The Weirdly GENIUS Basslines Of Les Claypool

[@CharlesBerthoud]

Get half off Mastering The Masters before Dec 25: bassmasters.co

[@Brian-sp5yz]

Here in the states we would pronounce his name Less not Lez😊

[@vash0091]

You song slapocalypse gave me a new love for base guitar.

[@craigjamroz7585]

Um, I don't know about cult following, but. he's the whole reason I picked the bass up. about 12 or 15 years ago. The first song I heard him play was here's to the man. and it was that. it was that video where he's wearing the American flag helmet. pretty popular video. and the rest is history. From that moment on, I knew. that's what I need to do is play the bass. I loved the dissonance. and slapping and popping and all that was just amazing to me. And for 10 years straight, I didn't put the bass down. Then I took a couple year break, and now I'm back at it again. One of my favorite albums is Green Nagahide. Amazing album. The last salmon man. Such a banger Also Hoinfodaman Is definitely one of my faves lol

[@craigjamroz7585]

As for the fitting in part, Not caring what people think right., The song that you're thinking of is, .. to defy the laws of tradition. Is a crusade only of the brave 🤓👍

[@craigjamroz7585]

As for songs that you should try. one that comes to mind with an amazing intro is, The ol Diamondback Sturgeon. I don't know how I can forget this. I had to come back and edit. eleven is one of my favorite songs From sailing the Seas of cheese. eleven!! the lyrics and everything. So good. Another one that I think sounds amazing is, spaghetti western. But basically everything Les does, Oh yeah, pudding time. is another weird one where it's all muffles. It's all about percussion. Just so many good songs. It's weird because you may hear a Les Claypool song and it may turn you off at first. but I promise you, the more you listen to the song, you actually like it more. It's weird Usually you hear a song and it sounds amazing at first, and then you are like eh, and it gets old. Of course, not all the time, but you know what I mean. It's the other way around for les Claypools Songs, There are songs of his that I've heard. at first and been turned off. But I come around and listen to it again. Maybe a year or two later. And I'm like, wow, how did I not hear this? It's like hearing the song for the first time with new Ears.

[@LH_Tama]

I had no idea Les Claypool was polarising. I thought he was pretty universally beloved amongst musicians at least.

[@EdwardDore-g8h]

He's popular among music fans, especially bass players, but as far as the average person, yeah you either like Primus or you don't.

[@scaldwell462]

As a bassist, I've never been a fan of Primus.

[@Inzo42]

And he doesn’t “usually play a six string fretless”.

[@MonsterJuiced]

Same tbh haha

[@elizakimori8720]

I think you misspelled "crackheads"

[@Natural11001001]

What impresses me most about Les, is that he's doing all of this live, while singing, hopping, strutting and spinning all over the stage. Most people have to practice his bass lines in their basement and are lucky if they sound half decent. Imagine playing the same while doing all of the above for 90 minutes straight in bad lighting in front of a huge audience. He has amazing talent.

[@zantar2482]

Lol, I love the one legged hop he does. Like from the 94 woodstock

[@zadokmotorfreight2423]

@@Natural11001001 yep, I agree 💯!!

[@Thurgor_Supreme]

And sometimes fretless to boot

[@Bob-of-Zoid]

I could never sing and play at the same time, it throws me off. I can although sing harmony, with different lyrics too (see Gentle Giant), both that some have a hard time with for too easily falling into what the main vocal is doing. I can play guitar and bass (so two hands doing different things) just fine, but not on a keyboard, I can do well with my left and my right hand, just not both together!! Strange that indeed!🤪

[@wbertie2604]

I can read a book and play but definitely not sing at the same time.

[@tolstoy21]

Let’s not forget Larry LaLonde on guitar. He’s often overlooked, but his guitar is just as out there as Les’s playing and absolutely integral to their sound.

[@MisterFarce]

Ler is the secret weapon.

[@jarodeddy859]

No Ler, No Primus Know Ler, Know Primus

[@wjamyers]

100%

[@raddastronaut]

Ler is an absolute wizard. The South Park ending is amazing.

[@ThisCreepingLife]

Totally you really need a genius to match another genius like Les and to make sound coherent

[@Togano-y2c]

I love Primus because it shows two things Victor Wooten points out about music : (1) No one dances to the key but to rythm, (2) context is more important than harmony. Since Les' voice is adapted to the dissonant sounds of his bass and Lalonde's guitar game, everything matches perfectly.

