Bass Teacher REACTION | "Tommy The Cat" - Primus | HOW Does Les Claypool DO IT?

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➡️ The moment you hear a song by ‪@officialprimus‬ start playing, you'll know it's them within a few seconds: The signature, throaty slap bass tone from Les Claypool (and his insanely unique vocals), the unsettling dissonant guitar leads from guitarist Larry LaLonde, and the funky grooves from drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander (and amazingly performed by Jay Lane in this performance). You can quickly tell what a cult following Primus have from the spot-on crowd participation from this audience. In this video, I react to and analyze a live performance by Primus - "Tommy The Cat" at Bonnaroo 2011. I cover tips on achieving his slap bass technique (and playing those fast percussive grooves), his bass tone, using a strumming flamenco-type technique for bass fills, how he puts it all together, and simply how their songwriting style makes Primus such a cool band. PRIMUS SUCKS!
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Mark Michell is an internationally-touring and recording bass player known for his work with Scale the Summit, Tony MacAlpine, Tetrafusion, Watermox, and more. Michell is a published educator and author for Hal Leonard, the world's largest music publisher, and has taught bass clinics around the globe for many years. He has played on several Billboard-charting album releases and is endorsed by Jackson Basses, EMG Pickups, and Dunlop.
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👉Original Video: • Primus - "Tommy The Ca...
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📺 WATCH MORE:
▶️ Reacting to RUSH: • Bass Teacher REACTS | ...
▶️ Reacting to METALLICA: • Bass Teacher REACTS | ...
▶️ Reacting to VICTOR WOOTEN: • Bass Teacher REACTION ...
#LesClaypool #Primus #TommyTheCat #Bonnaroo #PrimusLive #LarryLaLonde #SailingTheSeasOfCheese #SlapBass #PrimusSucks
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Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. The original work played in this video has been significantly transformed for the purpose of music education.

[@Duality306]

Years ago during the Sailing the seas of cheese Larry LaLonde was interviewed in Guitar Player...They asked him how you write a Primus guitar solo....He said find out what Key the song is in then don't play anything in key 😂

[@arnoldmorgan9633]

Dude you got to see primus to really appreciate the 3 of them it will blow your mind how good they are. Les plays Carl Thompson basses. Carl only builds about 12 basses a year . I know he has a 4, 6, and another 6 w a Floyd rose style trem. He also only uses the thin strings out of a pack of strings. Like on his 4 string he would use D(1e) D(2a) G(3d) G(4g) . He has an old fender p in his arsenal. I believe he is the reason the ampeg vst4 amp remains impossible to find at a decent price .lol Les is on tour rn never a bad time.

[@Jacksmusicshack]

Classic Lalonde 😂

[@ozwaltreacts4709]

⁠@@arnoldmorgan9633wanna make sure I got this right. He only uses the D and G strings and times them to the normal tuning E A D G?

[@TheFarbeys]

​@arnoldmorgan9633 nah man... he's only played Pachyderm basses for years now sorry.

[@nobeardthepirate9172]

I've always seen primus guitar as "noise" but it's not random noise.

[@JalenRawley]

In an interview a long time ago, Les was asked about singing over crazy syncopated bass lines and he said he would just sit and play the line over and over again while watching tv until the bass part was on cruise control and he didnt even have to pay attention to it anymore. He can play that line and hold a complete conversation with someone at the same time.

[@frostymugger95]

That idea haha me think of seeing Rush live and during YYZ Alex and Geddy gathered together at Neil's drum kit and they had a whole conversation. I like to think they were deciding what to do after the show lol...

[@ryanbwags]

The Claypool Hop is the best part of the live stuff. Nobody moves like Les.

[@LowEndUniversity]

It’s picture perfect!

[@allannrgaard7995]

@@LowEndUniversity Les is mostly known for Carl Thompson basses .... super expendsive now ... and i dont think he really makes basses anymore, because of age mainly. But he has tought other people about his bassmaking so it lives on

[@tankmaster1018]

Still simultaneously the goofiest and most badass "musician in the fucking zone" movement I've ever seen. That low walk/skip he does across stage is just indescribably awesome... I could watch 1:13 all day!

[@eriklarson9137]

Hop or bounce? There is a difference, and I think you know which one is correct.

