Primus

“Tommy the Cat.” “John the Fisherman.” “Jerry Was A Race Car Driver.” “My Name is Mud.” “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver.” Yessiree, Primus is responsible for some of the most cutting edge and original rock music of the 1990’s. And now, the definitive Primus line-up – singer/bassist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry LaLonde, and drummer Tim Alexander – is back together and planning on getting the worldwide masses bobbing up and down in unison once more.

Although originally formed in 1984, it was not until shortly before the end of the decade that the aforementioned classic line-up was solidified. With most hard rock/heavy metal acts at the time either neatly falling into either “thrash” or “glam” categories, Primus joined a variety of underground bands that refused to be pigeonholed (and by the early ’90s, had fully infiltrated the mainstream) – merging metal, funk, alternative, punk, country, roots rock, and experimental music, along with Claypool’s penchant for witty and often humorous storytelling lyrics.

Building a large and loyal following first in and around San Francisco (before eventually, going global), Primus kicked things off with a string of releases that are now considered classic alt-rock titles – 1989’s ‘Suck on This,’ 1990’s ‘Frizzle Fry,’ 1991’s ‘Sailing the Seas of Cheese,’ 1993’s ‘Pork Soda,’ and 1995’s ‘Tales from the Punchbowl.’ Along the way, Primus toured with some of rock’s biggest names (Jane’s Addiction, Public Enemy, Rush, U2, etc.), headlined the third-ever Lollapalooza Festival, and issued a variety of crafty music videos, which stood out in sharp contrast to the ultra-seriousness of most other video clips at the time.

Alexander exited Primus in 1996, but returned in 2003, in time for an EP/DVD set, ‘Animals Should Not Try to Act Like People,’ and a sold out reunion tour, that lasted over the next few years, before the drummer departed once more. But as Claypool got to work on putting together a forthcoming book about the band’s history, Les began longing for the days of when Alexander’s unmistakable and powerful drumming provided the beat. A phone call was placed, a conversation ensued, and before you could say, “Here come the bastards,” the Claypool-LaLonde-Alexander line-up was back in business. Plans to tour the world over and offering up new music are already in place. Be forewarned…here they come!

Although originally formed in 1984, it was not until shortly before the end of the decade that the aforementioned classic line-up was solidified. With most hard rock/heavy metal acts at the time either neatly falling into either “thrash” or “glam” categories, Primus joined a variety of underground bands that refused to be pigeonholed (and by the early ’90s, had fully infiltrated the mainstream) – merging metal, funk, alternative, punk, country, roots rock, and experimental music, along with Claypool’s penchant for witty and often humorous storytelling lyrics.

Building a large and loyal following first in and around San Francisco (before eventually, going global), Primus kicked things off with a string of releases that are now considered classic alt-rock titles – 1989’s ‘Suck on This,’ 1990’s ‘Frizzle Fry,’ 1991’s ‘Sailing the Seas of Cheese,’ 1993’s ‘Pork Soda,’ and 1995’s ‘Tales from the Punchbowl.’ Along the way, Primus toured with some of rock’s biggest names (Jane’s Addiction, Public Enemy, Rush, U2, etc.), headlined the third-ever Lollapalooza Festival, and issued a variety of crafty music videos, which stood out in sharp contrast to the ultra-seriousness of most other video clips at the time.

Alexander exited Primus in 1996, but returned in 2003, in time for an EP/DVD set, ‘Animals Should Not Try to Act Like People,’ and a sold out reunion tour, that lasted over the next few years, before the drummer departed once more. But as Claypool got to work on putting together a forthcoming book about the band’s history, Les began longing for the days of when Alexander’s unmistakable and powerful drumming provided the beat. A phone call was placed, a conversation ensued, and before you could say, “Here come the bastards,” the Claypool-LaLonde-Alexander line-up was back in business. Plans to tour the world over and offering up new music are already in place. Be forewarned…here they come!

Coheed and Cambria

For the last 20 years, Coheed and Cambria have continuously broken the mold of what a rock band can be, forging their own path and building a universe around their music unlike any other. Whether it is in the way their genre-spanning approach to songwriting has allowed them to bridge worlds without being contained to one, or the multifaceted story arc of their albums and comic book series which mark the longest running concept story in music, Coheed and Cambria have consistently shaped new standards, never conformed. Comprised of Claudio Sanchez (Vocals / Guitar), Travis Stever (Guitar), Josh Eppard (Drums) and Zach Cooper (Bass) the band has gripped listeners and press around the globe with their visionary compositions and conceptual mastery. In 2018, Coheed and Cambria made a stunning debut with their album Vaxis I: The Unheavenly Creatures, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s “Hard Rock Albums” chart, #6 current sales and Top 15 on the “Billboard 200” chart.

Fishbone

After years of touring and rotating members, 2023 finds Fishbone back to their most solid line up which includes four of its six original members.  The bands self titled EP Fishbone, featuring the single “Cubicle” marks the first release with Chris Dowd back in the band since 1994 and it’s the first music recorded with these members in 29 years.

Fishbone’s 2023 included world-wide tour dates that kicked off at the SXSW festival and ran all year.  The band will be played their own headline shows, headlined festivals and supported Les Claypool’s Flying Frog Brigade as well as George Clinton Parliament/Funkadelic.

Born out of the punk rock scene of Los Angeles, CA, Fishbone came out with a force of live energy, a feeling that continues to this day.  Signed to Columbia Records in 1984, they went on to release 4 critically acclaimed albums and numerous EPs and singles. They have toured the world headlining their own shows as well as festivals – always leaving people stunned and declaring it “one of the best shows ever seen.”  A statement that still is used today from fans to artists.

With the new EP recorded and produced by Fat Mike of NOFX that came out on Fat Wreck Chords/Bottles to the Ground, Fishbone is getting ready to reclaim their live touring throne. No doubt they will continue to leave the audience wanting more and thinking more, leaving their mark and influence on younger bands, and paving the foundation and legacy they have been laying for decades.

Fishbone is: Angelo Moore (vocals/Saxophone), Chris Dowd (Keys/Vocals), Dirty Walt (Trumpet/Vocals), Norwood Fisher (Bass), rounding it out with Mark Phillips.