Primus in ‘Complete Shock’ After Drummer Abruptly Quits

Primus
is
dealing
with
an
unexpected
change
in
their
lineup.

Tim
“Herb”
Alexander,
the
band’s
longtime
drummer,
has
quit
the
group.
His
departure
brings
an
abrupt
end
to
the
rocker’s
third
run
with
Primus.
Alexander
originally
joined
the
band
in
1989
before
leaving
in
1996.
He
returned
when
the
band
reformed
in
2003,
then
left
again
in
2010.
His
most
recent
tenure
began
in
2013.

In
a
message
shared
via
social
media,
the
band
explained
that
they
received
an
email
from
Alexander
on
Oct.
17,
“expressing
that
effective
immediately
he
would
no
longer
be
involved
with
Primus.”

The
band
went
on
to
admit
that
the
news
“came
as
a
complete
shock,”
noting
that
Primus
is
in
the
midst
of
a
period
of
exciting
activity.

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MORE:

Rock
Stars
Who
Walked
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and
Never
Looked
Back

“On
the
heels
of
a
wonderful
Spring
and
Summer
of
touring
and
some
fabulous
plans
ahead,
it
has
been
a
bit
bewildering
for
us
that
Herb
would
so
abruptly
opt
out,”
the
message
explained.
“After
several
attempts
to
communicate
with
Herb,
his
only
response
was
another
email
stating
that
he
has ‘lost
his
passion
for
playing’.
As
disappointing
as
that
is,
we
respect
his
choice
and
it’s
forced
us
to
make
some
tough
decisions.”

How
Will
Tim
Alexander’s
Exit
Affect
Primus’
Plans?

Primus
only
have
two
shows
left
on
their
2024
calendar,
a
pair
of
performances
on
Dec.
30
and
31
in
Oakland,
California.
Though
the
band
considered
canceling
in
the
wake
of
Alexander’s
exit,
both
concerts
will
continue
as
scheduled
with
“an
augmented
version
of
Primus
featuring
members
of
Holy
Mackerel
and
Frog
Brigade.”

In
2025,
the
band
will
play
as
part
of

Tool’s
Live
in
the
Sand
festival,
where
the
latter
group’s
Danny
Carey
will
fill
in
on
drums.
Carey
has
history
with
Primus,
and
previously

joined
the
band
in
2014
when
Alexander
was
recovering
from
open-heart
surgery.

Looking
ahead
to
their
extended
2025
touring,
Primus
“plans
on
searching
for
the
greatest
drummer
on
earth.”
The
band
is
scheduled
to
hit
the
road
for
a
three
month
North
American
tour
starting
in
April.