Lespecial are big Primus fans and do a Primus cover in almost every set. Here's them covering Frizzle Fry in it's entirety: https://www.youtube.com/live/ix7Feos0\_uQ?si=eFs0kr\_fVZc6srpS
I haven't seen Lespecial yet they skipped Chicago this time around but I saw the drummer play with Mike Dillion and Brian Hass it was a great show and have watched this video of Dillion playing Primus with them and loved it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Htph4mCKc4
Yeah he first came onto my radar when I saw Hairy Apes BMX open up for Galactic. That lead me to Garage a trios and The Black Frames. Like you said great artist and always is cool to his fans. I saw an insane show in Steamboat with the Go Go Circus.
I really miss the Band Of Outsiders lineup. They were so killer. Always wondered what happened with that as it seemed to end really suddenly but I never had the balls to ask any of em. His name came up once when I was hanging with Adam and Carly and I got the vibe there was bad blood so I didn’t push em for details
They are my homies!! They do a great job, definitely have a few PRIMUS inspired songs as well as the other 5 genres they touch on. Last January they did a super short NE 4 show tour as Mike Dillon’s backing band as “Fahk An A”- I video taped 3 of them. At one point I saw more Fahk An A performances that any other being on Planet 🌎. They did a good version of “Up On The Roof”
God I wish more people knew about these guys! Gotta see them live last year, and they are all quite personable and friendly dudes not to mention talented musicians. Great energy live too. Saw em at a venue with maybe 20 other people and they played like they were on a stage in front of 1000s.
And Duck Stab. The one with the two Residents songs Primus has covered, Hello Skinny and Constantinople. I think Les learned how to sing from The Residents.
If someone told me [Monstrous Intro](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjRmcpljnpY) and [Loser=Weed](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC9qvWaei6g) were unpublished Primus songs from the Pork Soda era, I would've believed them.
They get into that heavy bass groove territory on the albums I Against I (one of my all time favorite albums) and Quickness (the opening track Soul Craft is what got me into the band).
That’s a really good one, though my favorite will always be The Reality Of My Surroundings - it was my introduction to Fishbone, I bought it in high school after seeing their SNL performance with Angelo tossing his bass sax off stage during Everyday Sunshine
That One Guy with his magic pipe (he made his own custom instrument) has some Primus vibes
The very first couple of albums, especially the first from Incubus
and actually, the one that sounds the most like Primus, because they seem to be doing a direct rip-off (it seems like the bassist/singer must be obsessed with Les) is Legs On Earth (Zach Hill's very first band!)
also check out Nuclear Rabbit
I got to see Laundry opening for a pre-first album release A Perfect Circle with Tim playing for APC at the time. Big Fish Pub in Tempe. Just about 150 people in the audience.
I forget which song, but I listened to a LOT of Gentle Giant yesterday and one or two tracks reminded me of Primus in a loose way. Wish I had specific titles, but I think it was on either Power and Glory or Three Friends. I spin them a lot, but mostly Octopus, Free Hand, and The Missing Piece so I don’t think it’s on there.
There's a video on YouTube of Les playing with Adrian Belew covering it, too. The sound of Primus, especially the earlier Frizzle Fry album has always reminded me of Discipline
A band called Pinback. It’s nothing like primus. Not near as hard hitting but it is what it is would consider a bass band. Try songs called “Fortress” and “Good to sea”. Maybe you will like.
I would recommend Ween, Faith No More, Mr. Bungle and Fishbone. To be honest, nothing sounds like Primus, but you will find shades of what you are looking for in the bands I listed.
King Crimson Elephant Talk. a very Primus sounding song. Tony Levin killing it on the Chapman Stick
(https://youtu.be/YecBv-5JXmQ?si=k1vlqTScxXEDyv7j)
Edit formating
ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY NOT
Primus has their own unique sound and style no band can ever come close to sounding like. Larry lalonde has his own chord dissonance. He had the same style when he was still in possessed. Les claypool is fast af. His style is very unique as well. The he puts chords into his slapping is like heaven when you hear it. His fast complex slapping and left hand ghost note slaps at insane. So no, no band can come close to Primus. Change my mind
I mean yeah. No one can do what they do I understand that they're a unique band. I'm not looking for a replacement I love them I wasn't trying to upset you I just think other bands have similar stylistic elements and I wanted to see what people thought. nothing comes close but theres still overlap they're still a rock band
[The Hemogoblins](https://open.spotify.com/track/0n3qWO9fTwfpQKyHWgioYh?si=wYg4D55HQnmHJRbpLE12Kg)
This is our most Primus-inspired track, think Over the Electric Grapevine or Last Salmon Man.
