{"id":116515,"date":"2026-01-01T19:19:32","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T19:19:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/116515\/"},"modified":"2026-01-01T19:19:32","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T19:19:32","slug":"review-primus-sends-in-the-clowns-for-nye-at-the-fox-in-oakland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/116515\/","title":{"rendered":"REVIEW: Primus sends in the clowns for NYE at the Fox in Oakland"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Primus,Primus performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025. Jerome Parmer\/STAFF.<\/p>\n

OAKLAND \u2014 The Bay Area\u2019s own Primus rang in the new year on the second of a two-night stand at Fox Theater on Wednesday, much to the delight of hundreds who patiently weathered the wet drizzle to get in the door.<\/p>\n

Primus \u2014 and frontman Les Claypool with his other bands<\/a> \u2014 has hosted many local New Year\u2019s Eve performances. The band\u2019s New Year\u2019s Eve shows are known for an array of theatrics, immersive surreal visuals, elaborate costumes and creative themes. The Wednesday show was no exception with a \u201cSend in the Clowns\u201d theme.<\/p>\n

The band encouraged fans \u201cto come dressed embodying any clown of their choosing: happy, sad, menacing, friendly.\u201d\u00a0Attendees were covered in white face makeup and donned colorful wigs and flamboyant outfits.<\/p>\n

Claypool, guitarist Larry LaLonde and new drummer John Hoffman (who beat out 6,000 others to make the band earlier last year) took to the stage to a scene from 1985 film \u201cPee-wee\u2019s Big Adventure.\u201d Right away, Claypool \u2014 in a striped gray and black suit, long-nosed mask and one of his signature bowler hats \u2014 began playing an aggressive bass line, and his bandmates joined in with \u201cThe Antipop,\u201d the title track from Primus\u2019 1999 album. A video screen at the back of the stage showed yellow, orange and pink flowers blooming. LaLonde donned a glittery silver blazer, and Hoffman topped his crown with a glittery police cap and makeup.<\/p>\n

Over his muffled nasally voice, the frontman blended percussive slap bass playing with pops and taps while twirling in circles. As the song came to its conclusion, the gathered fans, per tradition, began chanting, \u201cPrimus sucks!\u201d<\/p>\n

Claypool\u2019s nasal and spoken-word delivery and pitch variation were highlighted in \u201cLast Salmon Man.\u201d The song had a funk-metal feel, while LaLonde played reggae-influenced chords before ripping into a psychedelic solo.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmerican Life\u201d was paired with patriotic imagery on the video screen. This was an opportunity for Hoffman to show off his drumming skills, while LaLonde used his glass slide and Claypool played a driving bass beat. Following newer song \u201cLittle Lord Fentanyl,\u201d \u201cRestin\u2019 Bones\u201d showcased Claypool\u2019s bass style of percussion thumping and slap\/pop, creating a sound hybrid that incorporated funk, metal and psychedelic rock.<\/p>\n

\"Primus\"<\/a>Primus performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n

As the show approached midnight, the band went into \u201cBob\u2019s Party Time Lounge.\u201d Its upbeat party groove got the crowd moving and dancing. \u201cHamburger Train\u201d offered a funky bass groove that mimicked a train chugging down the tracks. LaLonde recreated a train whistle with his guitar. As the train slowed, so did the tempo of the song. The song transitioned right into cover of The Residents\u2019 eerie tune \u201cHello Skinny.\u201d<\/p>\n

Attendees sang along to the anti-war message of alt-rock hit \u201cToo Many Puppies,\u201d a song that masks a serious message with bizarre and quirky lyrics and a funky, heavy melody. The last song of 2025 was \u201cTo Defy the Laws of Tradition,\u201d from 1990 album Frizzle Fry. Old sailors, voyagers and submarines filled the video screen.<\/p>\n

\u201dTwenty-twenty-six is upon us. It\u2019s going to be a spectacular year!\u201d Claypool shouted as the crowd joined him in a countdown. And as\u00a0midnight struck, black and gold balloons dropped from the ceiling onto the celebratory crowd.<\/p>\n

