Nah it's not new, Claypool said it on stage once in the late 90s or early 2000s but it just sticks with me, haha. I've never had the pleasure of seeing them, unfortunately. Someday I hope!
I think the dude uses 2 strings actually, I'd forgotten that particular detail! Generally kind of plays them both at once too, little power chords. Delighted to hear you know them, I feel like they're one of those acts that you feel like nobody knows until you discover them and suddenly everyone knows them
Congratulations! You'll both do incredible!