Billy Strings Joins Primus At Sessanta Tour Stop In Tennessee

Primus, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle brought their collaborative Sessanta Tour to the Nashville area on Wednesday for a concert at FirstBank Amphitheater in Franklin, Tennessee. Guitarist Billy Strings made a guest appearance at last night’s show in teaming with old pal Les Claypool and Primus on “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver.”

Billy Strings and Les Claypool have a shared passion for fishing and have been working on a new album. Strings previously sat-in with Primus at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium on May 9, 2022, one day after Claypool made a guest appearance at Billy's show at the same venue.

While the Sessanta Tour — which features members of all three bands performing in various configurations — comes in honor of Tool/Puscifer/A Perfect Circle frontman Maynard James Keenan’s 60th birthday (April 17), last night marked Primus drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander’s birthday. Claypool, Alexander and guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde took the stage after A Perfect Circle kicked off the night.

Primus opened their first mini-set with “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers” and then fit “Sgt. Baker” within “Too Many Puppies.” Nashville resident Billy Strings then emerged for the tour’s first “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver.”

Strings added his guitar to the beloved cut off Primus’ 1995 album, Tales From The Punchbowl. Les Claypool urged Strings to take over lead vocal duties and Billy obliged by singing the second verse.

Watch a clip of the collaboration and listen to audio below:

Puscifer played three songs after Primus before the trio returned to stage to perform “Jerry Was A Race Car Driver,” “My Name Is Mud” and “Tommy The Cat.” Maynard James Keenan came out for the latter and helmed the second and third verses dressed as a cat. The three bands continued to trade off songs and collaborations including all three drummers adding to Primus’ “Southbound Pachyderm.”

The final portion of last night’s concert was devoted to the three songs from the recently released Sessanta E.P.P.P. and a loaded stage on Puscifer’s “Grand Canyon.”

Billy Strings kicks off his spring tour on Friday, April 12 in Tampa. The Sessanta Tour continues on Friday at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory near Denver.