Primus Tracks

Soya's back for the final installment of the Wonka era in which he recounts stories from the road: managing multiple drum setups, being an Oompa Loompa, and contributing to the video presentations. We also recount Tim Alexander's heart attack, recovery, and return to action in 2014; plus the legal issues Primus ran into with using Wonka film footage. Get involved Instagram Facebook Email Burn your...

The Chocolate Factory record provided ample opportunity for whimsical promotion, and Primus took the hint. We discuss the various physical media releases and the associated collectibles and prizes, as well as some of the more notable show posters from the tour. Lastly, we examine the album through the macro lens of the Primus discography. Note: Due to scheduling conflicts, we couldn't record with...

Ladies and gentlemen: The Chocolate Room. We dig into the Wonka Era with our guide to the Primus Factory, Tim Soya. In Part 1 we cover: 1. Herb's return to the band. 2. The inspiration and gestation of the Chocolate Factory idea 3. How the initial show (NYE 2013) came together 4. Les Claypool's connection to the 1971 film 5. Roald Dahl 6. Comparing the NYE performance to the record This is a long...

Back in 1999, the Primus website presented You Don't Know Cock, a parody trivia game about the band. Alas, they dropped the game from a website migration, and it was lost history. However, nothing digital truly dies. Watch the gameplay on Youtube: https://youtu.be/SxdOT6oekq8 Music for today's episode is Primus with Adam Gates as Bob Cock and the Yellow Sock, performing at the DNA Lounge in 1992....

Skerik's saxophone genius is on full display in dozens of bands and projects, and he is well-known for his work with Les Claypool over numerous musical iterations. We speak with Skerik today about those various pursuits, and he reveals the band he teases Les about, and how he had to learn the guitar melodies for John The Fisherman, plus an update on the forthcoming Sound Cipher project. Find Skeri...

We close the book on Green Naugahyde with the "fancy footwork" of Extinction Burst, a chaotic and propulsive effort that leaves one in a breathless flop sweat. Matt models the bass and guitar, and we all reach agreement on the envelope filter, at least for this one track! Find out what makes this one a latter-day Primus masterpiece. Get involved Instagram Facebook Email Burn your money 

This week we discuss a Ler-centric track that revels in contrasts, and the lyrics tread some familiar ground, but reveal much about what Primus endured whilst sailing the seas of cheese through over two decades in the big-time by that point. Josh makes some comedic and literary connections to the topic, and Frankie can't stop praising Jay Lane. @primustracks on Instagram and Twitter Did we miss so...

Green Ranger is a brief respite in the latter half of Green Naugahyde, but that doesn't stop us from having plenty to say about it. Frankie posits a thematic connection to Over The Electric Grapevine, and we dig into the autobiographical content of the lyrics. Plus, live versions from both Primus and Duo de Twang(!)! Find on us on the socials @primustracks Get involved Instagram Facebook Email Bur...

We welcome another new bass pro to Primus Tracks Towers: Blas Perez plays in Dhani Harrison's band and is an old school Primus fan who cut his chops on the likes of Les and Geddy. Blas helps us with the sublimely structured songwriting on Moron TV - a true band collaboration. Find Blas on instagram @turboface and search his name on Youtube to see him playing around with beautiful, brand new Fender...

When Primus goes country/western, you call on the bassist of Mexico's greatest instrumental rock band, Parazit. Please welcome Kello Gonzalez to the Primus Tracks family! Kello tells his Primus story, then breaks down the technique and phrasing behind the bass groove of Lee Van Cleef, a live mainstay since its inception. Find Kello @kellogc on Instagram and check out Parazit at parazitmx.bandcamp....

A live staple since 2011, Jilly's On Smack hits all the hallmarks of a standout Primus track. Tune in to hear the checklist, as well as guest commentary from Jonny G of lespecial! Get involved Instagram Facebook Email Burn your money 

All eyes on this episode! Rory Dolan, the drumming madman of lespecial, returns to the show to discuss the unusual drumming here, and connects this track to a Primus classic. Frankie brings the track trivia and Josh thinks he has every lyrical reference nailed in this one, the content of which is a departure for Les Claypool in Primus terms. Find Rory and lespecial @lespecialmusic and at www.lespe...

