Primus Tracks

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 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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Frequent bass contributor Louis Ortega returns to model and explain the hooks behind Buzzards of Green Hill, Frankie's favorite track from the album, and perhaps his top Claypool track. This one seems to be the backwoods hick Claypool that had shone through with some Primus material, but takes the wheel here for a (sober, we hope) drive out in the county. Lyrically, we contrast drunk driving and nursery rhyme motifs; the latter likely a result of Claypool having toddlers at the time, and the former from Les observing the world around him. Some killer live cuts accompany this episode!

Find Louis on Instragram

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This week, we discuss David Makalaster, often referred to as Mak 1, which brings Purple Onion to life after the ambient opening track. Mak 1 and 2 somewhat bookend the Pruple Onion record, and we discuss this first installment in near-isolation, but it's difficult to separate the two. Lots of lyrical references to unpack, and the mass of instrumentation makes for a busy and full musical experience. It's also the first exposure to Skerik's fancy sax for many fans, and boy, does he deliver. Plus, we have live cuts from over the years and lineups/iterations of Les's solo bands. 

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As we begin to peel back the layers of Les Claypool's 2002 album Purple Onion, we discuss the background of the record, its place in (and out) of its time, the inspiration for the title, and we discuss the title track's ambience and ambiguous lyrics. Purple Onion stands as the jump-start to the Les Claypoo; 2000s solo career in terms of writing and performing original material with the Frog Brigade, Fancy Band, Fungi Band - whatever the name of the iteration, it's based on a Claypool record. Grab your local, organic produce and join us. 

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No Forcefield was an experimental collaboration of Larry LaLonde, Brain, Adam Gates, DJ Disk, and Extrakd for Stray Records, which produced two albums: 2000's Lee's Oriental Massage and 2001's God is an Excuse. They're wild, unpredictable, bizarre, and good, clean fun. Both albums are long out of print, but readily available on resale sites such as Discogs. We discuss the (lack of) notoriety for the band, its truncated live history, and what went into the recording of these albums (beyond stimulants). It's c ertainly a departure  from the Primus and Claypool aesthetic, but who doesn't love pure, unadultered self-indulgence from Ler and company?

No Forcefield at the Beta Lounge in 2001: https://betalounge.com/2001/02/22/no-forcefield/

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Sessanta spoilers abound

Rejoice, for there is new Primus! As part of the Sessanta tour celebrating Maynard James Keenan's 60th birthday, Primus is supporting live and recorded a track with Maynard for the Sessanta E.P.P.P. We couldn't wait to discuss this track, the first new Primus recording in two years. We discuss its greater context in Sessanta, the tour, and the tune itself, which is certainly a departure from anything else in the band's established catalogue. Hop on a hippo and ride along! (Don't do that. Really.)

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In this super-sized episode, we discuss the 1985/86 Primus demo tape informally titled Welcome To This World, and set it against its time period in the development of the band. From there, we welcome Peter Libby to the show. Peter drummed for Primus over 1984-86, and his skilled approach elevated the band in the Bay Area scene. Peter discusses those early days, his friendship with Tim Soya, his own musical path, and his takeaways from working with Primus. 

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We sample Frankie's newly-acquired 1984 Primate demo tape and give context to its origin, as well as comparing the primordial Primus tunes to what they'd become on official studio releases. Who knew that so many tunes were nearly fully formed as early as 84? We had clues from some bootlegs that go as far back as 86 or 87, but this is a whole new realm, including the infamous initial recording of Too Many Puppies! Enjoy chewing on this most delicate morsel of Primus history. 

At this time, we're deferring to the band and management as to whether to publish the audio in full. Thank you for your patience. Requests for full audio will be ignored, and offers to purchase the tape met with maniacal laughter.

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Surprise! We're not quite through with Oysterhead yet. Weexamine the two "bonus" Oysterhead tracks created by Stewart Copeland shortly after the 2001 tour wrapped. 

Soya phones in from yet another hotel room and tells stories from the Oysterhead tour, including hanging with the men of Oysterhead and integrating with the Phish crew that largely staffed the tour, as well as the mysteries of Les's Shadow of a Man helmet, Trey's Matterhorn, and Stewart's snare drum sound. 

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We wrap up our coverage of the sole studio release from Oysterhead in style with Owner of the World, a sunny day feel-good track that closes the record in fine form.

How does the album stack up for you? What lasting takeaways do you draw from the record? We want to know your thoughts! primustrackspod@gmail.com

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We've reached the title track of Oysterhead's lone studio album, and its medieval bent invites comparisons between the futility of feudalism and modern capitalism. Les Claypool uses classic and crass imagery to expose our class system, while maintaining the happy-go-lucky jauntiness of the music. Tamborines to armageddon!

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This one might be The Grand Pecking Order's top track for many listeners, and we get into what makes it so inviting in terms of musicality (Sabbath?!) and the tale hidden within the lyrics, some of it autobiographical for Les Claypool, and some of it hurtful to Buffalo Bills fans, me included. Dig in!

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Have you spent endless sleepless nights wondering, "What does a Romanian dictator have to do with Oysterhead?" Friend, we understand, and will assuage these existential worries with an exploration of Stewart Copeland's lyrics and the underlying groove of the music. BARBER...

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Birthday Boys is a little ditty that celebrates the accident of adjacent birth for two of the band's members, right? RIGHT? There's a bit more to it, and Les Claypool has hinted at some of the details over the years, which lend a tawdry bent to the lyrics, contrasted with the wholesome-sounding music. Rumors and innuendo swirl around Birthday Boys. Join in the intrigue!

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We are thrilled to welcome Tim Alexander to Primus Tracks! The longtime Primus drummer has stretched his rhythmical and compositional skills through numerous projects over the years, and he is ready to share what he's learned throughout his career. We discuss his newly-founded Stick Academy, the foundations of his drumming, his abstract visual art, and what it means to be back in the Bay Area.

Reminder that PT Patrons get episode video - this is one you don't want to miss!

Find Tim:
https://www.stickacademy.com/
https://timalexanderabstract.com/
https://www.instagram.com/timalexander65/

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It seems antithetical to describe anything Claypool-related as pleasant, but that's the word which comes to mind for this jaunt. The vocal layering is a highlight here, as well as the imadery produced by the lyrics. Feel the gravel between your toes and dance your way through this episode of Primus Tracks!

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The title "Rubberneck Lions" suggests a strange word soup, but there's some kind of meaning underneath the opaque lyrics, and they trend towards familiar territory for Les Claypool and Trey Anastasio. We closely inspect this track, which is one of four that survived Oysterhead's initial performance in May 2000.

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Army's on Ecstasy, or as I call it, Military on Molly, is a an uptempo, art-rock exploration of musical compormise. That is to say, with three strong-willed musicians in the room, something has to give, and this is what we get. It's sort of poppy, sort of jammy, and sort of weird, but undeniably a product of Les, Stew, and Trey. We get into these unique Claypool lyrics, their source material, and hypothesize on how this tune came about. We also ponder the uncredited voices in this track, and just what makes it a product of compromise.

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We can all breathe and drift away after the heavy subject matter and oppressive aura of Shadow of a Man, and perhaps it's a relief that the music of Radon Balloon is light and airy, and the lyrics make zero sense. Either way, please have your basement tested for radon, the silent killer, and then drift away as Josh and Frankie talk about the only Oysterhead track credited solely to Trey Anastasio.

Despite being an Oysterhead track, we suspect this is a tune that Les had at least formulated during the Primus Antipop cycle, and was revived for the Oysterhead record after some time on the shelf. The only track solely penned by Claypool on The Grand Pecking Order, this one is a quintessential Les track, and we discuss the for such an assertion, while embracing the darkness of the lyrical experience. It gets grim.

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For the mighty thematic track underpinning the formation of Oysterhead and the purpose behind its record, we turn to a favorite, Kello Gonzalez, to discuss the structure and freedoms that both exist within Mr. Oysterhead. It's rare that Les pens such confident lyrics about himself and his music, but when you're flanked by Stew and Trey, I suppose one might be feeling their oats. Kello provides info about Les's effects setup for this track, in particular how Les uses the envelope filter.

