The Surreal Origins of Primus | Les Claypool on Metallica Ties, Acid Trips, MTV Breakthrough
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- Опубліковано 21 чер 2022
- Primus is one of the most singular, weird and innovative bands in heavy music, which is why it's particularly incredible that they've reached the heights they have and continue to be one of the genre's most beloved acts. But how did they get there? Bassist-vocalist-mastermind Les Claypool walked us through the surreal origins of his funky metal group, touching on his high-school friendship with Metallica's Kirk Hammett, doing acid at Spring Break '92, Primus' unexpected breakout onto MTV and much more.
Order Revolver's Primus collector's bundle featuring the new Summer 2022 Issue and exclusive colored vinyl: bit.ly/3zZfuNt
Thumbnail photo by Jason Goodrich
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#primus #lesclaypool #metallica #kirkhammett #mtv #suckonthis #frizzlefry #toomanypuppies #sailingtheseasofcheese #sausage #johnthefisherman #origin #metal #funkmetal #progressiverock #experimental #jimihendrix #cream #blindillusion #exodus
damn, Kirk hammet did more for music than we thought!
If you haven’t yet, you should definitely check out the Murder in Front Row documentary about the bay areas thrash scene. I feel like he finally got the credit and praise he deserves 😃
@@emilyarante9593 will do!
lol
He developed the percussive downpicking on his own too, he didnt get it from het/dave. And formed exodus and wrote sandman/creeep etc obviously. He was more important in the bay area scene and that whole movement than people give him credit for.
😂😂😂
Nobody sounds like Primus
That's the mark of a great band.
There are though some King Crimson songs that sound a lot like Primus but You're right though, they took it to another level.
Yeah, I agree, not sounding like Primus is certainly the mark of a great band.
@@McShag420 LMFAO!!!
@@McShag420 yeah, primus sucks
Nobody sounds like the Shaggs either ... ;)
He played bass like he was invented the instrument, and he did it while singing. salute for this creative genius 👍
I agree! I've never heard anyone play the bass the way he does! I mean, how does he come up with these amazing licks!?
@@stratocat9 fretless 6 string
He still does
You totally saw that comment elsewhere and used it as yours hahaha
When he did a show with Buckethead, it was like when Lemieux and Gretzky on the same line for team Canada... It's not often that you see some of the GOATS play together.
"I got pissed..ate acid...and it ended up being a pretty fun thing. I am glad we did it."
Les is a great storyteller. I think I could listen to him talk about his shenanigans all day. Thanks for posting this.
Used to see Primus in tiny bars around the Bay Area, before and after Tim joined. With an audience of 4 on a Tuesday night at Ashkenaz, and a drummer called Curveball, they played like it was a packed arena. It was obvious they were headed for the top.
Nightbreak
@@disf5178 Kennel Club & the I Beam
@@jasonandrews3756 !!!!!!
I Beam was such a great place...super pro/premier sound.. but small enough to be up close & personal. I miss that SF.
@@disf5178 😃 I worked many shows there with different local bands in the late 80's & early 90's
EPIC!
Cheers to Revolver - whoever edited this did a masterful job. If no one knew any better you'd think they hit the record button and said, "Hi Les! Tell us a few things." and he just talked for 10 minutes uninterrupted.
I feel like he'd be capable of that
Saw primus 2 weeks ago, changed my life forever.
Most fun live band I've ever seen
They have an incredible live sound. And, may I say, it works bcuz of Lalonde’s playing is complimentary to Les.
Les you are a legend!! In 1992, Primus opened up for Rush (one of my dad's fave bands) and he was like oh I want to take you to this concert. I had heard Rush in my dad's car, and then when he said oh some band named Primus is opening up for them...I was all in!! I was so geeked about it. I tried to tell him how awesome Primus was... and as soon as the baseline started (I think it was "my name is mud") he looked at me with eyes wide and screamed FUCK YEAH. It was an awesome show. Then I saw Peart's drum kit SPINNING in the air, not missing a beat, and I fell in love with Rush. Still one of my fave concerts of my teenaged years. I was 12. That concert was my dad's rebuttal to my mom taking my sister and me to MC Hammer, haha. It was the only war between my parents that was enjoyable... the war of who would take us to the best shows...1994 mom took us to Pink Floyd. That was another amazing experience, Camp Randall. OMG. In my 20s. my dad took me to see Dweezil Zappa does Zappa, and we went to the sound check, and I got to meet him. It was so cool that Zappa was there, albeit on video, playing with the band. So many in between, but those were the best experiences enjoying live music with my dad.
