Primus Tracks

Les Claypool's ode to his wife, Chaney, starts side two of Of Whales and Woe, and there's certainly no woe to be found in this joyous track, which reflects the irrational emotional highs of fulfilled love, through the Claypool lens. Josh, a native Iowan, sheds some light on the lyrical references and discusses agricultural exports, because that's all Iowans talk about aside from the weather. 

We also play an excerpt from Les's book tour in Iowa City. That evening was captured by the radio program Live At Prairie Lights and is archived here: https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/node/797265

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This week, we offer up a commentary track on the hour-long Primus Interstellar Drum Derby finale. Receiving this much video footage of the band auditioning, practicing, rehearsing, jamming, and recording music is so rewarding after years of shelved video-based projects. 

You can join in the fun by simply listening in, syncing the youtube video with the podcast ep at the 12:52 mark in the audio, or viewing the synced video at the Patreon site (see "Burn your money" link below).

Drum derby finale

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NEW TRACK ALERT! 

Primus have released Little Lord Fentanyl, the first track to include newly-minted drummer John Hoffman. The track was a part of the final drum auditions for Hoffman and Borlai, who each composed drum tracks for the song. We discuss the workings of the tune and the lyrical content in a knee-jerk reaction mode, and what it possibly portends for Primus. 

Little Lord Fentanyl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4NGvSR2waU

Drum Derby finale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFtaNtSYNYA

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Today's track tells the tale of Richard McCaslin, a self-proclaimed superhero, who, disguised as the Panthom Patriot, invaded the Bohemian Grove in search of child sacrifices and other horrific crimes...in the off-season when the economic and political elite were not present. We provide the background on the story, as does Les Claypool in our associated live cuts. We also have with us regular contributor Matt Hunter, who models the bass riff, discusses the dynamics of the song, and helps us find where the pinky finger fits into the whole thing, as Les infamously broke his pinky finger during filming of a movie, and was unable to play this tune on tour for weeks as a reult. Lots to explore in this one - don't get radicalized!

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The great Gene Meyer (@genemeyelol on the socials) of Bandit fame returns to the pod to discuss Vernon the Company Man. We get literary with some associations to Kerouac, Ginsberg, Arthur Miller, but we even it out with jokes about PRimus shirts being more effective than chastity belts. This tune is certainly a unique departure in terms of this record, but also for Claypool in general, thanks to excellent tabla and sitar provided by Mike Dillon and Gabby La La, respectively. Dig?

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We tackle the title track this week with the help of old friend Lalo Fierro, who, even as a seasoned gigging bassist, maintains an uneven relationship with Claypool's bass playing, mostly due to its unpredictable nature, which is emblematic of today's track. We also consider the eternal question: Do you humor the crusty old guy's stories, or do you not engage? Plus, commentary on the recently completed drum search series (more to come?!) and killer live cuts. 

Buy me a theremin.

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After the bicep of One Better, we head straight to the crotch for Lust Stings. Les seems to want to highlight the body parts that the people want to see. Lust Stings gleefully swamps the listener with percussion and instrumentation that makes you want to take a hot shower, and adds to it off-putting yet matter-of-fact lyrics about the spread of STI. While all of that doesn't sound too appealing, it all comes together to create a unique experience in the catalog. Make good choices, kids!

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The great Luke Bemand returns to Primus Tracks to tackle One Better, the "bicep" of the Of Whales and Woe record. Luke shows us how Les flexes all over this track, and it's not limited to bass, as Les provides drums and guitar in addition to his usual bass and vocals. Luke also brings some commentary from Mike Dillon, who stars on the track.This is a Frankie favorite, so get ready for some fanboy business. Plus, Cold War stories? Sign me up! 

Find Luke on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukebemandbass/

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Les Claypool followed up his Electric Apricot jaunt with a collection of taut, focused tunes in 2006's Of Whales And Woe record, which largely sees Les on his own in the studio, laying down bass, guitar, drums, percussion, and vocals for these tracks, and guest turns from the mighty Mike Dillon, Skerik, and Gabby La La. We discuss the album's backdrop, the physical releases, the Fancy touring band to spawn from this record, and turn some attention to the album opener, Back Off Turkey, an ambient track in which Les got to goof around with his children. Climb aboard!

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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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