Fisherman's Chronicles

The Fisherman Chronicles is a three-part story by the band Primus over the course of three albums, "Frizzle Fry" ("John the Fisherman"), "Sailing the Seas of Cheese" ("Fish On"), and "Pork Soda" ("The Ol' Diamondback Sturgeon"). Although the songs all deal with the theme of fishing, the plot of each song seems to be unrelated to the others.

John the Fisherman

"John the Fisherman" tells the tragic tale of a young boy who spends his childhood dreaming of being a fisherman, causing him to become an outcast amongst his peers. When he grows up, he achieves his dream of becoming a fisherman. He sets out one dark May morning to bring his catch back to his small community. However, he doesn't realize that a storm is brewing. Four hours later, he finds himself in a fierce storm which causes his fishing boat to capsize. He calls for help, but his Mayday is not heard.

Fish On

Unlike the first installment in the series, "Fish On" tells of three fishing excursions of Les' own experience. The first verse describes a fishing trip with Larry LaLonde off of Muir Beach. The second verse is about Les fishing with his father and Darrell in San Pablo Bay, ending with his father catching a six-foot long sturgeon. The final verse tells of Les and Primus' original guitarist Todd Huth fishing for sharks and stingrays in Bolinas Lagoon, one of which Les catches.

The Ol' Diamondback Sturgeon

"The Ol' Diamondback Sturgeon" is about a diamondback sturgeon who, while swimming along, encounters a tight bunch of grass shrimp. He circles his meal and then eats it, only to be unpleasantly hooked onto a fishing line. In his panic, the sturgeon swims in every direction trying to escape the trap he's fallen into, however he is unable to free himself.

The song ends in a cyclical manner (repeating the first lyrics).