"Primus & the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble" is the eighth studio album by the American rock group Primus, released on October 21, 2014. This album re-imagines the soundtrack of the 1971 film "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" and marks the first full-length release featuring drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander since 1995's "Tales from the Punchbowl."
Lead singer and bassist Les Claypool has expressed a long-standing fascination with "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," saying that it captivated him even more than films like "Jaws." He mentioned that prior to his shark obsession, he was deeply engaged with everything related to Wonka.
Initially, Claypool considered creating a cover of The Beatles' "Magical Mystery Tour," but he later abandoned the idea upon discovering that The Flaming Lips were simultaneously working on a cover of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."
Musically, the track "I Want It Now" features guitarist Larry "Ler" Lalonde on lead vocals for the first time. Tim Alexander's drumming on the album is notable for its unconventional kit, which includes rototoms, frying pans, and a HAPI UFO drum, among other unique items. Alexander aimed to capture a variety of sounds, stating that he wanted to create rhythms using a diverse array of percussion instruments.
To promote the album, Primus offered exclusive chocolate "Primus Bars" at their live shows, with flavors inspired by their songs, such as "Mr. Krinkle Bars," "Pork Soda Bars," "Professor Nutbutter Bars," and "Bastard Bars." Claypool humorously remarked that the album and tour were primarily marketing tools for selling candy bars, highlighting the challenges posed by the digital music industry. The last live performance of the album occurred on September 19, 2015, as a Pay-Per-View event on TourGigs.com.
