Primus Auctioning Off Instruments Bought At Guitar Center Used For Sick New World Set

Primus bassist Les Claypool and guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde each performed at the Sick New World Festival in Las Vegas last Saturday (April 27) utilizing brand new Fender instruments purchased at a local Guitar Center earlier that day. The pair made the best of the situation after their gear was delayed in transit due to a snowstorm and are now auctioning off the axes to benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

The slot at Sick New World came in between dates on the Sessanta tour featuring Primus, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle. Coming off two sold-out Sessanta shows at Colorado’s famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre, severe weather impeded the progress of the truck carrying Primus’ equipment to Las Vegas. Claypool and LaLonde knew the show must go on and went to a nearby Guitar Center, where they picked up a matching Fender P-Bass and Stratocaster respectively.

“Ler and I wanted to match up (like ZZ Top!),” noted Claypool in an Instagram post featuring the pair hoisting the instruments they purchased. “The bass turned out to be very nice and played like a dream. Tempted to keep it but want to do something for St. Judes because they are a magical entity.”

Multiple fans asked Claypool in the comments why he chose the P-Bass instead of a Jazz Bass. “Yes, I normally would play a Jazz but the only matching Jazz they had that day had a cracked neck,” the bassist explained.

Primus turned in a seven-song set focused solely on classics at Sick New World including “Here Come The Bastards,” “Pudding Time,” “John The Fisherman” and “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver.” Les Claypool kept the tag on the headstock of his bass throughout the performance. The bassist teased the Grateful Dead’s “Terrapin Station” after “American Life” according to a note on Setlist.FM.

Larry LaLonde and Less Claypool each signed their instruments for the St. Jude’s auction. The auction is open through Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m. ET. Follow this link to bid or for more information.

Watch audience-captured video of the one-of-a-kind Primus set below:

Primus, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle end Sessanta on Saturday in New York City. Claypool, LaLonde and drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander then mix headlining dates, festival appearances and co-bills with Coheed & Cambria over the next four months. Scroll below for a full list of Primus tour dates.