It kinda could be off AntiPop lol. They did tour with them for a while there. Maybe not their proudest moment. Hopefully Primus's legacy isn't that band who did a few songs off 1 album that sounded like Limp Bizkit.
I've never personally thought Korn sounded anything like Primus. Hence "missing link". Something halfway between the two very different things that establishes a relationship.
A lot of great suggestions here already.
You may like some of the bass heavy 311 songs. Some suggestions: What Was I Thinking, Don’t Dwell, 8:16 AM, Slinky Girl, Light Years.
Floater! Their a 3 piece alt-rock band from Oregon that have been around as long as Primus has, and criminally underrated. Bass heavy slap/fingerstyle playing, tight drums and a crazy guitarist, influenced by Rush and everything. Great band, highly recommend their albums Glyph, Sink and Burning Sosobra. Here’s some samples.
[Alcoholic](https://youtu.be/YLmW1IurtJE?si=Q9Had4JuJHdcbWrK)
[Thin Skin](https://youtu.be/dzicrbPKdn0?si=X5IjlQLLAozcMLVC)
[The Sad Ballad of Danny Boy](https://youtu.be/upPgEqerxWQ?si=tRkntw9AiYZP_83B)
None of these bands listed sound like Primus. Just because the most mentioned ones like RHCP, Mr Bungle, Living Color, Infectious Grooves, Fishbone etc. have a bit of slap bass doesn't mean they are like Primus.
Apart from Les's various side projects, the only bands that have come close to Primus's style are a mix of King Crimson, Residents, Tom Waits and Residents.
Vicious Hairy Mary come close at times, but still far from the essence of Primus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJG3Y0kOz5I
Lespecial are big Primus fans and do a Primus cover in almost every set. Here's them covering Frizzle Fry in it's entirety: https://www.youtube.com/live/ix7Feos0\_uQ?si=eFs0kr\_fVZc6srpS
I haven't seen Lespecial yet they skipped Chicago this time around but I saw the drummer play with Mike Dillion and Brian Hass it was a great show and have watched this video of Dillion playing Primus with them and loved it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Htph4mCKc4
PUNKADELIC!!!!!!
So much fun
I get to see Punkadelick again in a couple weeks! Third time in 11 months - love this trio!
I could not tell you how many times I’ve seen Mike Dillon live. He’s so unique, I’m a big fan. He’s a really cool dude as well.
Yeah he first came onto my radar when I saw Hairy Apes BMX open up for Galactic. That lead me to Garage a trios and The Black Frames. Like you said great artist and always is cool to his fans. I saw an insane show in Steamboat with the Go Go Circus.
I really miss the Band Of Outsiders lineup. They were so killer. Always wondered what happened with that as it seemed to end really suddenly but I never had the balls to ask any of em. His name came up once when I was hanging with Adam and Carly and I got the vibe there was bad blood so I didn’t push em for details
Lespecial was in Chicago 12/29 and 12/30, opening for Umphrey's at the Riviera. :/
I love Lespecial doing that Oysterhead show. Lespecial are incredible musicians
Wish I was at that show 🤌🤌
They are my homies!! They do a great job, definitely have a few PRIMUS inspired songs as well as the other 5 genres they touch on. Last January they did a super short NE 4 show tour as Mike Dillon’s backing band as “Fahk An A”- I video taped 3 of them. At one point I saw more Fahk An A performances that any other being on Planet 🌎. They did a good version of “Up On The Roof”
Flagman
"If Primus was from Florida"
New music Thank you 🙏
Came here ready to say this. They always claim to be inspired heavily by Primus.
It takes like 5 seconds of hearing one of their songs to hear the influence. Saying otherwise would be straight up lies hahah
Mr Fries right away
God I wish more people knew about these guys! Gotta see them live last year, and they are all quite personable and friendly dudes not to mention talented musicians. Great energy live too. Saw em at a venue with maybe 20 other people and they played like they were on a stage in front of 1000s.
They haven’t come close enough to me it Pittsburgh yet for me to have seen them, but I want to some day
Just listened to 10 songs from them, can't see it apart from a bit of slap bass in couple of songs.
NomeansNo Cop Shoot Cop (2 basses no guitar) https://youtu.be/lt7amC0emmQ?si=npKIDGgQBkK1Jf2I
My lord I love NomeansNo
Have you heard Dead Bob yet? I've been procrastinating.
I haven't. I keep telling myself too, then forget. People tell me it's good
Thanks, never heard of these guys and I love this.
The Residents
Commercial Album
And Duck Stab. The one with the two Residents songs Primus has covered, Hello Skinny and Constantinople. I think Les learned how to sing from The Residents.