Find Kello playing lots of bass and his three(!) forthcoming records on Youtube

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Who is Oz? Why is he floating? What does this have to do with John C. Lilly? We tackle all of these questions and more to gain an understanding of the second track from Oysterhead's The Grand Pecking Order, a compact number that tangentially broaches the metaphysical. Plus, song history, live tracks, and Josh helps you avoid cults, FOR FREE.

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We continue our Primus-adjacent chronology with the 2001 release by Oysterhead, The Grand Pecking Order. This record came about after Les Claypool, Trey Anastasio, and Stewart Copeland reconvened at Trey's barn in Vermont many months after their only planned gathering, a one-off (at the time) show in May 2000 in New Orleans.

In this episode, we chart the band's formation and development of the record, and we also do our due diligence to the record's first track, Little Faces, including mining the first performance for some nuggets that would resurface on this studio cut.

Find Lalo @LaloFierro on Instagram! Lalo modles Les's bass parts, and makes some fascinating observations about technique and style.

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David Lefkowitz returns to Primus Tracks to further flesh out the narrative of the band's 1990s rise. We discuss the Pork Soda album cycle, complete with production, videos, touring, and how the band responded to suddenly having a top ten record. Soya and Josh hold it down in Frankie's absence. Get ready for inside baseball!

Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade returned in majestic form as they toured the USA in 2023 - 57 shows that thrilled, delighted, and awed audiences who came for the Claypoolian tunes and stayed for the cover of the entire Animals album by Pink Floyd. We delve into the tour by the numbers, provide our own personal highlights from the shows we attended and recordings abailable, and read lots of listener commentary on the tour: lots of positivity and praise for this lineup and its prodigous musical cohesion, and rightfully so. Viva las ranas!

Tech note: We did have some weirdness with Frankie's mic for the first few minutes, but the sound improves in short order.

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After Primus went on hiatus in 2000, Les Claypool was at a musical and professional crossroads. Eventually, he assembled a group of friends as Colonel Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade for some festivals, and after solidifying the lineup, took to touring the States in a small Airstream trailer. These efforts results in Live Frogs Set 1 and Set 2, which provide a glimpse into the early Frog Brigade experience: lots of Pink Floyd, Sausage, and Holy Mackerel, and a liberated musical experience in which Les and his fellow Frogs stretch, jam, and explore their sonic realm. The Frog experience introduced Les to the jam scene, which embraced him no matter what iteration performed, creating a new audience, and sound, that would eventually cross over into Primus and other projects. We dig into Live Frogs Set 1 and 2 to compare and contrast the original Animals reocrding to what the retooled Frog Brigade presents in 2023, and appreciate how the band elevates some righeous numbers from Sausage and Holy Mackerel. Get your frog on!

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This week, we discuss Buckethead's album Monsters And Robots, a 1999 effort that features Les Claypool and Brian Mantia writing and performing with Bucket during some time off from Primus. The result: six unqie tracks from a Buckethead ouvre that now includes over 400 albums, a dizzying number. We provide a brief overview of Bucket's mysterious persona, and how Les and Brain help shape this record, which may be the best-known of them all in Bucketheadland.

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We take a detour from our standard programming to talk with frequent guest Luke Bemand about the new lespecial record, Odd Times. All three members of the band are good friends of the podcast, and we're excited to talk about their new music. Of course, it's not without some Primus connections. Luke discusses which track is a direct Pork Soda descendant, and the motivation behind the record's heavier direction.

Go get the new album via lespecial.net, Spotify, Apple Music, or Bandcamp, and catch their winter tour in the Eastern US. Guaranteed good times!





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In 1998 and 2001, Tim Alexander teamed up with guitarist Alex Skolnick and bassist Michael Manring to create records under the name Attention Deficit. We are honored to have Michael Manring join us to document and sample those two records, as well as his work with Tim on Michael's records Thonk and Book of Flame. We also get into Michael's latest record, Small Moments, to discuss his mindset when composing for solo work contrasted with composing for group work. Great talk with a brilliant musical mind.

If you haven't heard Michael Manring's music yet, you're missing out.
Find him on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and manthing.com

The Attention Deficit CDs can be hard to find, but discogs is your friend!

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The great Harry Waters takes the glass elevator up to the 38th floor of Primus Tracks Towers to discuss his endeavors in film and tv composition, as well as his role in the Frog Brigade and the relationships therein, as he gears up for the Hunt For Green October run with Les Claypool and company. Plus, Harry gives Josh some piano-playing tips, FOR FREE.

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Tim Alexander resuscitated Laundry in 1999 to create Motivator. Tim took over vocal duties, and the resulting effort is in many ways a departure from the first Laundry effort, but still delivers excellence.

Frankie hadn't heard this record before the episode, so tune in to see why we make so many Tool references with this music, and why it's an intriguing listen! The CD is hard to find, but the album is readily available on Youtube.

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Here's another sub-series within the Primus Tracks realm: Ask Soya! We put out the call, and you answered with your hard-hitting questions about the Primus world. Is Soya up to the task? Find out in the episode as he faces queries about his own drumming, and some hair-raising experiences as a drum tech, and that time he got a talking-to from Les Claypool.

Do you have a question for Tim Soya? Access the Soya Hotline (an unmonitored number) via text or voicemail at 337-514-7692, or email your question to primustracks@gmail.com - we'll play your message for Soya and put him on the hot seat.

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337-514-7692

Bonnaroo 2008 saw Les Claypool assemble a one-off lineup to perform a bevy of his solo tracks around a couple of setlist surprises. Sam Bass, Pualo Baldi, and MIRV joined Les to delight and bewilder the assembled masses in a show that stands out among all of the performances billed to Les Claypool. Frankie guides us through the highlights and gives backstory to the circumstances of the show.

Playlist of the show with video

Toasterland recording

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We double-dip to close out our exploration of Les Claypool & The Holy Mackerel Presents Highball With The Devil by discussing the two instrumentals at the end. Me and Chuck features guitar great Charlie Hunter on one of Les's guitars, and Carolina Rig lays down a dirty groove underneath a fishing program that Les captured from his television. Two disparate tracks that reveal the brilliant musicianship of the principles, albeit in different fashions. Were you aware that Carolina Rig dates back to 1991? We have its original incarnation - check it out.

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Granny's Little Yard Gnome is a little plaster gem hidden near the end of the record, but it hasn't escaped the watchful eye of Primus Tracks. We discuss what makes this one of the more complete tracks on the album, and sample its surprisingly rich live history.

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An autobiographical narration about Les Claypool's decision to purpose a career in music, El Sobrante Fortnight stands out among the goofball tracks on Holy Mackerel for its control, groove, and arrhythmic narration, and of course, MIRV.

We get into the details of the lyrics to better understand Les's approach here, and that leads to discussions of oysters and chicken strips. Why not.



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An oft-overlooked track on the Holy Mackerel record, George E Porge is a modern take on the children's nursey rhyme, and features some fantastic guitar work from the one and only Joe Gore. It's a rare live cut, but we have a couple to sample, and we get some more Soya stories around the Holy Mak, and his attendance at a Frog Brigade show.

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Do you want relentless, pounding rain? You'll get it with this strange offering from the Holy Mackerel record. This track dates back to 1991, and trace its lineage, as well as the lost Michael Palin audio samples along the way...or are they truly lost? With some close listening, one might hear what could have been. Turn in up and listen closely!

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It's a special day on Tracks, as we address a tune near and dear to Les Claypool.The Awakening is a drum-and-bass piece originally by The Reddings, and over the years it's become synonymous with Les. Luke (bass) and Rory (drums) of lespecial team up to analyze the song, but along give a live performance from their band headquarters. Soya compliments the performance, the complements the legend of the song with some Jay Lane and Brain Manita observations/stories, as they're the two principle drumers Les has played this track with over the years.

More from our special guests:
Luke Bemand
Rory Dolan
lespecial

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Have a question for Tim Soya? Call or text 337-514-7692 and he'll answer your Q on the podcast!

