Primus, Mastodon and JJUUJJUU set to rock Bend

Taking inspiration from a wide range of sources has always been what makes Primus one of the most distinctive, innovative bands of the past 30 years.

The trio’s alt/punk/avant-garde/psychedelic/country attack, along with singer/bassist Les Claypool’s surreal, fever-dream lyrics, resulted in some of rock’s unlikeliest hits, including “Tommy the Cat,” “Jerry Was A Race Car Driver,” and “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver.”

The band’s latest album, The Desaturating Seven, marks the return of the definitive Primus line-up—Claypool, guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde, and drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander—for its first album of original music since 1995.

Joining Primus on June 23 in Bend is Mastodon. Since forming back in 2000, Mastodon have certainly made the most of their time. Most recently, their 2014 album Once More ‘Round The Sun bowed in at #6 on the Billboard Top 200, marking their highest chart entry to date and second consecutive Top 10 debut following 2011’s The Hunter.

Casting a shadow over pop culture, they received “Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance” Grammy Award nominations in 2007, 2014 and again in 2015 and won the 2018 Grammy for “Best Metal Performance” for the song “Sultan’s Curse” on their latest album, Emperor of Sand.

Psychedelic rock up-and-comers JJUUJJUU will open for Primus and Mastodon. Founed by Phil Pirrone, a longtime Los Angeles-based musician and festival organizer, JJUUJJUU released its debut album, Zionic Mud, this past April.

Check out this playlist of some of our favorite Primus, Mastodon and JJUUJJUU tracks before Saturday’s show!