HERE THEY COME…HERE COMES MASTODON AND PRIMUS

On June 2nd 2018 at the newly named MECU Pavillon(formerly Pier Six) Primus and Mastodon rolled into town with a massive summer tour. I haven’t seen Mastodon since 2013 Mayhem Fest and Primus since the Antipop tour in 1999.

Opening up the show was All them Witches who are from Nashville Tennessee. Opening up with Dirt Preachers, All them Witches had a very interesting sound, sort of a mix of stoner rock and blues. I didn’t know much of this band but was surprised by them, they sounded amazing and all blended well with each other. All them Witches is a band to watch out for.

Mastodon was up next, if you haven’t seen Mastodon before you have for sure missed a great live band. Singer/guitarist Brent Hinds, Singer/Bassist Troy Sanders, Singer/drummer Brann Dailor and Guitarist Bill Kelliher are a force to be reckoned with. Mastodon music could be described as Sludge Metal with a little Progressive Metal mixed in. Opening up with Sultan’s Curse, Mastodon would be killing it all night playing 17 songs. Troy was a mad man on stage swinging his bass around and at one time was biting it, and Brent loves to play for the crowd and just shreds on the guitar. Most of the set was comprised from the latest album 2017’s Emperor Of Sand with songs like Steambreather, Show Yourself and Precious Stones. Mastodon also played fan favorites like Megalodon, and Sleeping Giants, they also pulled out the old school track from their first album Mother Puncher. Mastodon killed it and showed why they won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance. At the end of the set, Brann came to the front of the stage and talked to the audience some and threw out drum sticks, when the show ended he was out by the busses taking photos with the fans.

Primus was up now and just Incase you haven’t heard Primus Sucks(don’t worry this is a saying that Primus has incorporated into meaning that you actually like Primus) opening up with the music from PeeWee Herman’s Big Adventure Clown Dream Scene, just set the tone before the band even hit the stage. Les Claypool came out and the crowd went nuts. Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers was on first and would get the crowd into even more. Primus coming off a new album The Desaturating Seven which is based off the children’s book The Rainbow Goblins. Primus played the full album in its entirety. Les wearing a cloak and rams head, and drummer Tim Alexander dawning a monks robe would play while in the background were illustrations of goblins and all types of fantasy elements. This album being a much different sound had mixed reactions from the crowd, some just sat down and enjoyed the music while others were still up and rocking out. The album is only 7 songs deep and about 35 minutes or so, but at times it did seem a little odd with how the night was, but with Les you know he’s going to be doing that anyway. At the end of those set of songs, Les would frolic off stage.

Primus then would get back to what the crowd wanted more heavier songs and more of Les playing the bass like a crazy man. Primus would go on to play a few of my favorite songs in a row, starting with Welcome to this World, which always makes me think of the movie Brainscan with Edward Furlong. Of course it can’t be a Primus show if the don’t play My Name is Mud, which just makes the crowd go into a frenzy and mosh and bounce around. Then came Jerry was a Race Car Driver which makes me just want to lose all control, probably one of my favorite songs. Primus would leave the stage and then come back on for a short encore of Here Come the Bastards, then just like that Primus and company left the stage and the lights came on.

Overall it was a great night of music, it seemed a little odd having Mastodon and Primus Tour together but somehow it worked and did well. I’m looking forward to seeing what these two bands will bring in the future and hope I’ll be there to witness it.

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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