Guitar Gear Forum

Saw Primus last night. As a kid I always thought they were a bit weird, but after playing music for a few decades, they don't seem as out there any more. I've seen Claypool in various groups before but never with the original Primus lineup. Tim Alexander was back on the drums, and I found myself completely absorded by the interlocking rhythms of basslines and drum beats. Claypool has that crazy percussive style that almost makes him a drummer in his own right. I would think that would throw a drummer off, but man they were so locked in. Claypool goes from pop/slap, to tapping, to plucking without the slightest variation in volume or tone, his technique is amazing. Ler Lalonde has gone full Gibson, playing a V, a Les Paul Custom (with a Floyd ), and an SG of some sort. I've always loved how his playing adds the perfect contrast, playing non-guitarist guitar stuff, if that makes sense.

Set 1 was all classic Primus, but set 2 kinda blew my mind. Ler switched to a white ES-335, doubleneck SG, and an acoustic, Les pulled out a black Rickenbacker 4001 and threw on a kimono. Then they proceeded to play Rush's A Farewell to Kings, note for note, top to bottom. And they absolutely killed it. I wouldn't call myself a Rush fan (or even a Primus fan for that matter), but they're definitely in my listening rotation, and I have the utmost respect for the musicianship. Geddy's voice fatigues my ear after a bit, so I only listen to them in small doses, usually. Les did a killer job on the bass (obv), the synths, and particularly with his voice, even got some of those way up there notes I figured he would have avoided.

They came out for an encore to chants of "Primus SUCKS!" and ended up playing like 5 more Primus tunes including Jerry was a Race Car Driver and My Name is Mud. Sick show.

Did any of the GGFbros see a show on this tour? I know it's almost over, but if they do this again, I highly recommend you check it out. Regardless of what you think of either band, I think you have to be impressed by the level of talent and musicianship.

Saw the pics on FB. Primus is awesome! I would love to hear Les' take on vocals.

JiveTurkey wrote:Saw the pics on FB. Primus is awesome! I would love to hear Les' take on vocals.

It was just like Geddy but not as annoying...

They sailed right over my head back in the day.

I saw them probably 4, 5 times over the years? At least once opening for Rush, once on that last Slayer run (odd combo lol) and then a few times on their own. I LOVE their grooves. And I dig most of their novelty level songs and the ones that are like one notch behind those? I have always found myself the least impressed with Larry LaLonde's guitar parts. Too angular and annoying without actual riffage for my tastes, imo. It would be cool hearing him play actual guitar PARTS vs. making grating riffs on top of the rhythm section.

TurboPablo wrote:They sailed right over my head back in the day.

Give em another chance Pablo, you might like em this time around.

JiveTurkey wrote:I saw them probably 4, 5 times over the years? At least once opening for Rush, once on that last Slayer run (odd combo lol) and then a few times on their own. I LOVE their grooves. And I dig most of their novelty level songs and the ones that are like one notch behind those? I have always found myself the least impressed with Larry LaLonde's guitar parts. Too angular and annoying without actual riffage for my tastes, imo. It would be cool hearing him play actual guitar PARTS vs. making grating riffs on top of the rhythm section.

Lol, the reason you don't like him is the reason I do like him! I would personally be so frustrated trying to write guitar parts if Les was my bassist. Like, leave me some room dude... After watching him play Lifeson's parts - no doubt in my mind, Ler is a badass guitarist.

I think its amazing how the tunes make you feel a little uncomfortable, and I think Ler has a lot to do with that due to his angular, dissonant riffs.

I saw them open for Tool a couple years ago. I was highly impressed by the musicianship. This sounds like a next level show.

itchyfingers wrote:

TurboPablo wrote:They sailed right over my head back in the day.

Give em another chance Pablo, you might like em this time around.

JiveTurkey wrote:I saw them probably 4, 5 times over the years? At least once opening for Rush, once on that last Slayer run (odd combo lol) and then a few times on their own. I LOVE their grooves. And I dig most of their novelty level songs and the ones that are like one notch behind those? I have always found myself the least impressed with Larry LaLonde's guitar parts. Too angular and annoying without actual riffage for my tastes, imo. It would be cool hearing him play actual guitar PARTS vs. making grating riffs on top of the rhythm section.