We've referenced it enough, so why not return from out summer vacation to discuss Primus at Seahawks Exhibition Hall, 2004. This recording captures the band with a more raw and aggressive sound than any of the other soundboard recordings from this run. As to the why, we discuss some possible sonic reasons, but really, they must have been feeling their oats that night. Frankie hand-picks some highlights for you to consider, but we highly recommend that you block off a couple of hours to experience the entire recording.

Soundboard recording

Frankie's highlights
bastards: intro to set tone then 2:30 for bridge
american life: 10:00 for jam and 11:30 for envelope delight. 12:20 for herv going balistic 15:50 for outro
FATS: 23:00 for "hell" example and 25:30 for guitar solo
Krinkle: 35:40 for outro
eleven: intro and 43:20 for epic jam
mud: 50:55 for guitar solo and outro
groundhog's day: 1:12:40 for buckethead vibe up to 1:13:20 for bass staccatos 1:13:26 for bass groove 1:14:00 for change in tempo 1:15:20 for bass aggression up to guitar descending harmony 1:17:45 for outro
Mr. Knowitall: 1:24:25 and 1:25:30 up to 1:27:00
Frizzle: 1:34:25 for climax
John: intro and 1:38:20 for bridge
pudding time: 1:58:00 for bridge that goes into heavy part
drum solo: 2:13:15speghuetti: intro and 2:23:00
Harold: 2:27:30 for second chorus prior to breakdown 2:30:30 for jam
Jerry: intro and 2:41:28 for second heavy part

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This is a strange track, but in a different vein from the previous three; for the first time ever on a Les Claypool-fronted record, someone other than Les is on vocals! Perhaps the presence of Henry Rollins is why this track feels so out of place, but there are redeeming qualities - mostly, knowing that you're a marked man, no matter where you are. Enjoy!

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Another Holy Mack track, another heavy! This time, Bruce Swenson joins us to discuss Cohibas Esplenditos and its unabashed star, Mirv Haggard. Bruce crewed for MIRV for many years, and met Soya on the Holy Mack tour. Great stories abound as we hear about the recording of this track, reveal the identities of the subjects of this tune and relive some moments from the Holy Mack tour. Plus. Frankie learns about cigars!

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What Calling Kyle begins, Rancor continues: madcap adventures in home-studio recording with Les Claypool. Soya relives some Mackerel tour moments via the live cuts of this track, which introduced Brain as the new Primus drummer, and everyone had time to show off their wackiness. Do it up!

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Perhaps the most bizarre of them all, Calling Kyle seems to be Les Claypool channeling his inner Residents, or simply letting his id run wild. Soya recalls the vibe around this track, and Frankie has insight on the otherwise indecipherable lyrics, as well as killer live cuts.

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Track 4 of the Holy Mackerel record showcases Mirv's surf guitar prowess, and this tune became a live favorite of the Holy Mack crew on the 1996 tour; deservedly so, and letting Mirv run wild is always a good thing. We jog Soya's memory and get some nuggets about the drum sound, Mirv's approach, and Frankie has some massive live cuts.

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For the track Highball With The Devil, we needed a heavy, and Soya delivered with the legendary Adam Gates, who contributed backing vocals to the tune. Adam talks about the track itself, a bit about Precipitation, and the recording/sound philosophy of the Holy Mackerel record. Plus, we wind up Soya and Adam, then let'em go with some tour stories.

Check out the Primus Tracks Patreon for the extended cut (and video) of the episode - over 30 extra minutes with Adam!

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Track 2 of Les Claypool & The Holy Mackerel Presents Highball With The Devil is the first two title tracks. For this one, Les brought in Jay Lane on drums, and Joe Gore & MIRV for guitar parts. It's one of the more complete tunes on the record, and reflects the spirited approach to this DIY project.

Matt Hunter and Soya join to discuss the instrumentation and the mostly obtuse lyrics, plus live cuts from different eras, as this one spans many bands.

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In this episode, we begin our track-by-track discussions of the 1996 release Les Claypool & The Holy Mackerel Presents Highball With The Devil - Les's first solo record.

Running The Gauntlet is the opening track, and Tim Soya was there for most of the recording process! He sheds light on the atmosphere at Rancho Relaxo as Les put this record together and a revolving cast of guests turned up to contribute instrumentation; from there, we unpack the album opener.

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We return to the Prawn Song Records well to discuss a pair of 1994 releases by Primus principles: the self-titled Porch, helmed by Todd Huth, and Tim Alexander's band Laundry and their record Blacktongue.

These two records vary in styles, but are ultimately the voices of the men who formed them. Todd's signature guitar riffage is all over Porch, and Tim's unmistakble, powerful drumming drives Laundry. These two CDs can be tough to find, so we run down some history, play samples, and explain why they're fit for inclusion in your Primus-adjacent collection.

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We return to the Prawn Song Records catalogue to discuss MIRV's Cosmodrome, recorded in 1993 at Les Claypool's house for release on his own record label. This record deserves a deep dive give nthat Les produces and performs all over the record, and that Marc "MIRV" Haggard is such an important figure in the Primus/Les world. The band MIRV has opened for Primus numerous times, and Marc has performend with numerous iterations of Les side projects.

MIRV scholar Anthony Garcia joins us to sample the album and pick out its narrative elements, as well as its eclectic musicality. MIRV truly puts on a variety show throughout!

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Mike Dillon, aka Jazz Dad, returns to Primus Tracks. The busiest man in music gives us the skinny on his new Punkadelick record, Inflorescence, and primes us for his Jazzfest lineup on May 4 in New Orleans, and the upcoming Frog Brigade tour.

Mike's bands are not to be missed!
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We've reached the final track of the Sausage record, and it's time to relax with an instrumental jam that escorts us off the premises. We discuss our lasting impressions of the record as a whole, as well as running down some missed info from previous episodes.

Next week: Mike Dillon's back!

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Recreating is another early Primate track that was resurrected for the Sausage record, and it's a ripper! Soya joins us from Portugal to bend his knee and praise Recreating to the heavens from the altar of Jay Lane. This powerful track features Les Claypool using a tremolo for the entire tune as well as a vocal falsetto, an unmistakable Todd Huth riff, and some syncopation that'll knock you off balance. IS it the greatest track on the record? You decide!

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Just as Les Claypool took a momentary day off from Sausage to play a one-off with Primus, we divert from the Sausage record to introduce another semi-recurring theme to the podcast: Legendary Live Show Dissection. We pull the guts out of Primus's Woodstock 94 performance to find what makes it a worthy entry, aside from its place in our podcast's timeline. There are plenty of features that make it so; tune in to find out why you must get yourself a high-quality recording of their Woodstock 94 set!

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This week, we discuss the Sausage track Girls For Single Men, a jam that features layers of spoken-word tracks that blend together to overwhelm, much as one might experience when surrounded by barkers in the red light district. Soya gives some background, Frankie tells stories of being accosted various locations around the world, and Josh relives some strange life moments, all inspired by this track. Let's get weird!

Matt Hunter saunters into the episode to model the bass and guitar parts from this Sausage "slow jam," which is one of the earlier Les Claypool tunes ever created. It's truly a melange of musical styles, and Matt's able to break it into palatable chunks.


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The Toys Go Winding Down from Frizzle Fry has a sludgy cousin that appears on Sausage's 1994 record Riddles Are Abound Tonight, and it's only fitting that Soya is here to alert us to a third version that was performed live in 1987-88. Why is this one so oft-reworked? What charms its listeners despite being difficult to grasp for outsiders? Guest bassist Lalo Fierro helps us with these questions.

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Shattering Song may be one of the most-beloved non-Primus tracks that Les Claypool has created, as far as official releases go. To give the tune its due, Rory Dolan of lespecial drops in to uncove the secrets of the masterful Jay Lane drum line, and Soya provides color for just how damned good Jay is, along with some Sausage nuggets.

