Skerik, Brad Houser and Mike Dillon.
Tuatara is an American, Seattle-based instrumental music group, featuring members of R.E.M., The Minus 5, Critters Buggin, The Chills and the Screaming Trees.
Mike Dillon is an American percussionist, vibraphonist, bandleader, and vocalist born in San Antonio, Texas. He is a member of Critters Buggin, Les Claypool's Fancy Band and Garage A Trois. He has performed with many musicians including Ani DiFranco, Galactic, Brave Combo, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Marco Benevento, Claude Coleman Jr., and New Orleans musicians Kevin O'Day, Johnny Vidacovich and James Singleton.
Ponga is a Seattle-based improvisational quartet composed of Wayne Horvitz (keyboards), Bobby Previte (drums), Skerik (saxophone), and Mike Gamble (guitars). Ponga's performances and recordings were entirely improvised with no overdubs.
Skerik's Syncopated Taint Septet is a jazz ensemble formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2002 and led by saxophonist Eric "Skerik" Walton.
Ropeadope Records is an American record label known for recordings in a variety of genres including jazz, hip hop, gospel, and electronic music. The label, now led by Louis Marks, was founded in 1999 by Andy Hurwitz in New York City and later moved to Philadelphia.
Dave Palmer is an American session keyboardist native to Texas and living in Ojai, California. Palmer has toured, performed, or recorded with Air, Fiona Apple, Seal, Chris Isaak, Joe Henry, Bobby Previte, Wayne Horvitz, Fleetwood Mac, Ponga, Critters Buggin, MC 900 Ft. Jesus, Aimee Mann, Solomon Burke, Turin Brakes, Cake, Lindsey Buckingham, Tegan and Sara, and Avenged Sevenfold.
John Wicks is a drummer, songwriter, film composer and adjunct college professor based in Missoula, Montana.
III is Stanton Moore's third studio solo album released 2006. As each of Moore's solo albums have had unique character, III features keyboardist Robert Walter and guitarist Will Bernard for a 1970s-like soul funk with a "sense of authenticity" as "artists who live it."
Joe Doria is an American Hammond Organ keyboardist from Seattle, Washington. Playing many styles, Doria has backed solo artists from the Seattle area and is a member of several Seattle based groups, some of which have toured nationally. These include McTuff and his own Joe Doria Trio, as well as The Drunken Masters, Skerik's Syncopated Taint Septet, AriSawkaDoria, Swampdweller and The Last Mile.
Skerik's Syncopated Taint Septet is a self-titled first album recorded live in September 2002 in Seattle, Washington. It was recorded at the venue Owl & Thistle. The album received favorable reviews and while self described as "punk jazz" it also includes New Orleans influenced funk, bebop/hip-hop and rock crossing "time and musical culture without affectation, or worry."
Husky is a studio album by Skerik's Syncopated Taint Septet released 2006. It was recorded at the Sound Factory in Los Angeles, California March 2004. Much of the recording is first takes. Skerik talks about recording the album:
"For me, Husky is that rare combination of everything lining up perfectly at the right time. You're lucky if you get one of these in a lifetime. The band had been on the road touring, so we knew the music inside out. We had a day off in Los Angeles, so we went into The Sound Factory, which is a one-of-a-kind studio out there and cut the entire record that day."
Host is the second studio album by Critters Buggin of Seattle, Washington and was released in 1997. It was recorded December 18–20 at Bad Animals and December 21–23 live at OK Hotel 1995. Originally released by Loosegroove, Host was reissued by Kufala Recordings in 2004.
Ponga is the first live album by the instrumental band Ponga. It was released in 1999 on Loosegroove. The album is a recording of live improvisation with no over dubs at the O.K. Hotel and Litho in Seattle and Stuart's Coffee House in Bellingham, Washington.
Live at The Triple Door is the third album by Skerik's Syncopated Taint Septet released 2010. It was recorded live at the venue The Triple Door in Seattle September 2003. Two tracks feature vocalist Om Johari. Several tracks include string arrangements.
