Words & Photos by Anthony Abu-Hanna
A cool, breezy night in Connecticut set the stage for a show that was anything but mellow. Primus rolled into town and delivered a scorching, strange, and stunning performance that turned the evening into a full-on sonic adventure. Bass wizard Les Claypool, guitarist Larry “Ler” Lalonde, and drummer John Hoffman led the crowd on a wild ride through space, time, and their wonderfully weird universe.
The night opened with a special rendition of Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweakers, transformed into a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who had sadly passed away earlier in the day. The band seamlessly blended in riffs from Iron Man and Crazy Train, with Les Claypool handling the iconic guitar parts on his bass. Behind them, visuals of Ozzy looped on the screen. When the notes of Crazy Train kicked in, the crowd erupted in full-blown chaos. It was loud, raw, and heartfelt—a fitting nod to a metal legend.
From there, Primus leaned deep into their eccentricity. Last Salmon Man and Dirty Drowning Man showcased their signature blend of groove and weirdness. Then came a jaw-dropping version of American Life, introduced by Les playing The Star-Spangled Banner. The crowd was fired up, and the momentum was only building.
Fan favorites kept the energy rolling before the band surprised everyone with a tour debut of Pudding Time. The audience, already buzzing, responded with roaring approval.
Les Claypool was clearly having a blast. He strutted and marched around the stage, locking into his basslines with playful intensity and theatrical flair. It was a reminder that a Primus show is never just about the music—it’s about the experience.
The main set wrapped with a powerful trio: Welcome to This World, My Name is Mud, and Jerry Was a Race Car Driver. Each one landed like a knockout punch, met with nonstop cheers.
Then came the encore. Primus returned with a blistering sequence: Too Many Puppies, the snarling Little Lord Fentanyl, and the always-explosive Tommy the Cat. It was a finale that left no one standing still.
Primus didn’t just play a show; they took the crowd somewhere else entirely. Strange, brilliant, and unforgettable, it was a night that turned cool weather into absolute fire.
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TheWaster.com | Bridgeport
7.25.25
