Primus may have found their new guy and he’s a guy you already know. After the veteran band revealed in late October that longtime drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander had unexpectedly departed the group, they put out an open call for a new timekeeper and one of the musicians who threw his sticks into the ring is already a star in his own right.
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The band posted a video earlier this week of “Malfunction Junction” star Billy Strings putting down the guitar and sliding onto the drum stool to give it a shot. Bluegrass ripper Strings pulls off a series of impressive moves displaying his speed and dexterity, something he’d need if he were truly to back up the group known for bass-heavy tracks with unusual time signatures. “Okay, here’s my audition to play for Primus,” says Strings before he shows off his skills, ending with a flourish and a furious smacking of the drum sticks in the air to punctuate the tape.
The band seemed pretty impressed, with Claypool commenting, “We may have found our guy.” The audition process will involve narrowing down the applicants in January, with plans to post their progress and some audition videos along the way.
In a message on Oct. 29, singer/bassist Les Claypool and guitarist Larry LaLonde revealed that Alexander resigned suddenly on Oct. 17 in an email announcing that he was stepping down “effective immediately,” citing a “loss of passion for playing.” Claypool and LaLonde said that news came as a “complete shock” to them.
In their statement seeking “the Greatest Drummer on Earth,” Primus urged fans and fellow musicians to send in their audition videos, a call-out that clearly landed with Strings.
For now, Primus will forge ahead with their New Year’s Eve show in Oakland, CA, which will feature members of Claypool’s side projects, Holy Mackerel and Frog Brigade, with Tool’s Danny Carey joining them for an upcoming Dominican Republic festival date in March.
