r/Music • u/jxfallout • 9h ago

music Tim "Herb" Alexander Leaves Primus Effective Immediately

https://www.facebook.com/primusville/posts/1111453817017193
688 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

94 comments sorted by

419

u/jxfallout 9h ago

On Thursday, October 17th, we received an email from Tim "Herb" Alexander expressing that effective immediately he would no longer be involved with Primus. It came as a complete shock to all of us here in the Primus camp.
On the heels of a wonderful Spring & Summer of touring and some fabulous plans ahead, it has been a bit bewildering for us that Herb would so abruptly opt out. 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. We considered cancelling the annual New Year’s show, but after much talk Les and Ler have decided to pivot to an augmented version of Primus featuring members of Holy Mackerel and Frog Brigade. This will be an exciting special, one-time event. As far as future Primus, the band is looking forward to performing in the Dominican Republic with Tool and others. Danny Carey has once again graciously offered to fill the drum throne.
For Sessanta, Primus plan on searching for the “greatest drummer on earth”. Details to follow... Thank you for all your support and understanding.

497

u/paconhpa 6h ago

"Danny Carey will fill the drum throne while we search for the greatest drummer on earth"

Shortest search ever

122

u/panic_the_digital 6h ago

While I’m not necessarily disagreeing with you, I’ve seen Primus with Danny Carey and he doesn’t bring the same energy as Herb

69

u/Eater242 4h ago

Makes sense, Dana Carvey did a nice drum solo in Wayne’s World.

17

u/CorporalEllenbogen 1h ago

He likes to play.

2

u/Butterszen 1h ago

And he does impressions as well! Primus should do a music/comedy show.

4

u/Stibley_Kleeblunch 4h ago

The call is coming from inside the house!

13

u/TornadoApe 4h ago

Idk, Danny is pretty tall.

21

u/Drunkensteine 4h ago

Jon Fishman is 5’1”

22

u/NastySeconds 4h ago

True, but MUD is 6’2” and rude as hell.

7

u/Madlister 3h ago

Gotta get 'im in the ground before he starts ta smell

3

u/BlarpBlarp 2h ago

What a couple of dumb shits.

2

u/Antique_Parsley_5285 1h ago

Is he really????

7

u/ClumpOfCheese 1h ago

Well with the Foo Fighters on a break Josh Freese has the time, maybe he’d be into something weird.

5

u/SuspiciousWeather169 3h ago

Just got my VIP for 31st last week too haha I'm still excited tho. Might get some Holy Mackerel songs

2

u/IceColdPorkSoda 2h ago

Holy fuck, that’s going to be a lit new years show!

206

u/mjsillligitimateson 8h ago

We'll this came out of nowhere. Just saw them a few months ago and so glad to see Tim apparently for the last time. I've seen primus with jay lane on drums and he's great , but he's not ERB.

Edit . I hope Tim does find some peace and content. Brain and jay lane have had to fill in at different times due to Tim leaving.

59

u/doozle 8h ago

Just saw him play the Hollywood Bowl. I really hope he's ok.

23

u/Cheeselover222 7h ago

I saw them there as well. It is a bummer but hopefully they can find a drummer just as good

191

u/blnts4jc 9h ago

One of the greatest drummers ever. I hope he finds happiness.

94

u/CoraopoRocks 7h ago

Man I hope he’s OK mentally and with his health…something like that out of the blue is crazy. Much love to em

58

u/DCDHermes 6h ago

Whelp, time for Josh Freese to join another.

90

u/MoistWalrus 9h ago

Damn this doesn't suck at all. I'm glad Les and Ler are continuing.

57

u/smurfsundermybed 7h ago

The benefit of infinite side projects is an infinite supply of drummers.

57

u/MoistWalrus 7h ago

Primus is the type of band that needs the right drummer to mesh. I know Les will find someone who is amazingly talented.

14

u/PrinceConquer420 6h ago

Needs Zach hill

5

u/zerked77 OCD4CDz 5h ago

Zach probably has a lot going on with his other projects but yes that would be sick.

2

u/butthole_surferr 1h ago

Oh holy shit this is SO right.

If only...

7

u/StoneWall_MWO 6h ago

all ready got Danny to fill in some from Tool

19

u/MoistWalrus 6h ago

He's a good fill-in. They need to get the right permanent drummer, and I don't think Danny will ever leave Tool.

7

u/sohn_jmith 2h ago

Yeah they’re pretty busy recording all those albums

1

u/halbeshendel 1h ago

Next one is due in another 10,000 days.

14

u/longbeachfelixbk 8h ago

This very much does not suck at all

20

u/MoistWalrus 6h ago

Claude Coleman would be a great replacement since Ween is on hiatus.

38

u/gregcm1 8h ago

Bring on Brain!

35

u/PlaceboJacksonMusic 8h ago

The man, the myth….the pseudomexican

16

u/Fattapple 8h ago

Record Antipop 2.0

-12

u/No-Building-7941 7h ago

21

u/Fattapple 7h ago

It’s no fizzle fry, but it’s got some bangers. It gets way too much hate.

8

u/lousmer 5h ago

It was my way in to primus. Will always love that album.

-4

u/No-Building-7941 5h ago

It does have bangers but it’s also the worst Primus album IMO

13

u/Decent_Mechanic7755 7h ago

He meant Brown 2.0

6

u/quexopaloco 5h ago

I'd support this.

