Primus mastermind Les Claypool called yesterday to deliver

the happy news that he's now a dad. Or, as Claypool himself put it: "There is

now a baby Claypool." Cage Oliver Claypool was born last Thursday, May 16 at

5:12 PM at a Northern California hospital. Claypool and his wife's two sisters

were there when Cage made his arrival. "We each had a leg and she was pushing

and I cut the cord, the whole bit," said the proud father. "He's a cute little

guy, and he's gonna take over the world." Claypool said it feels "pretty damn

good" being a father. He's already begun indoctrinating the little sucker. "He

got to hear my solo record [due out later this year] when we were driving

around in the car the other day," said Claypool. "What's he listening to right

now? Well we've got the oldies station on and his Graco three-speed musical

swinging chair plays 'Mary Had A Little Lamb.' Best thing about this

version

of 'Mary Had A Little Lamb' is that half way through it busts through with a

little drum machine backbeat." Primus had to cut short their tour by one show

so that Claypool could be there for the delivery. The group was scheduled to

play the final show of their year-long Tales From the Punchbowl"

tour on

Monday, May 13 in Alaska; that show will be made up, according to Claypool. But

back to the little one. We couldn't help but ask how dad would react if his son

grew up to be a rock musician. "I'm going to discourage him," said Claypool.

"He's gonna be definitely exposed to many instruments besides what I have in my

studio, and that does include the lawnmower and the post-hole digger. I'm gonna

give him the same advice as my dad gave to me: 'The music thing is fine, but

learn as many trades as you possibly can.'" Time to light up the cigars.