[@Kylora2112]

Guitarist Larry LaLonde was a founding member of (arguably) the first death metal band ever (Possessed), and he and Les were in thrash band Blind Illusion for the Sane Asylum album (a legendary Bay Area thrash album), and then founded Primus after recording that album. Strange trip for a strange band :)

[@bikershark9]

And he is one of the best guitar players because he knows how to fill space with Les in the lead.

[@wizarddragon]

Even Chuck Schuldiner Considered Possessed the first Death Metal band but Chuck will always be the Godfather of Death Metal because of the people he influenced at the time. I'm a big fan of them both.

[@devolve42]

ha, my tween-age garage band in the 80s that played exactly zero gigs was called The Sane Asylum.

[@11rfpro]

I always thought Todd hueth was the original Guitarist

[@Kylora2112]

@@11rfpro Ahh yeah, but they kinda disbanded when Les joined Blind Illusion, then reformed it with Larry. But Les and Larrt were really close friends before they were in Blind Illusions.

[@rmp5s]

Been a bassist for 25-ish years and I can honestly say this is the only song I've ever SERIOUSLY tried to learn and simply have no idea wtf is going on. lol The studio version is on a 6 string fretless and just sounds insane. Got to see Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade TWICE and it was amazing...he does some crazy shit. lol

[@rayanthonyrobles5162]

Same my Bass Brotha, same.

[@rmp5s]

@@rayanthonyrobles5162 Crazy friggin song...hahaha

[@canatolakhoemini6728]

My old bass player would play this all the time and it was the same for me playing drums. Took like a week to get it. My bass player was a freak of nature on bass like Les.

[@diabeticscooterkid7385]

HOW WAS THE SHOW???? IM GOING TO THE BRIGADE IN A COUPLE DAYS

[@TheMorphium]

Just look up the Talking Bass lesson for it. Les only plays it with a 4 string on tour. He probably hasnt done it on a 6 string since it was first recorded. Once you start working out each segment, it starts to come together.

[@brandbird]

I've said it before, but it's still true: LaLonde is one of the most underrated guitarists of the last 50 years.

[@frostymugger95]

Herb is pretty grossly underrated as a drummer. (I do know it's not Herb in this video.)

[@Joetime90]

As much as I love bass and play bass, and drums as well... but Ler has been catching my ear.

[@kristalharris9113]

I don't care what anybody says the band wouldn't work without Larry I've been saying that for a long time yes les is the goat an Tim is my 2ed favorite drummer only behind Danny carey but PRIMUS SUCKS 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@Beardo2517]

Well Satriani was his teacher

[@Noah-bs1yf]

That dude takes Satriani level riffs from his mentor then makes them more tasteful and atmospheric when it calls for it (Bob,and Blue Collar) somehow still melodic and heavy riffs like Groundhogs Day and My Name Is Mud, god tier and underrated

[@Rodiroess]

The song is already one of those "noobs will never touch it" songs but to be able to prance around the stage like that AND sing?? Les is just too good

[@Lol_Pig]

Primus is in their own category. And Les is a one-of-a-kind musician, hands down my favorite bass player

[@frostymugger95]

He's 1st and 3rd on my list of best bassists. Geddy is 2nd. Justin Chancellor 4th ;)

[@hoilst265]

Hell, check the ID3 tags.

[@Lord_Verminaard]

Been a Primus fan since "Suck on this" and I never get tired of listening to them. The drummer in this video is Jay Lane, although currently Primus' drummer is Tim "herb" Alexander, for a while Brian "Brain" Mantia was also their drummer. All three of them have been absolutely excellent. I have seen them twice now, one of those times they performed Rush's "Farewell to Kings" album front to back, along with a whole Primus set. To say that they are one of the tightest bands ever would be an understatement. Three extremely talented and creative musicians just doing what they do.

[@thomasmacdougall6530]

Jay Lane playing for Dead & Co now.

[@canatolakhoemini6728]

Jay plays with Bob Weir too. He's a maniac. If you like Brain, his video Shredding Repis on the Gnar Gnar Rad is awesome.

[@MCoconut97]

thanks for elaborating! primus sucks!

