By Chris Worrell
In honor of the new album release The Desaturating Seven from Primus on September 29th, I have gone back and re-familiarized myself with their existing catalog. Full disclosure: Primus is my absolute all-time favorite band, without question, and has been since the first time I heard their music back in 1992. Primus is more of a hallucinatory audio experience than a band, their personnel are extraordinarily talented masters of their instruments and their craft, and their unique presence and creative originality are virtually unparalleled.
Primus emerged in 1990 after a few unstable years, surviving a handful of personnel changes and even a couple of name changes. They started with a demo recorded as “Sausage,” but then changed the name to “Primal” for a short time, eventually launching their first release as Primus. At that time, they had settled in to the core lineup of bassist/vocalist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde, and drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander. Other drummers have come and gone, but Les, Ler, and Herb will always be Primus to the “purists” of their fan base.
The Primus catalog has expanded over the past 27 years, representing a remarkable evolution of sound. Their diversity and variety of musical influences combined with their gifted songwriting abilities make their sound hard to define and even more difficult to label. You’ll commonly hear them called “prog rock”, and I describe it as “eclectic rock” when trying to explain them to people, but it’s so much more than that. Primus is a rare commodity in the music world; a group unafraid to go against trends, ignore the status quo, and be who they are while playing by their own rules. Love them or hate them, there’s no one else like them.
And, with that, I now present …
ALBUM: Suck on This
RELEASE DATE: 1989
LABEL: Prawn Song/Caroline
It’s pretty rare that a band debuts with a live album, and I know this because I researched it. I could only find five other artists who did that, and it’s an odd list unto itself (MC5, Hüsker Dü, Jane’s Addiction, The Dave Matthews Band, and Jeff Buckley). The Suck on This set list is a hodgepodge of songs which would eventually appear on their first two studio albums, one track which didn’t make the cut until their third album (Pressman), and a couple of other tracks which fell by the wayside (The Heckler, Jellikit).
Recorded live during two shows at Berkeley Square in California, the album captures the electric essence and raw charisma of the core lineup, despite their only having been together for a couple of months at that point. With a diverse arrangement of songs offering a tantalizing sampler of things to come, the crowd was heavy with established Bay Area fans already familiar with the band, and the recording includes their applause as well as some audience participation.
FAVORITE TRACK: I have to go with Jellikit. It kicks ass, it’s different enough to stand out amongst the rest of the offerings, and I always have to give bonus points whenever Herb plays a drum solo.
MY RATING: The set list is solid, but the sound quality left something to be desired. To be fair, the album was digitally remastered in 2002 and re-released. All in all, 7/10.
ALBUM: Frizzle Fry
RELEASE DATE: 1990
LABEL: Prawn Song/Caroline
Twenty-seven years after its release, the first studio endeavor from the fledgling band still stands strong among the rest of the catalog. The showcase of unbridled talent and songwriting skill is on full display, and this auditory journey delivers some of the most memorable Primus tracks. It begins with longtime concert staples To Defy The Laws Of Tradition and Groundhog’s Day, as well as fan favorites John The Fisherman, Too Many Puppies, and Harold of the Rocks.
The album title is a reference to hallucinogenics, particularly LSD, and the title track is an exposition of that topic. Their signature song structure of building up slowly to a rocking finale is on point for several tracks on this record, and will continue throughout their career. Their irreverent colors would begin to bleed through in other tracks, such as The Toys Go Winding Down and Spegetti Western, leaving no doubt that they will continue surprising and making you wonder what’s coming next.
FAVORITE TRACK: It’s really difficult to pick one song from this album, but I’ve decided on Mr. Knowitall as my favorite. It’s a rocking good tune from start to finish, and features some of Les Claypool’s best wordplay in the lyrics.
MY RATING: This album changed my life forever. There’s not a track on it which I don’t love, and the re-release containing Hello Skinny/Constantinople is a definite bonus. For me, it’s a 10/10 perfect record.
ALBUM: Sailing The Seas of Cheese
RELEASE DATE: 1991
LABEL: Interscope Records
Primus was the first rock band signed to the newly minted Interscope Records label, and Sailing the Seas of Cheese is their major label debut. The core lineup found their groove with this album, and the song quality represents that fact. This album was their first to be certified gold in 1993, and would later be certified platinum in 2001.
This album features two songs embraced by rock radio stations, Jerry Was a Racecar Driver and Tommy the Cat, which are still broadcast over the airwaves to this day. Other fan favorites frequently heard at live shows are Here Come The Bastards and Those Damned Blue Collar Tweekers. This album is a varied and original collective of songs which followed through with the same energy and enthusiasm of the previous record, but set the precedent for the fans that you can expect something different from album to album.
FAVORITE TRACK: Again, very difficult to single out one track, but for the sake of this article I’m going with American Life. The structure is fantastic, the bass lines are superb, and the lyrics are one of the finest representations of Claypool’s poetic yin to his silly yang.
MY RATING: Great album from start to finish, and one I was able to see performed live in its entirety at the Warfield in San Francisco. 8.5/10.