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In the third track of the Sausage record, things take a sudden, grating turn. We discuss this dark, sludgy grinder, and how it defies expectation, which may be the riddle contained within the track. OR IS IT? Josh has idea about the lyrics. Frankie brings some interesting live cuts and posits why Here's To The Man had only a limited run of live performances with Les Claypool's Frog Brigade.

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The title track of the Sausage record gained some traction as the inspiration for "The Great Cornholio" on Beavis & Butthead, and brings a groovy element to this record's proceedings. It's loose, confident, and a perfect foil for a bass summit with Luke Bemand of lespecial and Kello Gonzalez of Parazit. Unfortunately, Luke's internet service crashed early in the episode, but Kello carries forward and sheds light on this track in its multiple iterations - including the "cheat" manner in which Les sometimes plays the tune live. Soya's here, too!

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In this episode we begin our exploration of the Sausage record, Riddles Are Abound Tonight. 1994 saw Les Claypool reunite with Todd Huth and Jay Lane to publish some leftover tracks from the earliest Primus days. This is one of Soya's top records of all time, so he's along for the ride. We're also joined by Blas Perez, who models the bass parts and shares his relationship with this album.

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After its inception to self-release Suck On This in 1989, Prawn Song Records went dormant until 1993, when Les Claypool revived the label to provide opportunities for his friends to cut records, and perhaps enhance their careers. We examine most of the releases from the period when Prawn Song had a distribution deal with Mammoth Records - the same deal nullified by Les's attempt to publish the Beanpole record.

Discogs links to releases discussed:

Alphabet Soup - Layin' Low in the Cut
Eskimo - The Further Adventures of Der Shrimpkin
Charlie Hunter Trio (1993)
MIRV - Cosmodrome
Shrimp Cocktail - A Prawn Song Appetizer

As monetioned in this episode, Porch and Laundry will get their own elongated dsicussions at a later date.


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It's the first in our series of Primus side projects - some one-offs, some track-by-track.

DID YOU KNOW that Les and Ler first met as members of the band Blind Illusion? Probably. DID YOU KNOW that this recording and touring experience created a bond that would last for four decades? Probably. DID YOU KNOW that the story of Blind Illusion's first album, The Sane Asylum, is a key component to perhaps our greatest Primus Mystery of them all?! Probably not.

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Primus guest appearances, as a full band, on others' recordings, are quite rare. We found (possibly) the only four in existence and provide background information and context for each:

On The Road w/ Tom Waits (1999)
Big in Japan w/ Tom Waits (1999)
NIB w/ Ozzy (2000)
Gluten Free w/ Stewart Copeland (2012)

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Cage Claypool has a familiar last name, and his first name ought to be known to you by now as the creator of the music videos for Conspiranoia and Follow The Fool, as well as a promotional video for Les's gold EMG pickups. He's also working on a Primus documentary, for which Josh and Frankie are immensely excited. Cage shares his experiences making the aforementioned videos and many of the other projects he's had a hand in over the years.

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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!


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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.

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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 dig into the 2022 edition of Primus!

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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.

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?

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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

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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.

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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 record and book design, as this record takes inspiration from Ul de Rico's book The Rainbow Goblins. If you haven't read the book, find it!

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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 with Dave!

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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 experience.

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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.

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 Soya this week, but he'll be back for Part 3, which is all about the extensive Wonka tours.

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 one, so get cozy for this semi-wondrous episode!

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.

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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 Skerik at skerikmusic.com and listen in at https://skerik.bandcamp.com/ - he's also on Instagram @skeriksincarne

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.

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.

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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(!)!

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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 basses.

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.com - they rip!

Audio note: There was a buffer/sampling issue with the original audio recording. Thanks to our friend Anthony Garcia for cleaning up the crackle and dropped samples. Some warble remains, but this doctored version is much more palatable than the original recording.

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!

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.

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The happy-go-lucky funk of Tragedy's A'Comin accompanies dark lyrics, making a strange contrast of flavors. Louis Ortega joins the podcast to talk about the funk underpinnings, and we range from Isley Brothers to Iron Maiden to Dylan Thomas. I suppose the greatest tragedy here is that we didn't reference more cultural touchstones in association with this unique Primus track.

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Anthony Garcia brings consumerist culture to the podcast and enlightens us as to the many unusual musical & vocal elements of Eternal Consumption Engine - and it all starts with a decade-old Ler idea. Plus, the intricacies of global economic policy! Okay, we skirt that issue, but Josh does like talking about steam engines.

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Josh and Frankie unpack part four of the Fisherman's Chronicles, which addresses the concerns of commercial salmon fisherman in Northern California. Are these some of Les Claypool's strongest lyrics? Probably. Does the music provide adequate support? Tune in to find out!

We begin our ride through 2011's Green Naugahyde by examining the opening track(s) - Prelude to a Crawl and Hennepin Crawler. Luke Bemand of lespecial unlocks the mysteries of the envelope filter, much to Frankie's delight. Josh remains diplomatically neutral.

There is NEW PRIMUS MUSIC and Josh & Frankie have thoughts. After only a few (hundred) listens to the new Conspiranoid EP, they offer their connections to Primus/Les canon and what it might mean for the musical direction of the band. Go get the digital Conspiranoid EP right now!

BOB COCK IS DEAD. LONG LIVE BOB COCK.

Before the reunion tour(s) and Green Naugahyde, the Les-Ler-Jay trio recorded and released an EP of rehearsal footage in June 2010, to give us a taste of what was to come. Later in November of 2010, the band dropped Me Llamo Mud, a Spanish-language translation of the Primus classic. Josh and Frankie dig into these free downloads and let their past selves get excited all over again. Viva Chile!

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The first in a sub-series of heavy musical influences on Primus, Primus DNA delves into The Talking Heads and their mark on Primus, especially in the early days (which serves as an excuse to play those herky-jerky proto versions of songs). Rodney Gordon, Primus fan and host of This Must Be Talking Heads podcast, joins us to explain the connection between these two bands. Find Rodney's pod anywhere you get your podcasts!

Primus wasn't up to much in the years 2005-09, but something changed in 2010. We take this "fallow period" year by year and react to releases and live performances, and end on a positive note as we regale with our excitement at a particular announcement from Primus in 2010!

We conclude the Animals "LP" with My Friend Fats, a track that reaches heights Primus had never hit before. Some say it plods along and takes forever to crescendo, and some say it's just right. Find out what Josh and Frankie have to say about it!

I mean, most of us call this one Rapscallion for the sake of simplicity. No matter the title, Frankie labels it a "prog suite" and we explore each part, even the noise, with guidance from our pal Anthony Garica, who brings unfettered joy to all things Primus.

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The middle track on the Animals EP (LP according to Frankie) brings another unexpected wrinkle to Primus canon - a "love" song, although Josh & Frankie agree it may be more about covetousness. That aside, we dig into the music, live history, and put out a call for listeners to share how their irrational love of Primus ruined a romantic relationship, no matter how fledgling. Hit us up @primustracks on the socials or primustrackspod@gmail.com with your sob story.

Josh and Frankie explore the story behind the lyrics of Pilcher's Squad: corruption, drugs, money, bent cops, rock stars. The story writes itself, but through the Lens of Les. Hey, there's also music! It's weird, obnoxious, and perfect for our ears. Hop in the squad car and take a ride with Primus Tracks.

Welcome to 2003! We finally join the 21st century of the Primus chronology as we open our discussion of the EP Animals Should Not Try To Act Like People. Herb's back, and this track happens to be Frankie's #1 Primus track. To mark this titanic track, we enlist the assistance of Rory and Luke of lespecial fame. Rory covers the drums, and Luke deciphers that effects-laden bass part. Plus, we get dark with the lyrics. LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOO

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Curtis "CG The Mexican" Gomez goes as far back with Les Claypool and Primus as anyone, as evidenced by the name-drops in early Primus tracks. CG gives us a look into the earliest days of Primus and the Bay Area scene at the time, woven through his own timeline. Great talk with a fascinating man!