[@alexandrehenri-bhargava2741]

@@discobunny4eva759I think he’s sung! Most of my drummer friends have immense regard for Herb

[@demyx0067]

@@alexandrehenri-bhargava2741 Yeah, I also love herb

[@iosiasaemilius2795]

Victor Wooten loves Primus too

[@jonstephenson5436]

I ran here to say this! I remember hearing Victor say this too, and as far as I’m concerned, Primus gives a living example.

[@diafenix]

touché

[@bllau]

One of my favorite things from a Primus interview is the guy asking them "how would you describe the primus sound?" and Ler responding with "it's les' fault"

[@CreativeWarrior-]

Like "Angry chickens, or a space robot." - Ler

[@hoilst265]

My favourite thing is that in the ID3 tags - you remember, right, the tags that save song information for MP3s? They have as many genres as they can - jazz, funk, fusion, orchestral, classic, metal, pop, hip-hop etc...and Primus.

[@tomstessl7919]

@@hoilst265 If I could have all the time back that I spent cleaning up shitty ID3 tags for music I ripped off of Napster/Limewire back in the day...

[@hoilst265]

@@tomstessl7919 Dunno what you're complaining about. Every single song on those were "Metallica - Enter Sandman".

[@tomstessl7919]

@@hoilst265 🤣🤣🤣

[@KarlKarsnark]

Les is a legit genius. No one else like him and he's still as fresh and funky as ever.

[@MrGoldenPair]

If Geddy Lee loves Les Claypool, that's good enough for me.

[@trailblazeratv6306]

And Claypool loves Geddy. I saw Primus play the whole A farewell to Kings album live plus their own set.

[@Chrsly]

Primus opened for Rush on I think it was the Roll the Bones tour. Was awesome!

[@GarrettPDGA]

Saw Claypool and Lee on the same stage in Toronto at a Lennon Claypool Delirium show. Was insane that Geddy was just "in town" at the same time as the show...

[@yellowcat1310]

i saw them open for Rush back about 1990 in Portland OR. great show

[@wbertie2604]

​@@ChrslyYep. Saw it. It was great.

[@WaterShowsProd]

When I first heard "My Name Is Mud" I went and bought the album Pork Soda and listened to it with my jaw hanging open. I told a friend of mine that he had to listen to Primus, describing the production as, "inside-out". I see Les Claypool in a category with Frank Zappa, unconstrained and free to express and create following his own muse, and finding success through authenticity, rather than manufacture. Both Primus and The Mothers of Invention were at the right place at the right time, because at both of those moments record labels were looking to promote a style they didn't fully understand but knew was popular, not realising what they'd signed. MTV famously buried Primus's extraordinary music video for "Hello, Mr. Krinkle" which finally found its audience online.

[@romeoslover817]

I bet you guys can pat your head and rub your stomach at the time

[@Reverend_BurrEyce]

Zappa was the first artist that didn't rely on a record label. Frank created his own label, selling his records mailorder and hipper record shops. He released 88 records in his short time on earth.

[@WaterShowsProd]

@@Reverend_BurrEyce He did eventually, but their first albums were on Verve, which had gone out to sign San Francisco bands to get in on the musical trend, not realising that The Mothers weren't a Frisco band, and that they weren't much like Jefferson Airplane. 😆 Frank Zappa said they were signed by mistake. I used to work at Tower Records and I noticed that while all other artists would have waves of popularity, Zappa sold consistantly.

[@VeganChefRon]

The Zappa comparison is spot on!

[@MrRezRising]

Yes, you are 100% correct with Zappa. Just saw Frank on the Steve Allen Show in a suit! 1963! He played a song...on the bicycle. He wasn't on A bicycle. He played THE bicycle.

[@och70]

Tommy the Cat & Jerry Was a Race Car Driver are insanely fun bass-lines.

[@brunorleite]

And John the fisherman

[@MrRezRising]

Drums too.

[@minormunitions]

“TOMMY THE CAT IS MY NAME!!” 😂 🤘

[@th1rtyf0ur]

when Rocksmith 2014 added the Primus pack I was the first on PSN to get thru Wynona's Big Brown Beaver in master mode score attack (and the ONLY ONE on the scoreboard at all) XD

[@AtlasJotun]

I was shocked at how simple the bassline is for "Jerry was a Race Car Driver". I still make it sound like poop, but surprisingly simple phrases nonetheless lol.

