The second instalment of Primus‘ ‘Interstellar Drum Derby‘ was shared online today, February 27th. That web series documents the band’s various rounds of in-person auditions to find their new drummer. After receiving over 6100 submissions online for the chance to replace Tim “Herb” Alexander in the group, the multi-platinum alternative metal band narrowed the search down to roughly nine candidates.
The subsequent in-person audition process took place this past January and was filmed for this new series. As you can see in the series, several friends of Primus were also mingling around the auditions, including members of Tool, The Police and more.
While John Hoffman ultimately landed the gig, Thomas Pridgen of Fever 333, ex-The Mars Volta, Suicidal Tendencies, etc. fame also tried out. An esteemed drummer in his own right, you can see how his time behind the kit went below.
Outside of Hoffman and Pridgen, the following musicians also made it to the final round of auditions:
Rory Dolan (lespecial)
Mike Stone
Stan Bicknell
Sam Groverman (Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio)
Nikki Glaspie (The Nth Power, Snarky Puppy, etc.)
Gergo Borlai
Thomas Lang (stOrk, etc.)
Primus‘ live plans run as follows:
03/08 Punta Cana, DOM – Tool Live In The Sand (feat. Danny Carey on drums)
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
