Primus and the Chocolate Factory
Paramount Theater, Seattle, WA
01.03.15
Opening this sonically diverse show with a full set of classic Primus tracks, the traditional lineup of Les Claypool, Tim “Herb” Alexander, and Larry Lalonde played to a sold-out crowd from a low lit stage. The night’s first set seemed almost underwhelming – just a few guys on a stage in front of a plain red curtain – though I’m quite sure that everyone was enjoying the reunited band (Alexander hadn’t toured with them since 2008). They sounded just as off-kilter and indefinable as ever, full of the hard-rocking bass and deep, slightly threatening vocals.
Then came the second set. This is what the costumed crowd had been waiting for. After a short intermission, that plain red curtain rose and the crowd was met with what can only be described as a mind-altering remake of one of the creepiest and most creative movies of this generation. Think giant inflatable mushrooms, bouncing Oompa Loompa heads, and band members in disguise. Joined by the Fungi Ensemble, who are members of Claypool’s other musical outcrops, Primus took the audience through the whole thing with pure imagination, framed by a psychedelic screensaver of images from the original film. Whether this sounds like a nightmare or a candy-coated dream come true, one thing is for sure: it’s something not to be missed. They closed out the show with a quick video homage to Seattle, consisting of the previously mentioned Ooompa Loompa visiting local tourist attractions, and a thank-you to Alexander’s local doctors and family for getting him back to health and on the road after his recent heart attack.
Primus Set List:
Set 1:
Too Many Puppies (with Hello Skinny)
Moron TV
Fisticuffs
Jilly’s on Smack
Mr. Krinkle
Southbound Pachyderm
John the Fisherman
My Name Is Mud
Jerry Was a Race Car Driver
Set 2: Primus and the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble
Hello Wonkites
The Candy Man Can (Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley cover)
Cheer Up Charlie (Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley cover)
Golden Ticket (Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley cover)
Lermaninoff
Pure Imagination (Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley cover)
Oompa Augustus
Semi-Wondrous Boat Ride
Oompa Violet
I Want It Now (Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley cover)
Oompa Veruca
Wonkamobile
Oompa TV
Farewell Wonkites
Encore:
Moby Dick (Led Zeppelin cover)
Here Come the Bastards
Review by Stephanie Dore
Photos by Sunny Martini
Primus and the Chocoloate Factory
