Following months of searching and weeks of auditions, Primus has found its new drummer. Bandleader Les Claypool took to Instagram Friday afternoon to reveal that John Hoffman (Dirtfoot) will take over following Tim “Herb” Alexander‘s sudden departure last fall.
Born in Honolulu, HI, Hoffman is a professional drummer living in Shreveport, LA, according to the bio he submitted along with his audition tape. He began drumming at age 2, played his first gig at age 4, and did his first national tour at 17. Hoffman touts himself as “the busiest drummer in Shreveport,” playing over 250 shows a year. For the past ten years he has been the drummer for Shreveport “gypsy punk country grumble boogie” band Dirtfoot.
While Claypool and Primus did not initially offer any explanation for why the band picked Hoffman, his original audition tape likely holds some clues. In addition to drumming classic Primus songs “John the Fisherman”, “Southbound Pachyderm”, “My Name is Mud”, and “Too Many Puppies”, he also filmed himself playing to such oddball audio as the Electric Company‘s “12”, theme songs from South Park (a Primus song), Seinfeld, The Jetsons, and Fish with Abe Vigoda, a song by The Fearless Flyers, and a motormouthed auctioneer.
Related: Watch Billy Strings Audition To Be Primus’ New Drummer
In a message directed to the band, Hoffman said he has been a Primus fan for over 25 years. He recalled, “Some of my favorite memories are playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and hanging out with the homies, playing Goldeneye on N64. Listening to Primus. It was a great time.”
While he naturally included Primus covers, Hoffman closed his audition tape by addressing the fact that Les and Larry “Ler” LaLonde are probably searching for something beyond a drummer who can play their songs flawlessly. “I know what you guys are looking for is something more,” Hoffman concluded, “and I hope I can fit that bill.”
[Update 2/9/24]: In a social media post on Saturday, Les Claypool shared a selfie of him and Hoffman alongside a note that the new Primus drummer had sent to him:
Morning brother! Things are so good. Just tripping out at this reaction. I can’t believe (1) how massively viral this is and (2) how incredibly positive and supportive the fan base is being about you choosing me. I’m overwhelmed. Thousands of comments from complete strangers ” yes, I was rooting for him all along”, “Primus made the right choice”, “I can’t wait to hear Primus with this guy on drums”…so unbelievable, I’m just humbled and shocked….and I cannot friggin wait. Les, I mean it, this is the most incredible thing that has ever happened to me. The only day that compares to this is the day I married my amazing wife.
And the ENTIRE city of Shreveport is losing its mind right now. It’s like I just won the damn Super Bowl😆😆
Someone proposed to the city council that Feb 7th in Shreveport becomes “John Hoffman Day” 😭😭😆😆🤦
This is amazing, and I’m just so unbelievabley excited to be a part of this.
You’re the man, Colonel Claypool🙌😎
Check out the audition tape from Primus’ new drummer John Hoffman below. Primus previously stated that the band will play with Tool’s Danny Carey behind the kit at the Tool Live in the Sand event in the Dominican Republic next month.
John Hoffman – Primus Audition
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[Originally published 2/7/25]