Most dates on this tour had heavy opener Wolfmother to prime the crowd. On this date, The Sword, from Austin took the duty. Aptly heavy, but not the vocal prowess of Wolfmother, choogled through their set. The music occupied the space between Sabbath and Zeppelin. Guitar, guitar/vocals, bass, and drums was the crew. When watching metal, or metal tinged bands, I’m struck by the fact that these bands make it or break it on the strength of the singer/ frontman. (Tell that to a 14 year old Andy who placed Page higher on a pedestal than Plant). Good set to a rapt crowd. Closed with a nice metallic version of Cheap Sunglasses.
Pretty full house for a pandemic rescheduled date for Primus. Primus has been Sailing the Seas of Cheese since the 90s. In that time they seem to have amassed a decent following of freaks and weirdos. Les Claypool on bass and vocals, guitarist Larry Lalonde, and Herb Alexander on drums has been the geometry for years. Primus plays a sophomoric, sinister, funk metal that occupies a space all its own. Claypool, dressed as if he was auditioning for the part of snake oil salesman in Westworld, commands the stage. He prowls while spitting rubbery bass lines that pummel the listener. The first set included such gems as Clown Dream, Too Many Puppies, Here Comes The Bastards, My Name is Mud, and finished with the seminal Jerry Was a Race Car Driver. Les said that as a child, he absorbed all things Rush, the Canadian metal power trio that has obvious influence on the Primus sound. The second set of the evening was a Primus reading of Rush’ A Farewell to Kings album. As a Rush “ appreciator” I’m not thoroughly familiar with the record, but it was a fitting tribute considering the recent passing of drummerNeil Peart.
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