PRIMUS 'Here Come the Bastards' EXPLAINED | Song Meaning & Hidden Themes

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Song Context & Album Placement

• “Here Come the Bastards” appears as the second track on Primus’s 1991 major-label debut Sailing the Seas of Cheese, serving as a tight, punchy opener that sets the tone for the album’s blend of odd funk-metal and kinetic energy. It also bookends the album with its reprise, “Los Bastardos”, creating a thematic loop.

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Musical Structure & Style

• The track launches with a simple, ascending bass riff laid down by Les Claypool, before descending into a darker octave as guitarist Larry LaLonde and drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander kick in.

• Its mid‑tempo, rolling march-like groove provides a compact but compelling vehicle for the band’s off-kilter precision and muscular interplay.

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Themes & Possible Meanings

• While interpretations vary, one thoughtful fan breakdown describes the song as a critique of cyclic oppression in working-class life—"the bastards" embody forces or systems that always seem to roll in and disrupt any stability or achievement.

• The abrupt ending—no fade-out, just silence—feels deliberately jarring, leaving “Here Come the Bastards” feeling like an unresolved warning. It’s a stylistic choice that amplifies the sense of being ambushed rather than brought to a tidy conclusion.

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Fan Reception & Live Energy

• Though some fans call the song choppy in its studio form, it’s widely celebrated in live performances for its percussive tension and extended jams, which amplify its tension and groove.

• Its repetitive refrain—“Here they come / Here they come”—is simple but emphatic, reinforcing the sense of an unstoppable force marching in.

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Why It’s Worth Watching

• You’ll gain insight into how Primus weaves minimalism, timing, and tension into an impactful opener that’s more than just noise—it sets thematic stakes for the album as a whole.

• The video likely highlights how a deceptively simple riff can carry deeper social commentary—about cycles of disruption, power, or even invasion—without relying on dense lyrics.

• It preserves the song’s punch and atmosphere so that listening after watching remains a visceral, immediate experience.

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