Primus Tracks

We round out our coverage of Conspiranoid with Erin on the Side of Caution, which imtroduces new wrinkles to the Primus fabric, and promises of more creativity to come. Lyrically, the track sticks with the other two on the release to provide the full picture of Les Claypool's frustrations with certain factions of society in 2020-21. Uh huh uh HUH! https://www.patreon.com/primustracks https://www.i...

The second track of Conspiranoid, Follow The Fool, follows the theme of the EP's title track, and forced its way into sets during the second Tribute To Kings tour run in 2022. Matt Hunter guests to model the bass parts, and turns the envelope filter up to Eleven. Follow Matt @hamoftruth86 on Instagram primustrackspod@gmail.com patreon.com/primustracks Get involved Instagram Facebook Email Burn you...

Conspiranoia was borne of the band's prog shift, starting in 2017 and continuing with the Tribute To Kings tours, in which the band played Rush every night. Seems appropriate that they'd want to create their own epic, and this is the result of those efforts - a jammy, proggy suite complete numerous firsts for the band, and lyrics sure to piss off the right people. Put on your tinfoil hats as we di...

Jason McHugh partnered with Matt Stone & Trey Parker for Cannibal: The Musical, South Park, and Orgazmo, but he also produced Les Claypool's Electric Apricot film and has assisted the band on tour. We char with him about all of these experiences, and how Electric Apricot was a full-circle moment for him. Check out Jason's work @jasonmchugh2 on Instagram. Get involved Instagram Facebook Email Burn...

Is it truly The Ends? For The Desaturating Seven, yes. For Primus Tracks, not even close. We round out the 2017 Primus release with a brief discussion of the album's cyclical nature, the connections to the source text, and the extensive DS7 tour. Plus, it's Halloween, so why not inspect some Primus Halloween history? parteon.com/primustracks twitter.com/primustracks instagram.com/primustracks prim...

There's a storm a'coming, and Anthony Garcia returns to help us navigate the proggiest of Primus tracks, The Storm. Anthony models some of the bass and guitar parts to bolster our claims that this is one of the more complex Primus tracks out there. Go to patreon.com/primustracks to see video of this episode! instagram.com/primustracks primustrackspod@gmail.com Get involved Instagram Facebook Email...

Although some diehards derided this track upon album release, Josh and Frankie find the charms of The Dream via the connection to the original material in Ul de Rico's book, and the nature of dreams. Besides, the reward at the end is worth it! patreon.com/primustracks instagram.com/primustracks twitter.com/primustracks primustrackspod@gmail.com Get involved Instagram Facebook Email Burn your money...

Lespecial bassist Luke Bemand returns to explain the underpinnings of this track, in which there are few, if any rests for the bass. It's a driving rainbow bass tune that requires special investigation. Plus, we talk about the "lollipop" guitar by Larry LaLonde and lyrics that, while based on a book, make oblique commentary to contemporary events. https://www.patreon.com/primustracks https://www.i...

We hold The Trek in the highest esteem for its individual elements, and how they coalesce into a truly epic track. Our renowned guest, Kello Gonzalez, brings his own Carl Thompson rainbow bass(!) and helps us with the instrumentation and what makes this a latter-day classic. Check out the oft-cited Port Chester show here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw4PYdlTD2g Kello on Youtube: https://www.yo...

The ostensible title track of the album, The Seven packs a punch with its changing time signatures and bass & guitar techniques. First-time guest Lalo Fierro (and son!) join us to discuss their Primus experiences, as well as Lalo's interpretations of The Seven. Live cuts, a cover, and lots of laughter in this one. No idea why we're so giddy. https://www.patreon.com/primustracks https://www.ins...

We move into a new Primus record cycle and recap all of the hints the band dropped in early 2017 as to what was to come; the final product being The Desaturating Seven. By modern standards a short album, we discuss the initial mixed reception to the record's concept and execution, and how crowds were won over by live performances. We dig into the promotions for the album and the parallels in recor...

David Lefkowitz, Primus/Les manager for about 20 years, returns to the podcast for more deep insight into the Primus timeline. Last time, Dave took us through the halcyon days of the Bay Area scene in the 1980s. This time, we discuss the marketing and promotion of Frizzle Fry, and what it took to get onto a major label, Interscope, and how Primus navigated the seas of cheesein 1991-92. Great talk...

Primus and Ween accompanied Matt Stone and Trey Parker, along with a host of supporting performers on a two-night run at the famed Red Rocks to celebrate South Park's 25th anniversary. You'll get a firsthand account of the action, as JOSH WAS THERE. If you haven't already, check out the pro-shot footage on Paramount+; these performances will likely never happen again, and it was a truly magical ex...

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...