What a wonderful memory!
Your dad won when he took you to Zappa plays Zappa!
It might have been a bit much for you at the time but that show will be significant as you get older.
These Zappa albums will get you more familiar with Frank. “Joes Garage”, Sheik Yourbouti”, “Thing-fish”. And as far as guitar playing goes, “Frank Zappa Guitar” has some good guitar playing on it.
Frank was/is our fearless leader and the brains of our whole operation. (Musicians vs the record industry)
He will go down as the best musician of our time!
AND he never gets any credit for his guitar playing but he’s obviously a very good player.
When guys like Steve Vai, Adrian Belew, and even the late greats Jimi Hendrix & EVH look up to him, there is good reason.
And it’s all there to discover for yourself because the main stream doesn’t acknowledge him as anything but a freak show.
I’m sure I would get along with your Dad. He’s got great taste in music!
I went to that show. Omni Atlanta GA
Well that was a lovely read! Cheers!
Wow. Too cool. That’s half of rock bass Mt. Rushmore right there.
primus playing with swans, need that again
I remember reading about this "Primus" band in RIP magazine back in 1990, just some little blurb about them. While the exact wording escapes me, it was compelling enough for me to pick up Frizzle Fry in Nov or Dec of 1990. And it instantly blew and expanded my musical mind. I must have played that cassette every single day for months. They have tons of amazing music but Frizzle Fry to me is one of the most untouchable, best albums of all time.
Sailing the seas of cheese.
All of there albums are amazing
Use to hear this Band from my good friend Danny!?! Listening to the Sea of Cheese!?!?
Tuna salad sandwich and flavored doritos 🤘
I don't know which album we heard first..?
They were unknown, basically, like most of the great music of the time. The bands we liked pretty much all got the FU from MTV. Then many years later (5 years maybe? A long time when you're a teen!).
We were in love with Primus, and especially Les! Once you heard him play you were blown away, and knew you'd never forget this incredible playing!
Incredible playing and lots of humor, always. Les sure can tell a hell of a story with his vocal delivery, and great communicating skills among those listening, and especially the band.
PRIMUS SUCK! FOREVER!!!
Growing up in Sonoma County, we we're blessed to see Primus before they were famous. Les is a good guy.
River theater
"Herb" is still to this day, one of the best drummers I've ever heard. Fantastic.
I'll never forget the first time I heard Primus. It was "My name is Mud." Wow, what a bass.
My introduction to Primus was at age 10. Right after Loveline ended at midnight, the radio station played Jerry was a Race Car driver. Surreal and inspiring experience for a kid up too late.
Shout out to all the kids that used to listen to loveline when they were supposed to be asleep. We are out here in droves I know it.
I'm 57 years old and I love Primus there is no other band like them on the face of the planet
Primus sucks!
member dat?
Dave the fisherman!!!! Primus isn't for everybody. They Rock!!!!
@@jeffsmith5139 no primus sucks
Primus is one of, if not my first BAND. I was obsessed the first time I saw “Mr Krinkle” on Headbangers Ball. I can’t explain them to people except as “methy folk metal” Les always has a story to tell in each song. Each story kinda makes me feel icky.
There are a few bands that jave a very similar sound actually. Like sausage, bastard jazz, duo de twang. Claypool lennon delirium and a few songs from a band called molotov.
1:40 "Everyone wanted to be Eddy Van Halen" see that summed it up, Les Claypool wanted to BE Les Claypool, he didn't want to be someone else. And he became one of the best artists for the Bass Guitar EVER.
Les is able to write between the lines of "standard" music but has the ability to keep in interesting not abstract. What I love about Primus is the way Les incorporates pretty much every genre of music without sounding like any genre of music.
If it weren't for my best friend showing me Primus, I honestly don't think I'd be where I am today.
R.I.P. Zach.
Friends who show you new music are the best kind of friends
Za
My friend turned me into the musician I am today and now he’s a Hindu monk lol weird world man
Some poor guy left his shopping with a primus cd on a park bench. I was in my teens and decided to take it home. My life changed after
it was meant for you to have
One of Primus’ biggest influences was a band from the mid-1970s called The Residents, whose mysterious often-times reused lead singer sounded a lot like Claypool! In fact, when Primus covered their classic song ,Constantinople , it just sounded like a regular Primus song!
I didn't know Les and Kirk have been friends for so long. Cool. They should make some music together.
Les auditioned after Cliff died. It didn’t work out.
@@8wheeledassassins. I know, but playing with Metallica and playing with Kirk alone isn't the same.
He made a clip with Robert Trujillo, tho.
ua-cam.com/video/lP8RzPu54rY/v-deo.html
@@8wheeledassassins.When they broke the news to him, he quote “Weeped like a little girl” 😂
Les and Kirk and I were high school friends. Good memories of them both at De Anza High School
My ex wife Sheila went to De Anza high school. Class of 1991
Primus came along at the perfect time in music to exist. They were always the perfect mix of eccentricity and heavy to make some interesting stuff.
I saw Primus in ‘91 open for Fishbone at USF in Tampa. Then I saw them in maybe ‘93 in St. Petersburg where Les walked off the tour bus into the venue in his underwear and played the whole gig that way and then walked out back on the bus. It was an amazing time with an amazing band. Thanks for the memories Les, Ler and Herb.
that's funny cuz i saw fishbone open for primus in '91 at the san jose convention center. that's the difference of being in the bay i guess
@@chito2294 I was at that show! Good times. Fishbone was fucking amazing as well. Lot of energy that night
I was there too!
I saw primus back in 93 during Lollapalooza, saw them again in 2019 with ministry, Anselmo and Slayer. Such a great reunion.
Was the St. Pete show at Janus Landing?
Great stories from Uncle Les.
I like that Les gives everyone credit and doesnt seem to have any ill will for past members like a lot of bands that have been arpund as long as Primus.
I saw Primus with TOOL a few years ago, and was honestly more excited to see them than I was TOOL. Not that I'm not a TOOL fan, but Primus was like a bucket list item for me. I lost my mind when he came out wearing the pig mask for Mr Krinkle.
I like them both too, but I would definitely choose Primus over Tool. Seeing them both at the same show had to be awesome!
Tool back in the day (91-96) were fucking weird man. You had this goblin looking dude singing and this guy playing guitar who you couldn’t see his face cuz of his hair, and the drummer is fire, & the bassist is just chilling. I’d say that Primus & early - mid 90’s Tool were on the same level of weirdness.
@@drillbit8280you would always hear a folk tale of something Maynard did weird lol. At least in Phoenix, in High School it became Marilyn Manson lol the whole "he got 2 ribs removed so he can....."
Tim Alexander is a drummer’s hero. I understand he has 100 or 200+ drum kits or some crazy shit. Always rock solid. Sailing the Seas of Cheese was one of the first albums I learned to play double bass to.
Primus is the shiz…
I used to draw big crowds when I'd play Jerry on the drumscape machines in the big arcades back in the day
When he left Primus, he was a regular with The Blue Man Group house band apparently would have been cool to hear him on. Always loved his 32nd rolls between the hi hat & ride bell. What a beast.
In a recent video Iggor Cavalera said he wrote the intro for Territory, to me the best drum intro for a metal song, by trying to recreate a drum roll by Tin Alexander. Tin is the man!
He was the first guy I ever heard that used the double bass in a creative way. More than just sixteenths like metal guys
He’s a sorely underrated drummer. Les himself said that Tim is incredibly precise and was the main reason why they hardly even rehearsed for a while.
I've checked a dozen or so interviews with Les Claypool over the years and he always comes across like such a genuine non full of himself person to a degree that's unfounded. Along the same lines he also seems to have a level of emotional intelligence that's ridiculously high (just the way he talks to people or about people, he seems to understand others). He never comes across anxious/shy... he seems very honest and comfortable in his skin. He just seems like an exceptionally good person.
I was fortunate enough to see Les and Sausage on the same bill with Rollins Band and Helmet. One of my best shows
That must have been fun.
