Les Claypool and Robert Trujillo’s bass-slapping face-off is the funkiest thing you’ll see today

Les Claypool and Robert Trujillo
(Image credit: EMG Pickups/Primus)

Primus have shared a short film titled Precious Metals which stars the band’s very own Les Claypool and Metallica’s Robert Trujillo

It was directed by Claypool’s son, Cage with the Spaghetti Western-inspired film receiving its premiere through EMG Pickups at this year’s virtual NAMM Show.

The Californian gold rush tale sees the two bassist squaring off over the shiny stuff – on this occasion EMG’s very own pickups – but before things get too nasty, they dust themselves off, ditch the duel and indulge in a 90-second bass-off which takes funk to a new level.

Les said in a statement: “As a veteran music video director and wannabe filmmaker, it swells my chest with puffy pride to see my son Cage delve into the world of cinematography and excel at it. He blows me away with his skill set, perspective, work ethic and ease of collaboration. That’s my boy!”

Primus are due to head out on the road on their rescheduled Rush-themed Tribute To Kings tour this summer, while Metallica made their first live appearance of 2021 last weekend on a special Super Bowl edition of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.