Episodios
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Possibly the most challenging track of the album for its messiness and seeming lack of structure, there are redeeming qualities - Bucket's strange guitar sounds, a guest turn from Gabby La La, and the mystery of the single lyric - Hip Shot From the Slab captures c2b3 at its most abstract. Frankie doggedly mines English idioms to make sense of the title, for which we spend an inordinate amount of time. Some fascinating live cuts and brave Primates' Takes round out this episode.
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The epic instrumental positioned at track 4 is mix of wistful pathos and chill dub, eliciting a wide range of interpretations and emotional responses. At Primus Tracks, we tend towards the visual spark, and this track takes us on some strange trips. We get into the heart of the matter, and discuss some megafauna along the way.
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The tyranny of the hunt will take you by surprise, and so will the origins of this track! We have deep background on the lyrics of this track thanks to some interviews around the time of record release, as well as our recent episode with Les, Brain, and Soya. Who knew the gangrenous penis would become the stuff of legend? (Me. I knew.) The music is well-structured, with some inspired breaks among the stop-start verses, and Buckethead shows his versatility throughout. The lyrics lead us to a discussion of body horror (Halloween is coming!) and what our limits are. Spoiler: they're low.
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The great Rory Dolan of Lespecial rejoins Primus Tracks to deconstruct Brain's unusual drum performance on the second track of the c2b3 record, which, actually, already sounds like it was deconstructed? After rocking our faces off, this looser number reveals the more casual and spontaneous side of the band and project. Frankie reveals the thematic origins of the seemingly-nonsensical lyrics, which brings it all together.
Rory on Instagram
lespecial.net
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The great Kello Gonzalez rejoins Primus Tracks amid his jam-packed schedule to discuss the fiery opening track to the lone Bucket of Bernie Brains release, Buckethead. The second biographical track about the mysterious masked figure with lyrics by Claypool, this one hoists him as a paragon of honor and excellence, with a towering track to match, but only after a whimsical keyboard intro courtesy of Bernie Worrell, which calls to mind the improvisational nature of the band's live performances and the manner in which they took the stage. Kello is a Buckethead fan, adding a layer of commentary to the normal proceedings that brings to light Bucket's prolific releases, but also his undeniable musicality. Plus: SIX live tracks? Frankie's had too many cookies.
Find Kello Gonzalez everywhere on the internet @kellogc
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As we turn our attention to Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains, Tim Soya made sure we opened proceedings in style with two of the band members, Brian "Brain" Mantia and Les Claypool. We ask them about the origins and magic of C2B3 - which seems to be just that, given their commentary, but they certainly hold dear the experience of playing without a net and relying on one another to carry the show should the need arise. We get into some of the album's tracks and stump them with a clip of a song they didn't know they wrote. Massive thanks to Soya for wrangling Brain and Les for this very special episode of Primus Tracks.
Reminder: Patreon members get video of this and more episodes!
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We continue our DNA sub-series with a less obvious influence on Les Claypool and Primus: XTC. This English band influenced Les in his formative years, perhaps subconsciously influencing his own style, culminating in two Primus covers of XTC tracks from their album, Drums and Wires in Making Plans for Nigel and Scissorman.
Here to provide a crash course in XTC And to describe what he hears of them in Primus is XTX Xpert Mark Fisher, who maintains an XTC podcast, What Do You Call That Noise? and keeps the world apprised of the band via xtclimelight.com
Special thanks to Mark for his time and his insights. XTC are a worthy band to explore, and there's certainly something for every Primus fan within.
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Les Claypool was busy enough in 2002 with the release and support of Purple Onion, but he also found time to complete a cover of Hot Rod Lincoln for a compilation album, land Frog Brigade Bonnaroo performances on two official releases, and start his journey with Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains. We dig into the covers and the improv nature of c2b3.
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As the 2024 Primus summer tour concludes, we take a look at the number of set list surprises and other goodies that packed the 33-date sojourn with much mirth, merriment, and mind-melting, mesmerizing musicianship. This tour was unique for being conducted without some kind of theme or conceit behind, nor any kind of official release to back. Primus was just out on the road, headlining some fetching venues and digging deep into the bag of tracks, much to the delight of the hardcore fans such as us. We sample some of the memorable moments captured by attendees and offer our astute(?) observations.
What was your summer tour highlight? Tell us all about it on the socials!