[@joshpointoh]

Primus is the most extreme version of experimental music I've ever heard that I still want to listen to more than once

[@Rattiar]

Perfect description!

[@Gottenhimfella]

Yeah, I don't know if this video just happens to pick stuff I really like, but as a 68 yo keyboard rock and classical musician who generally hates _avant garde_ music and has limited tolerance for metal, I absolutely love the snippets I hear here. And although on paper he sounds like some sort of Tr*mp figure, unashamedly different, in practice he's a genuine talent and he is absolutely nothing in common with Tru*mp. Les has nothing to be ashamed of.

[@Vas79]

For me it’s probably The Dillinger Escape Plan but I adore them both. Organized Chaos vs Absurdity

[@prdoyle]

Long time Primus fan here. For me it's the percussive style. I'm drawn to the rhythm of songs, and Primus has rhythm in spades.

[@Merkaba85]

You need good song writing of course, but very often it's the drummer that truly makes or breaks the band. Think of Led Zeppelin, Tool, early Black Sabbath, early Mars Volta. Soundgarden. Even the Jimi Hendrix Experience wouldn't be the same with out Mitchell. Green Day without Tré Cool, Dave Matthews without Carter Beauford. Primus without Herb or Brain would really really suck.

[@SuziQ.]

It’s the rhythm section for me, too. Did someone mention Danny Carey?

[@baconduck5816]

Brain’s drumming is what sold Primus for me, I’ve listened to a few songs here and there but Brown Album is the one that made me love the band

[@brutussmithicus]

I never thought about that before - they lack consonance and intonation, but make up for it with a ton of GROOVE :-D

[@MisterFarce]

@@baconduck5816 I had to miss the brown tour date they were playing near me for my HS graduation. I wanted to go to that show so badly lol

[@2dollarbill650]

Saw Primus open for Rush in the 90's . One of the best shows I ever seen.

[@lasagnahog7695]

That's my time travel concert. I didn't get the chance due to just barely not having been born.

[@kylezo]

Damn that sounds fkin lit

[@rueburch2856]

First "big" show I ever saw (not counting the legacy acts on the county fair circuits at the time) was Primus and Rush in Seattle. All of us in my highschool garage band went, and we were so blown away that the next month was nothing but us trying to play Frizzle Fry.

[@turboface]

Same! Presto tour at the Forum in LA. I was 14. Life-changing, to say the least!

[@klchu]

Same. So lucky have been there!

[@nightseal04]

I really like the format of the video, i dont think you've ever done smth like this on youtube, where you focus on every minor detail. Nice video bro, you the best

[@silverreaps6803]

go to his other channel basscamp, he did a flea one

[@esotericauthor]

I'll still never forget the video you made years ago where you played the "Is It Luck" bassline with perfect clarity, Charles! You're just as much a beast as Les is, just in a different way!

[@slanteyedandsideways]

It's the leg stomping that gets people riled up... Primus sucks!!!

[@andrewpappas9311]

I do that sometimes because of him, and I can also confirm it’s fun as hell to do

[@FuriousStylezOfficial]

Primus SUCKS!!!!!

[@markzockerzwerg8997]

Their "Pork Soda" Album is really strange but genius. It was my first ever Primus CD I bought and as a metalhead I really had to force myself to listen to it.

[@qwqwqwqw99]

It took me years to digest that album

[@risoledoce]

Les Claypool's unique and has his own style. There aren't any bands that sound very close to Primus. When you hear him, you know it's Les.

[@SuziQ.]

I’ve got his Pink Floyd Animals cover album. I don’t think I would know it was Les if I only knew Primus.

[@takeouttroglodyte2454]

Check out nuclear rabbit, they come pretty close

[@overthelinedude6702]

@@risoledoce you might wanna check out flagman as well. bit harder, but similar approach in terms of weirdness. also a trio and bassist sings and slaps a lot 😅

[@EdwardDore-g8h]

It's not just Les, the rest of the band is very unique and talented too, nobody sounds like Primus though

[@takeouttroglodyte2454]

@@EdwardDore-g8h I do agree with this statement. All three guys usually on another level

[@stationdisatrous647]

This was awesome! Les is one of the greatest. Thank you for taking the time to do this video. They deserve far more recognition than they get.

