The traveling Claypool Gold tour came to a close at Napa, CA’s Village Lawn at The Meritage Resort and Spa on July 4. The multi-band event has been on the road throughout the spring and early summer, spotlighting three of Les Claypool’s current projects and offering a forum for collaboration. As the bassist said in a recent interview, the idea first emerged when Primus drummer Tim Alexnader unexpectedly quit in 2024 and Claypool decided to go ahead with a New Year’s Eve run anyway by weaving together a few of his other bands. 

The recent Claypool Gold package featured distinct sets by the relaunched The Flying Frog Brigade, The Claypool Lennon Delirium—the bassist’s vehicle with Sean Lennon—and headliners Primus, with ample room for sit ins allotted in each set. That remained true through the run’s final night, which featured a good chunk of cross-band collaboration as well as a few live debuts.

During The Frog Brigade’s spot, new Primus drummer John Hoffman emerged to help the ensemble through “Riddles Are Abound Tonight,” a song from Claypool’s Sausage project, which began as ’90s a regrouping of Primus’ 1980s members. Then, Primus guitarist Larry LaLonde took the stage to join The Frog Brigade for a version of “David Makalaste” that featured teases of Primus’ own “Southbound Pachyderm.” 

The Delirium also opened up their stage at the end of their show for some sit-ins. Percussionist Mike Dillon, a mainstay of Claypool’s solo bands and a key part of The Brigade, joined in on “Meat Machines” while both Hoffman and LaLonde appeared on a set-closing cover of Pink Floyd’s “Astronomy Domine.” Finally, during Primus’ segment, Dillon and Frog Brigade saxophonist Skerik, another steady Claypool collaborator, took the stage for the Pork Soda tune “The Ol’ Diamondback Sturgeon (Fisherman’s Chronicles, Part 3).”

However, Claypool and his bandmates kept the surprises going through the tour’s final moments. Primus’ encores have been particularly collaborative throughout the traveling caravan and that was once again the case on Saturday. After nodding to the July 4^th holiday by teasing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before their own Sailing the Seas of Cheese tune “American Life,” Primus brought out the members of The Frog Brigade—whose lineup also currently includes Lennon—to help them through The Beat’s ska classic “Mirror in the Bathroom.” The Frog Brigade started covering the song in 2023 and Primus picked it up on the Claypool Gold tour, using it as a platform to welcome guests. The musicians then remained on the stage as Primus closed the tour with their debate take on Carl Stalling’s memorable Merrie Melodies closing theme “That’s All Folks,” a fitting end to the festival-like outing. 

Primus will kick off a European tour 1 at Circolo Magnolia near Milan, Italy on July 31.