Primus announced on Instagram on Friday (February 7) that they have officially chosen John Hoffman to be their new drummer, following the departure of longtime percussionist Tim “Herb” Alexander four months ago. The search for a replacement began after Alexander resigned due to a “loss of passion for playing,” leaving his bandmates Les Claypool and Larry LaLonde shocked. The band conducted an open call for auditions as they looked for a drummer with groove and musical conversation skills. Hoffman, hailing from Shreveport, Louisiana, recorded his audition preparations on YouTube and impressed the band during his in-person audition, which was also witnessed by Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan. “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity,” Hoffman wrote on Instagram. “I came and did my thing the way I do it. It went as well as I could have hoped. It’s been one of the most incredible days of my life.” (Billboard)