[@panospeeay5466]

Les Claypool keeps the spirit of musicians like the great Frank Zappa alive through their musicianship. Love the diversity.

[@BadYossa]

I always think of Zappa when I see their stuff. I had the privilege of seeing Zappa in London in 1987 or '88. That was an experience and a half!

[@jasonpoland5507]

Great Zappa reference

[@jonathansefcik473]

I like that you brought up not being afraid to be different. When i write original stuff, I just do whatever I want with no regard for marketability or mass appeal. I do some crazy stuff sometimes, but I don't care. Its how my musical brain works, and I just enjoy playing it.

[@sylvaindubois136]

You transformed master of puppets into doom theme 😂

[@rocketsurgeon11]

Pretty sure one of the level themes is a very obvious rip off of MoP. There's also Slayer on at least one level.

[@Desco9111]

One of my favorite anecdotes about them is when the creators of the original Winamp were developing the ID3 tag that contained information about the MP3, they gave Primus it's own "genre" ID because they were fans of the band, and felt like their music deserved its own genre.

[@ChintzMusic]

Hearing Primus in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 as a child was integral in defining my music taste growing up (plus all the THPS soundtracks, Guitar Hero and Rock Band)

[@MikeTaffet]

One perk of living in the Bay Area, I get to see Les live a lot. Saw him do a small Thanksgiving show, and seeing him at the new years show this year (in addition to last year). Always a fun time

[@kylezo]

I managed to open for Gabby lala once, I live in the north bay. Was awesome.

[@martinmix7464]

NYE shows looks awesome! Hate that Herb won't be there, but still going to be amazing I'm sure. I'm on the east coast and have never gotten to attend one in person, but have seen Les with Primus (and his other incarnations) a couple dozen times. Also got to meet him a few times and he's as nice as he is talented!

[@overthelinedude6702]

Les was the hero of my youth. was listening to him and flea basslines a lot. usually giving up when trying to play along ❤ sadly they dont show up in europe anymore for years now 🥲

[@keithperdue4993]

Les is a friggin' musical genius & I don't even play bass. He cleverly injects humor into his music & lyrics like nobody else. His beats are infectious as a mofo too.

[@milohasagun]

I would love to hear you break down some Tool basslines. Preferably something not as well known like maybe 10,000 days pt. 2? Starting around the 4:30 mark there are some really interesting and amazing riffs.

[@tacticalwookiee7476]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIHGoYqojMuoppIsi=XtvUIfanjZuGyraw this dude has several videos looking at Justin's bass lines Not sure if Charles likes tool, never hear him talk about their music or play any of it

[@lasagnahog7695]

What I love about Primus is that as goofy as they are they also just straight up rock hard as hell. It's super technical and weird but you can also mosh to it.

[@LemmyGibbler]

Les is so much fun

[@CharlesBerthoud]

Never seen such a combination of incredible bass skills with hilarious stage presence, and probably never will again 😅

[@LemmyGibbler]

@ I got to see them last summer and it is the best band I’ve ever watched out of probably close to 1,000. (I’m old 😆) they’re SO tight

[@MarceloMonferrato]

His percussive style and dissonant notes create a truly distinctive sound! Thank you very much for your analysis, Charles, and Happy Holidays!

[@carll.negleyiii2414]

I didn't even know that my ears could hear Bass that fast-starting at around 7:18. Way to go, Charles.

[@darkySp]

4:55 It's actually a little tweak to the main pattern of Slap, Tap, Pop, Tap (Tap being the left-hand slap) Except in the solo, it's Slap, Slap, Tap, Slap, Pop, Tap When I was learning it, this pattern was like the Rosetta Stone to it. It just CLICKS when you get it down. A pattern very similar to this is also used in the Tommy The Cat solo

[@nellyjellybelly2200]

Been a fan of Les Claypool and all his bands for years still to this day I can not get Tommy the cat down even enough to fake the bass line. Thanks for this video I don’t think there is a bass line you can’t play lol you’re awesome and keep the videos coming!!

[@STRAWMANFOUNDDEAD]

I saw Primus in 1996; they were absolutely amazing!

[@jayluck8047]

Les played a single string upright bass for the South Park musical extravaganza they did a couple years ago.

