Primus brought in Tool singer Maynard James Keenan and his side project Puscifer for a new single, “Little Lord Fentanyl”. The standalone track marks Primus’ first studio release with new drummer John Hoffman, who recently beat out over 6,100 other applicants to join the band.
“Little Lord Fentanyl” creeps in with Les Claypool‘s distinct bassline, before Shreveport, LA-native Hoffman locks into the kind of funk pocket that landed him the gig. The eerie, sing-song lyrics carry the distinctive mark of Primus’ later years, following the lukewarmly received Keenan co-written “Pablo’s Hippos” from the 2024 Sessanta E.P.P.P. and the 2022 Conspiranoid EP. While Claypool’s slap-bass and Hoffman’s funk pocket carry the song and give it some potential, the forced eccentricity once again comes off as contemporary Primus trying to capture the authentic strangeness of the band’s early days.
The new single with Maynard arrives as Primus, Puscifer, and Keenan’s other band, A Perfect Circle, are out on the Sessanta Tour 2.0. Initially launched last year as a nationwide 60th birthday celebration for Keenan, the trio of bands decided to run it back for 2025. Each band receives equal stage time in the collaborative-heavy performances, with band members cycling in and out during each act’s set. After the Sessanta Tour, Primus will head out on the headlining Onward & Upward Tour, the band’s first headlining trek with Hoffman, featuring support from Ty Segall and MonoNeon.
“This fiery, cheerful, octopus-like drummer from Shreveport, LA has breathed a very potent breath of freshness into this band we all call Primus,” Claypool said in a recent statement. “Come see why this amazing fellow was able to rise above over 6,100 applicants to win the Interstellar Drum Derby and become the latest, and possibly the greatest, drummer to sit on the Primus drum throne.”
Related: Watch Billy Strings Audition To Be Primus’ New Drummer
Listen to the new Primus single “Little Lord Fentanyl” with Maynard James Keenan. You can also watch the live debut from April 24th in Thousand Palms, CA. Scroll down for a full list of tour dates and find tickets here.
Primus, Puscifer — “Little Lord Fentanyl”
Primus — “Little Lord Fentanyl” — Thousand Palms, CA — 4/24/25
[Video: Zeelzabub]