PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
Tonight was one of just three UK dates on the current Primus tour. It’s a tour that see’s them without a support act – instead, Primus play two sets.
The first set was a fairly normal set (well as normal as Primus get anyway), with songs taken from their various albums. There were a lot of people in the audience that were obviously big fans that seemed to know most of the lyrics, and considering the venue was only half full, the noise the crowd made when cheering after each song was seriously impressive. If you’ve never listened to Primus before then you’d have been stood there wondering what on earth you were hearing – they really are very different to any other band you can think of. Primus are a band where I think you’re better off listening to the albums before going to a gig as that way you’ll hear the songs as they were meant to be, whereas at a gig which features songs from different albums then it feels very chaotic and unpredictable.
The first set may have been strange, but the second set took things to a whole new level. Why? Well the second set was them playing their current album in full. The album was recorded with the Fungi ensemble (who play cello and various other instruments), and is called “Primus and the chocolate factory”. It’s a concept album based on the soundtrack to the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. A curtain that had been concealing the stage during the break was pulled back to reveal a stage with giant toadstools, sweets and more along with a backdrop and video screen. The screen showed video footage from the film to tie in with whichever song was being played at the time, while the band (wearing masks) performed on stage.
As if the first set hadn’t been strange enough the second saw the crowd cheering like crazy for a glockenspeil solo, and songs about oompa loompas and other parts from the story. I actually enjoyed the second set far more as playing the album in full meant there was less of a random feel, and having it based on a well known story meant that it was easier to follow. To add to the insanity we had oompa loompas joining the band on stage at various points in the set.
The night ended with a three song encore.
This was definitely a very strange night – Primus are very odd musically, but equally the music is excellent. They definitely tread that fine line between genius and insanity, and seem to stray into both areas equally. The fans seemed to love it, and I definitely enjoyed the second set. I think I’d want to listen to their albums properly before seeing a normal gig of theirs again. Primus are a band that will divide opinion – like Marmite, you love them or hate them, but it’s bands that aren’t afraid to do something radically different that help keep music interesting.
Setlist:
set 1:
Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers
Last Salmon Man
Groundhog’s Day
Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver
Over the Falls
Lee Van Cleef
Over the Electric Grapevine
My Name Is Mud
Jerry Was a Race Car Driver
Set 2:
Hello Wonkites
Candy Man
Cheer Up, Charlie
Golden Ticket
Lermaninoff
Pure Imagination
Oompa Augustus
Semi-Wondrous Boat Ride
Oompa Violet
I Want It Now
Oompa Veruca
Wonkamobile, Wonkavision
Oompa TV
Farewell Wonkites
Encore:
Too Many Puppies
Southbound Pachyderm
Here Come the Bastards
