Concert Review
Primus
Gratwick Park
North Tonawanda, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Gratwick Park came alive Sunday evening as the Niagara River Rocks Concert Series kicked off their first of three shows this summer to the delight of many. Last year was the inaugural season which produced the Buckcherry/Fuel show. Primus was the featured act on Sunday as they ushered in the 2013 season with a huge turnout to share the wonderful atmosphere.
Primus the three piece band that hails from San Francisco, California has been around a long time. They released their debut album in 1990 and with their most recent release 2011s Green Naugahyde brings their studio album total to seven.
The lineup these days include bassist/vocalist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry LaLonde and drummer Jay Lane who was in the band for a very brief time and returned in 2010. Claypool regarded as one of the best bass players demonstrated why several times throughout the bands set. The bands music is hard to describe as there are so many elements that it is derived from.
The band played several tracks off Green Naugahyde as well as some of their best known songs such as “Jerry Was A Race Car Driver”, My Name Is Mud” and “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver”. Claypool stopped to talk to the crowd a few times with his whacky charm. The performance left Primus fans on a high as it is not so often they play these parts.
Opening the show was the Mike Dillon Band who put on an energetic set. Dillon a percussionist, once played in Les Claypool’s Fancy Band. The band also features Carly Myers (trombone, moog taurus pedals, xylophone, vocals), Cliff Hines on guitar, bass and keys and Adam Gertner on drums. The band is quite unique as Myers and Dillon really push the limits as their energy really livens the show.
A great kickoff to the Niagara River Rocks series with two more shows. The Tea Party will be on stage July 14 in a show you will not miss. Pittsburgh’s Rusted Root will close out the series on August 25 with Hypnotic Clambake.
For more on the series check out www.niagarariverrocks.com
Set List
Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers
Duchess and the Proverbial Mind Spread
Last Salmon Man
Southbound Pachyderm
Over the Falls
Lee Van Cleef
John the Fisherman
Eternal Consumption Engine
Jilly’s on Smack
Drums/Whamola Jam w/ Mike Dillon
Eleven
My Name Is Mud
Jerry Was a Race Car Driver
Over the Electric Grapevine
Moron TV
Harold of the Rocks
Encore
HOINFODAMAN
Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver
