It was a great way to spend a sunny Sunday. Primus headlined a free concert at Gratwick Park, overlooking the mighty Niagara River, in North Tonawanda, New York. It was the first show of this year’s Niagara River Rocks Concert Series. As the sun was setting, about 8:45 PM, Primus took the stage. Les Claypool was in fine form with his funky scroll bass as the band kicked off the show with ” Those Damned Blue Collar Tweekers.” The crowd was excited and stayed that way throughout the performance. Claypool (bass and vocals), along with guitarist Larry La Londe and drummer Jay Lane, did not disappoint the thousands of fans who came out for this concert.
A large projection screen, streaming synchronized videos for each song, served as the backdrop. There were also two huge inflatable astronauts on stage. One on each side of the video screen and both with pronounced facial features. Les Claypool, however, remained my focal point as he ripped through bass riffs like he was playing a guitar. Before “Last Salmon Man,” Claypool remarked that he always felt privileged going to venues for free and he envied this crowd because most got in for free and he liked looking at the water. He also said that he likes to fish.
Later, as he introduced “Over The Falls,” he talked about the region and the history of people going “Over The Falls.” He commented that he rarely has a chance to talk about a region and that this show has been his only opportunity to play by the water near “The Falls.” He also referred to La Londe as a guitar daredevil and showcased La Londe throughout the song.
“Eternal Consumption Engine” featured Claypool donning his pig mask and modified upright bass sounded by a bow. Although plenty of Green Naugahyde (the band’s latest offering) tracks were featured, the band played a balanced mix of songs from old to new. A guitar solo kicked off “Jilly’s On Smack,” and a drum solo closed the tune.
The energy of the crowd never faltered. I’m certain that the folks across the river (in the country of Canada) heard the thunderous roars from the audience as Primus closed the set with “Harold of the Rocks.” Primus couldn’t ignore the crowd either, coming back with a two song encore, wrapping up the night with “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver.” Although this show marked the end of Primus’ current tour, any fan of bass heavy funk and experimental progressive rock must see this band live. Primus is in a genre of its own!
Set List:
Those Damned Blue Collar Tweekers
Duchess and the Proverbial Mind Spread
Last Salmon Man
Southbound Pachyderm
Over The Falls
Lee Van Cleef
John The Fisherman
Eternal Consumption Engine
Jilly’s On Smack
Jerry Was a Race Car Driver
Eleven
My Name is Mud
Over The Electric Grapevine
Moron TV
Harold of the Rocks
Encore:
HOINFODAMAN
Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver
All Photos by Gus Griesinger
We would like to thank Caronia Media group for allowing BackstageAxxess to review the show.
