Anastasio, Claypool and Copeland a 'Grand' failure
Oysterhead's debut release, "The Grand Pecking Order," is a failure of XFL proportions. To label the band a "supergroup" would have been appropriate over a year ago when the trio of guitarist/vocalist Trey Anastasio bassist/vocalist Les Claypool and drummer Stewart Copeland -- each extraordinary musicians in their own right -- debuted at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival to much fanfare. That show, which featured a spirited mix of original songs and covers -- including a ferocious version of Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" -- left many salivating for more. But with their first studio effort, it seems Oysterhead should have been a one-shot deal. There is but one moment on "The Grand Pecking Order" that makes the release appear to be a worthwhile experiment.
