By: Brian Maddox
Photos: THT
08/20/2024 (The Hollywood Times) Birmingham, AL- Since 1961, the significance of the bass guitar has largely skyrocketed in popularity due to the evolution of the many varying techniques that have universally been employed upon it. Simply put, it’s basically a less cumbersome byproduct of the renowned symphonic cello. The purpose of this stout stringed instrument is deemed essential in producing a wide array of key components, those of which are considered mandatory in regard to the composition of satisfyingly reverberant music. Bereft of its usage, music would surely be comparable to that of a bowl of bland soup without a single saltshaker in sight.
As a 20 yearlong self-educated picker and strummer of this highly gratifying implement of sound, I still to this day consider myself to be an inept tenderfoot of sorts, yet at the same time I attribute that particular mentality to the old adage that “a musician’s worst critics are themselves.”
While I have no reservations in my proficiency in holding down the rhythm with my own band on the 4-string, there still remain numerous elaborate methods and intricate techniques of which I possess not a single prayer in executing to perfection; so much so that I usually vow to never even attempt. Despite all of that, I still deeply enjoy the challenge of pushing myself diligently in my pursuit to further fine-tune my burgeoning skill level.
It’s a beautifully rare thing for an individual to take up a particular musical instrument and extract from it a remarkably peculiar style that ends up becoming purely distinctive as the proverbial trademark of the composer.
It could be said that anyone who occupies the role of a musically inclined frontman could easily choose to apply the bare minimum in their band duties solely to garner a paycheck. There’s also a prevalent belief that concert goers are known to seldom offer the bass player nary an upward glance or even a modicum of laudation. More often than not, bassists are usually known to be ostracized by fans or made to be the butt of a few harmless jokes; most of which I personally derive a few hearty chuckles from.
But for Les Claypool, vocalist and bassist of the El Sobrante, California based “thrash funk” band Primus, the eyes and ears of his audience are always profoundly fixated on his multifaceted skill set of which he first began perfecting as early as 14 years old.
Following the tragic death of Metallica bassist Cliff Burton in 1986, Claypool auditioned for the band at the behest of his high school friend and Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett. In what is now considered to be a wise move on the band’s part, Claypool was famously turned down for “being too good” and for not externalizing precisely what they were looking for.
Now at the age of 60 and still performing flawlessly with the same avidness reminiscent of the earlier years of Primus, there’s absolutely no question that Les Claypool has truly made one hell of an everlasting impression on the music world.
Formed in 1984, Primus has since progressed into a certified benchmark musical act due to their monumental catalog of songs with tones ranging from whimsically madcap to hilariously heavy; due in part to the wonderfully bizarre mind and domineering low end tonality of Claypool. His psychedelic and superlative dexterity has been greatly validated over the years by way of Grammy nods and Primus songs appearing on movie soundtracks like Bill And Ted’s Bogus Journey and Airheads.
Most notably in 1997, Claypool was personally called upon by South Park creators and longtime Primus fans, Trey Parker and Matt Stone in a request for Claypool to utilize his insanely quirky craft to compose and perform what would eventually become the now classic theme song for the widely popular animated series.
Primus recently made a stop at the Avondale Brewing Company in Birmingham, Alabama with special guest, Puddles Pity Party; a Pagliacci inspired singing clown with a tremendously impressive vocal range that could easily cheer up even the dourest of faces.
Cranking out hits and fan favorites like My Name Is Mud, John The Fisherman and of course MY absolute personal favorite, Jerry Was A Racecar Driver, Primus served up a set list for the sold-out crowd that undeniably produced a significantly discernible energy that could be felt considerably throughout the course of the evening.
Throughout the span of 40 years, Primus has successfully constructed a predominant brand of musical mastery that has since provided an influential wellspring for several of their fellow contemporaries in the industry.
All I can say is “Thank you Metallica!”
For information on news, touring and Primus merch, please visit:
www.primusville.com
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