[@roan9914]

A whamola

[@vc1396]

He has a song that he plays with one of his other bands, the flying frog brigade, called whamola, named after the instrument he uses to play the song, which I think he uses as the template for that variation of the south park theme song. A whamola is a single string upright bass played using a drum stick to his the string and a lever at the top to pull up and down which changes the note Note, the original version of the south park theme song is done on a normal (I think acoustic) bass. There is a televised version of the whamola south park theme too, that's why play it at the concert/extravaganza (they actually play both versions)

[@DaddyStoat]

Yep, that he plays with a drumstick, and it has a lever at the top to raise and lower the pitch. It's called the Whamola.

[@Lord_Verminaard]

I fell in love with Primus in the early 90's and have never looked back. One of the things I love so much about them is that besides the crazy weirdness, they are also 3 extremely talented and skilled musicians, (all of their drummers have been incredible) and seeing them live is simply amazing because you can experience how good they really are.

[@unamericano]

I'm surprised with a title like those we didn't end up talking about Mono Neon and showing his microtonal stuff.

[@CharlesBerthoud]

Might have to do just that 🔥

[@fwkb2]

I would love to see a Mono Neon breakdown!

[@mrme8162]

@@CharlesBerthoud if you do MonoNeon dont forget the cool stuff he does with Knower! 'Nightmare' for example. :)

[@Josh-ov2js]

So happy you found your audience and in turn your audience found you. The growth of your channel has been fun to witness. Such a great channel you have here. Fun, and educational. Cheers

[@risoledoce]

You should react to Morphine. The singer Mark Sandman plays a two-string slide bass. Les Claypool is also a big fan of his.

[@Chrompolitur]

Band is called Morphine 😘

[@FuriousStylezOfficial]

Morphine is such a good band.

[@DavidJacobs-rl1rj]

Anyone that is a fan of Primus, check out Duo de Twang. It's a 2 man outfit consisting of Claypool and Brian Kehoe (of M.I.R.V). Only one album thus far (Four Foot Shack), but its brilliant! Especially the covers of "Man in the Box" (Alice in Chains) and "Staying Alive" (Bee Gees)!

[@TeroYyy]

I'd love to see you dig in to Rutger Gunnarsson of ABBA. That stuff is awesome.

[@alejandrobarahona2465]

^

[@saladdays180s9]

All you have to do is repeat ABBA over and over in a rhythm and you will drop into the slot.

[@armydilo13]

Charles, you're doing it again! Badass. Do you have any guides to tone? Your clarity is so full-bodied.

[@sinakaedwards2009]

Primus came to fame in the 90s, the decade of Alternative Rock, What's more alternative than Primus? Was wondering if you might check out Hatebreed? The bassist has one of the best tones ever, Chris Beattie. Good song for bass sound by him is "Now is the Time"

[@francescoiadicicco1266]

As a long time Primus fan, who are my major inspiration to grab a bass and study music, I really appreciate your words in the ending. Les is one of a kind like Jaco and the other major bass players. He is so out of the box that you can make very little use of his style, but man his b(ad)ass lines are so exciting and fun to listen!

[@COIFISHGAMING]

If you play all the wrong notes it is because you know all the good ones! Kind of like getting 0% on a multiple choice test lol

[@jonstephenson5436]

Victor Wooten once said that which notes you play on bass matter much less than the rhythm in which you play them. Primus proves this to be true. I also heard John Prine say that he can’t sing other people’s songs, that’s why he writes his own. Les does the same thing. There is something out there in the world of music for everyone, and I love people who commit to something so strange, and still find an audience.

[@berechiahthomas-cg3gr]

Looks like we are now looking at deferent bassist, like the old days (and from the old days)

[@H457ur]

I’ve seen Primus about ten times. Claypool’s skill is jaw dropping. Especially when he’s sometimes playing two baselines *AND* singing.

[@TheBlackZodiacGhost]

I quite liked the DMV bassline. It tickled my brain in a good way :D

[@acousticbutler]

Chills. Had a bad day today and I needed me some Charles just schooling us. Every time you play somebody else’s music, I always wonder what they think of your analysis and interpretation.

[@BeemanFunnyman]

i FLIPPING LOVE Primus

[@patriot1685]

That was an incredibly kind and respectful breakdown of Claypool's playing. You are currently the best technical player in the world and your analysis is spot on. The MOP cover is something I'd listen to in rotation.