[@larryfisher8171]

Primus sucks! 🤘

[@jasonmcgregor1381]

seeing Primus live is a treat. All the way back to the 90s they’ve never been bad. funnest live concert ever, mosh pit is definitely a sea of cheese. Absolute genius

[@DaveWossum]

I agree, couple of months ago I saw them with Danny Carrey and Justin Chancellor from Tool. What a special show that was.

[@jorggemmer8936]

Nice analysis

[@opslorunner]

I've seen them 3 times. Every minute of each show was awesome.

[@Vermin8er1]

Agree 100%, Primus live is a must see!

[@jonathandufern7421]

Seen les 5 times live. 2 times with Primus. I wish I could see the Frog Brigade this year but wont. I saw them the first time though 20 years ago live with M.I.R.V.

[@AtomizedSound]

Arguably the hardest Primus bass riff of all time and on top of him singing while playing this bass riff. Amazing

[@redhotchilifan98]

Les has always been my favorite bass player. Its hard to wrap your mind around his skill. The speed, the precision, just the way he pairs everything together.

[@LowEndUniversity]

He makes it look easy!

[@freakstarrguy]

The guitar riff at the beginning of this video is the ending of the song before, "Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweakers," which begins and ends with that wildly dissonant and distorted wah-pedal chord.

[@sonnythebeast]

I think Primus is so underrated they are overlooked so much

[@captainflappyarms8277]

True

[@KissFan2000]

Couldn’t have said it better

[@HabAnagarek]

Yeah cuz they suck

[@scarab944]

Aw yiss. I'm still in awe of Les 25+ years later and this is a great analysis of one of their signature songs. In this clip, Les is playing his Pachyderm bass, which (as you supposed) is a boutique instrument built by Dan Maloney, even though he's more closely associated with Carl Thompson basses over the years. Other than requiring two brains to play & sing simultaneously, the thing that always has my jaw on the floor is how devastatingly fast his right thumb/wrist are. In the percussive part at 12:17, he doesn't seem to be using many economy of motion techniques like double thumbing or plucking with multiple fingers. Just double thumb strokes, left hand slaps, and raw speed. The man's an alien and we're fortunate that he picked up a bass on this timeline.

[@Em_Dee_Aitch]

This was the very first Primus song I ever heard. They were still unknown. A local college station threw it on in the middle of the night, and I was instantly hooked.

[@coma13794]

Nice! I heard my name is mud on an alt radio station while driving to college... I had to pull over. Totally lost my mind.

[@huggniceman4975]

I love the Claypool strut, puts a smile on my face every single time.

[@RyvenProductions]

He plays Carl Thompson basses. He has had one made for each album if I'm not mistaken.

[@zhew2]

This is his Pachyderm bass that his friend, Dan Maloney, made for him. Les designed it.

[@chrislow6309]

Correct friend

[@stephenscharff6358]

He does use fender bases. But his most heavily used bases are Carl Thompson, custom bases hand built for him. There's some of the most beautiful bases I actually got to see one. A guy I know at the music store had one. Absolutely beautiful. To get close to that base. Maybe a padula?

[@ironnads7975]

​@@stephenscharff6358 He has used a Fender bass once back in the late 90s

[@hechticgaming7193]

He played a few Rickenbackers back in the early days as well iirc PS... Primus SUCKS!

[@dragonmac1234]

Les Claypool's bouncy walk/dance moves always make me laugh, they are funky but I wouldn't really call them funk metal. I'm always impressed when someone can sing and play at the same time, especially drummers.

[@bikershark9]

You can't help but do his little dance when listening

[@wackyruss]

I’d call them Thrash-Funk

[@madhatter7862]

Any description of Primus is inaccurate. They are Primus!

[@ViliTheFox]

Hardcore funk

[@karlepaul6632]

Heavy Funky is probably a more appropriate term to describe them. What I definitely do know is that at the numerous shows I've attended in NY going back to 1993, that while there was definitely a diverse group that attended (black, white, male, female, young, old, etc) there was a majority of 2 types of people that attended: metalheads and hippies. It's like people that were either into really heavy music or jam-band type of music. A guy with a Krokus shirt with a girl wearing a tye-dye right next to him. (But like I said, this was in NY, so maybe it was just a regional thing)

[@EtoDemerzelSpaceBurial]

Primus Sucks! Man I love how unique Les’ tone always is!

[@Dzunei]

Yeh primus sucks!

[@ewoknroll]

saw them in like 2004 when I was a sophomore in high school, and, with a head full, i thought the people on lot yelling primus sucks were protesters lol

[@blindsided09]

🤘Primus sucks bro!

[@bradprice8040]

Primus sucks. Scrolled further than I thought to find you guys. Caught them at 2nd or 3rd Lollapalooza in New Orleans. Great shows. So much amazingness.

[@wannabecarguy]

Wasn't sure if Primus sucked, so I bought 4 different albums. Still on the fence.

[@WeerdMunkee]

Jerry the Race Car Driver. It's like he's playing two bass lines at the same time. Always been one of the more fascinating Primus bass lines for me, personally!

[@gwoody4003]

Check out Elephant Talk by King Crimson

[@masonblue1435]

@@gwoody4003 God I love hearing new King Crimson songs, just started getting into them recently and holy hell has it been an absolute delight. Thank you so much for this, that song jams.

[@gwoody4003]

@@masonblue1435 the influence on Les is pretty obvious. Lol

[@gwoody4003]

Though its a Chapman stick in King Crimson. Like an 18 string guitar tapped with both hands rather than strummed. So its still pretty amazing Les pulls it off on a bass.

[@lorenminerich3895]

That's because that line is played tapping with both hands. So he basically is playing two lines at the same time. Left hand taps the chords and right hand does the single higher notes

[@JoeyJoJoJr0]

My friend who introduced me to PRIMUS in high school, explained them to me as a band where everyone is playing their own solo, and blending them together. Then he played "Frizzle Fry". I was sold! And you MUST see them live

[@coma13794]

So excited to see someone acknowledge how much the lead guitar brings in. His use of dissonance and odd harnonic choices and phrases is absolutely unique. Part solo, part airy texture. You are the first person I've heard that's attempted to address it. I think the guitar parts are actually killer. Les is a master, but Ler doesn't get called out nearly enough for what he brings.

[@frankharrison7236]

First time I saw Primus they opened for living color and I had never heard them and to say I was floored is quite an understatement and their drummer is reincarnated Neil Peart

[@Torgo1969]

That's a bold statement at the end there!

[@LadyGX]

I just loved that they had Tom Waits on the studio version of this song. Another legend.

[@da300mann2]

I've seen them live twice, and it's a SHOW! The music they put together is incredible and really fun live. A must see band, even if you're not a huge fan of theirs.

[@gwoody4003]

Yeah its mind blowing all that sound comes from just 3 guys. I love talking to people at festivals who never listened to Primus, didn't care about the band, but happened to catch their set that night. Nobody ever says "I wasted my time" thats for sure. Many have said "I forgot where was, holy hell. I don't get why all those people think they suck." 🤣

[@da300mann2]

@@gwoody4003 I didn't know much about them until they played in Little Rock at a huge rock festival. I was going to head to another stage, but decided to hang out and see what's up. After the first song, I knew I wasn't moving!

[@alanleemaxwell831]

A band comprised entirely of virtuosos, and still the best at what they do. Proof that class is permanent... 🙏🇬🇧🤘🎸🍻

[@lupodelupis3672]

Clearly Les is born to play bass, so effortless and at the same time so hard.

[@myndfields8539]

Claypool usually plays Carl Thompson's, but I believe during this event he was playing his custom maple & cocobolo "Pachyderm". Designed by him and built by Dan Maloney. (Maloney's Stringed Instruments) I've never tried to put Primus in a genre, Larry is doing crazy, squealing , psychedelic rock-esk riffs. Herb is blasting out hardcore punk /metal fills, and Les is like if Bootsy Collins and Cliff Burton had a love child and mad uncle Jaco and Uncle Geddy babysit on the weekend.

[@russellhoyt588]

That's actually Jay Lane on drums, not Tim Alexander.

[@tyden13]

Hell yeah

[@johngarrett3361]

Hey, you should get a whammy bar for that 6-string Jackson needs to build you.

[@bandit6272]

Saw Primus many times back in the day. Probably the most fun I've had at any concert strictly due to the show (and not...extracurricular activities....ahem), but it was always blindingly obvious that Les was having more fun than any of us. I don't know if this makes sense, but I think that's what gave their shows such unique energy. The vibe started with him and then trickled down until we were all on board.

[@bikershark9]

YESSSS this was my request hell yeah dude

[@LowEndUniversity]

Haha, thanks for your patience with it! Appreciate the request. Cheers!!

[@yes_head]

Another bass player who could do amazing things while playing AND singing was Chris Squire. He'd often sing a counterpoint or harmony to the main vocal line, while playing a bass part that was itself contrapuntal or in harmony to the main melody. Trevor Horn said Chris was the best backup singer on stage he'd ever worked with.

[@JoshStoker]

I've always been amazed with Lelonds playing aslo, it is kind of like he's always soloing, they play in a groove but it's loose. It's very consistent though live. They are all just jamming, 3 piece legends (the space is epic when you are this good)

[@gwoody4003]

I forget what the video was called... its an early camcorder pre-internet video where they are talking about how the sound was developed... and basicly Ler showed up, didn't really know wtf to do with Les going nuts like he does... and just started noodling around.

[@wackyruss]

*LaLonde

[@abbshurz]

I do love that Geddy and Les always come up in the same conversation.

[@jackzimmer6553]

I truly love to hear Primus play. I think it’s the genius of each member of THE BEST power trio out there. Their songs are crazy as hell but they weave them in such a way that you can’t stop listening and you want to hear more!!

[@jakeclapsadle6933]

It’s a bass made by Les Claypool’s friend Dan Maloney, he calls a Pachyderm bass. However he did play Carl Thompson’s for the vast majority of Primus’s years before this

[@FranBassARG]

Les is a beast!! For the most part he plays custom made basses by the famous luthier, Carl Thompsom. In this particular performance he uses a Pachyderm Bass which was designed by Claypool and made by his friend and luthier, Dan Maloney. And I think he uses EMG pickups in all of his basses. I love your videos man, keep up the good work!!

[@LowEndUniversity]

Very cool, thanks for the insight! I appreciate the kind words and information on his basses, I knew it was a company I'd probably not heard of.

[@dougsrosen]

Your breakdowns are so fun. Always an interesting perspective on the bands style, tone, and distinct features. Great video. And tool video was great!

[@LowEndUniversity]

Doug, that means a lot. I really appreciate the nice words! See you around for more!

[@martinmix7464]

He plays some Carl Thompson basses but his primary 4 string is a Pachyderm bass that he designed and had built special for him. He's also played Fender and Rickenbacker in the past. That one looks like his Pachyderm.

[@matthewmorvant9003]

As MP3 became a standard music format, the ID3 tag was created to add data to the file. One of the first "standardized" options was genre. The original specification for genre included a category called "Primus," further proof that their music just can't be quantified.

[@LowEndUniversity]

This is literally the coolest factoid ever, hahaha. Amazing!

[@MikeHayman42]

I remember back in the day when I first noticed that and laughed my butt off way too hard about it, for way too long 😂

[@nickgreen5369]

I saw Primus open for Rush at the New Haven Coliseum back in the early 90s . I had never heard anything like them before. 30 years later I’ve still never heard anything like them before.

[@msihcs8171]

"Good at what they do" talking about Primus that's quite the understatement . . .

[@harvestblades]

I can't help listening to Les live & thinking of what Maynard (Tool) said that the live show is peferfecting a song from what was recorded in studio. The little things guys like Les add in the live shows truly takes what was incredibly complex in the studio & takes it up a notch or three.

[@canatolakhoemini6728]

Yeah,or ten! Lol. Primus sucks!

[@kaironconqueror5817]

Larry LaLonde is chiefly so unique due to the fact he was trained by none other than Joe Satriani. So the fact you can't tell his solos from his general riffs make more sense 😄 I've been to a Primus concert and it's a completely different experience. They usually open the set with "Blue Collar Tweakers" and you don't really hear the music as much as you feel the bassline thumping away in your chest.

[@rascalhoudi5689]

Hell yes, they are entertaining. I like how you call him a "mad scientist". A looooong time ago, I saw Primus when they toured with Rush. When Primus was in high gear through their show, the whole place looked like a sea of bobble-heads. I saw the same thing happen at a King Crimson show (Disciplne tour)

[@Raviouliformiouli]

Saw them live once, it was amazing. Favorite band

[@drewfife5169]

This level of syncopation is just insane. So few could manage so well. Masters, they are.

