Before the release of Oysterhead’s first CD, “The Grand Pecking Order,” on Oct. 2, fans knew there was virtually no way it could be bad. Thankfully, nothing has gone awry.
Oysterhead was ensured success because the band is made up of Les Claypool of Primus, Trey Anastasio of Phish and Stewart Copeland of The Police.
Each member brings something different to Oysterhead: Anastasio is renowned for his virtuoso guitar solos that can extend for the better portion of an hour. Claypool fans recognize his aggressive slap bass and nasal voice. Copeland retains his pop sensibilities from The Police, but also grounds his eccentric cohorts with his subtle drumming.
Certain songs on the album show obvious dominance by one of the members. “Radon Balloon” and “Birthday Boys” hearken back to folk songs of Phish. “Little Faces” and “The Grand Pecking Order” show their Claypool influence with their odd lyrics and eerie music. Copeland’s influence is less noticeable because a truly good drummer is a master of blending in, not standing out. But the one song he wrote lyrics for, “Wield the Spade,” is the most surprising track on the album, and it represents what could be called “the Oysterhead sound.” Its hypnotic opening refrain greets visitors to the official Web site at www.oysterhead.com.
“Wield The Spade” is also the longest track on the CD, clocking just under six minutes. The concise songs restrain what could have become an indulgent musical expedition filled with incomprehensible jam sessions. While the brevity makes the album more widely palatable, it creates some disappointment when the listener’s desire for more is unfulfilled.
In those short songs, Oysterhead has packed surprising commentary on society and politics. In “Shadow Of A Man,” Claypool’s lyrics declare “Now he drinks and snorts amphetamine/Just as often as he can/ He’s a shadow of a man/ Spent his time in Vietnam.” In the title track, “The Grand Pecking Order,” the lyrics ask, “In the grand pecking order/Where is it you stand/Under foot of swollen bastards/Or on the neck of another man.”
Even the band’s name is deeper than it seems. The cover art of the Oysterhead CD literally displays a disembodied head with oysters coming out of it. Tubes are attached to the oysters seemingly trying to suck out the pearl that is visible through open doors between the figure’s eyes.
The band’s live shows allow Oysterhead to break beyond the confines of the CD, not only in the length of their songs, but also in the size of their repertoire. At the group’s first performance in a superjam in New Orleans, it covered songs by Led Zeppelin and The Kinks, in addition to other covers. The current tour will make a stop at the Salem Armory on Oct. 24 with the North Mississippi All Stars. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster outlets for a hefty $29.75 before service charges, but it’s money well spent.