Primus blindsided as drummer Tim ‘Herb’ Alexander abruptly quits band via email

American rock band Primus were left in “complete shock” when their longtime drummer abruptly quit the band via email.

The band revealed the news on Facebook in a statement today, sharing that Tim ‘Herb’ Alexander sent an email earlier this month revealing his plans to leave the group “effective immediately”.

“On Thursday, October 17th, we received an email from Tim ‘Herb’ Alexander expressing that effective immediately he would no longer be involved with Primus,” the statement began.

“It came as a complete shock to all of us here in the Primus camp.”

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The band has recently been touring their music throughout the United States and say the abrupt departure has been “bewildering”, but after several attempts to communicate with Alexander they have accepted his decision to leave.

“On the heels of the wonderful Spring and Summer of touring and some fabulous plans ahead, it has been a bit bewildering for us that Herb would so abruptly opt out,” the statement continued.

“After several attempts to communicate with Herb, his response was another email stating that he has ‘lost his passion for playing’.

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“As disappointing as that is, we respect his choice and it’s forced us to make some tough decisions”.

This marks the end of the rocker’s third run with Primus.

Alexander first joined the band in 1989 before leaving in 1996. The band then went on to have a hiatus between 2000 and 2003.

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Alexander returned for a second run when the band reformed in 2003 before leaving again in 2010. But by 2013 he was back for his most recent tenure – now 11 years later he’s called it quits again.

Primus, who have two shows left on their 2024 calendar on December 30 and 31 in California, shared that they have had to make some changes to make their upcoming shows possible.

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The band revealed they had initially “considered cancelling the annual New Year’s show” but “decided to pivot to an augmented version of Primus featuring members of (pop band) Holy Mackerel and (musical group) Frog Brigade.”

As for the future of the band, they revealed they still plan to perform their planned shows as a part of Tool’s Live In The Sand Festival in the Dominican Republic with American drummer Danny Carey offering to step into Alexander’s place on the drums.

After that Primus say they are “searching for the ‘greatest drummer on earth’.”

“Thank you for all your support and understanding,” the statement concluded.

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