We are thrilled to speak with Soya and Steve Freeman, aka Extrakd, who has created loads of diverse music over the years with the likes of Brain, Disk, Mirv, Ler, and Buckethead. We tread some of the history and releases from the 90s and 00s, but hone in on Mars Mechanics, which has a new album titled In Through The Drive Through. The record is primarily arranged and performed by Steve, Brain, and Mirv with guest turns from Skerik and Ler. Each Mars Mechanics release has its own musical theme; the latest has a 1970s Miles Davis foundation, and the outcome is a high-energy dose of unmistakable majesty. Plus, Steve tells us about some projects that have yet to be made public, and may hold the key to understanding the tornado of urine (details in episode). 

Tracks sampled in episode, in chronological order:

• Its Brain (Mars Mechanics)
• Technology Doctor (MIRV)
• Darkside Whiplash (El Stew)
• Surf Mission (El Stew)
• B-boy Showcase (El Stew)
• The John Rocker Redemption Clause (No Forcefield)
• Claudius The God (No Forcefield)
• 9a (Mars Mechanics)
• Gonzography (Mars Mechanics)
• Don't Bite Contradiction Bomb (Gonervill)

Find Mars Mechanics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mars_mechanics/

Mars Mechanics Music
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXl_huq832S_MOC4OoCzgPw
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3sZiGJ55DnYXBpoBwYTqKE
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mars-mechanics/1468632210

Mars Mechanics Merch: https://mdpe.shop/collections/marsmechanics

El Stew - No Hesitation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y415bfxzoNc

No Forcefield - Lee's Oriental Massage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZqCqfViCug

No Forcefield - God is an Excuse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7-bbaQUS04

Marsupial's Belly Flop Breaks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4NQyZoYmj0

PhonosycographDISK Live at Slim's - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAKc2PAOkxk&t=7s

Lom.

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Les Claypool was quite productive in the mid 00s, including these two discs  - one a smattering of videos and live cuts from his numerous non-Primus projects; the other a live experience sourced from fan videos of the 2006 Fancy Band tour. Each DVD came about before the proliferation of Youtube and smartphones with decent audio and video capture properties, so they were welcome additions to the catalog. 5 Gallons of Diesel (2005) and Fancy (2007) work to define specific eras of Claypool's career, and we haven't seen anything like them since. Copies are out there on second-hand sites, and of course, they're on Youtube.

5 Gallons of Diesel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04hVR2OFOxQ

Fancy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyt-yoICsWU&

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In 2005, Les Claypool spawned an idea that would form Electric Apricot, a fictitious jam band of goofballs and misfits chasing their dream gig at Festeroo. The "band" formed and recorded some tracks at Rancho Relaxo in early 2005 before hitting the road that spring for some gigs that allowed them to gather live footage in between principle shooting slots. The film had a limited theatrical release, but gathered enough steam for physical releases of the film (2007) and soundtrack (2008). We chart this curiousity and dig into the hidden jokes and references throughout the film, and its significance to the jam scene for people in the know - thank you to our Primatrons! 

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Flapjax has been there since the beginning and seen it all in the world of Primus and Les - the long, slow rise to notoriety, life on the road, making music a sort-of career, and being with his friends through it all. Soya joins to reminisce and jog Dave's memory - it's a great old-school time!

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In our newest sub-series, Primus Legacy, we speak with pro musicians who have a fondness for Primus, and how the music impacted their musical paths. We begin with the great Tye Zamora, who you may know from Alien Ant Farm, \'mēk\, and his stints subbing in for bands such as Slightly Stoopid. Tye charts his Primus superfandom and how it influenced his development as a bassist, and handles with ease Frankie's rapid-fire questions. We should note that his a capella versions of Primus tunes are top notch. 

Find Tye
https://www.instagram.com/tyemus/
https://www.instagram.com/mekband/
https://www.youtube.com/@mekband2341

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We conclude our c2b3 experience with the towering album closer, Ignorance Is Bliss. Peat Rains of You Bred Raptors? joins us to explicate the music and lyrics, and to discuss what makes this a grand statement at the end of the record. For those who don't know what a mohel is, we have you covered. 

Find Peats band, You Bred Raptors? on Instagram and at youbredraptors.com


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Note: We recorded this episode prior to NYE, and I thought it fitting to include our postulations as to what we'd witness, you know, for s&g. 

48 Hours To Go is another tune critical of the W administration and sticks with lyrics of its time. We dig into the time capsule lyrics and the heady jams that Brain brings to the fore. Plus, Josh is entranced by this week's live tracks, and Frankie gets help in solving a major Primus mystery. 

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WE WERE THERE. The two-night stand for 2024 New Year's Eve dubbed Claypool Gold contained numerous surprises and delights to the senses as Les and Larry recruited numerous familiar faces to support them in performing a wide variety of tunes from the worlds of Holy Mackerel, Frog Brigade, and Primus. Limbomaniacs and Beanpole provided inspiring opening acts, making for two nights full of madness. We break it down with commentary on the set lists, lineups, our experiences, and Tim Soya (HE WAS THERE) drops in to share his perspective from behind the scenes. 

Were you there? How was your NYE? Hit us up on the socials!

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Jackalope is the third of three instrumental tracks on the c2b3 record, and it doesn't stick around too long. However, it does have some unique aspects to it that separate the track from the rest of the record. Lalo Fierro helps us by modeling the bass parts and describing their singular elements, and how the band works together to make something groovy with very few theatrics. 

And while we're on the topic of jackalopes, Frankie shares his favorite cryptids. 

Find Lalo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lalofierro/

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The title track of the c2b3 record inspires divergent thoughts from Josh and Frankie, but Matt Hunter holds us together with his bass breakdown and a look the tune's foundations. If you like exaggerated fretless bass slides and excoriating the media landscape, you're in luck!

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