[@turbopromodified]

Les is from another planet. I always dig listening to the Primus covers of Rush stuff. And, the version of Aenima that Les sung on - well, he turned a Tool song into a Primus song! As always, fantastic video. Slowly working my way through all of them... Travis Q

[@fat_ninja_status]

Bass in this video is his custom pachyderm line. I'd have to research more but believe it's a friend of his building them. There's a few videos out there of him discussing it. Believe they just released a 6 string also.

[@nh8444]

Great breakdown. I’m continuously amazed that he doesn’t do videos on his playing, how he got there, etc. he could help so many bassists with such material.

[@xxstevenicholxx8732]

One of my favorite grooves. Loved it even more when I started playing bass.

[@2484marshall]

I first heard of Primus when they featured on Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey playing this song. I live in the UK, and a lot of this music you just didn't really hear that much at all, and you certainly couldn't just search and listen online then! You had to go to your local music store and find it. If you were lucky, the people in there would let you have a listen before you bought, and would also have some knowledge of it and other recommendations.

[@victorialovatt976]

Same here… weirdly enough I downloaded the soundtrack last week (I originally owned it on cassette. CASSETTE!🤣). The standout track has got to be Primus. I remember hearing that snippet on the film and immediately loving it.

[@2484marshall]

@victorialovatt976 I also remember my cousin (who was a couple years older than me at the time) trying to explain the meaning behind the song 'Two heads are better than one' by Power Tool. Think I'd been singing it round the house before then! Still not watched the new film yet. I hope it's not a letdown.

[@victorialovatt976]

Well…it’s imaginative let’s just leave it at that! Worth a watch but I really missed Rufus

[@mikeisgettinupset]

I always viewed their songs as 3 guys just jamming, but each one is jamming something different.

[@kashad]

Not jamm, they know what to do, is not improvisation. Maybe like all of great bands they have extended versions doing more stuff but is everything overcontrolled and over precise technique. They only jamm compossing, then they cut bad stuff and remodel all good stuff.

[@martinmix7464]

Dropping one last comment to say thanks for doing what you're doing here on KZbin. I'm digging your work.

[@liquidalloy]

Les is the best. Primus on a whole, brilliant. I love this band. Addicting music, his stage performance, his "prancing" one of a kind man and band.

[@EtoDemerzelSpaceBurial]

Les plays Carl Thompson basses mostly

[@garywatson3778]

DOOOOD!!! I just ran across your channel. How awesome are you?!? I'm so amazed to see what you've done since the Stage Center days, and quite proud to have had you playing the best and FUNKIEST bass line in Broadway whilst I commanded the flogging of Jesus... 39 times. You fuggin ROCK, man. I'm so happy for you. Did you see Primus when they came to the Strand? It was mesmerizing. You can tell EXACTLY how serious they take themselves by the fact their TRADEMARK crowd chant is 'PRIMUS SUCKS!'

[@LowEndUniversity]

Dude, holy shit!! I'm so glad to cross paths with you again, Gary. This is eerily small world stuff - I was just on a camping trip with Zak and some friends 3 days ago - we were reminiscing about years past of all the radio personalities in town and he was super fond of you and shared a lot of cool stories about growing up with his dad in the biz. I seriously hope you've been well. That summer doing "Next to Normal" with y'all was one of my favorite performances I've ever done - I will never forget the brief bond we all shared portraying that story, and your performance was out of this world. I completely forgot Primus came - I remember dying to go, but was out of town or had a wedding or something...I really hope they return, that's such a wild show for Shreveport to have had. Cheers, man - keep in touch!

[@deathrunner123]

I was there, that night was still one of the biggest highlights of my life. I went from knowing a handful of their songs to basically everything, Les is such a homie. Their shows are always amazing, even if it's a smaller venue :3 I'd 100% recommend it, even if they suck.

[@fuzzypoet1018]

Claypool has been a longtime player of Carl Thompson basses. Carl is an OG guy who started making basses in the 1970's in Brooklyn. My old bassist had one; it was a heavy, back-breaking slab of beautifully carved wood.

