Primus, Over the Electric Grapevine: Insight into Primus and the World of Les Claypool

by Greg Prato

An oral history of the legendary band Primus, with a star-studded cast of interviewees (Tom Waits, Phish front man Trey Anastasio, etc.)

"It's a wild ride that's vividly captured in Greg Prato's excellent oral history . . ."
— Bass Player Magazine Usually when the "alternative rock revolution" of the early 1990s is discussed, Nirvana's Nevermind is credited as the recording that led the charge. Yet there were several earlier albums that helped pave the way, including the Pixies's  Doolittle , the Red Hot Chili Peppers's  Mother's Milk , Jane's Addiction's Nothing's Shocking , and especially Primus's 1991 album Sailing the Seas of Cheese . This fascinating and beautifully curated oral history tells the tale of this truly one-of-a-kind band. Compiled from nearly fifty all-new interviews conducted by journalist/author Greg Prato—including Primus members past and present and many more fellow musicians—this book is sure to appeal to longtime fans of the band, as well as admirers of the musicians interviewed for the book. Interviewees Tim Alexander, Trey Anastasio (Phish), Matthew Bellamy (Muse), Les Claypool, Stewart Copeland (The Police), Chuck D (Public Enemy), Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Larry LaLonde, Geddy Lee (Rush), Mickey Melchiondo (Ween), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Matt Stone ( South Park ), Tom Waits, and many more.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Collections

366 pages, Hardcover

First published August 25, 2014

About the author

Greg Prato is a Long Island, New York-based journalist, whose writing has appeared in such renowned publications as Rolling Stone. He is the author of several popular books, 'A Devil on One Shoulder and an Angel on the Other: The Story of Shannon Hoon and Blind Melon,' 'Touched by Magic: The Tommy Bolin Story,' 'Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music, 'No Schlock . . . Just Rock!,' 'The Eric Carr Story,' 'MTV Ruled the World: The Early Years of Music Video,' 'Sack Exchange: The Definitive Oral History of the 1980s New York Jets,' 'Too High to Die: Meet the Meat Puppets,' 'Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders, 1972-1984,' and 'The Faith No More & Mr. Bungle Companion.'

Reviews

[Rev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it..so many great insights into Les! He was my hero before I read this book and he is an even bigger hero now.

[Rob Tiedemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

"My attention was first captured by Primus sometime around '95 or '96. I remember seeing the video for 'Wynona's Big Brown Beaver' and being interested in the costumes and then I started listening to what was happening with the music. It was about this time that I had decided to take up playing bass (not because of Les). I was amazed by what Les was doing with the bass. The amount of energy I could feel coming from his playing drew me in like nothing had before."

That's what my introduction would have been if I was included in the "cast of characters" used for the interviews in this book.

This book is written in one of my favourite formats, a collection of interviews cut apart and pieced back together as if all the interviewees were in a room together having a conversation. The three hundred and sixty-six pages of this book helped me to understand a lot of the inside jokes that exist in the Primus recordings that I never understood before. I finally got to understand who this Bob Cock character was. I got to learn a bit about who Flouncin' Fred (who I'm familiar with being referred to as "Flouncin' Freddy" on "Highball With the Devil"'s "De Anza Jig") is. There were a great number of interviews with some of the big names in the industry (Geddy Lee and Stewart Copeland to name just two).

I hadn't really kept up with Primus releases since "The Brown Album" partly because I was disappointed with the alum and because my tastes were in a different direction at the time. I've gone back to them every now and then because I've always had a hunch amount of affection for the first few alums, but my wife reminded me I am absolutely obsessed with Primus and Les Claypool. During the course of reading the book and now that I'm done with it I'm going to make the point to catch up on the back catalogue that I've kind of ignored. I'm actually listening to "The Brown Album" right now and realizing there is nothing to be disappointed about with this album. I now see I was being an ignorant youth. Now that I've grown up and matured, I understand that music doesn't always have to be loud and fast to have a ton of energy and this album certainly has a bunch of it.

I guess this review hasn't been as much about the book as about what it has done for me as a Primus fan. When my wife first noticed that Akashic Books was doing a give-away for the book, I thought it was interesting. I said, "what the heck, I might as well enter." When I got the email that I had won a copy I thought it was cool, but I wasn't extremely excited to read a biographical book about a band I hadn't listened to regularly for a few years. Once I started reading the book, though, I was non-stop. I'm not typically a fast reader but I blew through this one within a week. I couldn't get enough of reading about this band that helped to shape a lot about who I am. I owe my disregard for most tradition (definitely a crusade of the brave) to the influence they've had on me. It's interesting to consider what this book will do for new fans who have this available from the get-go instead of having to wait almost twenty years to read it.

Based on the ending of the book and recent releases by the band, I'm sure there will be plenty of newer fans discovering them and being just as amazed as many others have been for years. It's definitely something I will be suggesting to any fan of Primus (or even just great music).