ALBUM: Miscellaneous Debris (EP)
RELEASE DATE: 1992
LABEL: Interscope Records
The first of the band’s EP releases between albums, Miscellaneous Debris is a collection of five cover songs from a variety of artists, showcasing their wide range of musical influences. Where else are you going to find tracks by Peter Gabriel, XTC, The Residents, The Meters, and Pink Floyd in one location? Nowhere else, and that should have been easy to guess. Les Claypool recorded these tracks with his new six-string fretless Carl Thompson bass guitar, which would become known as the now-legendary “Rainbow Bass.”
FAVORITE TRACK: Definitely the Peter Gabriel offering, Intruder. It has a sonic feel and effervescence unlike any other Primus recording, original or otherwise.
MY RATING: A fun bookmark between albums, this one has something for almost everyone, but doesn’t shine like the other coins in the fountain. 5/10.
ALBUM: Pork Soda
RELEASE DATE: 1993
LABEL: Interscope Records
Generally considered the band’s breakthrough album, Pork Soda is their first album to be certified gold (within five months), and their first to be certified platinum (in 1997). This album is a pretty drastic departure from the silly-fun nature of the previous recordings, and many of the songs deal with darker themes and more downtrodden overtones than their earlier material.
Fan favorite tracks My Name Is Mud, Mr. Krinkle, and Nature Boy are found among this odd gathering, as well as the extraordinarily unique instrumental Wounded Knee, and the banjo-driven ditty The Air Is Getting Slippery. Pork Soda cemented the notion that you can never know what to expect from this band, and that makes them awesome!
FAVORITE TRACK: DMV. Everything great about Primus is showcased in this track, and what’s not to love about a song hating on trips to the DMV?
MY RATING: Another brilliant offering of style, complexity and tremendous musicianship, the first of their albums to go platinum clocks in at 9/10.
ALBUM: Tales From The Punchbowl
RELEASE DATE: 1995
LABEL: Interscope Records
This album deftly showcases the incontrovertible musical abilities and collaborative dexterity of three musicians who had achieved Jedi-level status on their relative instruments, and the songs are as varied as any to be found on a Primus recording. This would be the last album recorded before drummer Tim Alexander left the group (temporarily, as it eventually played out).
Perhaps their biggest radio hit, Wynonna’s Big Brown Beaver, is found here, along with amazing eccentricities like Southbound Pachyderm, On the Tweek Again and Over the Electric Grapevine. Claypool has an affinity for songs which tell a tale, and the track Glass Sandwich is a case study in hypnotic auditory storytelling.
FAVORITE TRACK: The first song, Professor Nutbutter’s House of Treats, is a veritable magnum opus showcasing all of the best traits of the Primus sound, songwriting, and syncopated glory created by the core lineup.
MY RATING: A reoccurring trend in Primus albums (one bad apple spoiling the bunch – yes, I’m pointing at you, Mrs. Blaileen) prevents this album from being perfect, and is thusly allocated a well deserved 9/10.
ALBUM: Brown Album
RELEASE DATE: 1997
LABEL: Interscope Records
After losing drummer Tim Alexander, Les and Ler regrouped with Bryan “Brain” Mantia, who had briefly played with the band before Alexander took the throne. Mantia, despite being a skilled percussionist in his own right, was never widely accepted by long time Primus fans. Claypool would later admit that Brain’s energy and skills suited the live performance side of the Primus coin, but he did not have the same skill level in crafting and creating new songs which Alexander possessed, and the Brown Album reflects this.
Brown Album is a full ninety-degree turn down a completely different path which takes the listener through a host of undiscovered territories, maintaining some of the familiar sound but showcasing a much different collaborative effort than the previous records. The songs range from darkly atmospheric (Fisticuffs, Restin’ Bones) to energetic funk-rock (Golden Boy, Camelback Cinema, Bob’s Party Time Lounge), and the MTV showcased Shake Hands With Beef.
FAVORITE TRACK: The Chastising of Renegade. Without question, it is one of my top ten, maybe top five favorite Primus songs ever.
MY RATING: As much as I missed Herb (my personal favorite drummer), I freely admit that I have always enjoyed this album, and continue to listen to it regularly. With that said, it still falls short of the previous efforts and ranks at 7.5/10.
ALBUM: Rhinoplasty (EP)
RELEASE DATE: 1998
LABEL: Interscope Records/Prawn Song
Their second EP release follows in the footsteps of the earlier Miscellaneous Debris release, paying homage to more of their favorite artists with a selection of cover songs, as well as two live tracks rounding out the playlist. They even cover themselves with a differently paced and darker version of Too Many Puppies.
Their cornucopia of influences is on full display here, with another cover of a Peter Gabriel track, and songs by Stanley Clarke, The Police, and even Metallica. The live tracks, Tommy the Cat and Bob’s Party Time Lounge, were recorded at their New Year’s Eve Freak Out in 1997 and are high-powered, energetic offerings.
FAVORITE TRACK: Their cover of Amos Moses by Jerry Reed is the jewel in this crown. Three minutes and eleven seconds of pure magnificence!
MY RATING: A satisfying, if not self-indulgent, filler between albums, this collection sits at 7/10.
