Possibly one of the most unique bands to rise to fame during the 1990’s was San Francisco Californians Primus. Impossible to define, their sound mixes rock, metal, funk and everything in-between. Reunited with drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander for the third time, the band keeps themselves on the road in 2014 with a month-long tour which concluded at the end of June. As part of the Summerstage at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ lineup, Primus came out on Saturday June 28th with The Dean Ween Group to play to their longtime dedicated fans.
Located within a stone’s throw from the beach the revitalized Asbury Park area was thriving on this breezy summer night as The Stony Pony filled up early to catch The Dean Ween Group. Fronted by Dean Ween, formerly of the long-standing Ween, the rest of the musicians are a rotating lineup of friends and accomplished musicians. Known for his alternative rock roots, Dean took to the stage with his band rocking out to a series of guitar-driven hard rock tunes that had the audience’s attention right away. Dean’s guitar work was dazzling as he fed off his band mates in this friendly jam session. Fronted by a wild vocalist who hopped off the stage into the audience to watch Dean and the rest of the band perform the set which was full of energy and grooves that no one could deny. While the twenty-five year story of Ween the band may be concluded, the saga of Dean Ween lives on with The Dean Ween Group.
With the sun setting and night setting in it was time for Primus to quench the thirst of their hungry fans. Chanting the popular slogan “Primus Sucks!” the fan excitement was building up all around The Stone Pony grounds. With their typical theatrical stage setup that resembled that of a warped dream including two over-sized astronauts on each side Primus kick-started with older track “Here Come the Bastards”. With obscure video clips running behind the band, fans cheered as guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde and bassist extraordinare Les Claypool dazzled. Claypool jokingly said he thought this was going to be the best show they will ever play which had everyone laughing to which he retracted the statement playfully to say it was going to be the seventh best show they ever played. All in good fun the set moved along quickly with new songs such as “Moron TV” mixed in with fan favorites like “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver” and “Southbound Pachyderm”.
As the Grand Poobah of the stage Claypool’s bass lines unquestionably drove the music into another stratosphere. Making his incredible talents on the electric bass seem so effortless, Claypool’s voice is also unmistakable in this carnival of madness. Matched with Lers psychedelic guitar work and Herb’s crafty drumming behind the kit Primus projected a sound beyond most three-piece bands. Playing on with bluesy “Over The Falls”, theatrical pieces like “Eternal Consumption Engine”, trippy songs like “John the Fisherman” and “The Heckler”, the audience was entranced by the sights and sounds. Recognizing every intricate detail of the music, the audience cheered any chance they could.
Continuing the journey into the unknown Claypool acts as a Willy Wonka character with more wacky graphics behind the band as they went into “Bob”. Allowing the funky tones to breathe everyone continued to stare in amazement at the band’s ability to bring these colorful tunes to life so flawlessly. Creating their own atmosphere in the crowd, fans were found bopping their heads, circling around in hula hoops, and even dancing around in circle pits at points. Moving seamlessly through the set, devoted followers rejoiced when “My Name Is Mud” and “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” came in a pair to close things out. Not allowing the energy to dissipate, more favorites came in the first encore with “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers” and “Harold of the Rocks”. Not ready to say goodnight to the seventh best show of their career Primus concluded with everyone singing along to “Too Many Puppies”.
Primus never seems to let down their fans and it was evident by all the smiling faces exiting The Stone Pony and fans raving about the performance. Primus is definitely a band which has proven over the past three decades that they must be seen live to truly grasp how astoundingly entertaining they really are.
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