Watch: Billy Strings Joins Primus on “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver” in Grand Rapids

Photo: Andrew Scott Blackstein [Les], Stevo Rood [Billy]

John Hoffman might have filled Primus’ open seat, but the band still has space for sit-ins. During last night’s appearance in Grand Rapids, Mich., at the Van Andel Arena, the thrash-funk absurdists welcomed friend and musical admirer, Billy Strings, fresh off a stint on Willie Nelson’s traveling Outlaw Tour, to contribute on classic cut “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver.” 

Strings’ appearance with Primus on May 28, 2025, marked his third time joining Les Claypool and company, following their first on-stage exchange in March 2022 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, conjuring takes on “Over the Falls” and “Lee Van Cleef.” 

Just last year, the pair, who are known to tie a fly and cast a hook on their downtime, collaborated during an April 10, 2024, gig when ​​Primus, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle brought their collective Sessanta Tour to Franklin, Tenn.’s FirstBank Amphitheater. During the preliminary team-up to last night’s sit-in, they tested the Tales from the Punch Bowl cut, “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver.” 

Strings and Claypool added another chapter to their growing book of team-ups last night by reprising the aforementioned first single off Primus’ 1995 release. “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver” emerged during last night’s Primus concert with Claypool and Strings adding licks, or as Strings put it in his social media caption following the event, “strokin’ that beav’,” along with fellow guitarist Larry “Ler” Ladonde and backbeat, Hoffman. 

The bluegrass musician, who’s no stranger to a harder lean, offered the vocal lean during the song’s second verse in a near identical fashion to their previous collaborator. A fan-shot video surfaced following last night’s event; a two-minute clip is below. 

Strings seemed to test the venue waters during last night’s gig, as he prepares for his own Van Andel Arena stand this weekend, May 30 and 31. Tickets remain on sale for the first of the two-night stand.