I saw them on that same tour. Absolutely amazing.
Always enjoyed Black Flag, Rollins band and saw some Rollins spoken word performances, really amazing shows. 🖤
Hanging with Pauly Shore and the Cypress Hill guys on acid, "it ended up being a pretty fun thing" seems a little understated. Les rocks
One of my favorite all time bands! Saw them for the first time on the Pork Soda tour and never missed them again. Just saw them play the Farewell to Kings tribute and enjoyed every minute of it. 🤘
Saw them live for the first time at Lalapalooza in 93 at the Gorge in George, amazing show, and saw them last week in Troutdale OR, another amazing show.
It was great, saw them in San Antonio a couple of months ago… they played Tommy The Cat after a fan complained to Les saying that they never play the song when they come to town… so they played it… they played the shit out of it :)
I saw them last year on the Farewell to Kings tour as well; exactly 30 years from the first time I saw them on the Seas of Cheese Tour. There was a good time for music in the early 90’s as bands like Primus and Mr. Bungle (saw them the first time around the same year as well) were getting air play. I had been playing bass for a few years and hearing Claypool for the first time was very exciting. Of course was familiar with Jaco, Clarke, Zappa, Tony Levin, etc…, but hearing Les for the first time was like hearing bass a totally different way. After over 30 years Primus still “sucks”.
@@ToneTraveler Jealous!! Iv'e always wanted to see Mr Bungle live, but never had the chance.
I went fishing with Les once back in 1999. My dad's friend dave was (still is?) a fishing guide in Wisconsin and a bass player and knew some pretty famous musicians from when he used to live in LA. One day he just pulled into the driveway with Les Claypool in his truck He said he needed to borrow some muskie lures but I think he was showing off lol. Dave and I went fishing together a lot so he let me come along. It was pretty cool needless to say. Les caught quite a bit, three walleye and two northern IIRC. None of us got any muskies.
First time I saw and heard Primus was supporting Jane's Addiction in1990 at London Astoria and I have never been so blown away by a support act I'd never heard before!
One day I was at a rehearsal with an old band. After we finished, the bass player pulled out a cassette of Frizzle Fry and told us we gotta hear this. We were like Da-Fuq?!?!? We were completely flumoxed, and we loved it!
Les is definitely one of the most insane bassists I’ve ever heard, the dude has such a unique sound and the bass lines he comes up with are just insane and the fact that he can sing while playing super complex stuff like Jerry Was A Race Car Driver, Tommy the Cat, DMV and all those classic Primus tunes is just too unreal and I fucking love it. Primus sucks all the way \m/
That Public Enemy tour Les talks about was awesome. Anthrax, Public Enemy, Primus and Young Black Teenagers. Great bill imo.
Best bassist on the planet! I hope there's more of this interview to release.
Geddy > Les
@@the6ig6adwolf _....ok_ 😕
My fave is benke from Viagra boys not as good technically but does it forme
John Entewistle anyone?
@@the6ig6adwolf In your dreams buddy
‘’I remember being really pissed, so we ate acid.’’ That pretty much sums up Primus
I was a sushi chef at a sushi in downtown St. Pete Florida around the time of tge High Ball With the Devil tour. He played at Janus Landing behind my restaurant. He came into eat before the show, I recognized him immediately. I called my girlfriend and told her to bring my Primus albums up. About 15 minutes later she was there with a stack of them. I could not ask the guy to sign all of them so I asked him to sign the High Ball one. He did. Nice guy and complemented my sushi.
Being on acid in a plane during a blizzard. Now, THAT'S a rock 'n roll story! Always been a big primus fan. I saw them live in Colorado Springs in 2013. Great 3-d show. Great experience!
Man, Les never fails to entertain! I could listen to his stories of the old days and tours and just whatever for hours. He’s just such an amazing story teller and paints such a vivid picture, both when he’s just chatting or through his song writing. Bravo! Give us more! My older sisters BF at the time had both “Suck On This” and “Frizzle Fry” - must have been 91 or 92, but he gave me both of them because they weren’t his favorite and I was just going nuts over it because I had already been playing bass due to Metallica and Cliff Burton. Plus I just loved how wacky the songs were. But the bass playing was just insane. Great memories of me and my friends bouncing off the walls, blitzed out of our heads, listening to Primus.
When I went to the green naugahyde tour, I was in the front row by the left speaker. During "pudding time" Les looked over to where I was and the dude next to me threw him a "🤘" and and Les lifted his strumming hand and waved back without missing a beat! He did so with such ease that you might have sworn he practiced that specific gesture, at that part of the song.
Fuckin crazy 🤘
One of the more fun and creative 90s acts.
I need more of this interview! God I remember those early days, living up outside Sacramento and hearing about these bands from the bay. Primus became such a large part of my high school experience and now I've turned my kids onto them.
thats f cool! whats their favorite album? :O
@@gonzalochervet8127 One likes Seas of Cheese, the other Frizzle Fry
@@Whitewater11 their best on my opinion, cheers dude!
Les Claypool is one of the coolest, laid back cats on the planet.
Oh yeah... and he's a fuckin' beast on the bass!
Les is such a genius but so down to earth. It would be great to sit down and have a beer with him
Saw them at 1993 Lollapalooza in Waterloo Village, NJ ... Les was playing a shiny, all chrome/mirror stand-up bass. ... When they went into Jerry Was A Race Car Driver the whole place went nuts and it turned into one big mud pit
I didn't know Les was in Blind Illusion, I recently joined a band called Blessed Curse and we're about to play a show with Blind Illusion July 2nd at 3 Disciples Brewing in Santa Rosa
Lucky!!
Ler was in Possessed too.
The 1st time I saw them was at Berkeley square in November of 87. They were opening for fish bone. At 1 point in the set they switched instruments. They did it 2 more times until they were back to their original instruments. Impressed the hell out of me.
I miss the Berkeley Square. That crappy little hole in the wall spawned a lot of good acts. It's a furniture store or something now.
@@sturmhauke_aerospace I was from Eureka so that was the only time I had ever been. 30 seconds into the 1st fishbone song Angelo did a flipping stage D I've on that like tennis the high thing they call the stage and kick the couple of the lights out on the awning over it. I think all those old holes become furniture stores or something like that.
First saw them open for Jane's Addiction in 1990. Right from the first song I new they were something special.
too bad you didn't have a cell phone with a camera, eh...
that sounds like an amazing show.
i love both.... never seen either live.
@@donHooligan lol....yeah not in those days. I was though.....one of those life changing concerts. A weird mix of punks and metalheads (me being the later). Punks taught us how to have fun slam dancing without getting all agro about it and we were surprised they liked a band that arguably had more "metal" in them than punk. At least musically. Jane's is on tour again with the pumpkins. You should definitely try to see it if you can. I'm sure it will be great.
@@doublestrokeroll
Billy Corgan needs money?
interesting.
wonder when he's going to drop the hammer on Courtney Love?
if she wasn't a loser, he'd probably be blackmailing her....
i can't help but worry that going to a modern Pumpkins show would be like a modern Bob Dylan concert....where nothing sounds the way you want it to.
i'm going to have to see when they are coming close, though.
Les Claypool is a musical genius!
I was all in when Seas of Cheese hit the stores and I've loved every note since.
He truly is a genius. How many musicians can say they created a whole new sound like he did?
These guys have earned the love and their place with the greats.
Herb is one of my favorite drummers! I was sad when he left the band in the late 90s. Love hearing these stories!
I was fortunate to meet Mr Claypool briefly outside of a venue in Spokane many years ago. He was very nice to visit with us and signed my daughter's cast. Not all performers would take the time. He's a good guy.
My favorite bass player. The originality, precision, speed, and just the way he puts chords together he is one of the all time best.
Dude. I totally wasn’t ready for this video to end when it did. I did not know this about myself prior to watching this but I could’ve sat and listen to him talk about every single detail of Primus, from what he discussed, up to present day lol
Les Claypool s a great guy. Totally amazing bassist.
Yeah, I love listening backstories of my favourite bands! Thanks for this video!
Tim can and does play his ass off. That guy is a beast.
He's a legit badass on the drums!
He's a hot contender to have ended up with a stint in Frank Zappa's band, had Zappa lived longer and felt like touring. He's no worse than Bozzio or Colaiuta, that's for sure.
