Trying to describe Primus’ incomparable sound to the “uninitiated” is like trying to describe the taste of salt. It’s virtually impossible to do – you just know it’s savory.
And don’t expect any “genre-ational” hints from their song titles. The band’s record record reads like the theory of “electicity” – “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver,” “Tommy The Cat,” “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver” – you get the picture.
Over the years, the band’s music has been described – alternatively – as alternative rock, alternative metal, funk metal, and progressive metal. Even Primus’ inimitable bassist Les Claypool strains to explain the band’s work.
In between gigs on their current tour, Claypool spent some time with Examiner to chat about their music and their upcoming set at the 2011 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival.
“I have a very difficult time describing my music,” confessed Claypool. “Because I run into people in the hardware store and they go, ‘Oh, you’re a musician. So what kind of music do you play?’ And I go, ‘Uh, I’ve been doin’ this for many years – I don’t know what to call it.’”
“For lack of a better term, but to use a big old broad stroke, I would say it’s 'experimental rock.' But, you know I’ve made up little smartass (descriptions) – “psychedelic polka,” we’re bringing acid rock back to the planet – all these different things.”
Primus is part of this year’s unbelievable lineup for the annual all-star get together in Manchester, Tennessee. If you’ve never experienced Bonnaroo, put it on your bucket list.
In between rehearsals, soundchecks and performers, even the performers take the time to play the fan – as well as catch up with old friends. Claypool talked about the experience.
“Well, it depends on the festival, but usually it’s a place to see bands that you wouldn’t normally get to see, especially for me livin’ out in the country. “
“But also, it’s seein’ old friends. You know, I’ve been doing this for awhile so I’ve come to know quite a few people out there. So, it’s like goin’ to a big barbecue!”
Playing in front of 80,000 lively fans at a music festival is a bit different from a show in a smaller indoor venue. I asked Claypool if the fan expectations at a festival were the same.
“I’m not really sure. That can vary from festival to festival, just like it can vary from venue to venue. For us, as far as performers, we do a different set every night – a lot of it based upon what our mood is when we get there.”
“I don’t really know what the folks expect. I think the variable would be more about the time of the day – you know, sometimes we do these late night sets. That’s when people are a little more ‘heady’ so to speak (chuckling). We tend to take it a little farther out.”
It’s unusual – and challenging – to play from a different set list every night. But as it turns out, the challenge may be less for the band and more for the crew.
“Well, to the chagrin of my road manager (laughing), it does come together right before the show usually. He’s usually backstage prodding me to get the damn thing done.”
“You know, we do a different set list every night purely for selfish reasons. We like to keep ourselves entertained. I think by mixing it up every night, it keeps us on edge a little bit – it keeps you on your toes.”
The ever-changing set list isn’t the only adjustment that Primus has become accustomed to over the years. The band has worked with a number of different drummers since they formed in 1984, including Jay Lane’s current second stint on the skins.
Claypool has been the lone constant, although guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde has been on board since 1989. Has it been difficult to adapt to the changes in chemistry due to the lineup changes?
“Well, you know, whenever somebody comes in, in any situation – whether it’s a poker game or a bobsled team or a band – it’s gonna change things. And sometimes significantly.”
“Larry Lelonde is part of Primus and has been – not since the very beginning but pretty damn close. So, it’s pretty much been me and Ler all these years. We’ve been through a few tremors (laughing). You know, a friend of mine always says, ‘Drummer rhymes with bummer.’ But I didn’t say that.”
“You know we got Jay Lane back. I play drums and he’s been my hero for many years. In fact, I used to roadie for him way back in the day. He quit Primus a month before we recorded our first album. He was in another band also and had a record deal. I said, ‘Hey, we need commitment here.’ He said, ‘Well, I’d have to quit the other band.’”
“But, he and I have always worked together over the years. He was in Sausage. He was in (Fearless Flying) Frog Brigade. He was in various incarnations of Claypool projects. He’s a good friend of mine. But as a drummer, he’s the guy I steal all my licks from. He and Stewart Copeland are my two favorite drummers on the planet to play with thus far.”
Change can be tricky, but it has its upside as well. Said Claypool, “They always say variety is the spice of life. I like to open new doors and blaze new trails through the jungle and all that whatnot. What keeps me goin’ all these years is changin’ it up.”
“That’s why Primus stopped playin’ at the end of the ‘90s because it just wasn’t creatively stimulating anymore – and there were personal elements as well – but it was all rolled into one big burnout.”
“And throughout the past ten years, playing with all these different musicians and different projects and even doin’ different forms of media – that keeps the old fire in the eye.”
“From a business perspective, it’s not what the managers tell you you should be doing. You see these bands sticking with their brand and being very precious with their brand. But for me, I’m just too much of a – I have a musical promiscuity (chuckling) that needs to be satisfied, you know?”
Primus fans are ecstatic that Claypool is satisfying some of that musical promiscuity with their soon to be released new album, Green Naugahyde, the band’s first studio release in over a decade.
I asked Claypool if he felt that the new record was truly “finished” – or if he still intended to tinker with it.
“Not really, the record is done. Sometime between July and September, Green Naugahyde will be out in some form. It’s more getting’ all the art work together and those elements, whatever visuals we’re gonna put together for it.”
“The reason we’re talking about delaying is we’re just busy. We’re doin’ this tour and then we’re headin’ off to Europe and a lot of stuff needs to be done.”
After the first spin of a Primus song, an uninformed listener might make the mistake of not looking past the humor. Claypool spoke about the different layers of his songs.
“Well, I think that a lot of that comes from people looking from the outside. Because if you listen to any of my records – look at any of these characters – it’s like an old (Frank) Capra film or an old Elia Kazan film or Coen brothers or something.”
“There’s these very colorful characters that are very tragic and I would say 80% of the lyrical content in Primus and in Les Claypool material is very tragic. I’m exorcising a lot of demons through these characters. There’s been a lot of substance in my family, a lot of tragedy in that way. And they’re reflected in these characters.”
“Look at ‘Jerry Was a Race Car Driver.’ You think, ‘Oh, Jerry was a race car driver (nonchalantly).’ Except you don’t realize the fact he’s drunk and runs into a tree. Theoretically, he doesn’t exist anymore.”
“You know, ‘(Those) Damn Blue-Collar Tweekers’ – that’s not me saying, ‘Hey, look at the tweeker’s building things.’ I was in the trades and I know how much methamphetamine has kept sheetrockers keep sheetrockin’. When they get a little up there in the years. I’ve seen it – and that’s what I write about, because it’s easier.”
While Claypool’s songwriting has continued to be deceptively introspective over the years, he has evolved as a musician.
“Yes, dramatically, especially over the last ten years. Young musicians ask me all the time, ‘What can I do? What can I do?’ Sometimes it’s ‘What can I do to be successful?’ That’s a whole big can of worms, because how the hell do you define ‘success’?”
“But the one thing I always say is ‘You gotta play. Play. Play. Play.’ And you gotta play with people. I know so many guys that are great at wigglin’ their fingers or bangin’ on things and sit in their rooms and play, but they can’t play with people.”
“It’s like havin’ a conversation – the more people you converse with and interact with, the better conversationalist you’re gonna be.”
With change constantly happening all around us, fans can be sure of one thing at every Primus show – a musical conversation with Les Claypool, Larry LaLonde and Jay Lane that is, well, indescribable…
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