We all know that Primus performs the ubiquitous South Park theme song, but what of the other tracks that Les, Ler, and Brain created with and For Trey Parker and Matt Stone? We discuss the South Park theme, Mephisto & Kevin, and Hamster Style, and delve further into the relationship between the band and these ultra-rich cartoon makers.

Soya and Matt Hunter join us for the hidden Antipop track, The Heckler, which hearkens back to the halcyon days of early-ish Primus, as this Suck On This feature finally gets a studio treatment. Is it the greatest Primus track of them all?! Find out in the episode!

We've reached the final* track of Antipop, and it's a right corker. Tom Waits makes his second appearance on a Primus record for the memorable Coattails of a Dead Man, whose lyrics paint quite a familiar portrait...have we heard this story before? It's up to the listener to make the leap, and Frankie broad jumps right on through to connect with a 1990s icon. Get your sweaters and ripped jeans ready, Primates!

The Final Voyage of The Liquid Sky marks a direction that Primus could have taken with the entire Antipop record, according to Les Claypool. We dissect what that mythical record may have sounded like, using Liquid Sky as a template. Plus, it's the track that heralds the permanence (some might say overuse) of the envelope filter. Welcome aboard, Primates!

We've arrived at the third of the Tom Morello Antipop Triumvirate, and Josh and Frankie find it to be the strongest of the three! We discuss our competing interpretations of the sample, the funky music, and the shrouded references within the lyrics. Drop into the seas of cheese and find out what makes Power Mad a sneaky good track in our estimation!

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Anthony Garcia joins Josh and Frankie to discuss the rural areas beyond the bay that give rise to tracks such as Bodacious, belying the standard view of "big city" California. Frankie tells the story behind the lyrics and we dig into those excellent Ler licks.

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That's more like it! We return to normalcy, as much as one can in the Antipop era anyway, with Dirty Drowning Man. Produced by Stewart Copeland, this track is a team effort that pays off. Dive in and backstroke right across these seas of cheese with Josh and Frankie!

The worst of times. Frankie and Josh agree that this is the worst of all Primus tracks, so why not keep it short and move on to the next one. This time, a guest turn on the record (Tom Morello) was a turn for the worse. But hey, this track sounds pretty bangin' at 1.5x!

We complete the lespecial trifecta yet again as Jonny G drops by to discuss Greet The Sacred Cow. It all goes according to plan until we get to the sparse lyrics, and we take the podcast to distant lands. Jonny keeps us on an even musical keel and helps Josh understand just what Brain's doing in specific spots. So many little pleasures in this tune.

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Josh and Frankie tackle Eclectic Electric, the mid-album proggy epic that has recently resurfaced in live performances. We spend an inordinate amount of time on the lyrics, as they are among the most personal of Les Claypool's career. What do they mean? Don't worry; we won't leave you out to sea.

Rory Dolan of lespecial joins the podcast to discuss the title track to the Antipop record. Aside from the irony of their Antipop anthem being one of their most accessible tunes, we get into what makes this track tick, and it all starts with that impressive opening from Brain.

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We are joined by a bass powerhouse in the form of lesepcial's Luke Bemand to discuss Lacquer Head, which has recently rejoined the live set list. More importantly, we ask the big question: Whither Fred Durst? He's credited as producer, so where's his influence? We get into the music, lyrics, and ask the all-important Antipop question: Is it Primus?

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Josh and Frankie pause their Sony Discman player that's spinning Antipop to discuss the finer points of the recently-wrapped Tribute To Kings tour, in which Primus played Rush's "A Farewell to Kings" in its entirety. Which Primus tracks got the most love? What was most surprising? What was the atmosphere of the shows?

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Two (legitimate) tracks into Antipop and we're still searching for a consensus Primus track; Natural Joe, producted by Matt Stone (that one!) checks more boxes than Electric Uncle Sam (including a wondrous excursion to Ler Land), but according to Frankie, it's not all there. We talk about why, and get into some 1990s talk for a record that, so far wallows, in the tropes of late 90's popular music.

We begin our Antipop excursion with the lead single that received a bit of radio play, but had no video or much of a promotional push behind it. Further, it's co-written and produced by Tom Morello, so is it truly a Primus tune? We discuss, debate, deride, deny, and finally, desist. Thanks to Louis Ortega of Rapscallion (@laprimustribute) for helping us with this track!

Josh and Frankie go it alone to tackle the making of Antipop, perhaps the most divisive Primus record, for multiple reasons. This was a tumultuous time for the band on many fronts, and we try to piece the picture together. Fred Durst: Why Les, Why? Plus, we evaluate whether the record holds up today.

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Perfect timing! As we are in the Brown and Rhino eras, turntable legend DJ Disk joins the pod to discuss his numerous guest appearances onstage and on record/video with Primus.

After the Brown Album cycle wrapped, Primus was asked to work with a producer on their next effort, which was a covers EP to bridge albums. The band descended upon Prairie Sun studios, and with the help of the legendary Toby Wright, created the band's second EP. Toby Wright kindly joined us to mine the depths of memory for the experience of making Rhinoplasty; another heavy brough to you by the one and only Tim Soya.

Find Toby's show, My Wright Stuff, on Youtube!

The madman behind Primus-adjacent musical adventurists Beanpole joins the podcast to reveal long-mysterious details on how Beanpole came to be, and the involvement of one Larry LaLonde, among many other luminaries. Derek also shares a never-before-heard Beanpole track, so call it a Primus Tracks exclusive! If you haven't heard Beanpole yet, drop everything and find the music on Bandcamp or Soundcloud RIGHT NOW to get more context to this conversation.

Former Primus/Les manager David Lefkowitz will tell us, over the course of multiple talks, his recollections and perspectives on Primus during his tenure as manager from the late 80s to the mid 00s. Get your notebooks ready, because he's about to drop all kinds of names and stories on us.

Original Primus guitarist Todd Huth joins Primus Tracks to dig into those still-mysterious early days of Primate/Primus; working with Jay Lane and Les and making a name for themselves in the SF Bay. By the time you read this, Frankie has broken into Todd's attic to find some old tapes. Plus. we discuss his angular approach to guitar, his band Porch, Sausage, and what's in store for the future. Find Todd Huth on Spotify for his latest music!

Grammy-winner Matt Winegar produced the legendary Sausage demo, Suck On This, and Frizzle Fry with Primus. Soya and Matt tread down memory lane with stories about the Bay Area scene and how those three important Primus recordings came to me. Great talk with two Bay Area champs!

Soya rejoins the fray (from the road with Primus!!) to help us close the Brown Album with Arnie - throwaway closer or deep philosophical mind-bender? Mostly the former, but Frankie and Josh do their damnedest to turn hearts to the latter. Final thoughts on the record as a whole, Youtube provides a cover, our last 1897 connections, and a cryptic preview of what's to come between albums. Arnie!

The penultimate Brown Album track mystifies and delights with its tantalizing guitar, bouncy bass, grooving drums. Easily greater than the sum of the parts, Renegade stands as a favorite for many from this record. Matt Hunter helps us understand the foundation of the tune and what makes it special. Plus, Frankie uses the word "thicc" again and makes us listen to his favorite part of the song 78 times.

Soya brings another heavy into the fold; this time, former Primus/Les manager David Lefkowitz drops in to talk Kalamazoo, a stylistic departure of sorts, until we find the pieces that constitute source material. Prima, Goodman, Miller....it all coalesces and becomes a Primus treat.

We have an extended chat with David to drop after we finish the Brown Album, so be ready for that!

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Les Claypool: Old Person Mall Aficionado. Anthony Garcia and Soya provide local color to Coddingtown Mall of the 1990s as we examine this unusual Primus offering. What treasures of Santa Rosa can they unearth? Does a cover of this track exist? How in the world can there be an 1897 connection?! Put on your white New Balance shoes and let's go mall-walkin' to find out.

Restin' Bones was roundly cited as one of the weakest Brown Album tracks upon release, and we reassess this claim. What do Josh, Frankie and Soya think of it 24 years later? Dig in your shoes and you just might find out!