Yes for sure. He's also a great composer - his grooves develop & get more complicated throughout the song a la Peart.
@@Innerspace100 I love Tim but he can’t read music which is an absolute must to work with Zappa
Les is Amazing!
Wasn't turned on till I was 22yrs.
I'm almost 39yrs.
Everything Mr Les touches is amazing.
Thank you, Sir.
Years ago, around 97-98 or so I was an auto parts delivery boy in Vacaville, CA. I had a delivery to a transmission shop. I walked in and noticed a couple platinum records (I think platinum) and a big metal sculpture thing that said primus. I handed the parts to a guy and asked about the primus records and sculpture. He said he was les' dad. I must admit, I was JUST getting into them. Wished I had talked to his dad more, but none the less a cool experience. I'm a huge primus fan now, yet have only seen them once. Thanks for all the crazy ass songs.
Hope there’s loads more of les’ memoirs to come out. Many a tale to tell…..
Primus held the only concert I've been to in my entire life. The venue they played at was not packed but they certainly played like it was. Thank you for the memories!
Primus, and Tim in particular, changed my life. they were MY band, and will be for life.
Great little insight. I bonded very strongly to the early Primus catalogue as a teen - very nice to hear a candid reflection on those times.
Now that's an interview 👍 More like that please 😎
Fantastic video. I loved hearing that history.
Les is still just that blue collar guy at heart.
He seemed like he would've been happy going back to being a carpenter if Promus hadn't have taken off.
Cool guy.
Being an immediate Primus fan in the 90's, and coming from a long history of artists and eccentric-types of varying success (myself included,) I was curious to learn the name "Claypool" shows up in my family tree for 3 or 4 generations starting with a cartooninst/painter/visual artist in late 1800's. I'm from New England however but maybe something to it... Parody voices at any time or place for no particular reason is just kinda what we do too... LOL
And I am so glad you guys did it
I saw Primus at least 4 times in Petaluma at the Phoenix, I played Suck On This on the Sonoma State radio station. Now Les has a freaking wine he makes in Sebastopol?
Recently got into Primus, been listening them for months, shame I didn't checked them out sooner, I knew about them for decades but never got around to check them out. Current favorite is Tommy The Cat, amazing bass playing.
Anti pop.
Les Claypool "solo album" Of Whales and Woe he does all the drums and his normal tracks.
I've listened to One Better on repeat for hour at a time in the highway a few times.
Oh, album Sausage. A previous Primus lineup, he has had New Year's Eve shows where Sausage opens up for Primus.
Nice man -also his double album with The Frog Brigade has some sick playing on it. They cover the whole Pink Floyd album Animals.
The best Check out☝️☝️☝️, for mush edibles,chocolate bars, shrooms and other psyched products....Very affordable
@@DesignRhythm
Try and find the frog brigade 🐸 new years 2001 show
Les Claypool at the beginning
Says
"Yall ready to have a good time "
Crowd yells
"And i just ate some mushrooms
Woo hoo"
Crowd yells louder
It is a really good set
About 30 minutes into it he starts tripping pretty good
And starts talking about time traveling back in time because of the guy in office at that time had the same name as the guy from 10 years previous
"Its like were going back 10 years"
I saw them in Fort Wayne Indiana and my jaw is still dropped they were so good and I was so happy to see actual legends
▪
'Actual legends' don't sell out.
This coward did, just like most of them do.
🟥
The best Check out☝️☝️☝️, for mush edibles,chocolate bars, shrooms and other psyched products....Very affordable
Man I got so into Primus while strung out on meth for years, the music is just exactly what it feels like to be awake for 12 days. But Primus inspired me to move on to psychedelics, clean from dope packing the mushroom hope nowadays. Primus was there for me, crazy awesome shit!
fungi saved me
@@guyfawkes6657 Me as well! Onward to the stars!
Mushrooms are amazing, I used to do them about every 6 months and it was like pushing the reset button on all built up anxiety fuzz buzzing in the background of my brain. Was finally able to relax and the anti anxiety effects lasted for months.
Frizzle Fry is awesome on psilocybin.