[@iPivo]

Les basses are made by a luthier named Carl Thompson. Each bass is a unique creation

[@iPivo]

@@JimmyMasittoIII I’m pretty sure it is a Carl Thompson on the video. Les played Thompson’s basses for many years and only recently switched to Pachyderm

[@HotPockets-40k]

I was tripping balls at this show 😆 fun as hell performance. Love me some Primus

[@wil5963]

Such an amazing band to watch. They still kick ass no matter how much time has passed

[@zolfodor4835]

Only seen primus once in Manchester a few years ago,we got right to the front,my 2 sons at the time were 12 & 18 & my youngest was obsessed with them,as i was/am,Les,Larry & Tim are amazingly brilliant musicians,Jay Lane & Brain were brilliant aswell,Primus could never play a bad show,absolutely love em. 👌👌🔥🔥❤️❤️

[@harvestblades]

That's awesome ! I was 13 when Primus released their first album & I was instantly hooked! I never looked at the bass the same since.

[@zolfodor4835]

@Larry Koziol Primus are a one off to me,you never know what your gonna get,but you know its always different & unique,I would love to interview or share a beer with them,keep rocking & keeping Primus alive my friend 👌👌✊️✊️

[@josephsandstrom3034]

Always happy when I get to see other people loving Primus like I do 😁 loved the episode! Thank you! Les is using Carl Thompson basses mostly. He and his friend made Pachyderm basses few years back wich think he used in The Desaturating Seven album. He also got some upright basses wich I don't remeber the brand of.

[@charper13126]

I think the electric uprights are Ned Steinberger

[@LowEndUniversity]

Thanks Joseph, appreciate the info! They're certainly a fun band to experience. See you around!

[@jordancressley3634]

Primus live is incredible. I’ve seen them twice and just wow… what an amazing show. Les is an absolute monster on the bass. Primus sucks!

[@sshez99]

Thank You for this video!!! Most reaction videos explain nothing and its just people saying, "wow!! how he do that? tell me in the comments." LOL. But you explained so much, not just about the bass, but about the drums, the guitar and the music in general. I learnt a lot and really enjoyed every second of this vid. Keep up the great work.👍

[@LowEndUniversity]

You're welcome!! That means a lot to hear 🙏🏼

[@Pusfilth]

I saw them live in Australia 🇦🇺 We yelled PRIMUS SUCKS so much that Les actually called us arseholes and everyone around us was getting shitty. Best concert 💯

[@DM-rc4yu]

Primus sucks.

[@LiminalMan777]

I knew if I started diving into your page I’d find some Primus. I’ve really enjoyed watching you break down some of my favorite songs

[@christianrivas3897]

I got lucky enough to see Primus live back in the 90's on the tales from the punchbowl-tour in Frankfurt Germany. And I have to say: there was not one live gig ever since that had that much of audience participation and feel good vibe and energy. Thank you Primus! You and Nirvana are my first bands I've ever listened to. You brought music into my life. I listen to your music every day for three decades and more now and it never gets boring. Love your work, it's part of my life

[@eddiel7033]

Primus sucks!

[@N3gativeR3FLUX]

Saw Primus live at Alternative Nation in Sydney, Australia in the mid 90s. Highlight of the concert. The mud was intense.

[@chadcarrdrums]

To see them live is incredible.

[@ewoknips5154]

I was at this show, first time seeing Primus live and they blew my f'ing mind. I knew their music but theres just something about live Primus. Amazing.

[@danielhensley8675]

Your intro summary of my favorite band of all time is the best summary I’ve ever heard and articulated exactly why I love this band. Thank you.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Wow, thank you!

[@nunocolon]

Watching primus/Klayps live for the first time was a freaking revelation

[@andu1854]

I went to a high school in Bay Area and there was a good number of Primus fans, a few kids in my photo class was excited to go see them

[@rrj6068]

What a damn good reaction and educational video you have made here .....The best I have ever seen ......I am 70 y/o and just heard about Primus about 2 hours ago , ran across your video here and I feel like I've been launched into outer space and I ain't never coming back .....

[@ChuckWasHere]

His tone is what also makes him so unique. He cranks those high mids and pulls back quite a bit on the lower lows more than you'd think for a player with such a prominent bass presence.