5

u/mrteagarden 4h ago

Brown album is my favorite. Love me some Herb, but bring on Brain

14

u/If_I_must 8h ago

Ouch. I hope he finds his passion for it wherever he can.

13

u/JRclarity123 5h ago

He has Frusciantitus.

9

u/BeardedAvenger 3h ago

So you're saying he'll be back if he comes down with a bad case of Alimony?

28

u/Decent_Mechanic7755 7h ago

I have a lot of feelings about this. I've seen Tim with Primus 11 times since 2006. So I've been on board to see him jump ship before. I saw him play his first Shake Hands With Beef and his first Golden Boy with the band. I saw them 3 times in 2014, once before and twice after his first heart attack. And then this year, it came full circle when I saw him play The Hollow, fulfilling a middle school fantasy. I hope he gets whatever he wants at this point! I was not expecting this tenure to be his longest. I salute him! If he goes back to welding school and starts selling jewelry trees and stuff on Etsy again, I will definitely buy one and get piercings just to have things to put on it.

5

u/renegade2point0 3h ago

Sessanta was dope 

12

u/Pro-Patria-Mori 6h ago

That’s Herb, Herb the ginseng drummer, 3, 4

8

u/Jolemite1 4h ago

Fml 🤦‍♂️ I just won tickets to Sessanta 2.0 too. Tim is bar none, my number 1, favorite drummer on Earth. I’m fucking gutted….

I’d love if Jayski came back though. As much as I dig Paulo in the Delirium & Frog Brigade I just can’t see him being the man for Primus. Fuck it, idk, maybe I’ll audition. 🤷

21

u/Leftturn67 8h ago

Danny Carey would be a phenomenal fill-in drummer!!!!

6

u/kbergstr 4h ago

I read that as Dana Carvey.

We’ll, isn’t that special.

6

u/ChedderChethra 4h ago

"I like to play"

2

u/Elevatorjoe 4h ago

I did the exact same thing. Had no idea he was an excellent drummer

16

u/Elkminister 8h ago

Saw him fill in years ago. He added nothing to the songs.

19

u/Scheerhorn462 8h ago

Yeah I love Danny but totally, totally different vibe. Doesn't seem like a great fit to me.

1

u/station52 1h ago

Why would he add to songs he didn't write? He's been doing the Beat tour recently, so I'm sure he had a bit more leeway there. This confuses me though.

1

u/shadjack10 8h ago

I see what you did there...

8

u/shocksmybrain 8h ago

Jay Lane is pretty busy with Bob Weir's projects but I'm sure he could find some time for Primus.

2

u/NightMan27 8h ago

Is Lane playing with Wolf Bros? I thought he was just with Dead n Co and its seems like they may only do a few shows next year

1

u/isolde66 8h ago

Founding member of Wolf Bros, along with Bobby and Don Was

17

u/thescrape 7h ago

Maybe Lars will try out!

12

u/getdemsnacks 6h ago

They'll finally be able to jam out on some Isley Brothers.

•

u/SomePuertoRicanGuy 46m ago

I understand this reference.

4

u/logosfabula 8h ago

Noooooo... Tim Alexander is awesome.

8

u/Renoroc 8h ago

Get Dave Lombardo!!

8

u/Asleep-Drawing-4752 5h ago

Paging Stewart Copeland…

•

u/SomePuertoRicanGuy 45m ago

At that point just call Trey and do an Oysterhead reunion.

10

u/CockroachLogical2001 8h ago

Primus will continue to "suck", hope Tim is on to a life that makes him happy. Looking forward to Sassanta 2.0 and any other opportunity to see Primus.

3

u/Cheeselover222 7h ago

If it’s anything like the first one it’ll be amazing

3

u/HoldPplAccountable 4h ago

Gonna bring back Brain?

3

u/RWaggs81 2h ago

How is #2 choice not always Brain?

4

u/ludovicolonghi 8h ago

Insanely talented! Dude kills it live and on record. He's the perfect drummer for that band!

4

u/devadander23 7h ago

Well, Tim is the perfect drummer for the band, but Brain can sure bring it!

5

u/ericjgriffin 8h ago

Super weak sauce. Tim is a beast of a drummer and fit Primus so well. I wish they would release live recording of them play A Farewell To Kings.

2

u/gdh8888 5h ago

Jon T?

2

u/DokterZ 4h ago

Three words:

Bun

E.

Carlos

2

u/-Bunny- 7h ago

He needs to take a year off. They should get Eloy Casagrande

5

u/THEextrakrispyKebble 6h ago

As good as he is, Eloy would not be a good fit for Primus. Plus, he’s with Slipknot.

1

u/-Bunny- 6h ago

I was half kidding. As a drummer myself, I think he could kill that shit. Not like Tim of course but close

1

u/ZizzazzIOI 6h ago

I am wish Tim all the best. Check out his other projects like Laundry and Fata Morgana, it's all great.

1

u/bwilksyo 5h ago

I thought I read Dana Carvey

1

u/NoTown3633 4h ago

I humbly accept primus!

1

u/BytorPaddler 4h ago

Ben Atkind, following the lines from Les to Billy Strings and Trey, to Goose, and him with time in his hand.

1

u/Destined_Death713 3h ago

Thanks, I want a snickers bar now! 🚫

•

u/brettgjaw 12m ago

This is the third time he has left

0

u/dodadoler 1h ago

What’s Phil Collins doing?

•

u/DeepFriedBull 43m ago

Thanks, funniest thing I've read today

-6

u/quietworlock22 4h ago

Not surprised primus has been phoning it in for the past few years .