Frizzle Fry

Album: Frizzle Fry (1990)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The title track to Primus' debut studio album, "Frizzle Fry" is a good introduction to the band, as lead singer Les Claypool sings:

    Hello all you boys and girls
    I'd like to take you to the inside world
    It's quite an irregular place to be


    "Irregular" is right. Running 6:04, "Frizzle Fry" sounds like a progressive rock mosh pit on mushrooms. It's one of many Primus songs where Claypool introduces a character, in this case a nihilist of sorts named Frizzle Fry.
  • This was first released in 1989 on a live album called Suck On This that was recorded at a club. One of the earliest Primus songs, they had been playing around San Francisco for a few years and developed a big following before they recorded it.
  • Primus' original guitarist, Todd Huth, left the band in 1989 but earned a writing credit on this track, where he's credited for "guitar melodies." His replacement, Larry LaLonde, is also listed as a writer along with Les Claypool and Primus drummer Tim Alexander.
  • The album cover ties into this song with a sculpture of a head melting in a frying pan. Created by the artist Lance Montoya, it's a play on the "this is your brain on drugs" public service announcements of the '80s.
  • This song was interrupted during a late '90s show when an audience member spit on lead singer Les Claypool from the mosh pit. The humorous clip of Claypool's reaction was widely distributed on the net in the days before YouTube. Said Claypool: "I can't play 'Frizzle Fry' now because I can't remember where the hell we were, which is a shame because I enjoy playing that song. If anybody sees who did that, please sodomize him for me."

Comments: 5

  • Trenton from Oklahoma City, OkI feel this is about how children find out life isnt what it seems.
  • Jello from Sarnia, CanadaI wanna see the video SO BAD! If anyone finds it...email me eddie_van_halen2@hotmail.com
  • Eric from Boston, Mawas the clip of Claypool being spit on just audio or in video too?
  • Daniel from Decatur, AlI think this is about acid.
  • Nick from St. Louis, MoYeah, Les Claypool is amazing.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien Songs

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien SongsSong Writing

The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Glen Ballard

Glen BallardSongwriter Interviews

Glen Ballard talks about co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album, and his work with Dave Matthews, Aerosmith and Annie Lennox.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?