The happy-go-lucky funk of Tragedy's A'Comin accompanies dark lyrics, making a strange contrast of flavors. Louis Ortega joins the podcast to talk about the funk underpinnings, and we range from Isley Brothers to Iron Maiden to Dylan Thomas. I suppose the greatest tragedy here is that we didn't reference more cultural touchstones in association with this unique Primus track. @primustracks on Insta...

Anthony Garcia brings consumerist culture to the podcast and enlightens us as to the many unusual musical & vocal elements of Eternal Consumption Engine - and it all starts with a decade-old Ler idea. Plus, the intricacies of global economic policy! Okay, we skirt that issue, but Josh does like talking about steam engines. Find us @primustracks on Instagram and Twitter and please share your observ...

Josh and Frankie unpack part four of the Fisherman's Chronicles, which addresses the concerns of commercial salmon fisherman in Northern California. Are these some of Les Claypool's strongest lyrics? Probably. Does the music provide adequate support? Tune in to find out! Get involved Instagram Facebook Email Burn your money 

We begin our ride through 2011's Green Naugahyde by examining the opening track(s) - Prelude to a Crawl and Hennepin Crawler. Luke Bemand of lespecial unlocks the mysteries of the envelope filter, much to Frankie's delight. Josh remains diplomatically neutral. Get involved Instagram Facebook Email Burn your money 

There is NEW PRIMUS MUSIC and Josh & Frankie have thoughts. After only a few (hundred) listens to the new Conspiranoid EP, they offer their connections to Primus/Les canon and what it might mean for the musical direction of the band. Go get the digital Conspiranoid EP right now! Get involved Instagram Facebook Email Burn your money 

BOB COCK IS DEAD. LONG LIVE BOB COCK. Get involved Instagram Facebook Email Burn your money 

Before the reunion tour(s) and Green Naugahyde, the Les-Ler-Jay trio recorded and released an EP of rehearsal footage in June 2010, to give us a taste of what was to come. Later in November of 2010, the band dropped Me Llamo Mud, a Spanish-language translation of the Primus classic. Josh and Frankie dig into these free downloads and let their past selves get excited all over again. Viva Chile! Fin...

The first in a sub-series of heavy musical influences on Primus, Primus DNA delves into The Talking Heads and their mark on Primus, especially in the early days (which serves as an excuse to play those herky-jerky proto versions of songs). Rodney Gordon, Primus fan and host of This Must Be Talking Heads podcast, joins us to explain the connection between these two bands. Find Rodney's pod anywhere...

Primus wasn't up to much in the years 2005-09, but something changed in 2010. We take this "fallow period" year by year and react to releases and live performances, and end on a positive note as we regale with our excitement at a particular announcement from Primus in 2010! Get involved Instagram Facebook Email Burn your money 

We conclude the Animals "LP" with My Friend Fats, a track that reaches heights Primus had never hit before. Some say it plods along and takes forever to crescendo, and some say it's just right. Find out what Josh and Frankie have to say about it! Get involved Instagram Facebook Email Burn your money 

I mean, most of us call this one Rapscallion for the sake of simplicity. No matter the title, Frankie labels it a "prog suite" and we explore each part, even the noise, with guidance from our pal Anthony Garica, who brings unfettered joy to all things Primus. New stickers available! Check out the Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook page to see the design. Get involved Instagram Facebook Email Burn you...

The middle track on the Animals EP (LP according to Frankie) brings another unexpected wrinkle to Primus canon - a "love" song, although Josh & Frankie agree it may be more about covetousness. That aside, we dig into the music, live history, and put out a call for listeners to share how their irrational love of Primus ruined a romantic relationship, no matter how fledgling. Hit us up @primustracks...

Josh and Frankie explore the story behind the lyrics of Pilcher's Squad: corruption, drugs, money, bent cops, rock stars. The story writes itself, but through the Lens of Les. Hey, there's also music! It's weird, obnoxious, and perfect for our ears. Hop in the squad car and take a ride with Primus Tracks. Get involved Instagram Facebook Email Burn your money