It reduces the role of a bass to that of a percussion instrument. Horses for courses. I see my role as a bass player more as someone who enhances harmonic aspects by emphasizing or de-emphasizing them.
And we would not have it any other way.
To me Les's magic is when he plays with Larry & Primus. When I saw him on the Mike Douglas Show back in the 80's with his 6 string Rainbow bass, playing sloppy primitive & percussive, to me, it was unlike any other bass player I have seen / heard.
The other unique thing about Primus is the band is built around supporting the bass, it's a bass driven band that was actually commercial for wider audience back then. Les has built a Zappa like following, with fans that seem like Zappa fans to me (really weird, stoned, men, women and younger people ).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzhL-0_pC3E&feature=channelYeah people people don't seem to be in the middle on Primus & Claypool it seems as Dave pointed out- you love him or hate him.