Hello, what's this? We're back to the Brown Album norm of "A-B and out," or are we? Featuring a blast of drums from Brain, some mathematical manipulation by Ler, and an elastic bass lick from Les, Duchess has more to it than meets the eye, and it certainly opens doors to jamming live, which makes it a latter-day staple. Lespecial's Rory Dolan explains and models the drum parts (including the solo!!!!) and provides clarity on Duchess, just like LSD?

Find Rory @rorydolandrums and @lespecialmusic

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Bob's Party Time Lounge is "overworked," for various reasons, according to Brain and Soya, who lived the making of the track. We discuss how a track moves into that territory, and Jonny G of lespecial returns to deconstruct and demonstrate one of Ler's most rippin' Primus guitar solos. This track is definitely a hidden gem; glad you came to find out why.

Find Jonny @lespecialmusic on the socials
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While Soya changes out Brown Album records, Larry "Ler" LaLonde takes the Primus Tracks crew into Ler Land for a career-spanning trip through influences, guitars, touring, music, and, most importantly, Ler's hair. Enjoy our talk with Larry Legend!

Louis Ortega and his fretted six drop in to discuss this crusher of a track, aptly named Puddin' Taine, the greatest hype man this side of PT Barnum. Is that what Les Claypool was going for in the lyrics? We break it all down, Josh finds a cover version, and Frankie asks the deep questions about the darker side of the track. Plus, Soya drops some nuggets from the Brown Album tour.

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We doff our caps to the road crews that bring live music to us, through endless obstacles, lack of sleep, and a generally hostile work environment. Cheez and Soya drop some truly great Primus road stories throughout this episode as we discuss Hats Off, the most autobiographical Les Claypool track at the time.

See the visuals we discuss @primustracks on Instagram and Twitter

Email: primustrackspod@gmail.com

The much-maligned Camelback Cinema is obnoxious, numbing, and strange for Primus standards, which makes it a memorable and appreciable track for the Primus Tracks hosts! Soya gets into what makes this drum groove so difficult. Frankie unearths a set list and review of the now-legendary (to us) Bottom Of The Hill show from 97 at which this track was performed. He also brings camel facts(!). Hang on for a wild ride, Primates.

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The lead single from Brown Album deserves the heavy treatment, and Soya brings us face-to-virtual-face with the mysterious legend, Turk Black. Josh gets into why it's such a big deal to meet Turk, and Turk & Soya's special connection to the track. Frankie and Landon get behind the bass groove, and we all figure out just what it means to "shake hands with beef," which is /not/ what you're thinking.

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The second single from Brown Album sees Primus riding in the "traditional music" lane, albeit with their own spin on proceedings. Again, we're stuck in the 19th century with the subject matter. and everything we find reinforces the idea. Hop in the barrel and enjoy!

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A fan favorite from Brown Album, Josh wants to know why this wasn't the lead single. Frankie uses the word "idiosyncratic," and lespecial's Luke Bemand tells us why, musically, this track shouldn't make any sense.

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The second track from Primus's Brown Album wallows in the depths of the brutality and corruption of bareknuckle boxing. Frankie lectures on the history of fisticuffs as well as the Lilly & McCoy of the lyrics, and Josh examines their connection to James Ambrose, aka Yankee Sullivan. Soya sounds off on the prep for this track and the overall sound. Plus, live tracks and the Ler Appreciation Society convenes once again.

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Fellow colleagues, distinguished podcast listeners, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for joining us to explore the introductory track of the Brown Album. Our pal Leif drops in to discuss the music and the overall impact of this track as an opener, while Soya mines his memory for some intimate details. Also, Leif makes a musical connection to Ler's guitar line on this track - what a revelation! Josh and Frankie take on the lampooning of political propaganda that drenches the lyrics. Finally, Josh vows to make a connection to 1897 (when this album was actually recorded) with every track. Truly, all that glitters is brown!

Bryan "Brain" Mantia joined Primus during a period of uncertainty for the band, and helped drive them in a whole new direction - huge (literally) drums, overdriven grooves, and blown-out sounds. Brain gets us into Rancho Relaxo for the making of Brown Album and drops some behind-the-scenes knowledge about some of his first live shows with the band. Soya brings another heavy to you on Primus Tracks!

Find out what Brain's been up to lately @brainandmelissa on Instagram!

Jay Lane graciously joins our little podcast to get into the nitty-gritty details of some early-days Primus, as well as touching on Sausage, Frog Brigade, and the 2010 reformation with Larry LaLonde and Les Claypool. If you're anything like me, you'll only listen to Tower Of Power and The Time for weeks after this one.

Frankie takes total control of the podcast, kidnapping the men of lespecial and subjecting them to 15 extremely rare Primus / Claypool live covers (okay, a couple are somewhat common). We get into the covers, the original artists, and of course Frankie has to talk about Bowie. Thanks again to lespecial for being game to join in! Find them @lespecialmusic on socials and at lespecial.net

Carla Freestep, aka Lupin, joins the podcast to share some stories from the road as the de facto photographer for some Frog Brigade and Primus tours. She shares the challenges of photographing in low light, getting Herb to look like an action hero, and some of her favorite people to capture. Find her work at wildlupin.com and order a print, ya ingrates!

Longtime poster and album artist Reuben Rude drops in to discuss the Primus Poster Series of 2011-present, how he goes about his artistic process, and what makes working with Les/Primus unique. Find Reuben at reubenrude.com and on social media!

Cellist Teddy Rankin-Parker recalls his experience sliding into the Wonka tour to hold down one half of the Fungi Ensemble. What was it like getting into the rock world? How was working with Les and Primus? What the heck did Teddy do during the first set? We get into these topics and more.

Ah, The Residents. Men of mystery. Of enchantment. And the finest influence on Les Claypool this side of Geddy Lee! We dive into some of the mythos around The Residents, but we mostly stick to the Primus side of these with a medley recorded in 1990, released as a b-side in 1995, and then included on a remaster in 2002. Skinny. Constantinople. Get it.

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No surprises this time! Soya and Rory Dolan (lespecial) help us unpack this latter-day fan favorite, and a treasure to us all - Over The Electric Grapevine. We get into the approaches of Jay Lane, Tim Alexander (and what Brain might do!) with this track, Les Claypool's bass groove, and Larry LaLonde's beautiful Ler-Land moments. And with that, we'll have finished Tales From The Punchbowl. Lots more Primus fun to come!

The unthinkable has happened. What started as Soya, Josh, and Frankie with lespecial drummer Rory turned into a goofball hangout with a retelling of the Grapevine story (and many more!) with Adam Gates and Les Claypool. ADAM GATES AND LES CLAYPOOL. Listen. Savor. Enjoy. We couldn't be happier to share this with you. Thank you, Soya!

Soya and Gene Meyer (of Bandit) join us to talk about On The Tweek Again, a thematic sequel to a Primus classic. It's musically sparse, but we're able to mine the track for the psychology of drug abuse and Les Claypool approaches the topic. Soya tells the story behind a failed New Year's Eve gag from '94, and Josh demands Gene's top 5 comedians - severe consequences for not naming Richard Pryor!

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Josh declares that he has little to say about this track, but there is plenty of ancillary stuff to discuss! Matt Hunter breaks down the music (and plays Tommy for Soya), Frankie has the live history and some theories about the upright bass, Soya explains the lyrics, and the whole group gets into how it feels like one is "in the club" when receiving a nickname from Les Claypool, or even reading the liner notes.

Find Josh & Frankie @primustracks on Twitter and Instagram

Del Davis Tree Farm was an actual place in Sonoma County. Locals Soya and Anthony Garcia bond over Primus landmarks in the area and this particular under-the-radar fan favorite. Josh inquires about regional rivalries and Frankie brings waaayyyy too many live tracks to this episode.

Finally, we ask the immortal question: Is Del Davis Tree Farm a Christmas song?

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A weird Primus track births a plethora of topics: Jay Lane, Butthole Surfers, voyeurism, the nature of anticipation. Tim Soya and lespecial's Jonny Grusauskus join the podcast to break down Glass Sandwich, and to answer the age-old question: what's the point of trying to figure out Larry Lalonde's guitar solos?

Find us @primustracks on Instagram and lespecial @lespecialmusic all over the socials.

As we reach the halfway point of Tales From The Punchbowl, we encounter another Primus oddity. Hellbound is a unique track in the Primus catalogue, and drummer Zak Mendoza helps us understand just what in the world we're listening to and why Tim Alexander's left hand should be cast in gold. Also, you'll scream at Zak and Frankie for missing an obvious movie reference.

Follow us @primustracks on IG and Twitter, and get some stickers while you're there!

Tim Soya and Luke Bemand return to break down Space Farm and Josh's absolute favorite Primus track, Year of the Parrot. Luke tackles the musical elements, and Josh inquires as to how one finds their authentic voice without being derivative of one's influences. Plus, Soya talked to Ler and Herb specifically for this episode and drops some nuggets about the making of these tracks!

It's another foursome for Primus Tracks (we should start a charity golf tournament) - this time Josh, Frankie, and Soya welcome Luke Bemand of lespecial to dig into the bass line that gets latter-day Primus fans fired up. Soya provides more details about the Punchbowl album, and we're up to our old tricks with musical and lyrical analysis.

Find lespecial @lespecialmusic on social media platforms and at lespecial.bandcamp.com

It's the best-known Primus Track of them all! Josh and Frankie call in reinforcements to discuss the depth and breadth of the impact the unexpected success of this single had on Primus, MTV, and pop culture. Also, Soya gives Josh his phone number. Inner Circle Achievement Unlocked!

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Track 2 of Tales From The Punchbowl combines an earnest narrative with off-kilter music. What made this track as a single not so successful, where the Beaver song hit it big? Josh and Frankie get into those details, as well as some exemplary live versions, and Josh gets in touch with his vulnerable middle school self.

Ahoy! Senior bass analyst Louis Ortega helps us kick off Tales From The Punchbowl in style with a breakdown of the complex, mysterious Professor Nutbutter, which eventually turns into some fanboy fawning (damn you, Primus!). We get into the music, the lyrics, and the expansion of the Nutbutter story that was exclusive to the Punchbowl Enhanced CD from 1996. Creeeepy!

Tim Solyan drops into Primus Tracks World Headquarters to give us the backstory on the making of Tales From The Punchbowl, the record that cemented Primus in 1990s culture. Soya assisted in the studio and retains numerous minute details about the making of the record. All aboard Captain Shiner's Yacht for a special exploration of Primus in the studio!

Bryan Kehoe is a force of nature, and brings his magnanimity to Primus Tracks. Kehoe discusses the earliest days of the Bay Area thrash and alt scenes, his time with M.I.R.V. and Kehoe International, and naturally, his run with Duo De Twang. Enjoy out conversation with this unstoppable man!

Elizabeth Gohr has taken live concert photos of numerous fantastic bands in the Bay Area, but she holds a special affinity for Primus - and it shows! Elizabeth discusses how to get the right shot of the band, the challenges of low lighting, and how to concentrate whilst trying to rock out. Visit Elizabeth at egohrphoto.com and @egohrphoto on facebook and instagram. Grab a print while you're at it!

Mike Dillon joined Les Claypool's troupe for the Purple Onion album in 2002 and stuck around for the various incarnations of Claypool's band(s). He also joined Primus for the Wonka album and tour. As a touring and recording musician, Mike has crossed paths with dozens of luminaries, and somehow keeps a keen memory of tiny details from numerous tours, which Frankie expertly picks for specifics.

Mike has been prolific in 2020, creating three albums. Find his music at mikedillonband.bandcamp.com and support recording artists during this live music dry spell!

Note: This was recorded during the week of the year when Mexico is on daylight savings time and the United States is not, so Frankie joins about halfway through - hey, we learned something about international time considerations this year!

Mark Kohr joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about getting his start in making music videos and the creative process. He has directed videos for Green Day, No Doubt, and Primus, to name a few. We go video by video for his recollections of working with Primus and Les Claypool!

Find Mark at www.markkohr.com

Multi-instrumentalist Eenor (Frog Brigade, Yard Dogs Road Show) joins us to talk about the arc of his music career and his excellent run with Les and the Frog Brigade. He sheds light on many of the unusual instruments he brings to the table, and even plays some music for us!

Find Eenor at eenor.bandcamp.com and eenor.com

Josh and Frankie discuss two studio tracks recorded for compilations in 1993 and 1994. Poetry and Prose is a delightful meta-ditty, and Bastardizing Jellikit is the sleazy cousin of the rendition we all know from Suck On This. Take a big ol' bite of the cheese as Primus engages in "playing along" with their own popularity.

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We've reached the end of Pork Soda, and revel in its triumvirate of instrumental tracks that close this inimitable record. Hamburger Train dominates the discussion, as it actually has a live history and is an 8-minute marvel. We give live commentary on the final three tracks and bid a fond farewell to the liquid pig.

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The vaudevillian track The Air is Getting Slippery is perhaps Primus at its most suggestive, and has the air of something sordid, but Frankie helps Josh navigate the sweaty overtures of the lyrics, and they're able to sort out all of the references in the lyrics. Plus, Larry LaLonde on the banjo? MORE PLEASE!

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I'll tell you why: buried on the back half of Pork Soda is Mr. Krinkle, which has become a latter-day live staple and undisputable crowd pleaser. Josh and Frankie break down its appeal and why it's a reliable sampler for the uninitiated. Further, we pick apart the lyrics for the numerous references to people/places/things from the world of Les Claypool. You'll feel like you're part of the gang!

(The) Pressman is one of a few tracks left over from the early days of Primus, and it finally made its way to a studio recording, stashed in the last half of Pork Soda. Josh and Frankie slowly come around on this previously-pedestrian track, delighting in its earnest approach bits of clever musicality.

The title track of the 1993 effort is a novelty mishmash self-indulgent parody of advertising and a metaphor for what Les Claypool sees Primus as in the public eye. Josh and Frankie get into some live performances, the inspiration for the track, do some visualizations, and find a disturbing meme centered on the term Pork Soda. Grab yourself a can and enjoy.

An unexpected Tim Alexander composition divides the two halves of Pork Soda. We get into the specifics of the recording of this track, which occurred separately from the rest of the album, try to get into the mind of one Tim Alexander, and spend some time with the only known live performance of the track. I WAS THERE!

Nature Boy, an enigmatic track that delights and confounds when it rears its hydra heads in concert. Senior bass analyst Louis Ortega drops in to demonstrate its many memorable bass licks, and we all hail Tim Alexander for his transcendent drumming.

A standout offering from Pork Soda, The Ol' Diamondback Sturgeon serves as a companion piece to Fish On and provides just as many delights. Our ol' pal Anthony Garcia joins in the fun to examine the monster drum sound, understated bass (until that massive solo) and the overall ambiance.

Bonus points if you have that shirt!

Pork Soda is a bass clinic that demands an expert, therefore, junior bass analyst Matt Hunter joins Primus Tracks for a trip to the DMV. What's up with all the tapping, and why does it make so much sense? How is Tim so precise? Just what the hell is Larry doing (again)? We dig into it and postulate as to why it's such a live rarity. Call it...pointless.

Josh and Frankie take on arguably the darkest of Primus Tracks, and delve into what gives Pork Soda such a reputation. They also take apart the lyrics and how they match with the accompanying quasi-blues riffs. Even for Primus, it's kind of a weird one. Fish on!

Welcome to Track 3 from Pork Soda, in which Josh and Frankie delve deep into Primus history to find the origins of this track, and Frankie's lyrical interpretation opens up a whole new world for Josh! This is one of the most sinister-sounding tracks in Primus history, and they're ready to take it on!

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We've arrived at 1993's Pork Soda! Josh and Frankie get into some of the circumstances around the recording of the album and tackle the first single from the album, which is nearly ubiquitous at Primus shows and on playlists. We are back at it with track origins, recording equipment, live history, music&lyrics, and how it all comes together. Wipe off your feet, grab a can of swine, and enjoy.

