Multi-platinum alternative metal outfit Primus found themselves in a quandary last fall when their most tenured drummer, Tim “Herb” Alexander surprise announced his latest departure. With shows already booked, the band scrambled to honor their New Year’s Eve live commitments by enlisting their former drummer Bryan “Brain” Mantia.
During that time frame, the Californian band also launched a worldwide search for their next percussionist, with John Hoffman eventually landing the role following a series of in-person auditions this past January.
However, during the initial period of uncertainty, Primus looked to one of Alexander‘s previous fill-ins in Tool‘s Danny Carey for their first show of 2025. That performance took place today, March 08th, as part of Tool‘s first-ever destination festival, ‘Tool Live In The Sand‘, which was held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Not one to steal the spotlight however, Carey, who pulled double duty with Tool‘s headlining set that followed, only handled the opening four tracks of Primus‘ set before later returning for the encore. As such, Hoffman was given his first chance to perform with his new bandmates in a proper live setting, setting up shop for a total of four songs. Here’s how the setlist for that first show with him played out:
“Those Damned Blue Collard Tweekers” (feat. Danny Carey)
“Too Many Puppies” (feat. Danny Carey)
“American Life” (feat. Danny Carey)
“Here Come The Bastards” (feat. Danny Carey)
“Harold Of The Rocks”
“Groundhog’s Day”
“Duchess And The Proverbial Mind Spread”
“Jerry Was A Race Car Driver”
“My Name Is Mud” (feat. Danny Carey)
With Hoffman now officially broken in, Primus will next be out this spring as part of the second ‘Sessanta‘ tour. That run will once again find the Californian oddballs out celebrating Maynard James Keenan turning 60 last year. Two of Keenan‘s musical outlets, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer, will once again join them on that trek, with all three band’s swapping members in and out throughout the night at each stop. See below for the dates:
04/24 Palm Springs, CA – Acrisure Arena
04/25 Las Vegas, NV – PH Live at Planet Hollywood
04/27 Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
04/29 San Antonio, TX – Freeman Coliseum
05/01 Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
05/02 Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
05/04 Huntsville, AL – The Orion Amphitheater
05/06 Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
05/08 Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
05/10 Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
05/11 Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
05/14 Manchester, NH – SNHU Arena
05/15 Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at The Mann Center
05/17 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
05/18 Fairfax, VA – EagleBank Arena
05/20 Pittsburgh, PA – Petersen Events Center
05/22 Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
05/24 Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center
05/25 Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center
05/28 Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
05/29 St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
05/31 Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater
06/01 St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
06/03 Omaha, NE – Baxter Arena
06/06 Portland, OR – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
06/07 Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre
