Exploring Primus Band Members: Tim Alexander’s Departure from Longtime Drummer Role

The iconic rock band Primus has announced the sudden exit of their longtime drummer, Tim “Herb”Alexander. On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, the band shared through their X account that Herb’s resignation was communicated via an email, effective immediately as of October 17.

Les Claypool and Larry “Ler”LaLonde expressed that they were completely taken aback by this decision. The post elaborated:

“After several attempts to reach Herb, his sole reply was another email indicating that he has ‘lost his passion for playing.’ While this news is disheartening, we respect his decision, and it has compelled us to make some challenging choices.”

Primus originated in El Sobrante, California, in 1984. The band initially featured Les Claypool, Todd Huth, and Jay Lane. However, by 1989, Lane and Huth had departed from the group, making way for Herb and Ler. Renowned for their unique sound, Primus’s music often features eclectic songwriting and unconventional themes.

The Legendary Primus Trio: Les, Ler, and Herb

Les Claypool began his musical journey with Todd Huth under the band name Primate. Initially, they were joined by a LinnDrum machine until Les’s friend Vince “Perm”Parker contributed to the group. After recording their first demo, Parker was replaced by Peter Libby, leading to the rebranding of the band as Primus. This new lineup produced the band’s second demo.

Libby was soon swapped out for Robbie Bean, who later was succeeded by Tim “Curveball”Wright in 1986. Wright played until 1988, when he left, and Jay Lane filled in by recording the demo titled “Sausage”with Les and Todd.

Portrait of Primus' classic lineup - Source: Getty — Portrait of Primus’ classic lineup – Source: Getty

After the demo’s recording, Lane returned to his prior band, Freaky Executives, while soon after, Huth also exited to focus on family duties (he had just become a father). During this transition, Claypool recorded an album titled “The Sane Asylum”with his side project, Blind Illusion, which featured Larry “Ler”LaLonde.

In 1988, Les and Ler departed from Blind Illusion to reform Primus, and in January 1989, they welcomed Tim “Herb”Alexander into the fold, solidifying their famous lineup. This trio would go on to create some of the band’s most celebrated tracks together.

Below is a roster of all the band’s members:

Les Claypool

Les, the founding member, serves as the lead vocalist, bassist, and primary songwriter for Primus. He is widely recognized for his unique playing techniques, which include slapping, tapping, and flamenco-style plucking. Rolling Stone has listed him among the greatest bassists in history. In an interview with The Fretless Bass, Les noted:

“One of the big things I decided to do when I was starting out was to play with three fingers. A lot of guys play with two fingers, so I figured if I played with three, I could be faster.”

According to an All Music profile by Greg Prato, Claypool draws influence from musical icons such as Rush’s Geddy Lee, Chris Squire from Yes, and Paul McCartney. Beyond Primus, Les also engages in various side projects, including The Claypool Lennon Delirium, Oysterhead, and Sausage (named for his earlier demo with Todd and Jay).

Les married Cheney Claypool in 1995, and they share two children, Cage Oliver and Lena Tallulah.

Larry “Ler” LaLonde

LaLonde, who has been with Primus since 1988, initially came on board as the guitarist. Hailing from Oakland, California, he previously played for the heavy metal band Possessed from 1984 to 1987.

In a 2020 interview with Billboard, Les explained that LaLonde was a member of Blind Illusion, which he had been a part of before joining Primus. When Jay Lane had to step away from Primus due to contractual obligations with Freaky Executives, and Todd left to attend to family matters, Les found himself in a bind. He recounted:

“I happened to know Ler from another band that I was kinda moonlighting for and I said, ‘Hey you wanna join the band?’ I didn’t even know how well he could play because he was the second guitarist in a metal band. We were just good buddies, but he came down and learned all of Todd’s parts.”

LaLonde at a concert in Las Vegas - Source: Getty — LaLonde at a concert in Las Vegas – Source: Getty

As noted in a 1991 Rolling Stone article, Ler learned guitar from the legendary Joe Satriani.

Les also shared that LaLonde is an avid fan of Frank Zappa, even forming a tribute band dedicated to Zappa’s works called Caca.

Tim “Herb”Alexander

Tim “Herb”Alexander became the drummer for Primus in January 1989. Prior to joining, he was associated with a ska-oriented band named Major Lingo.

Herb is celebrated for his innovative and polyrhythmic drumming style. In an interview featured in The Fretless Bass (2008), Les praised Herb’s technique, stating:

“(He) is a very precise player. Even when we’re really stretching on something, you can rarely tell that we’re still a band that doesn’t rehearse much. And a huge part of that is because of Tim.”

After departing from Primus in 1996, he returned in 2003 and again in 2010, with another return in 2013. Despite this being his third exit from the band, he retains the title of the longest-serving drummer.

Post his 1996 departure, Herb founded his project, Laundry, which was signed under Claypool’s label, Prawn Song Records. He has collaborated frequently with the experimental bassist Michael Manring and guitarist Alex Skolnick as part of a trio they formed called Attention Deficit.

A Rolling Stone article in July 2016 revealed that Alexander experienced a heart attack in 2014 and subsequently underwent open-heart surgery. He suffered from a second heart attack in 2016.

In an interview with the Drum History Podcast in June 2024, Tim shared that he and his wife established the Stick Academy, offering drum lessons.

Other Significant Members and Drummers Through the Years

Though Herb has held the position of the most enduring drummer, several notable musicians have played drums for Primus throughout their history. Here’s a list of other significant band members:

Todd Huth – guitarist from 1984 to 1988, left to focus on family.
Vince “Perm”Parker – briefly played drums (for less than a year) as a friend of Claypool.
Peter Libby – drummer, had a brief stint.
Robbie Bean – drummer, also played briefly.
Tim “Curveball”Wright – drummer from 1986 to 1988.
Jay Lane – drummer, played briefly in 1988 before returning to Freaky Executives. He rejoined in 2010 after Tim’s second departure.
Bryan “Brain”Mantia – served as drummer from 1996-2000 post-Herb’s exit, and made occasional concert appearances till 2010.

In the announcement made on Tuesday, the band confirmed they will celebrate their annual New Year’s Eve performance in Oakland, California, featuring members from Holy Mackerel and Frog Brigade (another of Claypool’s bands) in a unique, one-time show.

Additionally, Tool’s drummer, Danny Carey, will join Primus for their concert at a festival in the Dominican Republic. They also plan to embark on a search for “the Greatest Drummer on Earth”for Maynard James Keenan’s Sessanta tour in 2025.

Herb has yet to publicly address this significant change.

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