Multi-platinum alternative metal oddballs Primus have attracted some top tier talent in their search for a new drummer. Faced with another departure from their most tenured drummer in Tim “Herb” Alexander last fall, the group opened up the subsequent auditions for his replacement to the public at large.
Having since sorted through 6200 participants, the duo of vocalist/bassist Les Claypool and guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde whittled that list of hopefuls down to the most suitable candidates. They’ve been highlighting the audition process on social media as of late.
They’ve dubbed that process their ‘Intersteller Drum Derby’ and have been spending time jamming with those who made the shortlist. Thus far, participants have included:
Rory Dolan (lespecial)
Thomas Pridgen (Fever 333, ex-The Mars Volta, etc.)
Mike Stone
Stan Bicknell
Sam Groverman (Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio)
Nikki Glaspie (The Nth Power, Snarky Puppy, etc.)
John Hoffman
Gergo Borlai
Thomas Lang (stOrk, etc.)
Tool, etc. vocalist Maynard James Keenan was present for some of the sessions, providing assistance from the sidelines. The latest day of the process to be shared however seems to have been more of a series of friendly jam sessions, with Tool‘s Danny Carey and Stewart Copeland (ex-The Police, etc.) taking turns behind the kit, as did comedian/actor Bob Odenkirk (‘Better Call Saul‘, ‘Nobody‘) and musician/comedian/actor Fred Armisen.
Carey is of course one of the most accomplished drummers on the planet and will once again be filling in on drums with Primus during their upcoming set at Tool‘s ‘Tool Live In The Sand‘ destination festival. Copeland meanwhile has previously performed alongside Primus vocalist/bassist Les Claypool in Oysterhead.
After Carey sits in with Primus this coming March, the group are expected to head out with their by then decided upon newest member in late April as part of the ‘Sessanta V2.0 Tour‘.
That run will be trial by fire for whoever nabs the position, as they’ll likely not only have to learn how to play Primus songs, but also potentially tracks from A Perfect Circle and Puscifer to accommodate the jam-like nature of that trek, which finds band members swapping out throughout the night.
03/08 Punta Cana, DOM – Tool Live In The Sand
‘Sessanta V2.0 Tour‘ with A Perfect Circle & Puscifer:
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
