Alternative metal icons Primus have surprised fans with the release of a new four-song EP titled A Handful Of Nuggs, now available on all major streaming platforms. The effort serves as a bridge to the band’s highly anticipated tenth studio album, which is currently slated for a 2027 release. Leading the EP is the brand-new track “The Ol’ Grizz,” offering a first glimpse into the trio’s evolving sound with their newest member.
The EP’s title is a direct nod to a personal passion of frontman and bassist Les Claypool, who has recently taken up gold prospecting. Speaking with Bass Magazine, Les Claypool detailed his adventures in the mountains and how they inspired the theme of the release.
“I bought me a gold mine up in the mountains. It’s an old hydraulic mine, and I’ve been going up there to explore it,” Les Claypool shared. “My friends and my son and I dig holes and look for some nuggets. I’ve already found a handful of them. It’s a good ol’ time, getting dirty and hoping to not step on a rattlesnake or get eaten by a bear.”
Beyond the new original material, A Handful Of Nuggs includes a studio version of the Dio classic “Holy Diver,” featuring a guest appearance by Puddles Pity Party. The collaboration has been a staple of recent live shows, but this marks its first official studio release.
The EP also brings together Primus and Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle, Puscifer) for the track “Little Lord Fent**yl.” This song, along with a live recording of “Duchess And The Proverbial Mind Spread” captured at the TD Pavilion at The Mann in Philadelphia, was previously only available as a limited 7-inch vinyl during the 2025 Sessanta tour.
Les Claypool explained the rollout of the new tracks: “We’re about to release a 12” that has two new singles, then ‘Lord Fent**yl‘ and the live version of ‘Dutchess‘. We recorded a new song, ‘The Ol’ Griz‘, that’s going to be part of the next record, and we also did a cover of Dio’s ‘Holy Diver‘ with Puddles the Clown. We have to do all this touring, so it won’t be ready until next year.”
The upcoming full-length album will be the first to feature drummer John “Hoffer” Hoffman, who joined Primus in 2025. John “Hoffer” Hoffman was selected following an extensive search to replace Tim “Herb” Alexander, who left the band unexpectedly in 2024. Les Claypool reflected on the sudden departure and the lack of communication since the split.
“When Herb left the band, it felt like the rug being pulled out from under us. Nobody expected it,” Les Claypool admitted. “We were all getting along great, we were having a blast, and we were excitedly talking about the future. Then all of a sudden, we were like, what the hell happened? I have no idea what happened; I still haven’t spoken to him at all. I was like, holy s**t, what do we do?”
He continued by explaining the origins of the band’s current tour format: We had a New Year’s show booked, and we asked Herb to come play it — we could send him out with a bang, a farewell show. We could’ve made t-shirts and it would’ve been a whole thing. But he wouldn’t even respond to us. So, I had the idea to get a bunch of my bands together and do Claypool Gold. It was amazing, a wonderful night, and then promoters started hearing about it. Our manager told us that people wanted this. So that’s why we’re doing it this summer.”
Looking forward, Les Claypool is encouraged by the collaborative nature of the new sessions, noting that guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde and John “Hoffer” Hoffman are taking an active role in songwriting.
“I’m really excited because Ler has been bringing in a lot of stuff, which I love. Some of my favorite tunes are the ones that Ler has written. I’ve been pushing Hoffer to bring in ideas, too,” he noted. “For many years, it was mainly me bringing in the songs, but I never want it to just sound like a Claypool thing. When they bring in stuff, I get to interpret their s**t, which is fun for me. There’s a lot of stuff we’re kicking around, and at some point, we’ll get back to it.”
The interview also touched on the rise of Angine de Poitrine, a masked psych-rock duo from Eastern Canada that has recently drawn comparisons to the sound of Primus. Rather than being bothered by the similarities, Les Claypool welcomed the group’s success.
“Primus is an acquired taste. I’ve had 40 people send me Angine de Poitrine because they think it’s some derivative Primus thing,” Claypool said. “I get that and I go, brilliant! The world is finally coming around to s**t that I like.”
Primus will hit the road for the “Claypool Gold” tour beginning next week, featuring a massive triple-bill with The Claypool Lennon Delirium and Fearless Flying Frog Brigade.
“Claypool Gold” 2026 Tour Dates:
- May 20 – Reno Events Center – Reno, NV
- May 22 – Hayden Homes Amphitheater – Bend, OR
- May 23 – Marymoor Live – Redmond, WA
- May 25 – KettleHouse Amphitheater – Bonner, MT
- May 26 – The Lot at the Complex – Salt Lake City, UT
- May 28 – Starlight Amphitheatre – Kansas City, MO
- May 30 – The Factory – St. Louis, MO
- May 31 – Meadow Brook Amphitheatre – Rochester Hills, MI
- June 2 – Jacobs Pavilion – Cleveland, OH
- June 3 – Salt Shed – Chicago, IL
- June 5 – The Caverns Outdoor Amphitheater – Pelham, TN
- June 6 – KEMBA Live! Outdoor – Columbus, OH
- June 9 – Thompson’s Point – Portland, ME
- June 10 – Leader Bank Pavilion – Boston, MA
- June 12 – Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs, NY
- June 13 – Stone Pony Summerstage – Asbury Park, NJ
- June 14 – All Good Now Festival – Columbia, MD
- June 16 – The AMP Ballantyne – Charlotte, NC
- June 17 – Firefly Distillery – North Charleston, SC
- June 19 – St. Augustine Amphitheatre – St. Augustine, FL
- June 20 – Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park – Atlanta, GA
- June 22 – Walmart AMP – Rogers, AR
- June 23 – ACL Live at Moody Theatre – Austin, TX
- June 25 – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory – Irving, TX
- June 27 – Dillon Amphitheater – Dillon, CO
- June 28 – Dillon Amphitheater – Dillon, CO
- June 30 – Arizona Financial Theatre – Phoenix, AZ
- July 1 – Gallagher Square – San Diego, CA
- July 3 – Long Beach Amphitheater – Long Beach, CA
- July 4 – Meritage Resort & Spa – Napa, CA
Primus Summer 2026 Tour Dates:
- 07/31 – Milan, ITA @ Circolo Magnolia
- 08/03 – Ljubljana, SLO @ Krizanke
- 08/06 – Warsaw, POL @ Masovian Voivodeship
- 08/07 – Jaromer, CZE @ Brutal Assault Festival
- 08/08 – Kortrijk, BEL @ Alcatraz Festival
- 08/10 – Frankfurt, GER @ Batschkapp
- 08/11 – Cologne, GER @ Carlswerk Victoria
- 08/13 – Carhaix-Plouguer, FRA @ Motocultor Festival
- 08/15 – Eindhoven, NET @ Dynamo Metalfest
- 08/17 – Manchester, UK @ Manchester Academy
- 08/18 – Glasgow, UK @ Barrowland Ballroom
- 08/19 – London, UK @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
- 08/21 – Bristol, UK @ ArcTanGent Festival