[@stefankamphausen6524]

Well, well, Mr Playcool... A dramatically little known band from Seattle is Sad Happy with just dr, bs and sax. The sax player, Skerik, became somewhat famous later. Try to find Accidental Family from the Live Before We Were Dead album. It'll blow your mind if you're a bass player. Wouldn't mind Charles dissecting that on the channel 😁.

[@forthebirds4]

It took some searching but finally found it on Bandcamp. You're right that was amazing! Can't believe I hadn't heard of them before, there's so many hidden gems from Seattle/Portland from the 90s/00s.

[@stefankamphausen6524]

@forthebirds4 Ooh, nice! You took the time. 👍 I do have the original CDs from way back then. And believe me: getting them to Germany was quite a hassle. Eventually got them directly from the band, the drummer.

[@raddastronaut]

Skerik is great on Live frogs.

[@geargeekpdx3566]

Skerik is the Eddie Van Halen of saxophonic insanity. I knew him when he was with Critter's Buggin in the 90's and with Peter Buck's world orchestra and he was a monster. Critter's Buggin were nutso--the bassist and drummer from Edie Brickell's New Bohemians who somehow ended up in Seattle in the early 90s. I used to take their drummer Matt Chamberlain out for thai food and we talked drums. Matt played on Pearl Jam's first tour, and with countless others including the SNL band, Tori Amos, and a bunch of others.

[@nrsdesign]

Merry Bassmas Charles!

[@Schizophrenie183]

I wish that you can check out some of John Ferrara's songs. He’s an amazing bass player who does lots of polyrhythmic tapping things, it’s incredible.

[@CharlesBerthoud]

I'll take a look!

[@Schizophrenie183]

@@CharlesBerthoud Thanks for replying my message! By the way, my favourite song of his is called “Jackie Chan”. It’s a duet with a ferocious drummer, absolute bonkers.

[@lt_johnmcclane]

The band he’s in called Consider the Source is amazing. Seen them live a few times

[@Merkaba85]

John Farrar, similar name different guy, wrote You are the one that i want. Classic killer baseline too :P

[@Schizophrenie183]

@@lt_johnmcclane That guitarist with double-neck fretless guitar is an absolute freak show.

[@gyrogearloose1345]

Charles, you did a terrific performance of that 'puppets' song. Wow!!! And thanks also for your insightful and wise words about the value of 'just being yourself'. Wishing good fortune for you!

[@frukoyurdakul]

1:38 the stank face intuition kicks in

[@antoniocapo996]

That was awesome Charlie! Always did like Primus - the first song I was exposed to as a kid was "Poetry and Prose" which came in the Beavis and Butthead Experience Album and always found it to be the edgiest song in the whole thing. Not having had the depths of internet that is available today back then... I often wondered about his style since it felt more akin to the skateboarding lifestyle of punk rebellion me and my fellow hoolligans used to parade around as societal outcasts. Back then we had to remind folks that skateboarding itself wasn't a crime and we had nowhere to go since skateparks pretty much didn't exist where I came from. You put a lot of his wizardry into perspective and it's taking me back to the days of exploring crazy sounds as we attempted to be as loud as we could in our punk music scene. Solid Metallica cover too, thanks dude.

[@DeadDragon-tg7re]

I have always said that Primus and any of the projects Les has been involved in are like a magic eye picture.. there are those that can stare at it for hours and not see anything, yet for those lucky enough to break though and see the image you are blessed with the pot of gold. Primus released 'Hallucinogenetics' live video in surround (when Surround was a young concept), and to this day I have never heard a bass performance that comes anywhere near the thundering majesty achieved, in fact the whole band were on fire. I once introduced this after a house music party to a load of house music fans, and at first they were booing... a few tracks in and they were blown away, and asked me to replay it again after watching it for 2 hours straight. People would come up to me years later to thank me for opening their eyes, and I would hear the odd 'Primus' shouted at me from across there street every now and then.

[@KingRichardXVIII]

Awesome video and great job explaining everything! Thanks for sharing and for inspiration and insight for millions!