[David Cain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge music fan but have never been that into Primus specifically. I've certainly been aware of them since the early '90s and enjoyed various of their songs, but have never purchased any of their albums or seen them in concert. Nevertheless, this book provides a fascinating oral history of the band (plus, various side projects that Les Claypool has been involved in over the years). The chapters are organized roughly chronologically, although there are frequent diversions that discuss the style and musicianship of the band and its assorted members. The book is entirely composed of quotes from various band members, musical collaborators, friends, and managers. It's not always clear what questions were asked of the interviewees, and often the quotes jump from one topic to the next in a single chapter with no transition. But this creates a great insight into the personality and philosophy of the band and definitely inspires me to take another listen to Primus.

I received this book as a free advanced reading copy (it was originally published in 2014 and this is the paperback release), but this review is my own opinion.

[La La · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is missing review #15. It has been over a month and Goodread's tech department still hasn't gotten back to me. I will have to copy and paste from Edelweiss again

[Tyler G. Warne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primus is a band that stands out from others. Quirky, weird, super-talented, and amazingly skilled. They have unique statements in their lyrics and the bass style surpasses most innovations in modern music. Greg Prato compiles many comments from the associations of Primus to shed light on the successes and failures of the band. Most acquaintances in the text are well-known, while others are behind the scenes. Over the Electric Grapevine does go beyond credibility for its references. All of the statements are original, and based on the ideas presented. The text does not include dialogue with the author so it is assumed the comments are based on ideas presented in the chapter titles. Oysterhead, Ozzy, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica are all contributors here, so it really is an all-star line-up and a great compilation.

For any one who is interested in reading statements by the band members and their partners, this book will be the right fit. I also recommend listening while you read to get the most benefit.

[Adam Bricker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primus got pretty popular back when I was in middle school and Sailing the Seas of Cheese came out. I always appreciated the unique style of the band and Les's amazing skill as a bass player, but some of the songs were a little too strange/eclectic for me which gave me concerns about how this book would be. It was really impressive and interesting though. The interview style covers topics quickly, but in depth and doesn't lead to boring factual diatribes that some biographies can fall victim to. Also, I didn't realize the amount/variety of side projects Les has had over the years and the vast amount of musicians he had collaborated with. This book is really fascinating and a great read for even a casual fan!

[Na · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bio of Primus should be interesting and this one did not disappoint. Greg Prato brought the reader into a conversation with Primus, especially Claypool, and many of the musicians that have participated in Claypool's career up to 2012ish. You never really hear Prato's voice as he is just copying stories told. Don't expect a deep historical treatise here. It is literally just a bunch of dudes telling stories.

Where the new paperback fails is the lack of updated material. With a new release, give me new interviews!!! The Desaturating Seven? Claypool Lennon Delirium?! Duo de Twang?

If you haven't read the hardcover and are a Primus fan, you will definitely want to pick this book up. It is a fun romp.

[fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a blast! I've been a huuge Primus fan since my uncle played me "Shake Hands with Beef" back in the late 90's. Whenever I read a bio about a band I love I find myself wondering if non-fans would enjoy it too, and frankly I do think people who think Primus doesn't suck would in fact enjoy this book very much. One of the key factors of this book's success is that the boys were quite gregarious and so there's a fantastic cast of people sharing their memories. It also inadvertently becomes a great snapshot of alternative music in the 90's, the heyday of the music festival really.

thanks for reading, one of these days I'll start editing my reviews...

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the while. I enjoy an respect Primus very much. Also I've enjoyed Les Claypool's solo career. A minor quibble is that I believe it could have been edited down where it becomes redundant. You can only hear so many people say "there's just nobody that sounds like Primus!" ...So many times. Normally don't like the interview format but I think it really works here and is the best way to tell this story.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such an easy read for a Primus fan, this book is awesome, insightful & is filled with loads of cool stories & interesting things a deep Primus fan should know, it makes you feel more connected to the band. 10/10 would read again.

[Marcelo D’Angelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hats off to the greatest band ever.
Really funny too!

[FunkMaster General · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these "oral histories," with so many voices.

Also, this got me to finally listen to Les's solo stuff, which is really good.

[GerJan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! So much fun to read and so much new facts: I'm enjoying Primus and all Claypools side projects tremendously. Feels like being 16 again!

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect approach to the band and it's history. I'd die for you Les Claypool.

[Steve Abercrombie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice insight into the inner world of Les Claypool and Primus. Interview format includes contributions from Mike Watt, Geddy Lee, Kirk Hammett, and more.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine history of Primus and Les Claypool in an interview style. I knew a good portion of it already but there were some new things I learned.

[Anneliese Harsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reads more like a conversation among friends that a straight up biography, which I love. Primus is one of my favourite bands so I thoroughly enjoyed this.

