Primus Rocks Oakland With Surprise Lineup Following Alexander’s Departure

Oakland, CA – Primus returned to the stage Monday night at the Fox Theater, marking their first performance since the unexpected departure of longtime percussionist Tim “Herb” Alexander. Stepping in to fill the void was Bryan “Brain” Mantia,a familiar face to primus fans who previously drummed for the band during Alexander’s initial exit in 1996.

the show took on a unique flavor, incorporating musicians from frontman Les Claypool’s other projects, The Holy Mackerel and Frog Brigade.This collaborative spirit resulted in a diverse setlist that spanned primus’s career and showcased the breadth of claypool’s musical vision.

The evening kicked off with a trio of tracks from The Holy Mackerel,featuring Claypool alongside the band’s core members. Frog Brigade then took the reins, delivering a set that included fan favorites like “Up On The Roof” and “D’s Diner,” with guitarist Larry LaLonde joining the fray.Anticipation reached a fever pitch as Primus took the stage, with Mantia firmly behind the drum kit.The band launched into a powerful set that included classics like “Restin’ Bones,” “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers,” and “Jerry Was A Race Car Driver,” electrifying the crowd.The encore saw all three bands unite for a rousing rendition of “Here Come The Bastards” and a fittingly cosmic performance of Frog Brigade’s “Cosmic Highway.”

Mantia’s return to Primus marks a important moment for the band. Together, they recorded two studio albums, “Brown Album” (1997) and “Antipop” (1999), and also the covers EP “Rhinoplasty” (1998) and the iconic theme song for the animated series “south park.”

Alexander’s departure, announced last month, came as a surprise to many fans. In a candid letter to Rolling Stone magazine, he explained his decision, citing the toll his long tenure with the band had taken on his well-being.

“A lot of times, you do something you love for a long time, and sometimes the passion turns into a job, and sometimes that job doesn’t feel good anymore,” Alexander wrote. “It’s time for me to move on and explore other creative avenues.”

Primus Drummer tim “Herb” Alexander Exits Band, citing Loss of Passion

San Francisco, CA – Primus, the iconic alternative metal band known for their eccentric sound and complex compositions, announced the departure of longtime drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander on October 29th. Alexander, a fixture in the band’s lineup since 1989, cited a loss of passion for playing as the reason for his exit.

Alexander’s tenure with Primus has been marked by both creative highs and personal challenges. He initially left the band in 1996 but rejoined in 2003 for their reunion tour. After another departure in 2010, he returned once again in 2013.

In a recent interview, Alexander reflected on his decision, stating, “I’ve always just thought ‘I’m a drummer, I’m just gonna do music,’ and things came to me, accepting whatever happens.”

The news comes as a surprise to many fans, especially given Alexander’s integral role in shaping Primus’s signature sound. His powerful drumming style and intricate rhythms have been a defining element of the band’s music for over three decades.

Primus has assured fans that they will continue to perform,with Tool drummer Danny Carey filling in for Alexander at the upcoming “Live In The Sand” festival. The band is currently searching for a permanent replacement for their 2025 “sessanta” tour dates, stating they are looking for “the greatest drummer on earth.”

Alexander’s departure follows a period of health challenges for the drummer. He suffered a second heart attack in 2016, following a similar scare in 2014.

Despite these setbacks, Alexander’s contributions to Primus remain undeniable. His drumming prowess and unique style have left an indelible mark on the band’s legacy, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt by fans worldwide.

Primus Rocks Oakland with Surprise Lineup Following Alexander’s Departure

Oakland, CA – Primus returned to the stage Monday night at the Fox Theater, marking their first performance since the unexpected departure of longtime percussionist Tim “Herb” Alexander. Stepping in to fill the void was bryan “Brain” Mantia, a familiar face to Primus fans who previously drummed for the band during Alexander’s initial exit in 1996.

The show took on a unique flavor, incorporating musicians from frontman Les Claypool’s other projects, the Holy Mackerel and Frog Brigade. This collaborative spirit resulted in a diverse setlist that spanned Primus’s career and showcased the breadth of Claypool’s musical vision.

