Last night (December 30th) not only saw multi-platinum alternative metal oddballs Primus perform their first show since this past August, but also their first concert since their drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander once again exited their roster.
With a customary pair of shows already booked to close out the year at the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA, the group were left to alter the setlist for those shows to serve more as a celebration of the catalog of their vocalist/bassist Les Claypool than a traditional pair of Primus shows.
For the first of the two gigs, the group dug into Claypool‘s 1996 solo album “Highball With The Devil” along with material from Colonel Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, complete with Primus guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde sitting in.
However, the latter portion of the set was also dedicated to Primus material with drummer Bryan “Brain” Mantia returning behind the kit. Mantia‘s last stint with the band ended back in 2000. Drummer Paul Baldi appears to have also filled in during the various non-Primus tracks performed.
Outside of the first full live performance of “Restin’ Bones” since 1997, there was also a cover of “Riddles Are Abound” from the Primus offshoot Sausage in the setlist. Fan-filmed footage of the entire concert is available below. As for what was performed, read on:
“Highball With The Devil:
“Holy Mackerel”
“Highball With The Devil”
“Hendershot”
Colonel Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade:
“Up On The Roof”
“David Makalaster”
“Riddles Are Abound Tonight” (Sausage cover)
Primus:
“Restin’ Bones”
“Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers”
“American Life”
“Fisticuffs”
“Shake Hands With Beef”
“Jerry Was A Race Car Driver”
Encore:
“Here Come The Bastards”
“Cosmic Highway”
This fall saw Primus launch open auditions for a new drummer and it would appear things are beginning to get serious, as a few prospective candidates have posted about receiving the call to fly out and see if they can land the spot.
Following tonight’s New Year’s Eve show, the next official Primus gig will take place this coming March as part of Tool‘s first-ever destination festival, ‘Tool: Live In The Sand‘. That set will find them joined on drums by Tool‘s own Danny Carey.
03/08 Punta Cana, DOM – Tool Live In The Sand
‘Sessanta V2.0 Tour‘ with A Perfect Circle & Puscifer:
04/24 Palm Springs, CA – Acrisure Arena
04/25 Las Vegas, NV – PH Live at Planet Hollywood
04/27 Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
04/29 San Antonio, TX – Freeman Coliseum
05/01 Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
05/02 Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
05/04 Huntsville, AL – The Orion Amphitheater
05/06 Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
05/08 Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
05/10 Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
05/11 Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
05/14 Manchester, NH – SNHU Arena
05/15 Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at The Mann Center
05/17 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
05/18 Fairfax, VA – EagleBank Arena
05/20 Pittsburgh, PA – Petersen Events Center
05/22 Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
05/24 Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center
05/25 Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center
05/28 Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
05/29 St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
05/31 Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater
06/01 St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
06/03 Omaha, NE – Baxter Arena
06/06 Portland, OR – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
06/07 Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre
