Following Tim “Herb” Alexander's recent and unexpected departure from Primus, the band continues in their quest to find a new drummer. Lucky for them, they just received a highly impressive video audition from bluegrass darling Billy Strings.
The clip was posted to Instagram by Primus' Les Claypool on Friday (Dec. 6) with the caption, "We may have found our guy…" As commenters have pointed out, Billy Strings has pivoted to Billy Sticks. It is a rather quick audition, but undeniably impassioned nonetheless, and rather creative. It ends with him fervently banging the drumsticks together. Watch for yourself below.
Primus have also offered some guidance on audition videos:
Hello again — All you potential percussionists out there. We have been swimming in these PRIMUS drummer submissions and it is very encouraging.
One thing we have found in this ever-evolving process is that those who submit and post on YouTube get a much better “look” as it were. Some have chosen other formats to submit and it is often a bit more challenging to view them, sometimes impossible. Also, we have found that folks around the world have become very engaged in this process and it has been exciting to see community and commentary building within the YouTube space. That being said, please submit (or resubmit if compelled) and post video to YouTube using #primusdrumaudition. That way you can rest assured your performance gets viewed and also potentially rated by the PRIMUS world community.
Once we begin to narrow things down, we will be posting our progress along with audition performances with the band, and special celebrity drum review committee discussions on the PRIMUS YouTube channel.
Lastly, a bit of advice for those submitting: Often players are sending in recordings playing along with PRIMUS songs, which is great, but try to include something else that also reflects your creativity and personality as a player.
PRIMUS is a band that is hard to define but the focus is ALWAYS on rhythm, groove, and unique tactile moods. Smashy cymbals and fast metal riffs don’t impress as much as dynamics, finesse, originality, and POCKET. Be musical, not athletic.
During our recording career, the drum throne has been held by three amazing players with three very different approaches. Avoid focusing on just one. We aren’t looking for a clone.
Auditions will be starting in January, so keep an eye out and good luck to all who choose to partake in this amazing bit of musical mischief.
Thanks for your time and enthusiasm.