[@iambob6590]

I live in the most isolated capital city on the planet and i got to see Primus live in the late 90s. Already a massive fan at the time, i still remember this cute little lady telling me that it was a thing at the beginning of the show to yell at them... "You Suck!, You Suck!, You Suck!", and the crowd did, then there was Les opening with "Hi, we're Primus, and we suck". The crowd went even more nuts. An awesome gig I'll never forget.

[@augiemesa9429]

I definitely love Jay's hi hat embellishments. I love that about drums. Very groovy. I love Brain's hard hitting and precision. Herb is so smooth too. I dig the variations in their drummers.

[@MstrBradbury]

According to “Geddy Lee Asks: Are Bassists Human?”, Les gets his basses custom made from Maloney Luthiers near/in from the town he lives in. Good series, it son Paramount+

[@Evil-Never-Dies]

Dudes playing rhythm guitar, bass and singing. Unreal.

[@LowEndUniversity]

It IS unreal. I can barely speak to someone on stage while playing. I know it's a very specific skill I could work up, but it'll never cease to amaze me how guys like Les do it, or Hetfield: complicated parts, complicated rhythmic vocals. Mad respect.

[@Evil-Never-Dies]

@@LowEndUniversity 🤘

[@Naraku150]

I used to play bass and I am picking it back off atm.. Les is the reason I started to play bass. the MAN IS A GOD! And I cant place Primus into any category they blend so much and go out so much its their own thing.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Love it! Don't stop playing, or start again if you stopped previously!

[@grimeybeast1465]

I will the same thing I say in every discussion of Primus. How these three, ultra-talented, weird-ass musicians found each other is one of the universe's great unsolved mysteries.

[@doomlava222]

That wrist twist is exactly what I tell ppl when I teach them slap pop. I also add to imagine your thumb bone at the tip is the heaviest part of the hand and twist the wrist to make the thumb whip at the string and then rebound off it. Very cool video. 👍🏻

[@chiantiar]

only seen Primus once but Ive seen Les' solo acts 6 times which were in small venues, the dude is not human.

[@31069daniel]

I was a big fan when Jay was playing with them. Saw them live twice during this period.

[@TheSteveDallas]

I first saw Primus when they opened for Rush in Seattle. At first, the crowd was thinking WTF???? After a little while we all started getting into it.

[@briangrimm1024]

I was there that year. He also did a sound check Saturday morning. If you were still in your tent when he started, you weren't for very long.

[@paulb808]

That crowd knew what was up. Nice breakdown!

[@Steely_Fran]

In case no one answered your question about Les' bass: He designed it himself. He calls it "The Pachyderm". It has 1 knob for volume and 1 to adjust the LEDs inlayed in the neck. If you ever see Les playing any basses that are shaped kind of like "The Pachyderm", but with different headstocks, those are Carl Thompson basses. Les plays them in the videos for "Jerry Was A Racecar Driver", "My Name Is Mud", and "DMV". They're really cool and really expensive.

[@Wonderpalm1979]

Happy to have seen Primus 5x in the 90s. Always a fun show with a cool vibe. Les is a wizard.

[@goatrope2946]

We did the meet & greet with Les, Ler, and Herb in St Augustine. They were doing their Tribute to Kings Rush concert. All very gracious and funny guys. Very open to answering all sorts of questions thoroughly. A very cool hang. And watching them do their Farewell to Kings set was just astonishingly awesome. Plus all the Primus favorites you’d want to hear and see. Just incredible.

[@zenmode8766]

Primus fans are truly fans!! Not fake!! Either you love them or hate em!!!they wouldn't be there if they hated them!!

[@austinshoemaker246]

People might not like their songs or lyrics but there is no denying they are absolute savant musicians

[@twiggy6591]

I was at this show!! It had been raining all day and everything was a sloppy muddy mess but Primus knocked our socks off and made us forget about the unpleasant weather for a few hours

[@jacobgulmann2564]

Great comments. Really appreciate. You are so right about how they leave it open and give space. It’s like a jazz trio 😊 and you are spot on about the guitar - ler lalonde is the man!

[@Maltozombie]

I feel really really happy to say that some of Claypool’s most iconic live videos have been recorded in my town 🤜🤛 and every time I look up a live performance and see it’s from Bonnaroo I have to say, that’s my dawg !