Primus Send in the Clowns and Debut Oysterhead’s “Shadow of a Man” During New Year’s Eve Run

Primus, photo by Andrew Scott Blackstein

New Year’s Eve has long been a highlight of Les Claypool’s live calendar, and to cap an eventful year in Primus’ history, the storied bassist’s tight trio with guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde and drummer John Hoffman delivered two properly chaotic hometown shows. On Dec. 30 and 31, the alt-metal forefathers returned to Oakland, Calif.’s Fox Theatre, just down the coast from their original El Sobrante stomping grounds, and rang in 2026 by sending in the clowns.

On Tuesday, Primus walked out to Danny Elfman’s haunting “Clown Dream” and ripped into “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers” for an instantly enthralling introduction to the run. After “Dirty Drowning Man,” the trio staged a pummelling medley of “Groundhog’s Day” and Claypool’s Oysterhead classic “Polka Dot Rose,” then let more unexpected cuts fly with “Moron TV,” which has seen a new vogue in their Hoffer era, and 2025’s second “Pudding Time.” Frizzle Fry centerpiece “Harold of the Rocks” closed out the first frame.

Primus’ second set featured such gems as “Seas of Cheese,” “Fisticuffs,” “Bob” and a resurrected cover of The Residents’ “Hello Skinny,” originally introduced to their live repertoire back in 1990 and last played in January 2016. Pork Soda standout “Welcome to this World” slipped seamlessly into “My Name is Mud.” After the tense propulsion of “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” wrapped their second set, Primus knocked down an encore of “Over the Falls,” Jerry Reed’s “Amos Moses” and “Here Come the Bastards.”

Primus’ proper New Year’s Eve bash was a sight to behold. Fans were encouraged to attend dressed as clowns of their choosing for a costume contest, and noted sad clown Puddles Pity Party set a far-out tone with his opening performance.

“We’ve reached an era where rational thought is concisely expressed more often by satire than by serious rhetoric,” the band wrote of the theme in their announcement post. “Those who were once just the mirth makers have become the effective philosophers of the day. As we ring in 2026, let’s embrace empathy, optimism, and, for the sake of our sanity, ‘Send in the Clowns.’”

Primus’ last show of 2025 was a towering testament to their legacy, pulling hits from every corner of their catalog alongside some special surprises. The trio got rolling with “The Antipop,” then rattled through other core entries like “Bob’s Party Time Lounge,” “Hamburger Train,” “Last Salmon Man,” “Too Many Puppies” and the recently released “Little Lord Fentanyl.” Following a countdown to midnight, the band set into 2026 with the churning riff of Black Sabbath’s “N.I.B.,” which returned to their setlists after Ozzy Osbourne’s passing. Inflatable clown tube men flailed in the wings and Puddles Pity Party provided commanding lead vocals.

Another highlight of Primus’ year-end celebration came with their live debut of Oysterhead’s The Grand Pecking Order essential “Shadow of a Man,” which set up a searing set-closer of “Jilly’s on Smack” and “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver.” For one last blast, the band offered an encore of Dio’s “Holy Diver,” featuring Puddles Pity Party and last performed in August 2024, and finally “Southbound Pachyderm.”

Primus have yet to unveil any tour dates for 2026. Stay tuned to primusville.com for updates.