Primus

Primus is a US rock band from El Sobrante, California, active since 1984. The group forms around bassist and vocalist Les Claypool, who is the only constant member. Its core long-term line-up also includes guitarist Larry LaLonde and drummers Tim Alexander, Bryan “Brain” Mantia, Jay Lane, DJ Disk and Claypool Gold among its wider history of members.

Style and identity

Primus is usually placed in alternative rock, funk metal, funk rock and rock. Their music combines funk-style bass playing with thrash-influenced guitar and varied song tempos, and has also been described as alternative metal, thrash funk and other labels. The band is known for an irreverent approach, including the long-running catchphrase “Primus Sucks!” and for releasing records on Claypool’s Prawn Song Records, a name that parodies Led Zeppelin’s Swan Song.

Early years and first releases

The band begins in the mid-1980s as Primate, founded by Claypool and guitarist Todd Huth in El Sobrante. Drummer Peter Libby joins later, and the early line-up changes several times. After Huth and Jay Lane leave in 1989, Claypool brings in Larry LaLonde and Tim Alexander. Primus then releases its first live album, Suck on This, financed by Claypool’s father, followed by the studio album Frizzle Fry in 1990. Early singles include “John the Fisherman” and “Too Many Puppies.”

Breakthrough and major-label years

Interscope Records signs the band in 1990. Its major-label debut, Sailing the Seas of Cheese, brings singles such as “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” and “Tommy the Cat,” with the latter featuring Tom Waits. The album goes gold. Primus also appears in Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey and contributes music to Beavis and Butt-Head. It tours with Rush, U2, Anthrax and Public Enemy.

In 1992 the band releases the covers EP Miscellaneous Debris, including “Making Plans for Nigel,” a version of an XTC song that receives radio play. Pork Soda follows in 1993 and reaches number 7 on the Billboard chart. The album is darker in tone and includes “My Name Is Mud,” “DMV” and “Mr. Krinkle.” It is also the first full-length album recorded at Claypool’s house, after which the band records its albums in his home studio.

Festival appearances and mid-1990s success

Primus headlines Lollapalooza in 1993 and appears at Woodstock ’94. In 1994 the original Claypool-Huth-Lane line-up reunites for Sausage’s Riddles Are Abound Tonight. Primus releases Tales from the Punchbowl in 1995, its fifth album, and its best-known single “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver” is nominated for a Grammy. The album also includes “Mrs. Blaileen” and “Southbound Pachyderm.” During this period the band appears on David Letterman and Conan O’Brien.

Line-up changes, hiatus and return

Tim Alexander leaves in 1996 and Bryan “Brain” Mantia takes over drums. With Mantia, Primus records the theme for South Park in 1997 and contributes “Mephisto and Kevin” to the Chef Aid album. The band’s 1997 album Brown Album is less successful than previous releases, and Antipop follows in 1999 with heavy input from outside musicians and producers. The band tours with Ozzfest and releases “Lacquerhead,” which is banned from MTV. In 2000 Primus performs “N.I.B.” with Ozzy Osbourne; the track appears on Nativity in Black, Vol. 2: A Tribute to Black Sabbath. After touring for Antipop, the group goes on indefinite hiatus in 2001.

2003 reunion and later work

Primus reunites in 2003 with Claypool, LaLonde and Alexander for Animals Should Not Try to Act Like People, a DVD/EP. The band tours in formats that include full performances of Sailing the Seas of Cheese and Frizzle Fry, and releases live material from those shows. In 2006 it issues the compilation They Can’t All Be Zingers and the DVD Blame It on the Fish: An Abstract Look at the 2003 Primus Tour de Fromage. The band also plays large festivals including Lollapalooza, Vegoose, Rothbury and Outside Lands.

Jay Lane rejoins in 2010, and Primus releases the rehearsal EP June 2010 Rehearsal. Its seventh studio album, Green Naugahyde, follows in 2011 on ATO Records and Prawn Song. It is the only Primus album to feature Lane on drums. In 2013 Tim Alexander returns, and the band performs a New Year’s Eve show in Oakland that includes a full set of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory music. That performance leads to the studio album Primus & The Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble in 2014, and the same period also sees the publication of Primus, Over the Electric Grapevine: Insight into Primus and the World of Les Claypool.

Recent albums

In 2017 Primus releases The Desaturating Seven, its ninth studio album and its first original material since Green Naugahyde. Tim Alexander records the album, which is based on the children’s book The Rainbow Goblins by Italian author Ul de Rico. The record draws on a more progressive rock sound and shows the influence of King Crimson. The band continues to tour in support of the album.

Related projects

Claypool works across several other projects, including Fancy, Les Claypool’s Duo De Twang, The Claypool Lennon Delirium, Oysterhead, Colonel Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade and Colonel Claypool’s Bucket of Bernie Brains. He also writes and directs Electric Apricot: Quest for Festeroo, appears in Pig Hunt, publishes the novel South of the Pumphouse and starts Claypool Cellars. Alexander also records with Fata Morgana, Into the Presence and Puscifer. LaLonde tours with Serj Tankian, while Jay Lane plays with Charlie Hunter Trio and Furthur.