ALBUM: Antipop
RELEASE DATE: 1999
LABEL: Interscope Records/Prawn Song
Another rung in their ladder of evolution, Antipop is the only Primus album featuring multiple guest performers and producers. Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine produced and performed on three of the tracks, while others found Tom Waits, Matt Stone from South Park, Stewart Copeland, and Fred Durst in the sound booth. The songwriting is tight, and many of the tracks have an intense, almost frantic mood running through them.
Antipop is unique, as a Primus album tends to be, but it’s disassociated from a lot of the irreverent spirit and originality found in the earlier albums. This recording was plagued with in-fighting by the band members, and would become the last album with Bryan Mantia behind the drums.
FAVORITE TRACK: The Tom Morello produced Electric Uncle Sam definitely has the strongest Primus flavor, and is arguably the most enjoyable song on the album.
MY RATING: I put this one slightly behind the Brown Album on the scale, at 7/10.
ALBUM: Animals Should Not Try To Act Like People (EP)
RELEASE DATE: 2003
LABEL: Interscope Records/Prawn Song
After a lengthy hiatus following the departure of Brain, Primus eventually returned to the studio with Tim Alexander reclaiming the drummer’s seat. They recorded five new tracks for this CD, which accompanied a DVD collection featuring all of the Primus music videos, short films, and a treasure trove of live performances spanning the entire history of the group.
The music is an odd cross-section of the historic core lineup and the 2000-era Primus sound. After so many years of innovation and songwriting evolution, the songs are not the return to form most fans were expecting. The first track, The Carpenter and the Dainty Bride, has tinges of the early season theme song from South Park. The songs Mary the Ice Cube and My Friend Fats are slower, moody tracks with a somewhat melancholy ambiance, while the rest of the songs play closer to the traditional Primus sound. The EP/DVD combo was still widely embraced by the fans, and remains their only EP to reach platinum status (2004).
FAVORITE TRACK: The Last Superpower aka Rapscallion stands out for me, and I like to think of Rapscallion as a second cousin to Renegade, my favorite song from the Brown Album.
MY RATING: Judging the five track EP on its own merits and disregarding the DVD, this one falls a little short amongst its peers, and nets a 5.5/10.
ALBUM: Green Naugahyde
RELEASE DATE: 2011
LABEL: ATO/Prawn Song
Primus was essentially put on a shelf after the Animals EP, with Les Claypool focusing on his solo career and various side projects. When Les and Ler reunited and decided it was time to bring the trio back out on the road, they found that Tim Alexander wasn’t interested, so Les brought in drummer Jay Lane, one of the original drummers who preceded Alexander behind the kit, and had recently played in Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade side project. Green Naugahyde is geared more towards the loyal fan base audience, rather than the casual listener.
Lane’s skill level is more equivalent to Alexander’s than Bryan Mantia, but he has a distinctively different style than either of them. While Alexander was a driving force in the band’s creative process, Lane, like Mantia, serves as more of a back beat performer, and the Naugahyde album is closer in comparison to the Brown Album and Antipop as a result. Still, songs like Hennepin Crawler and Tragedy’s a’ Comin’ are reminiscent of their earlier free-form rock-based style, while Last Salmon Man and Lee Van Cleef are representative of Claypool’s long-time penchant for songs which tell a tale.
FAVORITE TRACK: Jilly’s on Smack. Though the lyrical subject matter is somewhat morose, the musicianship of Jay Lane and Les Claypool playing the upright bass with a bow make this song stand tall above the rest of the lot.
MY RATING: Jay Lane helped steer the band in a new direction, and they scored a solid 7.5/10.
ALBUM: Primus and the Chocolate Factory
RELEASE DATE: 2014
LABEL: ATO/Prawn Song
Primus returned with this album inspired by and dedicated to the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory film from 1971. The band designed an entire production for live performances in sync with scenes from the film, and the songs are Primus-injected re-imaginings of the musical numbers from the movie. There were two versions of the show advertised on tour: one that was family friendly and one for more mature audiences. Primus was joined on this recording by “The Fungi Ensemble,” namely virtuoso percussionist Mike Dillon, and cellist Sam Bass.
The music takes parts of the Wonka tour down a slightly darker path, but generally follows the mood of the film’s progression. Candyman and Golden Ticket are predictably upbeat numbers, while the downtrodden appearances of the Oompa Loompas feature bottom-dwelling bass lines and thunderous echoing drum beats. The album really needs to be experienced with the movie to truly appreciate the artistry involved.
FAVORITE TRACK: For me, the album peaks with Pure Imagination, the song performed within the Chocolate Room. The first time I heard it I smiled like the Cheshire Cat and couldn’t stop.
MY RATING: My love of the Wonka film and Primus assign this record a score of 8.5/10
Want more? There is plenty of Primus out there which wasn’t mentioned here, and don’t forget Les Claypool’s multitude of solo albums and side projects! Ler LaLonde and Tim Alexander have plenty of other music in their repertoire as well, and if you’re still not satisfied, seek out more from California’s Bay Area music scene!!
Check out OpenCritic for a better idea of how our review stacks against others.