I can listen to Les talk about old times for days! More please..
MORE MORE MORE! Thank u for this!
Awesome to see a video like this from Primus!
This made me feel good. I love Primus. I started listening to them in 1992 and they have been in my top 3 favorite bands since then.
I was an undergrad at Cal in the mid 80s when I was first taken to the Berkeley Square to see Primus - and they freakin’ blew my mind. Thank you!!!
Les, you have been a big influence on me over the years. Started off as a guitar player, then Rush got my attention, I bought a bass! Well, my parents did. I was 11. Then you guys showed up,, and I dug deeper!! Moved to Nashville in 02, to play guitar, drums,, or bass.. I didn't care. Turns out everyone needed a bass player, that could sing. Harmony mostly, but landed a gig as the front man of a jazz, rock, fusion thing. We did some interesting things with, sunshine of your love. Wish you were here, into, Walking on the moon. We also did a handful of Primus! Never could convince them to do Tommy the Cat, but God knows I tried! Lol! Thank you for changing my life in a musical way. Thank you.
Great interview! Great band! Songs that pass the test of time.
Since his first word until the last, he is singing. Les Claypool is a masterpiece, genius.
Thanks for all that he gave us, forever!!!
Saw them the first time last Tuesday, it was amazing and Ler tossed me the pick after
great interview. thank you.
I've been a huge primus fan all of my life. Never had the opportunity to see them when I had the funds and when I did have extra time, I couldn't afford it. Thankfully my buddy and his wife are awesome and gave me an extra ticket to join him on his birthday and go see them live last year when things started opening up. It was the second time she had did that and the first was to go see GWAR. Unfortunately never got the chance to see Brockie when he was among us, but seeing Les was amazing!
Really good interview
A friend of mine introduced me to Primus back when I was a teen, Spegetti western was the song, when the bass kicked in I fell to my knees and bowed in front of the stereo in a I am not worthy way.
I've seen Les in 5 different bands and I've seen Primus with 3 different drummers. I sat behind Ler at a Grateful Dead show. One of the best shows I ever saw was Primus opening for Rush at the Omni in Atlanta after 3 days of the Grateful Dead. It was AMAZING!!
First time seeing them was at the Warfield,it was Les' birthday...Out of nowhere Kirk Hammet walks onto stage,Larry hands him his guitar mid song.After completing the song,(don't recall which one), they explode into Master Of Puppets and followed it up with Theives...I think it was 1991
They played the Warfield 9/28/1990. The day before claypool's birthday. Wish I could listen to that.
i love hearing all these stories of my favorite bands.
One f'n night in the east bay, concord junior college, my band at the time and I sat outside watching Blind Illusion kick ass. I think it was my bass play Edie R that said we had to hear this band. I had never seen Claypool before. We where all metal heads, but my head turned that night as i watched kids jumping off of cafeteria tables and some lanky bass dude roll out the funkiest lines I had ever heard. I never thought it possible to be funky and fun
While thrashing. I think we had the Suck on This tape in our car or something over a J driving there. I felt something change in the water that night. #1987bayareametalscene
Epic!
This was great. I've been a PRIMUS junkie since '88. I've even got "Skeeter" playing the bass tattooed on my right shoulder blade.
One night in the late 90s,I worked a 12 hour shift building neons,for Chrysler,then drove to 6 hours to Iowa to see Primus,I was asleep at the wheel but I made it!
I Could watch stuff like this all day
Les, please never stop
I've mostly moved away from the metal scene but, primus and Les in particular will always have a place in my heart.
so beautiful and inspiring love it
My uneducated, but music wise brilliant uncle introduced me to Primus at around 1992 or so. His description of Suck on This was something along the lines of "I've got something that'll drive your parents crazy". He got me right then and there despite the ongoing grunge frenzy. Their first three albums are all super, after that the quality varies. And the Sausage album is also great. And Les seems to be a great storyteller as well, I'd love to hear more!
The one fact people always miss, is that Primus are the only band to have their own genre.
Look in whatever player or tagging software you use on any platform.
I’m glad you all lived to tell the story!✌️👍 Such great times when I was young playing keyboards in a few basement bands doing acid once lol I wished we had the cassettes we taped it was very interesting shit we created.