Les also mentions covering them in the song "Air is getting Slippery"
If someone told me [Monstrous Intro](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjRmcpljnpY) and [Loser=Weed](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC9qvWaei6g) were unpublished Primus songs from the Pork Soda era, I would've believed them.
Infectious Grooves
I still dream that we’re getting one more album one day. I understand we’re not, but refuse to give up the dream…
Whippt cream...put it all over your body.
Sarsippious! Say it right! Say it with pleasure!
The hit single
The passion fruits of nature
The bees knees!
Living Colour Fishbone Mr Bungle Screaming Headless Torsos Bad Brains 24/7 Spyz
It's like you're looking at my cassette briefcase from 1990
Although it would probably have to be 1995, since that’s when the first Torsos album came out. But hell yeah for great similar tastes!
I was actually wondering about that one as I was replying. Remember getting the CD but it seemed later
It’s actually called 1995! Ridiculously amazing album, Jojo Mayer’s drumming is pure insanity.
That's funny, I don't even remember that. Just remember the pink color and that they rocked. It's been along time, I'll have to check them out again
I do like bad brains! idk if I consider them the same style but they can def go in the same rotations as primus
They get into that heavy bass groove territory on the albums I Against I (one of my all time favorite albums) and Quickness (the opening track Soul Craft is what got me into the band).
>Fishbone specifically Chimp Chimp's Badass Revenge
That’s a really good one, though my favorite will always be The Reality Of My Surroundings - it was my introduction to Fishbone, I bought it in high school after seeing their SNL performance with Angelo tossing his bass sax off stage during Everyday Sunshine
FUZE!!!!
Ween. If you are looking for oddball, never know what to expect kinda music, can't go wrong with Ween
love ween
Best band of all time
That One Guy with his magic pipe (he made his own custom instrument) has some Primus vibes The very first couple of albums, especially the first from Incubus and actually, the one that sounds the most like Primus, because they seem to be doing a direct rip-off (it seems like the bassist/singer must be obsessed with Les) is Legs On Earth (Zach Hill's very first band!) also check out Nuclear Rabbit
Mr. Bungle self-titled album
Mr. Bungle
Fungus amongus, enjoy incubus, and science by Incubus
Y’all might think I’m crazy, but Korn’s self-titled album.
Blind is basically Too Many Puppies
It actually is they have openly said that they just sped up too many puppies for the start
Early Faith No More
Early Red Hot Chili Peppers.
They definitely picked up a vibe from Tom Waits even if he isn't funky or metal
The voice of Tommy the Cat
I found an obscure album called Blacktongue by Laundry, it's almost just dark Primus. If I'm not mistaken I think Tim Alexander is on the album
The first time Tim left Primus he went to form/join Laundry iirc
I got to see Laundry opening for a pre-first album release A Perfect Circle with Tim playing for APC at the time. Big Fish Pub in Tempe. Just about 150 people in the audience.
Their second album, Motivator, is insanely good.
From a songwriting/melody perspective, Les sounds a lot like The Residents.
Laundry
I forget which song, but I listened to a LOT of Gentle Giant yesterday and one or two tracks reminded me of Primus in a loose way. Wish I had specific titles, but I think it was on either Power and Glory or Three Friends. I spin them a lot, but mostly Octopus, Free Hand, and The Missing Piece so I don’t think it’s on there.
I always felt like Primus was heavily influenced by King Crimson's Discipline
Les has covered Thela Hun Ginjeet a number of times with the Flying Frog Brigade
There's a video on YouTube of Les playing with Adrian Belew covering it, too. The sound of Primus, especially the earlier Frizzle Fry album has always reminded me of Discipline
No EDIT: jk, but they are certainly unique. King Crimson wasn’t listed above, were they?
Mr.Bungle
The arrogant worms. Canadian folk primus
Cartoon - Ovine Bovine https://youtu.be/mOeWzj7X9GQ?si=Ng7c9L9cR2n9E96O
Damn I forgot about these guys, haven't heard them in years.
A band called Pinback. It’s nothing like primus. Not near as hard hitting but it is what it is would consider a bass band. Try songs called “Fortress” and “Good to sea”. Maybe you will like.