To keep with the momentum, the band went right into a cover of Black Sabbath\u2019s \u201cN.I.B.\u201d with opener Puddles Pity Party.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah!\u201d the crowd chanted as visuals of Ozzy Osbourne played on the screen. And then, at the end: \u201cPrimus sucks!\u201d<\/p>\n

The band wasn\u2019t done \u2014 there were two encores.<\/p>\n

The first consisted of \u201cDuchess and the Proverbial Mind Speed,\u201d which included a Hoffman drum solo; a cover of Oysterhead\u2019s \u201cShadow of a Man;\u201d \u201cJilly\u2019s on Smack\u201d (which had Claypool playing a stand-up bass with a bow) and thumping fan favorite \u201cWynona\u2019s Big Brown Beaver.\u201d<\/p>\n

The second brought a powerful rendition of Dio\u2019s \u201cHoly Diver\u201d with Puddles Pity Party on the vocals. LaLonde played Vivian Campbell\u2019s power chords and Claypool the galloping triplet rhythm of the \u201980s metal tune.<\/p>\n

\"Puddles\"<\/a>Puddles Pity Party performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n

The show ended with \u201cSouthbound Pachyderm,\u201d with LaLonde bringing out a double-necked guitar and Claypool his pachyderm bass. Mosaic light patterns rotated on the theater walls while elephants bounced and spun on the video screen. His bass lines seemed to mimic the sounds of an elephant herd moving. The environmentally conscious theme blended with the funk and metal progressive elements of the song.<\/p>\n

Puddles Pity Party, the solo project of musician Mike Geier where he balances his sad, melancholic clown character with deep, operatic singing, opened the show.<\/p>\n

The set included surprisingly powerful covers like The Who\u2019s \u201cPinball Wizard,\u201d The Pixies\u2019 \u201cWhere\u2019s My Mind\u201d and Tom Waits\u2019 \u201cCome on Up to the House,\u201d as well as a few\u00a0parodies. \u201cLet\u2019s Give \u2018Em Pumpkin to Talk About\u201d was a take on a Bonnie Raitt tune, while \u201cStairway to Gilligan\u2019s Island\u201d blended the theme with the classic TV show set to the\u00a0Led Zeppelin song.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Primus,<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPrimus performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Primus,<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPrimus performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Primus,<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPrimus performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Primus,<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPrimus performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Primus,<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPrimus performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Primus,<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPrimus performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Primus,<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPrimus performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Primus,<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPrimus performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Primus,<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPrimus performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Primus,<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPrimus performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Primus,<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPrimus performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Puddles<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPuddles Pity Party performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Puddles\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPuddles Pity Party performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Puddles\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPuddles Pity Party performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n

About The Author<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Glenn Gumin<\/a><\/p>\n

Glenn Gumin spends his days on a college campus as a higher education administrator involved in academic affairs and student & financial services. After many years of piano lessons, he\u2019s now attempting to learn to play the guitar and ukulele to prepare for island life in retirement. He\u2019s a live music enthusiast who loves to reminisce about shows he attended as a Bay Area teenager and a Midwest college student. He\u2019s also a big supporter of college radio.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Glenn Gumin spends his days on a college campus as a higher education administrator involved in academic affairs and student & financial services. After many years of piano lessons, he’s now attempting to learn to play the guitar and ukulele to prepare for island life in retirement. He’s a live music enthusiast who loves to reminisce about shows he attended as a Bay Area teenager and a Midwest college student. He’s also a big supporter of college radio.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Jerome Parmer is a freelance photographer who likes being in the mix, whether from
the pit at local shows to a protest in the streets. An Oakland resident for many years
with a love for exploring the world, he finds that photography encourages more active
engagement with others. You might also find him out on a tennis court, on the road or
walking his dog Roxie the Wunderpup.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Primus performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on Dec. 31, 2025. Jerome Parmer\/STAFF. OAKLAND \u2014 The Bay Area\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":116516,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[62043,143,145,144,62002,62018],"class_list":{"0":"post-116515","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-oakland","8":"tag-les-claypool","9":"tag-oakland","10":"tag-oakland-headlines","11":"tag-oakland-news","12":"tag-primus","13":"tag-puddles-pity-party"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116515","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=116515"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116515\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/116516"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116515"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=116515"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=116515"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}