Live Review and Photos: JACOB GAITAN
Eleven years have passed since the oddball trio Primus released Anti Pop. Since then, they’ve spawned a few tours across the world, performing classic hits in every city. But all that changed upon releasing ‘Green Naugahyde,’ the bands seventh album released September 12th. The 19-day tour began shortly after in Boston, and concluded at the Wiltern in Los Angeles.
For those who attended the sold out event and expected to leave in a sober state of mind had another thing coming. It wasn’t the excess clouds of foreign smoke or the overly intoxicated forty-something-year-olds channeling the 90s funk scene, it was the psychedelic visuals and euphoric musical atmosphere. Les Claypool’s bass melodies and thumping rhythms not only had the crowd bouncing in mosh pits, but also caused him to pace in circles while stomping to the beat. Primus’ lyrics have always left fans with eyebrow raising reactions, but the large and oversized astronauts with helmets that projected facial images displayed moving heads and blinking eyes, which definitely increased the levels of insanity performed on stage.
Their two set performance began with classic hits off their 90s albums. ‘Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweakers’ and ‘Pudding Time’ began the night, which also included ‘Mrs. Blaileen, Jerry Was A Race Car Driver’ and ‘Over The Electric Grapevine.’ After concluding their first set, a brief intermission was scheduled, showing black and while animations of ‘Popeye,’ further adding to the bizarre experience. The second portion of the night featured ‘Green Naugahyde’ in its
entirety. On stage, a projection screen displayed visuals of cartoon characters that raised more questions than answers. The vivid colors were invigorating and
extremely entertaining. The onstage chemistry shared by Claypool, guitarist Larry LeLonde and drummer Jay Lane resembled a garage band jam session, combining multiple elements of sound effects and solos at every attempt.
Primus touched base with all senses, providing intense visuals and killer sounds. As the night concluded, “Primus SUCKS! Primus SUCKS!” chants were shouted towards the band as an honor. Claypool returned for a two-song encore, finishing with ‘Tommy The Cat.’ Primus has two dates scheduled this month in South America, and also Hawaii in December. Selected shows have been announced for Europe next year, with another tour currently in the works. ‘Green Naugahyde’ peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200 and is currently available everywhere.
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Primus by ATO Records
PRIMUS Set List:
Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers
Pudding Time
Duchess and the Proverbial Mind Spread
The Pressman
Over The Falls
Drum and Whamola Jam
Eleven
Mrs. Blaileen
Jerry Was A Race Car Driver
Over the Electric Grapevine
Set 2: Green Naugahyde
Prelude to a Crawl
Hennepin Crawler
Last Salmon Man
Eternal Consumption
Engine Tragedy’s a’ Comin’
Eyes of the Squirrel
Jilly’s on Smack
Lee Van Cleef
Moron TV
Green Ranger
HOINFODAMAN
Extinction Burst
Salmon Men
Encore:
Southbound Pachyderm
Tommy the Cat
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