Lol, the reason you don't like him is the reason I do like him! I would personally be so frustrated trying to write guitar parts if Les was my bassist. Like, leave me some room dude... After watching him play Lifeson's parts - no doubt in my mind, Ler is a badass guitarist.

I think its amazing how the tunes make you feel a little uncomfortable, and I think Ler has a lot to do with that due to his angular, dissonant riffs.

Yeah you are right on the money. It's kind of like people complaining about death metal vocals and wanting clean stuff on top, then you listen to the music and you're like "how am I going to sing like Steve Perry over this?!?!?!?"

Ostinato Rubato wrote:I saw them open for Tool a couple years ago. I was highly impressed by the musicianship. This sounds like a next level show.

What a lineup, Tool sucks too!

You know I am messing with you!

Oh yeah, the opening band was a group from Canada called Black Mountain. Heavy, sludgy stoner rock, insane drummer. Reminded me of All Them Witches, and its something I figure most of GGF would dig.

Was a big Primus fan back in the day.
Les is a true fucking original and you can hear him a mile away.
Sounds like an awesome show, will keep this in mind if they're ever in Austin.

JiveTurkey wrote:

itchyfingers wrote:

TurboPablo wrote:They sailed right over my head back in the day.

Give em another chance Pablo, you might like em this time around.

JiveTurkey wrote:I saw them probably 4, 5 times over the years? At least once opening for Rush, once on that last Slayer run (odd combo lol) and then a few times on their own. I LOVE their grooves. And I dig most of their novelty level songs and the ones that are like one notch behind those? I have always found myself the least impressed with Larry LaLonde's guitar parts. Too angular and annoying without actual riffage for my tastes, imo. It would be cool hearing him play actual guitar PARTS vs. making grating riffs on top of the rhythm section.

Lol, the reason you don't like him is the reason I do like him! I would personally be so frustrated trying to write guitar parts if Les was my bassist. Like, leave me some room dude... After watching him play Lifeson's parts - no doubt in my mind, Ler is a badass guitarist.

I think its amazing how the tunes make you feel a little uncomfortable, and I think Ler has a lot to do with that due to his angular, dissonant riffs.

Yeah you are right on the money. It's kind of like people complaining about death metal vocals and wanting clean stuff on top, then you listen to the music and you're like "how am I going to sing like Steve Perry over this?!?!?!?"

Interesting analogy.

I fucking love Primus. They are here tomorrow and the following night

I do not have ticket's and probably won't be attending



Jay Lane filled in for Bill K with dead and co at red rocks last night, I wonder if he'll make a surprise dual drummer appearance with Primus

spawnofthesith wrote:I fucking love Primus. They are here tomorrow and the following night

I do not have ticket's and probably won't be attending



Jay Lane filled in for Bill K with dead and co at red rocks last night, I wonder if he'll make a surprise dual drummer appearance with Primus

How was Dead and Slow, SoS? Going next Wednesday after a pair of Phish shows this weekend...

That’s awesome man. I’ve dug Primus for a while but haven’t caught them live yet, would love to. And super sweet Black Mountain opened, I didn’t know they were touring together. That’s a great pairing though. I listened to Black Mountain’s In the Future a ton back in the day, it’s a great album and well worth a listen.

itchyfingers wrote:

spawnofthesith wrote:I fucking love Primus. They are here tomorrow and the following night

I do not have ticket's and probably won't be attending



Jay Lane filled in for Bill K with dead and co at red rocks last night, I wonder if he'll make a surprise dual drummer appearance with Primus

How was Dead and Slow, SoS? Going next Wednesday after a pair of Phish shows this weekend...

I just listened on Mixlr tickets for these last minute red rocks shows were sitting around $400 a pop last I saw might go to to one of the fiddlers green shows this weekend though, less desirable tickets because its way higher capacity, and it sucks as a venue

Primus is Awesome !
Rush is Awesome !
Primush is Awesome

Such a task to pull off RUSH properly , you practically need to be a literature major to even recite RUSH lyrics and to memorize each book is unreal . I can't even remember Mary had a little lamb. lol

I'd love to see Primus.....
fucking badass musicians!

Primus is definitely on my list of bands to see. I saw some vids recorded of them doing Xanadu and I was very impressed.

Fuck Fuck Fuckity fuck FUCK!!! They were in my area on Sept 28th!!!