I have to admit, I’m a big Stewart Copeland fan. I love his work in Curved Air, as well as the sick-as-heck video game soundtracks he produced back in the day. So, color me surprised when I discovered that the famed Police drummer was actually part of a supergroup in the 2000s. 

The supergroup from the 2000s in question was Oysterhead. Or, I should say, is Oysterhead. When the band first formed in the year 2000, they only lasted about a year or two before calling it quits in 2001. Then, they reunited in 2006. And in 2019, they got back together once again, and are still performing together in the 2020s.

The 2000s Supergroup Oysterhead’s First Iteration Didn’t Last Long, but They’re Still Together Today

So, other than powerhouse drummer Stewart Copeland, who else was in Oysterhead? The trio was made up of Copeland on drums, Les Claypool of Primus on bass, and Trey Anastasio of Phish on guitar. If you think that’s a wild mix of musicians, I’d have to agree with you. And with their powers combined, they figured out how to create a gorgeous balance between alternative rock, neo-psychedelia, and funk fusion. They’re eclectic, to say the least.

Oysterhead was formed in 2000 when Superfly Presents went to Claypool with a request to put a band together to perform during the New Orleans Jazz Fest. He went to Anastasio, and they both decided to seek the aid of someone who inspired both of them. Once Copeland was on board, they kicked off their festival performance. 

The project was meant to be a one-off thing. However, the band put together so much original material for the show, and the response from fans was so good, that they decided to continue on. In 2001, they kicked off a tour.

The group released their sole studio album The Grand Pecking Order in 2001. They toured in promotion of the album. However, their tour was cut short by the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. Their reunion tour in 2020 would also be cut short by the pandemic.

When it comes down to it, this supergroup from the 2000s is nothing short of incredible. Anastasio debuted his Matterhorn guitar in the band, which is basically a guitar made out of a full-sized deer antler. Their songs, like “Oz Is Ever Floating”, are solid works. I’d love to see this band kick off another tour soon, or possibly another album.

Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic