Sailing the Seas of Cheese is the second studio album by Primus, released on May 14, 1991. It spawned three singles: Jerry Was a Race Car Driver, Tommy the Cat, and Those Damned Blue Collar Tweekers. The album has been described as funk metal. Similar to its predecessor Frizzle Fry, founding guitarist Todd Huth received writing credits; on the songs Tommy The Cat and Sgt. Baker.
The album’s lead single Jerry Was a Race Car Driver is known for its intricate bassline that Les Claypool played on a six string bass using the tapping technique. The single Tommy The Cat is also characterised by its highly complex bassline that mixes strumming and slapping; there is not a clear consensus on exactly what notes are being played, and as a result, numerous different interpretations exist on the Internet.
The song features spoken word by Tom Waits providing the voice of the titular character; in live performances Claypool does these parts himself. Another examples of the album’s musical complexity is the song Eleven, which is named after its unusual time signature of 11/8. The song and album title Seas of Cheese would later be referenced in the song DMV on their next album Pork Soda, as well as the song Dirty Drowning Man on 1999’s Antipop. Sailing the Seas of Cheese reached Gold status in March 1993. It was certified platinum in December 2001
Tracklist:
- Seas of Cheese
- Here Come the Bastards
- Sgt. Baker
- American Life
- Jerry Was a Race Car Driver
- Eleven
- Is It Luck?
- Grandad’s Little Ditty
- Tommy the Cat
- Sathington Waltz
- Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers
- Fish On (Fisherman Chronicles, Chapter II)
- Los Bastardos
Primus
Les Claypool: vocals, electric bass, string bass, six-string fretless bass, clarinet
Larry LaLonde: electric guitar, six-string banjo
Tim “Herb” Alexander: drums, percussion, water jug
Jay Lane – drums (on tracks 13, 14 & 15)
Production
Chris Bellman: mastering
Mike Bordin: two-skinned foreskin drum
Adam Gates: additional fisherman
Lance Link: additional fisherman
Primus: producer
Ron Rigler: engineering
Trouz: whistle
Tom Whalley: A&R director
Tom Waits: voice of Tommy the Cat
Matt Winegar: accordion, guitar
Visual Art
Paul Haggard: jacket design, photography
Mark Kohr: cheese coordinator, scenery
Michael Lavine: band photo
Mitch Romanowski: ship (sculpture)
Snap: airbrushing
Bastardos
Drums: Brain Mantia, Mike Bordin, Herb
Guitars: MIRV Haggard, Todd Huth, Derek Greenberg, Matt Winegar, Ler
Bass: Butthouse, Adam Gates, Les
Vocals: Adam Gates, Puffster, Herb, Ler, Les
