Les Claypool has some serious chops but...

[Funky Ghost]

I like Primus as a sort of thought experiment on the way a bass can be used. Over-all they are not a go to for me but I will say I like Anti-pop better than the rest of their stuff. Laquer Head especially. That groove is pretty sick and the vocals fit the song.

I think the Zappa comparison is on point.

 

[DwaynieAD]

I agree OP, although I feel that way about pretty much all the bass "hero's" mentioned on this forum.

 

[DerHoggz]

Coolest dude ever?
OR
Coolest dad ever?

 

[hrodbert696]

There are some Primus tunes I love and there are some that are just, like.... must have been some trip, man. Seems to be all one way or all the other.

 

[Darth Handsome]

 

[OldDirtyBassist]

Les has some of the best technique I've ever seen. I just doubt he could hold it together in a regular band.

 

[Tituscrow]

Best thing he ever did was fail the Metallica audition.

 

[DerHoggz]

Best thing he ever did was fail the Metallica audition.

Have you heard his Master of Puppets, stunning.

 

[Tituscrow]

Have you heard his Master of Puppets, stunning.

I've been six feet away from him when he's played it, my spider-fearing friend.

 

[DerHoggz]

I've been six feet away from him when he's played it, my spider-fearing friend.

Sick. The spider comment is going right over my head though?

 

[Tituscrow]

Sick. The spider comment is going right over my head though?

Your pic. Your look of horror.

 

[matante]

If they did just instrumentals, I would probably listen to their music.
That said, Les Claypool is a great bass player.

I was shocked the first time I heard Les talk in an interview. He talks with a 'normal' California accent but he sings like a redneck.

 

[Darth Handsome]

Being in the room with him playing Highball is one of my favorite musical experiences I've ever had.

That's Sappy Darth talking, you sissies.

 

[BboogieXVII]

Does he play even 1 song that doesn't go "der der der der, der der, der der der der der"? No, I don't think he does. It's definitely NOT the music that make them popular, it's their act.

More Volvo stuff would make this thread a whole lot better.

 

[Darth Handsome]

Does he play even 1 song that doesn't go "der der der der, der der, der der der der der"? No, I don't think he does. It's definitely NOT the music that make them popular, it's their act.

More Volvo stuff would make this thread a whole lot better.

Oh for Pete's sake. All this time I thought I liked the music. What a dummy I am.

 

[DerHoggz]

Oh for Pete's sake. All this time I thought I liked the music. What a dummy I am.

If it is any solace, I was duped as well.

 

[Darth Handsome]

If it is any solace, I was duped as well.

Which part is the "der der der"? I must be deaf.

 

[Haji]

Interesting to me that even among the Primus fans here, there have been a couple mentions of The Brown Album, which is by far my least favorite. It took me a little while to figure out why: its because Herb isn't on it and its got a big fat drum sound, rather than the tight, snappy sounds of Herb's drums. Makes a HUGE difference to me; Herb's one of the groovinest drummers I know of.

 

[BboogieXVII]

OK, maybe I'm being slightly caustic. Almost every successful band has some sort of act that propels them into more popularity than the music itself would be able to. Like some others here I just get no buzz from Primus, too repetitive, many songs sound too similar. They are pretty successful though, can't argue with that.

 

[BMGecko]

Primus is inspirational, as is Les' playing. Its proof that someone with a personal sound and compositional style can do well playing music all the time. How many people have played with Buckethead, Bernie Worrell, Stewart Copeland, etc... on TB?

His contribution to bass has a lot to do with his attitude, which shines through clearly in his playing.