Ron Rigler, engineer behind Miscellaneous Debris, joins us once again to delve into the recording of this little slab of Primus covers from 1992. We go track by track about the sound, the studios, and our appreciations for the originals in the lineup.

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Gabby La La traces musical journey from childhood to her teenage years and into the gigging that helped land her a spot touring and recording with Les Claypool, friendships with Buckethead and Bernie Worrell, and why, when asked if you have some songs, you always say yes. Find Gabby and her music at gabbylala.com and on Instagram @gabbylalamusic.

Animator Webster Colcord created a caricature of Les for a Beats Antique video, which opened the door to further collaboration on the videos for Bubbles Burst (CLD) and Candyman (Primus). He walks us through the processes and challenges of stop motion animation and shares some insights into working with Les Claypool. Find Webster's work on Instagram @webstercolcord and at https://vimeo.com/webstercolcord

Renowned photographer Jay Blakesberg gives us a tour behind the scenes and the lens via his book, To Defy the Laws of Tradition: A Photographic Archive of Primus & Les Claypool - Jay dishes on the stories behind some of the photo sessions therein, and provides insight into the creative and collaborative processes with Les Claypool. Bonus: The book is marked down from $110 to $65 from now until the end of September 2020! Help Jay get his garage space back! Listen to the pod for details, or find us on IG @primustracks. Jay is @jayblakesberg and @retroblakesberg

The bastards are back, and they've brought their friends. Josh and Frankie provide info on the eight (!) guest musicians on this track, which wraps up our outing on the Seas of Cheese, as well as how such a convention of great minds came about.

Josh and Frankie define the symbolism of the instrumentation of this track, which is just three fishing stories sewn together. OR IS IT?! There's more beneath the surface, and Josh lures it to the surface while Frankie reels in some live clips of Fish On from over the years, including as far back as 1990!

Anthony Garcia returns to get us to the bottom of the success of this Primus live staple. What makes it so catchy? Why does it get everyone fired up? WHERE IS THE BLUE ROOM?! We dig into it all, and Josh realizes he knows more about drug slang than he probably should.

We bring it home for this monster Primus track with an examination of latter-day performances, lyrics, and a run through Frankie's favorite live Tommy moments. Plus, the Primus Mystery of the week!

PART ONE of TWO in which Josh, Frankie, and Senior Bass Analyst Louis Ortega discuss and deconstruct Tommy The Cat, perhaps the pinnacle of all Primus tracks. Louis demonstrates the many different interpretations of that legendary bass riff, and we take a trip through the history of the track up to 1997. Much more to come in Part Two. SAY BABY!

Josh and Frankie have a podcast. Is it luck?
They decode Primus's most chaotic track. Is it luck?
Frankie has the track's history. Is it luck?
Josh is unnerved by the track's sexual energy. Is it luck?
WELL, IS IT?

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Stranger Things fans, it's your favorite Primus track! Josh is particularly fired up for this one - the sneaky time signature and the philosophical underpinnings of the lyrics come to the fore. Frankie reveals the 1986 demo that first captured this track in a radically different form, and we tackle another Primus mystery!

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We've reached Jerry, the gateway track for many Primus fans, and the most-performed Primus Track in a live setting. Once again, we get into live history and varying versions, the musical and lyrical content, and the music video - there's so much info that we can't keep our heads on straight! Try to keep up as we deconstruct this immortal Primus tune.

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American Life - a titan of a track that is a latter day live staple. Josh and Frankie get into its varied live history, the extended versions, what makes it a crowd pleaser, and the lyrics. Hoo boy, the lyrics. They could have talked all day about the social issues raised by the lyrics, but settled on using this track as an example of why Primus is not a joke/cartoon band. Plus, father/son bonding moments via Primus!

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RIGHT! Josh and Frankie march through Sgt Baker and discuss the first official PRIMUS MYSTERY: what are the original lyrics to this track, that one can hear on early live versions?

LEFT! We delve into the herky-jerky music, Tim's drum approach, and the sources of lyrical inspiration, as well as Josh's favorite words to scream.

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The bastards are coming, sure. But who are they? What do they want? What's their message? Find out as Josh and Frankie take on this Primus anthem. We get into the odd time signature, Tim's drumming approach, some excellent live versions (some with special guests), and we compare the 1991 and 2013 mixes!

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Special guest Ron Rigler, who engineered the first four Primus studio releases, joins us to talk about the making of Sailing The Seas Of Cheese, the Primus major label debut. He dishes on the challenges of making the record, how he helped the band achieve its vision, and gives us long-sought information on topics such as:
-the fable 13 minute version of Los Bastardos
-working with Tom Waits
-Tracks left off the record

This one's big, guys! Even Frankie learned some new information! Enjoy!

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We're out of the Frizzle Frying pan and into the Seas Of Cheese. We put on our snorkels and explore the origins and recording of the album, and Frankie shares album press kit material. Josh describes his associations to the Seas Of Cheese track, and as usual, we explore live versions, musical and lyrical themes to the Seas Of Cheese track as well as the motifs that permeate this album.

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The fantastic JOE GORE joins us to talk the 80s SF Bay scene, early Primus, how Les Claypool molded his stage persona, and the Holy Mackerel experience.

Find more about Joe at www.joegore.com

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We round out Frizzle Fry with the Primus all-timer, Harold of the Rocks. We discuss the differing live versions, which lines are most fun to scream along to at shows, and how it's okay to make mistakes.

Next episode we take one more look back at the early days before it's time to sail the seas of cheese!

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Josh and Frankie track a goofy segue and a sinister jam that can be overwhelming to the uninitiated. We dissect the music, the lyrics, and the spelling of the titles, and Frankie uncorks a rare demo for us to sample!

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It's pudding time, children! Sound engineer and musician Anthony Garcia joins us to break down the musical elements of Pudding Time, and Frankie takes us on a journey through the many iterations of this track over the years. It's an anthem of inspired lunacy on Primus Tracks!

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Josh and Frankie discuss You Can't Kill Michael Malloy, an interlude with a rich history, and The Toys Go Winding Down, another stellar Frizzle Fry track. Frankie brings the history of Michael Malloy and Josh has an insane theory about the lyrics to Toys. Also: live medleys - hot or not?

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John The Fisherman - where to begin? The band's calling card in its early push for airplay outside the Bay Area. Josh and Frankie chart the evolution of the track from the Sausage demo to live performances in the present day, dissect the video, and we pay special attention to some compelling covers of this compact, complex track.

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Louis Ortega joins Josh & Frankie to break down the musical elements of Frizzle Fry's title track, and helps us appreciate its complexities - he even bangs out some riffs on the bass guitar! Settle in and take some notes, because you'll learn a lot about this pinnacle Primus performance.

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Frankie knows all about Mr. Knowitall. Josh takes a road trip. We dive deep into this crushing Frizzle Fry track, particularly regarding live performances, but we also discuss the lyrics, music, and wax poetic about why the music of Primus is so deserving of one's ears and mind.

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Too Many Puppies, you've been tracked. Josh and Frankie break down the first ever Primus song, and get some help from longtime Primus staffer (and Victim's Family drummer!!!) Tim "Soya" Solyan. Soya tells us about the early days in the Bay scene, how Primus popped off, and gives insight into the production behind the creepy version of Puppies on the Rhinoplasty release. Be sure to check out Victim's Family - holy crap, what a band.

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Josh and Frankie discuss musical & lyrical themes of Groundhog's Day, one of the most widely-performed tunes in the Primus repertoire. Frankie charts the evolution of the song in a live setting, and Josh invites you to get floored.

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Josh and Frankie take on the towering Frizzle Fry opener, To Defy The Laws Of Tradition - musical and lyrical themes, literary connections, and why this stands as an anthem for Primus and its fans.

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Josh and Frankie set sail to cover every Primus studio track...but you can't talk about Frizzle Fry without starting at Suck On This. It's unusual for a band's first official release to be a live album - Josh and Frankie delve into the background of the recordingm the Bay Area scene of the 80s, and the tracks themselves.

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