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David Lefkowitz returns for another Master Class. Dave managed Primus/Les for about twenty years, and additionally was the president of Prawn Song Records when the label pivoted to releasing albums by talented Bay Area bands. We discuss the challenges and intricacies of running a record label (Dave's advice: don't.) and why it's not the greatest idea. Great talk with a true heavy!
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Our latest Legendary Show Dissection takes us back to 2004 as Primus marauded across North America to bring Frizzle Fry in its entirety to the masses in a two-set evening-with format. On this particular evening, the band graced the crowd with what we believe is a record of six consecutive songs on the six-string fretless "rainbow" bass. Considering that the rainbow is retired due to age and sentimental value, and replaced by a fantastic Pachyderm sixer, this specific feat may never be replicated. Frankie guides us through this evening of enigmatic enchantment.
Primus Minneapolis 2004 on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XyQvcXlyJY
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The great Kello Gonzalez returns to wrap up Purple Onion in style with a breakdown of (and on) Cosmic Highway. We get into what makes this track a fan favorite, why it ends the record in a satisfying way, and what makes it so familiar to Primus fans picking up Les solo work for the first time.
Find Kello on Youtube & Instagram
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David Makalaster II continues the saga of our newscaster, whose manipulative messaging has taken a turn to the bellicose. Mak II stands as commentary on the media landscape post 9/11 and its exhortations to belligerence, whether abroad or domestic, and the music supports that military march to war, which we connect to Les Claypool's favorite film, perhaps finding some of the musical inspiration for this track.
Think. It ain't illegal yet.
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Sam Stewart of Flagman joins Primus Tracks to discuss Up On The Roof, and explains what makes it a certified banger in the Claypool catalogue. The track has familiar foundations in a percussive bass line and lyrics regarding drug addiction, but this tune remains fresh and vibrant over twenty years later.
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LISTEN 2 FLAGMAN! -
Lights in the Sky is another structured, thoughtful piece that seems simple, but allows maximum space for Frog Brigade collaborators to shine. In this case, they keep it atmospheric and low key until a bit of a heavier, unexpected ending. Although the lyrics are fairly generic for a Claypool tune, they provide ample fodder for conversation, and we take advantage by discussing stories of alien abduction. Because, yknow, it stands to reason.
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This week on the podcast, we address the Les Claypool live staple D's Diner, which has been performed by so many iterations of his bands that everyone has lost count, except for Frankie. Bay Area resident and D's Diner regular Anthony Garcia helps us choose what menu items will be worth our while, models the main bass lick, and explains why it's okay to have a one-riff jam track in the middle of, to this point, a focused record. Next time you're in Sebastopol, get the breakfast burrito with extra red sauce!
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Barrington Hall is a legendary location in the Primus world, and its debauched past pairs well with the refined nature of the music from this Purple Onion track. Matt Hunter models the bass parts and harmonies, and we delve into the sordid events that led to Barrington's demise as a student housing cooperative.
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Ding Dang is a forceful number, both in terms of music and lyrics. We speak with bassist Alex Dalasio about the musicality of the tune, and what makes it memorable, as well as unpacking the lyrics, which are meant to provoke, and perhaps even make us uncomfortable, but there's a lesson to be learned and a resonant, timeless message. We get to the heart of the matter and solve all of the world's problems. Just another day at the office in Primus Tracks Towers!
Find Alex's musical efforts under the name Psychedelic Waves on Bandcamp and Spotify.
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Les Claypool started banging on the Whamola on February 14, 2001, at a Frog Brigade show in Boston, Massachusetts, and it's accompanied him on nearly every subsequent tour, and numerous studio records. He popularized the one-stringed instrument that an enterprising person could construct for less than $100, and put his unique spin on it with percussive playing that utilizes distortion and evelope filter to achieve a big sound. Here, on the Purple Onion record, the track serves as a solo showcase for Les's side men, and they all deliver wild slices of sound, supported by drummer Fish Fisher of Fishbone. We examine the history of the instrument, numerous live cuts, and whether the track holds up 20+ years later.
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With Long in the Tooth, Les Claypool takes a page from the Tom Waits book of music, and puts his own spin on the concept, evoking numerous auti-biographical details - some clear, some hazy - that act as an ode to aging and general acceptance of the process. We explicate the lyrics in depth, and sample a bit of ol' Stompin' Tom Connors in the process.
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