Primus Tracks

The penultimate track on Monolith gainded the most notoriety for its music video and demo bonus track. Sean Lennon tells the tale of hanging with Michael Jackson and his chimp Bubbles at Neverland Ranch, and Sean has a lot to say about that portrayal, which we sample from a 2016 NPR interview. Most childhood odes wouln't sound or read anything like this, so it's a fascinating glimpse inside the weirdness. Plus, the music is good, too!Sean Lennon on NPR's All Songs Considered: https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2016/06/03/480451184/all-songs-1-sean-lennons-surreal-ode-to-michael-jacksons-pet-chimp-bubblesThe Screwups - Bubbles Burst: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh-qSeZbS4gGet involvedInstagramFacebookEmailBurn your money

Tim Slowinkski, the man behind the excellent Oysterhead album cover art, tour poster and iconography, joins Primus Tracks to talk about his dinstinctive art style and subject matter, as well as the entire Oysterhead experience, which brought him some notoriety and remains a project that earns recognition. What does he think of all of it, 25 years down the line? Give a listen to find out!Find Tim at www.slowart.com and on Instagram.You can also visit Limner Gallery in Hudson, NY!Get involvedInstagramFacebookEmailBurn your money

We turn our attention to Duo de Twang, the "vacation fuck-off band" that Les Claypool started after a couple special California gigs gave away to a full-blown vision for a sit-down campfire acoustic project. We chart the project's logisitical and inspirational origins, and discuss the album track-by-track. Grab some cowboy beans and don't squat with yer spurs on!Get involvedInstagramFacebookEmailBurn your money

This week on the podcast we welcome Robi Bean, who drummed with Primus for about half of 1986. Although he doesn't appear on any demo tapes, and live footage of his playing with Primus is scarce, Robi played an important part in the formation of many early Primus songs that would become fan favorites, including Tommy The Cat. Robi details how he first worked with Les Claypool in a band called Manx, and how a visit to psychic presaged his later involvement in Primus, and recalls some choice moments with Les and Todd. If you're in the Bay Area, you can catch Robi drumming for numerous blues bands around town, including regular gigs at The Saloon on Grant Avenue: https://thesaloonsf.com/the-bandsGet involvedInstagramFacebookEmailBurn your money

We end our Of Fungi And Foe review with Ol' Rosco, who may be one of the more abhorrent characters in the Claypool lyrical universe, perhaps for being all too real. This is the final "fungi" track in the sense that it was initially written for the Mushroom Men video game; Les later added vocal and percussion tracks for the OFAF record. Frankie provides a loving sendoff to this record, which he holds in high regard. Get your skin care routine ready. Get involvedInstagramFacebookEmailBurn your money

Primed By 29 has a fetching title for a Primus fan exploring the solo works of Les Claypool. Although the lyrics don't necessarily refer to anything Primus-related, they're certainly in the wheelhouse of Claypool, who pens another cautionary tale about going too far with recreational drugs in an attempt to create excitement from the mundane. It also happens to be Frankie's favorite track on the album, and we wonder why it didn't make the cut for Duo de Twang a few years later. Get involvedInstagramFacebookEmailBurn your money

Do you know a boy who's taken a bite out of life? I suppose that description qualifies guest performer Eugene Hutz, a man of fire and energy whose work with Gogol Bordello has delighted audiences the world over. Eugene brings a jolt to the side two opener of Of Fungi And Foe in the form of guitar strumming (the only guitar on the record!) and unintelligible wailing mixed with what might be Ukranian phrases. Put some pep in your step with this track, and do something fun/wacky/thrilling. Get involvedInstagramFacebookEmailBurn your money