Amazingly popular for a band that lists Frank Zappa and The Residents as influences, Primus have somehow sold a ton of albums, garnered a relatively large audience and pieced together a rather remarkable 25-year career.
How Primus' smart-ass funk-metal has managed to strike a chord with both punks and fraternity brothers alike is one of rock's most intriguing mysteries. For the frat boys, it must be the instrumental dexterity of each band member, particularly bassist Les Claypool. Perhaps the drunken whimsy of such songs as "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" and "Tommy the Cat" attract the rest of Primus' diverse audience.
Whatever the reason, Les Claypool and crew continue to be one of the most interesting trios in rock. After taking a three-year hiatus starting in 2000, the band has become basically a touring entity, but a new effort is said to be in the works. If the new material is of the same high standard as the June 2010 Rehearsal EP made available for download on the band's website, fans are in for some real fun.
In recent interviews, Claypool has stated that he wants to return to the sound Primus had on their sophomore effort, 1990's Frizzle Fry. If so, both normal folk and weirdos will have reason to cheer.
