Upon the unplanned departure of their most tenured drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander last fall, multi-platinum alternative metal weirdos Primus were left scrambling to find a replacement. An immediate live show saw a past bandmate of theirs in Bryan “Brain” Mantia getting back behind the kit.
However, that arrangement was temporary, as the group had already launched an open audition for the coveted position. Over 6200 applicants took their shot at the role, with the hopefuls being whittled down to the following pool of talent:
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.)
Gergo Borlai
Thomas Lang (stOrk, etc.)
John Hoffman
Ultimately, it was Hoffman who was landed the job, having hit the stage with the band for the first time last month. However, the audition process for the aforementioned finalists was documented by the band and turned into an episode web series highlighting each musician’s time in the hot seat, jamming with bassist/vocalist Les Claypool and guitarist Larry LaLonde.
Today’s (April 03rd) episode finds Hoffman‘s fateful audition being highlighted, complete with some guest firepower. With Hoffman secured, Primus have further begun filling out their 2025 touring schedule, with the following shows booked.
‘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
05/1 Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
05/2 Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
05/4 Huntsville, AL – The Orion Amphitheater
05/6 Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
05/8 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
With Ty Segall:
07/05 Paso Robles, CA – Vina Robles Amphitheatre
07/07 Salt Lake City, UT – Sandy Amphitheater
07/08 Jackson, WY – Snow King Mountain
07/09 Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
07/11 Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed
07/12 Kansas City, MO – Grinders KC
07/13 Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle
07/15 Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater
07/16 Detroit, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
07/18 Lafayette, NY – Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards
07/19 Essex Junction, VT – Midway Lawn At Champlain Valley Expo
07/21 New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17
With MonoNeon:
07/22 Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
07/23 Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
07/25 Atlanta, GA – Synovus Bank Amphitheater At Chastain Park
07/26 Wilmington, NC – Live Oak Bank Pavilion
07/28 New Orleans, LA – Saenger Theater
07/29 Shreveport, LA – Shreveport Municipal Auditorium
07/30 Dallas, TX – The Bomb Factory
08/01 Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
08/02 San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
Primus:
08/03 Santa Cruz, CA – Quarry Amphitheater
08/06 Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre (feat. Ty Segall)
08/07 Sacramento, CA – Channel 24
08/08 Sacramento, CA – Channel 24