[@orlandogomez1718]

I would love to see a video like this of Sean Malone, former bassist of Cynic, Gordian Knot, Aghora, etc. He brought jazz sensitivities into the sound of extreme metal and pretty much made it a thing, and has influenced countless bassists since then. There aren't many bassists out there that you can just listen to a couple of notes and immediately know it's them playing, Sean Malone is one of the few, with his eerie fret less bass lines. I hope you get to review his stuff one day, he's sorely missed since he passed away in 2020.

[@diptherio]

Whether or not you like Primus, I think we all can agree, Primus sucks.

[@FuriousStylezOfficial]

Primus SUCKS!!!!

[@andrewpappas9311]

The first time I ever heard Primus was when I played “Jerry Was A Race Car Driver” on Rock Band 3 when I was growing up and I was immediately blown away by that insane bass riff (which was definitely a major “What is THAT?!?!” moment for me since I had never heard anything like that before), but since learning to play bass in high school and playing it in my high school band Les has definitely become one of my favourite bassists. His playing is just absolute insanity and his incredibly unconventional style is one of the reasons why he’s still considered one of the greatest bassists of all time

[@Snatchystashy]

Tony Hawk original game had that song, too!

[@andrewpappas9311]

@ Those games had a lot of great music, yeah, I just remember first hearing it in RB lol

[@SirFency]

I have always liked Primus because they just seem like they are having fun and that's the whole point. If your not having fun what the hell are you doing?

[@CatFish107]

The two bass lines I've always loved were the intro to Black Sunshine and the entirety of Dawn Patrol. If you would perform either or both of those, I'd be in heaven. Cheers fella! Love a musician who does whatever they love to do, as Les does.

[@stitch3163]

Primus sucks! I’ve been listening to them for 34 years.

[@FuriousStylezOfficial]

Primus SUCKS!!!

[@geargeekpdx3566]

In 1988 (!) i lived in the Haight Ashbury in San Francisco and wandered down to the Haight Street fair that summer where Primus was playing and they were not famous yet and i had never heard of them but i somehow managed to videotape them (with an actual video tape camera!) and got caught in the mosh pit and was utterly mesmerized by them and utterly blown away. Changed my life as a musician and drummer and Herb became one of my formative influences.

[@madmonkey823]

Been to hell I spell it Spell it DMV Anyone that's been there knows precisely what I mean.

[@lotoscomedentis]

Thank you! I think you just sparked a new Primus listening craze in our household! This winter is gonna be funkyweirdfun!!

[@madmonkey823]

That's nothing to figure out. It JUST SLAPPPPPPS!!!! 🤘🐵🤘

[@adamcogan211]

Les is one of my favourite bassists ever (even though I get why people think Primus might be weird). My Name Is Mud has probably one of the heaviest and grooviest basslines I’ve ever heard and it’s so simple. As someone else mentioned, it’s their percussion that made me a fan of the band (how tight the bass and drums lock in with each other) and I’m a guitarist!

[@jasonswepston872]

Peter Steele of Type O Negative

[@shanebuttress6274]

And Carnivore before that. One of the heaviest bands ever! Especially the Retaliation album.

[@TheEvilEgo]

Amazing video. Thanks for breaking it down. As a lay music nerdy it is not only fascinating but also really inspiring

[@jonaschan]

I find lesclaypool interesting and also do quite like playing some of his basslines, but I wouldn't exactly listen to his music

[@CharlesBerthoud]

I think a lot of people would agree with you, haha

[@joaquinlezcano2372]

I've seen people complain that Primus songs are all over the place, yet the only one who seems like that in the surface is Ler. Herb and Claypool are one of the tightest rhythm sections of all time

[@owlbedamned4034]

People like Primus because it isn't overproduced, formulaic garbage. It's real, authentic, and doesn't cater to the demands of throwaway pop charts unlike so much of today's music.

[@slowery43]

you don't speak for anyone but yourself on anything

[@Vpmatt]

it's also virtuosic music right up there on the stage

[@EdwardDore-g8h]

Well that is all true they are also just really unique

[@sayrebonifield4663]

@@slowery43He is speaking for many others, whether you like it or not.

[@geroffmilan3328]

His lines when playing in The Claypool Lennon Delirium are less atonal than with Primus, but also great. In a sense both bands have heavy psychedelic influences. MoP waa awesome 🤘

[@joenorsworthy]

I was hoping to be the weirdest. Maybe next Christmas!

