Classic Primus Plots ‘Willy Wonka’ Themed Album, U.S. Tour, Signature Candy Bars

Huge news for Primus fans!

The classic lineup of frontman Les Claypool, guitarist Larry Lalonde and drummer Tim 'Herb' Alexander are set to release the band's eighth studio album, 'Primus and the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble.'

The band has also announced a 2014 U.S. tour with a Nov. 3 Detroit concert and the return of Primus' signature line of candy bars.

'Primus and the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble' is an homage to the 1971 film 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.' The album has been set for an Oct. 21 release and will be the first to feature this Primus lineup since 'Tales From the Punchbowl' was put out in 1995. Alexander rejoined the group last year and the upcoming disc will be the band's first since his return.

"I don't think it was until Jaws came along that I was more obsessed with a film," Claypool tells Rolling Stone, "when I started drawing sharks all over my binders and notebooks. Prior to that it was everything Wonka."

It hasn't even been two weeks since drummer Tim Alexander suffered a heart attack and underwent successful surgery, but the musician isn't letting a medical emergency hinder his 'Wonka' plans. "He was very adamant, before he went under the knife, that we not change anything that has to do with scheduling of Wonka," says Claypool. "So he's all about it."

To coincide with the chocolate themed album, Primus are bringing back their signature candy bars, including Mr. Krinkle (crisped rice), Professor Nutbutter (peanuts) and Bastard Bar (dark chocolate). "The tour and the album are solely a marketing tool just so we can sell candy bars," jokes Claypool. "That's the whole impetus of this entire project. Because the f---ing recording industry rolled over and let this Internet shit all over us. So we had to come up with another income stream, so we're making chocolate bars because you can't digitize a chocolate bar — yet."

To further Claypool's chocolate obsession, Primus' new record will also be released on chocolate-colored vinyl, and sticking to the 'Wonka' theme, golden tickets will be randomly inserted into five LPs. "We need to make sure that kids in the future watch the original 'Willy Wonka' and not the horrendous, horrible remake that came along and left the taste of feces in our mouths," Claypool adds. "There are a lot of very talented people on the planet. And Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are two of those very talented people. But like all human beings, every now and then, we crap in our pants."

Look out for Primus' new album (pre-order here) and check out the group's upcoming 2014 U.S. tour dates below along with Primus' version of the 'Wonka' classic 'Pure Imagination.'

Primus, 'Pure Imagination'

Primus 2014 U.S. Tour
Oct. 22 -- Upper Darby, Pa., Tower Theatre
Oct. 24 -- Albany, N.Y., Palace Theatre
Oct. 25 -- Boston, Orpheum Theatre
Oct. 26 -- Burlington, Vt., Flynn Center for Performing Arts
Oct. 28 -- Waterbury, Conn., Palace Theater
Oct. 29 -- Baltimore, Hippodrome
Oct. 31 -- New York, Beacon Theatre
Nov. 1 -- New Brunswick, N.J., State Theatre
Nov. 2 -- Rochester, N.Y., Main Street Armory
Nov. 3 -- Detroit, The Fillmore Detroit
Nov. 5 -- St. Louis, Peabody Opera House
Nov. 7 -- Cincinnati, Taft Theatre
Nov. 8 -- Atlanta, Tabernacle
Nov. 9 -- Orlando, Hard Rock Live
Nov. 11 -- Miami Beach, Fla., The Fillmore Miami Beach at The Jackie Gleason Theater
Nov. 12 -- Clearwater, Fla., Ruth Eckerd Hall
Nov. 14 -- Biloxi, Miss., Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Nov. 15 -- Austin, Texas, ACL Live at The Moody Theater
Nov. 16 -- Dallas, The Majestic Theatre
Nov. 17 -- San Antonio, Majestic Theatre
Nov. 19 -- Phoenix, Orpheum Theatre Phoenix
Nov. 21 -- Los Angeles, Orpheum Theatre LA