A Night of Musical Fusion

the evening kicked off with a trio of tracks from The Holy Mackerel, followed by a selection of Primus classics. the energy in the room was electric as Mantia seamlessly integrated himself into the band’s dynamic, his drumming style complementing Claypool’s signature bass lines perfectly.

the setlist also featured several surprises, including a guest appearance by guitarist Larry LaLonde of possessed, who joined Primus for a blistering rendition of “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver.” The night culminated with an extended jam session that showcased the improvisational prowess of all the musicians involved.

Despite the absence of Alexander, Primus delivered a powerful and memorable performance, proving their ability to adapt and evolve while staying true to their unique sound.The Oakland show served as a testament to the band’s enduring legacy and their unwavering commitment to pushing musical boundaries.

Primus Rocks Red Rocks with Surprise Guests and Genre-Bending Set

Denver, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre erupted with energy last night as Primus delivered a show for the ages, blending their signature funk-metal sound with unexpected collaborations and a setlist that spanned their illustrious career.

The evening kicked off with a surprise performance by Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, a side project featuring the Primus frontman alongside a rotating cast of talented musicians.

“It was incredible to see Les bring together all these different musical worlds,” said longtime primus fan, Sarah Jones. “The energy was insane,and the setlist was a total trip.”

Frog Brigade’s set included fan favorites like “Up On The Roof” and “D’s Diner,” with guitarist Larry lalonde adding his signature psychedelic riffs.

The anticipation built as Primus took the stage, with drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander and guitarist Larry LaLonde seamlessly locking in with Claypool. The band’s newest member, guitarist John “The Mantia” Mantia, fit in perfectly, adding his own unique flavor to the Primus sound.

The setlist was a masterclass in Primus’s diverse catalog, featuring classics like “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” and “My Name is Mudd” alongside deeper cuts and unexpected covers. Claypool’s signature slap-bass style and quirky lyrics were on full display, captivating the audience from start to finish.

The show concluded with a thunderous encore, leaving fans buzzing with excitement about the future of Primus.

Primus Triumphs in Oakland wiht Surprise Lineup Following alexander’s Departure

Oakland, CA – Primus stormed back onto the stage Monday night at the Fox Theater, marking their first performance since the unexpected departure of longtime percussionist Tim “Herb” Alexander. Filling the void was Bryan “Brain” Mantia, a familiar face to Primus fans who previously drummed for the band during Alexander’s initial exit in 1996.

The show was anything but ordinary. Frontman Les Claypool infused the evening with a unique collaborative spirit,incorporating musicians from his other projects,The Holy Mackerel and Frog Brigade. This resulted in a diverse setlist that spanned Primus’s extraordinary career, showcasing the breadth of Claypool’s musical vision.

The night kicked off with a trio of tracks from The Holy Mackerel, featuring Claypool alongside the band’s core members. Then, frog Brigade took the stage, delivering fan favorites like “Up On the Roof” and “D’s Diner,” with guitarist Larry LaLonde joining the fray. Anticipation reached a fever pitch as Primus finally arrived,with Mantia firmly behind the drum kit. They launched into a powerful set that included classics like “Restin’ Bones,” “Those Damned Blue-collar Tweekers,” and “Jerry Was A Race Car Driver,” electrifying the crowd.

For the encore, all three bands united for a rousing rendition of “Here Come The Bastards” and a fittingly cosmic performance of Frog Brigade’s “cosmic Highway.”

Mantia’s return to Primus marks a meaningful moment for the band. Together, they recorded two influential studio albums, “Brown Album” (1997) and “Antipop” (1999), as well as the covers EP “Rhinoplasty” (1998) and the iconic theme song for the animated series “South Park“.

Alexander’s departure, announced last month, came as a surprise to many fans. In a candid letter to Rolling Stone magazine,he explained his decision,citing the toll his long tenure with the band had taken on his well-being:

“A lot of times,you do something you love for a long time,and sometimes the passion turns into a job,and sometimes that job doesn’t feel good anymore,” Alexander wrote. “It’s time for me to move on and explore other creative avenues.”

Despite Alexander’s absence,Primus’ performance in Oakland proved their enduring spirit and musical prowess. With Mantia at the helm, the band delivered a show that celebrated their past while hinting at an exciting future.