Primus Members, Gear & Sound

US rock band

Genre

Rock Jazz Alternative rock Funk rock Art rock Progressive rock Progressive metal Experimental rock Metal Hard rock Alternative metal Funk metal Rap rock Nu metal Comedy rock comic

Members

Select a Primus band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Les Claypool

Roles:

Singer Bassist

Groups:

The Desert Sessions The Claypool Lennon Delirium Les Claypool and the Holy Mackerel Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains Sausage Bob Cock and the Yellow Sock Blind Illusion Les Claypool’s Duo de Twang Duo de Twang Oysterhead Les Claypool's Fancy Band Electric Apricot Festus Clamrod and The El Sobrante Twangers Colonel Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade The Les Claypool Frog Brigade Beanpole Les Claypool's Bastard Jazz

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Larry "Ler" LaLonde

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Possessed Bob Cock and the Yellow Sock Blind Illusion Festus Clamrod and The El Sobrante Twangers No Forcefield Beanpole

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Tim Alexander

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

A Perfect Circle Puscifer Meat Puppets Bob Cock and the Yellow Sock Colonel Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade Attention Deficit Sound Cipher

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John Hoffman

Roles:

Drummer

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Bryan Mantia

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Guns N' Roses Godflesh Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains Les Claypool and the Holy Mackerel Praxis Qua Continuum Gonervill Giant Robot The Freak Brothers Cobra Strike Pieces Science Faxtion Festus Clamrod and The El Sobrante Twangers Buckethead And His Bucket-Bots Bullmark Bluescreen Limbomaniacs Fart Sandwich Posse El Stew MCM and the Monster No Forcefield

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Jay Lane

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Dead & Company Sausage Charlie Hunter Trio Ratdog Colonel Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade The Les Claypool Frog Brigade Bob Weir and Wolf Bros. Golden Gate Wingmen Sage & Spirits The Uptones

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DJ Disk

Roles:

DJ

Groups:

Future 2 Future Peeping Tom Invisibl Skratch Piklz No Forcefield El Stew Cobra Strike Buckethead And His Bucket-Bots Transmutation Charged Underwater Stew

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Todd Huth

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Sausage The Les Claypool Frog Brigade Porch

Needs more gear

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Vince Parker

Roles:

Drummer

No gear added

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Peter Libby

Roles:

Drummer

No gear added

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Robbie Bean

Roles:

Drummer

No gear added

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About

Primus is an American rock band formed in El Sobrante, California, in 1984. Renowned for their eclectic and experimental sound, the group has a dynamic lineup but is anchored by the ever-present Les Claypool (bass, vocals), whose distinctive playing and vocal style define the band’s character. The trio is completed by Larry "Ler" LaLonde (guitar), whose avant-garde approach complements Claypool's unconventional bass lines, and Tim "Herb" Alexander (drums), known for his intricate and adaptive drumming. Primus spans a range of genres, including funk rock, alternative metal, and progressive rock, often infused with a comic sensibility reminiscent of Frank Zappa.

How to Sound Like Primus

Primus' sound is an intricate tapestry of quirky, angular bass lines and discordant, spiraling guitar textures, underpinned by complex, syncopated drum patterns. The band's music often feels both aggressive and comedic, with a rhythmically intricate foundation that is both challenging and engaging. Claypool’s use of the Rickenbacker 4003 and Ampeg SVT-810E 8x10 Bass Cabinet delivers his iconic punchy, mid-range heavy tone, while LaLonde’s off-kilter guitar work frequently involves a Gibson ES-125T, adding a warm, vintage edge to their sonic palette. The interplay between these elements creates a sound that is both chaotic and tightly controlled, embodying a playfulness and technical prowess that is quintessentially Primus.

Discography

Frizzle Fry (Remastered)

1990

Sailing The Seas Of Cheese

1991

Pork Soda

1993

Tales From The Punchbowl

1996

Brown Album

1998

Rhinoplasty

1998

Antipop

1999

Suck on This (Remastered)

2002

They Can't All Be Zingers

2006

Green Naugahyde

2011

Primus & the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble

2014

The Desaturating Seven

2017

Get the Primus Sound

Want to sound like Primus? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.