The Oddity Faire: A Mutated Mini Fest was just as much as it was anticipated to be:  weird, amusing, interesting and of course - a unique experience.  For those who did not attend the tour stop at our own Pageant right here in St. Louis on March 17, 2009, you missed a crazy night.

Currently Les Claypool is touring for the remainder of this month (majority of this tour was through out this month) and along with him are a variety of other opening bands/groups that also deserve the title of "oddity." In St. Louis, these oddities were:  Secret Chiefs 3, Saul Williams, and Devotchka - 2 of which are good friends of Les Claypool.

The Secret Chiefs 3 (as Les says, "They're Lunatics!"),  brought a psychedlic/grindcore sound to the stage to start off the night. This group had 7 members on stage and brought a variety of transic sounds through the use of different instruments, including: the shamisan, viola, violin, among the drums and guitars. Great sound, could have used a little more variation. Their wardrobe of ‘reaper-like' hooded robes only added to the creepy sound.  The majority of their songs came from their Book of Horizons album;  this group is definitely onto something!

Saul Williams, supporting his 2007's "The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust!," graced the stage with three other individuals. His poetic enchantment mixed with a post punk/break beat sound definitely sets the stage for a lasting impression. He sang/said some of his more popular poems including "List of Demands." Saul Williams aka Niggy Tardust not only brought a unique sound but also brought a strong energy to the evening.

Devtochka, an Indie/Gypsy Rock group consisting of 4 members were no stranger to the weird theme. The main singer seemed to be a cross between a romantic romeo, a gypsy, and Enrique Iglesias. Three men (one singing and playing guitar, one on the viola/violin, another on the drums/percussion) and one woman who played the sousaphone and acoustic bass. Its not every day you see a band play the sousaphone. The music was very catchy and definitely one that had a lot of people swaying their hips and shoulders.

Then of course, Les Claypool came out to entertain us, changing up his masks through out the night: monkey mask, bird mask, pig mask. He played a few of his Carl Thompson guitars including the Piccollo Bass. While he jammed away, his new album's cover (Of Fungi & Foe) hung from the rafters and lights changed making the creepy draping décor seem distorted and even evil.  He played songs from both his previous album (Of Whales & Woe) and from his new album.  Be sure to check his concert out next time he is out this way - after all, Primus sucks!

Check out the other bands and Les Claypool on myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/secretchiefs3

http://www.myspace.com/saulwilliams

http://www.myspace.com/devotchkamusic

http://www.myspace.com/thereallesclaypool