[James Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot give an impartial review as I love Primus.

[John Licari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent insight, but got a little repetitive. Didn’t affect my rating. Primus sucks.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads' First Reads program in exchange for my honest review.

Anyone that has heard Primus knows they are a quirky band. This oral history of Les Claypool and Primus really gets into the method to their madness. Prato interviewed everyone associated with the band as well as other musicians from Metallica, Rush, Rage Against the Machine, and many other acts that have toured, jammed, or just hung out with Claypool. There are some really great stories throughout the book. Anyone that enjoys the band is sure to get a kick out of the book.

My only issue is that this is strictly an oral history. I really disliked the format for this book. Oral histories are fine for articles dealing with a singular event, but for an evolution of a band spanning 20+ years, I think it just barely scratched the surface of what the book could have been. The book is repetitive and at times very technical without explaining many things in better detail. The interviewees sometimes go on tangents or make references that don't explained. There is plenty of source matieral, but I would have loved to have seen Prato take all those interviews and weave them into a biography.

I gave the book 3 stars; the book is loaded with great interviews and stories and history, but the oral history format makes it at times difficult to read through.

[Davin Sandvar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for the primus fan

[Georgette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never been a huge Primus fan.
I think it's my friend Rich'a fault for doing his own unique rendition of "Winona's Big Brown Beaver" when we worked at Little Caesar's together. (Rich has also given me a lifetime regret over Ween's existence, among other alternative gems).

Not a bad little book, for one who isn't a huge fan.
It was entertaining, as you imagine anything with Les Claypool involved. The only thing that stumped was that drummers continue disappearing, and not much of explanation as of why. And there is a lot of love and admiration toward Mr. Claypool, almost so much that it starts sounding somewhat repetitive. I was entertained and it was a good book, but again, it will not take over the top place of honor on my music bio read-list that belongs to Mr. Al Jourgensen. It was, however, a nice diversion from the holiday mayhem. I think Prato is too much of a fan-boy at times, and it shows in the writing.

[Ryan Lowrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea of chronicling a band's history by inter-splicing many interview bits and chunks as opposed to having one person tell a story and then another person refute or agree was interesting but this story runs out of gas in the late 90s where their album sales did. After Tales From the Punchbowl there is an occasional morsel of creative note but Les is really a one trick pony who never got out from under the shadow cast by Seas of Cheese and Pork Soda and that's ok. Those albums set a new standard by which to measure quirky weirdo music. From the Oysterhead project on though I was begging this book to wrap it up already. If anyone wants my copy let me know as I won't be reading this again. Cheers.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

good stuff I'm a big fan of the oral history format. If you have any interest in the band or are just one of those people who enjoy "pop" music based books this is a good one. Very cohesive. the author takes care to break up his subjects interviews so they work chronologically and topically. very well worth your time. Some drawbacks it can get a bit musically techy at points, the last couple of chaps of the book are very redundant and this one is more of a pet peeve on my account of those non members interviewed in the book and their utter disregard for the importance of Tony Levin. I belive Larry and Les mention him once a piece.

[Maurizio · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love 90s alternative music as much as I do, you will love this book. I've read a lot of music books and I can't think of a single one where so much praise is heaped on to one person and not just by his audience, not just by his peers but by his heroes who have said nothing but amazing things about the legend that is Les Claypool.

Greg Prato has done a tremendous job once again chronicling the adventures of another one of my musical heroes (he also did a brilliant job with the Mike Patton book) and if the trend continues, I should expect to see a Ween book in the next couple of years.

[Chris Whittaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of Primus, I enjoyed reading this oral history about how the band came to be, how Les Claypool has influenced the music scene, and in general, how a guy that had a warped sense of humor, a unique voice and bass style, and a tremendous amount of talent has made his way (along with a variety of partners and conspirators that include some of the biggest names in rock music over the last three decades.) into creating some of the most memorable and unique music out there.

[Oren Alalouf · Rating 5 out of 5]

It really took me way too long to finish this one and I'll definitely get back to it one more time some day.

I've been a major fan of Primus and Les Claypool's plethora of projects,and I haven't really had all the facts about how all that is came to be ,and this book really hit the nail on the head!

Loved each and every bit of this one ,so much that I was really sad to hit the end of it!

Thank you for sharing this book with us Les!!!!

[Steven Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was awesome book! I remember listening to them for the first time in like 8th grade and have listened to them ever since. They are still to this day in my music cycle either by iPod or cd in my truck. One of the most original bands around ever. This book is great if you want to know all the behind the scenes happenings from all their early albums up until the present. Great read!

[Brandon Wicke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever fascinating chronology of one of the most inspiring musicians/bands - full of great insights and a great reference for a lot of new bands to check out for Claypool and Primus fans.

[Dane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would say it's definitely worth reading if you are a Primus fan. Takes me back and I've already started listening to them regularly again.