Synopsis

Primus perform "John the Fisherman" aboard a small fishing boat, surrounded by water, rods, and the practical details of a day on the open sea. Les Claypool leads the excursion with his eccentric bass playing and animated presence, while guitarist Kirk Hammett joins the fishing party. The straightforward boat footage is interrupted by surreal images, including cartoon-like inserts and a bizarre health-spa sequence populated by obese guests. The result is an early example of Primus' offbeat visual style: part fishing trip, part low-budget absurdist sketch.

Factoids & Trivia

• Released in 1990, the video was Primus' first official music video.

• Kirk Hammett appears in the video. The Metallica guitarist was a longtime friend and former schoolmate of Les Claypool.

• The boat used for the shoot was reportedly rented rather than owned by the band.

• The song is the first entry in Primus' "Fisherman's Chronicles," a recurring series that later included "Fish On," "The Ol' Diamondback Sturgeon," and "Last Salmon Man."

• The video was included in Primus' 1992 home video release "Cheesy Home Video," alongside "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" and "Tommy the Cat."

• "John the Fisherman" later appeared in "Guitar Hero II," helping introduce the song to a new audience well after its original release.

• The strange spa footage became part of the video's cult appeal and was notably remembered through its exposure on music-oriented television and comedy programming.