Song:Wynona's Big Brown Beaver
Album:They Can't All Be Zingers
Primus was a band that was very successful in the 90s despite not fitting the stereotypes of what a commercially successful band is supposed to be. Wynona's Big Brown Beaver was their biggest hit single in 1995. But the group's mix of jam band musicianship and Frank Zappa influenced humour had already earned them a strong following. Primus' leader was bassist Les Claypool (born Oct. 2, 1962 in Richmond, CA). He auditioned for Metallica in 1986 but they told him he was too good and should do his own thing. So he started Primate with guitarist Todd Huth and a drum machine. They went through a lot of drummers and settled on Jay Lane and later Tim Alexander. Huth left in 1989 and was replaced by Larry LaLonde. Primus released their first album Suck On This independently in 1989 and signed with Interscope Records in 1990. They released their major label debut Sailing The Seas Of Cheese in 1991. The marketing approach was to emphasize their musicianship and the humour of the songs. So though they didn't have a hit single, the video for Jerry Was A Race Car Driver went into heavy rotation on MTV and Primus toured and got a lot of attention for their live show. The album was certified Gold in 1993. They built enough momentum that their 1993 CD Pork Soda reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 200 and was certified Gold. Wynona's Big Brown Beaver is from their 1995 CD Tales From The Punchbowl. The video had Primus dressed in plastic cowboy costumes and reached #12 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart and the CD reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 200 and was certified Gold. Alexander left in 1996 and was replaced by Bryan Mantia. By this time, Claypool released his first solo CD and has worked on many side projects. Primus split up in 2001 and have reformed several times. They are currently working on a new CD for a 2011 release. This comp is a good intro to their music. Primus shows that a band doesn't have to have radio play to be a success. There are alternative ways to do things. Here's the video for Wynona's Big Brown Beaver by Primus.
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