In a new interview with Louder Than War, Primus bassist Les Claypool talked in-depth about the band’s recent “Primus & The Chocolate Factory” album and tour. Claypool discussed how the idea came about, saying that he’s been inspired by the Willy Wonka story throughout his life, as a child, as a teenager on drugs, and later as an adult showing the film to his children.
“I had experienced the film many times over the years as a kid and I would see it in the theatre and then later on the video when I was older and I would be smoking and ingesting things which was quite a, quote, anatomical experience. Then when my kids come along it was my turn to watch it again from a different perspective. My kids watched it over and over again and I’ve seen it many times now.”
He also mentioned that some of the visuals on the tour infringed upon Warner Bros. property, forcing the band to “pay a licensing fee which runs out in September.” He continued, saying that September “seems like the right time to end things. I’m not sure what we are doing after that whether that’s touring, doing nothing or writing…”
Primus is in the midst of a spring tour, and will embark on tours through Europe and Canada before returning to the US for the All Good Music Festival in July. They’ll then tour the US with Dinosaur Jr., from July 17th through August 3rd. If Claypool’s comments are any indication, they’ll be continuing the Wonka tour through September before switching gears completely.
Check out the band’s US tour dates below, and head to the band’s official website for details.
Primus North American Tour Dates
5/1-2 – New Orleans, LA @ Civic Theatre
5/3 – Shreveport, LA @ Strand Theater
5/5 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Brockton Events Center
5/6 – Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theatre
5/7 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
7/10 – Summit Point, WV @ All Good Festival
7/11-12 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall
7/15 – Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
7/17 – Wallingford, CT @ Oakdale w/ Dinosaur Jr
7/18 – Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre w/ Dinosaur Jr
7/19 – Birmingham, AL @ Sloss Festival
7/20 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte w/ Dinosaur Jr
7/23 – Philadelphia, PA @ Penn’s Landing – Festival
7/24 – Asbury Park, NJ @ The Stone Pony w/ Dinosaur Jr
7/25 – Boston, MA @ Blue Hills Pavilion w/ Dinosaur Jr
7/27 – Portland, ME @ Thompson’s Point w/ Dinosaur Jr
7/28 – Holyoke, MA @ Mountain Park w/ Dinosaur Jr
7/30 – New York, NY @ Pier 97 w/ Dinosaur Jr
7/31 – Cooperstown, NY @ Brewery Ommegang w/ Dinosaur Jr
8/01 – Columbus, OH @ LC Pavilion w/ Dinosaur Jr
8/02 – Sterling Hts, MI @ Freedom Hill Amphitheatre w/ Dinosaur Jr
8/04 – Huber Hts, OH @ Rose Music Center w/ Dinosaur Jr
8/06 – Milwaukee, WI @ Eagle’s Ballroom w/ Dinosaur Jr
8/07 – Papillion, NE @ Sumtur Amphitheater w/ Dinosaur Jr
8/08 – Moorhead, MN @ Bluestem Center for the Arts
9/04 – Flagstaff, AZ @ Pepsi Amphitheater
9/11 – Calgary, AB @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
9/12 – Edmonton, AB @ Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
9/14 – Vancouver, BC @ Malkin Bowl