The 'South Park' Theme Put Primus' Kids Through College, But They Weren't Allowed To Watch It

The South Park theme song is considered one of the most iconic TV themes in the last 20 years, but Primus had no idea just how big it would be when they were approached about it back in 1997. 

Appearing on this week's episode of The Music Podcast, frontman Les Claypool said the band were convinced to record an intro after watching creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone's The Spirit Of Christmas short film.

"...We just thought it was hilarious," Claypool said.

"So we said, 'OK, we'll do it.'"

The story goes that Parker and Stone reached out to the legendary US band to record the theme because they were such big fans. Now, over two decades on and set to air its 22nd season in 2018, South Park has become one of the biggest TV and animation series in history. 

"I never thought it'd get on television, let alone become an international phenomenon and put my kids through college," Claypool said.

"But it's spectacular when something like that happens because Matt and Trey, they're great guys. They're very good friends and they're genius. Everything they do is just spectacular and genius and it's pushed the parameters and opened doors for a lot of people to do things that just weren't being done back when that first showed up."

Despite the close connection, Claypool admitted there was a time he couldn't even let his children watch the controversial Comedy Central show… that is, until Parker and Stone found out. 

"We had a show in Brooklyn… and so Matt and Trey were there. And there's my kids and my daughter was probably 12, my son was probably 13 at the time," he recalled.

"And they're talking and they said something about Family Guy and either Matt or Trey - I can't remember - says 'So what do you think of South Park?' And my son goes, 'Well, we're not allowed to watch South Park.'

"And [Parker and Stone's] heads... looked dead at me like, 'What the fuck?' 

"And so I had to of course let my son start watching South Park after that."

"One of the most awkward moments of my entire parental career was watching South Park with my 14-year-old son and it was the episode where Kyle's dad (note: It's actually Butters' dad in 2001 episode, 'Butters' Very Own Episode) was sneaking off to the steam baths… so it was a little awkward," he laughed.

Listen to the full podcast below. 

Primus kick off their Australian tour in Sydney tonight; for a look at all of the dates, click on theGuide or scroll down.