Concert Review: Primus (Red Hat Amphitheater)

Primus vocalist and bass player Les Claypool
BY MARK DOLEJS

Primus brought the metal rock-n-funk to Red Hat Amphitheater on Wednesday night in Raleigh. The crowd was full of enthusiastic fans, including one dressed as a hotdog and another wearing a cool sea captain's hat (Sailing the Seas of Cheese).

Primus vocalist and bass player Les Claypool
They opened their 14-song show with “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers,” “Fisticuffs” and “Groundhog’s Day.” During "Tweekers," they mixed in a bit of a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne with about a minute of “Crazy Train,” along with photos of Ozzy projected on the background.

Primus vocalist and bass player Les Claypool
The night was filled with raging bass lines pumping through the speakers from vocalist and bass aficionado, Les Claypool. I’ve been mesmerized since the mid 90s listening to Primus cranked in my car, and live on stage is even better, especially watching Claypool effortlessly creating the magic on his bass.

Primus guitarist Larry LaLonde
Guitarist Larry LaLonde is the key that ties together the constant beat being produced by Claypool and drummer John Hoffman. Hoffman is new to the band this year, with big shoes to fill, but he blends in with no doubts that he is the right guy for the job.

Primus vocalist and bass player Les Claypool
Throughout the night, there was wonderfully crazy imagery going on with the backdrop. Oftentimes a kaleidoscope effect was used with different cartoon pictures for a really cool psychedelic feel. These included the face of Willy Wonka, a skeleton during “Restin Bones,” and a trampoline jumping elephant during encore “Southbound Pachyderm.”

Primus drummer John Hoffman
My favorite of the night was “Welcome to This World” and “My Name is Mud.” Both are off their 1993 record Pork Soda. The album is also one of my favorites, probably because it had just come out when I first started listening to them.

MonoNeon
Opening the night was MonoNeon. Dwayne Eric Thomas Jr. is professionally known as MonoNeon and this guy is super talented on the bass. While right-handed, he plays an upside down right-handed bass with his left hand.

MonoNeon and drummer Devin Way
Flashy is an understatement for this guy on stage, and he surrounds himself with other talented musicians for a cohesive tight group.

I love seeing Primus whenever they come through town, check ’em out if you haven’t caught them yet!

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MARK DOLEJS

Photography is an avenue that Mark Dolejs uses to learn about the people and places that cross his path. After more than 30 years as a photojournalist, Mark enjoys concert, macro, and roadside photography. Follow Mark on Instagram at @solidrockpix.

Read Mark's posts here.