[@CharlesBerthoud]

You've got stiff competition 🤣

[@TerrenceCanepa]

Yes Primus is everything Charles mentioned. I myself think they're way out there & unique which I love, and I've always had pretty conventional tastes. I also worked for the organization (student housing cooperative in Berkeley) where they cut their teeth in the 90's so I'm probably a bit biased since we considered them one our house bands, as Green Day also is. It's where the song "Does anyone remember Barrington Hall" comes from... i.e. their venue back in the day. Cheers!

[@bulkvanderhuge9006]

@WHat's amazing about Les, is his ability to sing/talk, WHILE PLAYING THOSE BASS LINES.

[@halfhero]

Saw Les Claypool, Michael Manring, and Victor Wooten all at the same festival years ago. Seeing Wooten filiming in the crowd during Manring's set really drove home the respect people had for his playstyle

[@yorkunt]

Les is more!

[@VeganChefRon]

Les has such a distinctive sound and he knows how to ROCK! So funky and fun. I'd love to see a break down of one of Chris Squire's classic bass lines. He was the first bass player I really noticed

[@russellhoyt588]

If you watch their 2004 Hallucino-Genetics DVD, I'm the one holding up the "Les Claypool for President" sticker toward the end.

[@jmack8427]

Les is who got me into the bass back in 1992! Live that he is still getting love. And still way out there.

[@TommyLeeDepp]

Still don't know how he manages to play that kind of stuff and sing at the same time Inspiring musician for sure!

[@CraigStephens777]

Got to see Primus up close and personal in Seattle and was given a backstage pass. What an amazing show and talented fun professionals they are. Les is one of a kind. So are You! Wa, State😊

[@mithrias]

Mate you are who I wanted to be when I was 15 with my aria pro 2 rsb 5. Shattered my hand when I was 20. Really nice to watch you, you are one of the best

[@andrewpardue3324]

Good day Charles👋🏻 In 1999 at Ozzfest in Vancouver BC Canada I saw Primus with Buckethead as a special guest guitarist and it was completely incredible! 😮 such an insane live vibe. I’m a 6 string electric guitar player myself but Les has always had my full attention as a bass player he is such a bizarre and extremely talented bassist that you just gotta love the guy… you know , if you’re into that sort of thing ! 🤣 and I definitely am. 🤘🏻Les knows damn well he was never meant to “ Fit In” he was meant to do exactly what he is doing! 😄 and we love ❤️ him for it! Being a true original is never easy!

[@madmartigan4141]

Great vid! Primus had been one of my favourite bands since the 90s! You missed the exceptionally odd timing of Eleven (on the album Sailing the Seas of Cheese).

[@WaterWorld1]

Fascinating stuff Charles. I've never heard Primus before. I did not exactly like what I heard, but "vive la différence" as the French say.

[@alecrisser12]

Les Claypool and Primus have been a huge inspiration to me. I literally heard a Primus song for the first time and thought, I need to get me a bass! I've even performed a couple Primus songs at the Tavern. I still can't write music like that though.

[@LucidMoose]

The band Les is playing with at the :24 mark when you're describing Primus is Colonel Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade. Another example of how delightfully weird he is.

[@patmeadows345]

You absolutely NEED to see them live. That tone you describe makes so much more sense when you feel it in your chest

[@kaylastarr7863]

Agreed it's just insane to experience

[@floydturner2346]

Genuine originality and strength of conviction have a personality that refuses to be ignored. There's no cookie cutter in Les' musical kitchen.

[@ManfredElsingBielefeld]

And,You got it! !!!Very good work!As usual!Thanks for this!

[@Mudflap1110]

I LOVE Les Claypool!!! When he played with Buckethead, it was AMAZING 😊🎉

[@Zaohaga]

Seen Primus back in either 97 or 98. Watching Les and the band was mesmerizing.

[@DaddyStoat]

DMV was played on a fretted bass - a close-spaced fretted 6-string Carl Thompson. You can see it in the video for the song, and he talked about it in a Bass Player interview back in the mid-90s. He used the 6-string fretless mostly on Sailing The Seas Of Cheese, with a few tunes on Pork Soda (My Name Is Mud, for instance). I don't think he used it at all on Antipop or the Brown Album. He has a new Pachyderm fretless 6 for playing them live now that he's decided to leave the CTs at home.