What is the least likely song you expect to hear before a Primus concert? For me it was “In the Fuehrer’s Face” by Spike Jones. Yet, there it was blasting through the speakers at the State Theatre. It perfectly set the tune to an unconventional and macabre evening that was brilliant fun. Primus has been through several iterations with singer/bassist Les Claypool being a constant since 1984. The current lineup includes guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde and drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander.
The first set was classic Primus. It felt like one jam sessions with a couple of interruptions to talk to the audience. While the songs were distinctively different from one another the band transitioned from one to the next smoothly. At one point Claypool mentioned having to get used to a new bass amp. He announced one song that would need some “huevos” and that Ler would use a piece of 6 string furniture to gently melt the audience’s faces off. He emphasized gently, not like in Ler’s possessed days…..
The second set revealed a stage filled with mushrooms (yes, the magical kind) and candy. Primus was supported by the Fungi Ensemble (Mike Dillon on marimba and percussion, Sam Bass on Cello and Skerik on Saxophone.). Scenes from the movie played on a screen, Umpa Lumpas roamed the stage and songs most of the audience knew from childhood were turned into something new, cool and surreal by Primus. Overall this was a one of a kind show that left most of the patrons with a shit eating grin on their faces.
Set 1:
Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers
Last Salmon Man
Groundhog’s Day
Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver
American Life
Over the Falls
Lee Van Cleef
Jilly’s on Smack
Jerry Was a Race Car Driver
Set 2: Primus and the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble
Hello Wonkites
The Candy Man Can
Cheer Up, Charlie
(I’ve Got a) Golden Ticket
Lermaninoff
Pure Imagination
Oompa Augustus
Semi-Wondrous Boat Ride
Oompa Violet
I Want It Now
Oompa Veruca
Wonkmobile
Oompa TV
Farewell Wonkites
Encore:
Too Many Puppies
Southbound Pachyderm
Here Come the Bastards
no images were found