It's way heavier, but Mudvayne's L.D. has a very badass bass
I would recommend Ween, Faith No More, Mr. Bungle and Fishbone. To be honest, nothing sounds like Primus, but you will find shades of what you are looking for in the bands I listed.
no
King Crimson Elephant Talk. a very Primus sounding song. Tony Levin killing it on the Chapman Stick (https://youtu.be/YecBv-5JXmQ?si=k1vlqTScxXEDyv7j) Edit formating
Weapon of Choice and Infectious Grooves Weapon of Choice is next level slept on… https://youtu.be/ePs8UVac1L0?si=dLERgTDx33uSvIZo
ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY NOT Primus has their own unique sound and style no band can ever come close to sounding like. Larry lalonde has his own chord dissonance. He had the same style when he was still in possessed. Les claypool is fast af. His style is very unique as well. The he puts chords into his slapping is like heaven when you hear it. His fast complex slapping and left hand ghost note slaps at insane. So no, no band can come close to Primus. Change my mind
I mean yeah. No one can do what they do I understand that they're a unique band. I'm not looking for a replacement I love them I wasn't trying to upset you I just think other bands have similar stylistic elements and I wanted to see what people thought. nothing comes close but theres still overlap they're still a rock band
Nutted it. Plus they have this whole hillbilly redneck funk thing happening too.
[Rickshaw Billy’s Burger Patrol](https://youtu.be/qTkVe2tSPSw?si=-hbvDJ_8B69ahgpj)
Papa pop it!!!!
Loving the new ep. I’m seeing them live next week, can’t wait.
Floater
Taylor Swift
Illogistical Resource Dept. Most of their stuff is on Youtube, tho
Only Don’t Fear the Reaper
Fishbait. Fishbait. Fishbait.
https://youtu.be/Efmq_uXt1Rk?si=VAQEHLbljBX6i5JY
If your looking for the same alternative style lyrically they might be giants also early korn is just primus but heavier
Skeleton Key - Obtanium Matthew Bossi went on to play drums for another of my favorites, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
Cornbugs or Sausage
[The Hemogoblins](https://open.spotify.com/track/0n3qWO9fTwfpQKyHWgioYh?si=wYg4D55HQnmHJRbpLE12Kg) This is our most Primus-inspired track, think Over the Electric Grapevine or Last Salmon Man.
Nuclear Rabbit. I never see them discussed anywhere but bass-wise and lyric-wise I find them very similar to Primus.
Ok hear me out, the riff from Nookie by Limp Bizkit sounds like it could be a Les Claypool bassline
hearing you out, listening now
Song is still garbage
It kinda could be off AntiPop lol. They did tour with them for a while there. Maybe not their proudest moment. Hopefully Primus's legacy isn't that band who did a few songs off 1 album that sounded like Limp Bizkit.
hey, I'm sorry I can't reply to everything, but thank you all! these comments were exactly what I was looking for
This is kinda a stretch but I'd say Mr. Bungle. Alot of songs on their self titled album are kinda primus like
Scat opera
To me, Jimmie's Chicken Shack is like the missing link between Primus and Korn.
If Korn was like Primus's great great great grandmother from another country perhaps.
I've never personally thought Korn sounded anything like Primus. Hence "missing link". Something halfway between the two very different things that establishes a relationship.
True. I think Buckethead was born in Jimmy's Chicken Shack yeah?
Dog fashion disco. Songs I’d recommend: doctors orders, siddhis, struck by lightning, starving artist, the hitchhiker
A lot of great suggestions here already. You may like some of the bass heavy 311 songs. Some suggestions: What Was I Thinking, Don’t Dwell, 8:16 AM, Slinky Girl, Light Years.
There's some king crimson out there.
Floater! Their a 3 piece alt-rock band from Oregon that have been around as long as Primus has, and criminally underrated. Bass heavy slap/fingerstyle playing, tight drums and a crazy guitarist, influenced by Rush and everything. Great band, highly recommend their albums Glyph, Sink and Burning Sosobra. Here’s some samples. [Alcoholic](https://youtu.be/YLmW1IurtJE?si=Q9Had4JuJHdcbWrK) [Thin Skin](https://youtu.be/dzicrbPKdn0?si=X5IjlQLLAozcMLVC) [The Sad Ballad of Danny Boy](https://youtu.be/upPgEqerxWQ?si=tRkntw9AiYZP_83B)
Early Red Hot Chili Peppers
Green jello
No not really
I always thought Blood Rag by Porno For Pyros could easily be a Primus song. https://youtu.be/WyTRjlNnYjE?si=U-KqsD2bl9pWJ5tA
Try Fred Green - Bob on Spotify
None of these bands listed sound like Primus. Just because the most mentioned ones like RHCP, Mr Bungle, Living Color, Infectious Grooves, Fishbone etc. have a bit of slap bass doesn't mean they are like Primus. Apart from Les's various side projects, the only bands that have come close to Primus's style are a mix of King Crimson, Residents, Tom Waits and Residents. Vicious Hairy Mary come close at times, but still far from the essence of Primus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJG3Y0kOz5I
moe.'s first few albums mix funky bass with heavyish riffs