If listening to a Primus album is like listening to recordings of life in choas, then its live shows ... well, welcome to a circus of pandemonium. The trio, back from a two-year siesta, and boasting the return of original drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander, played a two-set show. As promised, the first set was a collection of work from throughout Primus' career, while the second was a complete performance of 1991's Sailing the Seas of Cheese.
In its typical, non-rock-star way, Primus held the crowd outside The Joint until the band was ready, then let them in—promptly at 8:05—while they played a song from the EP Animals Should Not Try To Act Like People, released earlier this month. Another song from the EP, "The Last Superpower a.k.a. Rapscallion" followed, along with a couple of selections from Pork Soda (the extended jam on "My Name is Mud" was the highlight of the first set) and one from Tales From the Punchbowl.
What's most amazing about the band is that the trio makes just as much sound live as it does on disc; there's just more energy in it when they're live. Bassist Les Claypool maintains the furious pace and constant feats of dexterity just as well live as he does in the studio, and Alexander and guitarist Larry LaLonde put out just as much supporting sound as you'll hear on any of the group's recordings. During the second set's performances of "Jerry Was a Racecar Driver" and "Tommy the Cat," Claypool changed things up a little with improvised sections. But he still pulled off the funky, percussive bass lines Primus has become famous for cleanly and perfectly in-time, while hopping around the stage in circles, stopping occasionally to sing.
The funniest moment came near the end of the second set, at the beginning of "Fish On." Claypool started a bass line and his hand slipped. He stopped playing for a moment, looked at the crowd in total confusion and amusement, screamed, "F---!," then shook his head and stared the song again. After a rendition of "Los Bastardos," with help from additional percussionists and guitarists (dressed as an alien, old man and Death in white), Primus finished the show with an energetic version of the live favorite "Too Many Puppies."