Popular rock band's drummer abruptly quits: 'Lost his passion for playing'
(KTLA) — One of hard rock’s longest-running acts is suddenly looking for a new drummer.
Primus announced on Tuesday that Tim “Herb” Alexander quit the band, “effective immediately,” via email to bandmates Les Claypool and Larry LaLonde.
“It came as a complete shock to all of us here in the Primus camp,” the band said in a social media post.
Claypool and LaLonde formed Primus in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1984. Alexander joined the band in 1989, and his precision and technical chops helped define the band's sound.
Primus amassed a solid underground following until 1991 when “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” hit the charts and introduced the band to a broad crossover audience of heavy metal, punk rock, and alt-rock fans.
Other Primus hits include “My Name is Mud,” “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver” and the original theme song for the TV show “South Park.”
“After several attempts to communicate with Herb, his only response was another email stating that he has “lost his passion for playing,” the social media post explains. “As disappointing as that is, we respect his choice and it’s forced us to make some tough decisions.”
Primus just wrapped up a tour over the spring and summer, though the band has a concert scheduled for Dec. 31 at the historic Fox Theater in Oakland.
The band says the concert is still on, despite Alexander’s abrupt departure.
“We considered cancelling the annual New Year’s show, but after much talk Les and Ler have decided to pivot to an augmented version of Primus featuring members of Holy Mackerel and Frog Brigade. This will be an exciting special, one-time event,” the band said.
As for future Primus tours, the band said it is now searching for the “greatest drummer on earth.”