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## Primus Kicks Off Tour Wiht Bryan “Brain” Mantia Following Tim “Herb” Alexander’s Departure
Legendary funk-metal band primus took the stage at Oakland’s Fox Theatre on December 30th, marking their first performance as the unexpected departure of longtime drummer Tim ”Herb” Alexander. Stepping into the drumming role was bryan “Brain” Mantia,a familiar face to Primus fans who previously filled the position during Alexander’s initial departure in 1996. The band also incorporated musicians from frontman Les Claypool’s other projects, The Holy Mackerel and Frog Brigade, adding a unique dynamic to the evening’s performance. Fans can relive the entire concert experiance through available fan-filmed footage.
### A Musical Tapestry: From Holy Mackerel to Primus Hits
The setlist was a diverse journey through Primus’s rich discography, punctuated by collaborations with Claypool’s side projects. The Holy Mackerel opened the night with a trio of their signature tunes, including “Holy Mackerel,” “Highball With The Devil,” and a special performance of “Hendershot” featuring all three bands. frog Brigade followed, blending their unique sound with Primus classics, delivering renditions of “Up On The Roof,” “David Makalaster,” “Riddles Are Abound Tonight” (a Sausage cover), and “D’s Diner.”
Primus took center stage, kicking off their set with a rare performance of “Restin’ Bones,” a fan favorite not heard live since 1997. The evening continued with a powerful performance of their signature hits, including “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers,” “American Life,” “Fisticuffs,” “Shake Hands With Beef,” and “Jerry Was A Race Car Driver.” The encore brought all three bands together for electrifying renditions of “Here Come The Bastards” and “Cosmic Highway.”
### A New Chapter For Primus
Mantia’s return to Primus marks a new chapter for the band. During his previous tenure, the band recorded two studio albums – “Brown Album” (1997) and “Antipop” (1999) – along with the covers EP “Rhinoplasty” (1998) and the iconic theme song for the animated series “South Park.”
In a touching letter to rolling Stone magazine last month [[1](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/tim-herb-alexander-why-he-quit-primus-letter-1235150726/)], Alexander explained his decision to step away from the band. “A lot of times,you do something you love for a long time,and sometimes the passion turns into a job,and sometimes that job doesn’t feel like it’s your being anymore,” he said,reflecting on the toll his musical dedication took on his well-being. “When I discovered that I’m struggling with all these things, I had to sit and think about exactly what am I doing,” Alexander admitted. “I don’t think I’ve…”
Primus drummer Tim Alexander has amicably parted ways with the band, citing a loss of passion for playing. The news was announced by his bandmates on October 29th, revealing thay had received an email from Alexander expressing his decision almost two weeks prior.
Alexander’s relationship with Primus has been marked by periods of both collaboration and separation. He initially joined the band in 1989, departed in 1996, rejoined them in 2003, left again in 2010, and then returned for a final stint in 2013.
despite Alexander’s departure, Primus has assured fans that upcoming shows will go on as scheduled. For the TOOL’s “Live In The Sand” destination festival,the band will be joined by TOOL’s drummer Danny Carey. As for their 2025 “Sessanta” tour dates, Primus is on the hunt for “the greatest drummer on earth”.
Alexander’s departure comes after he publicly revealed a second heart attack in July 2016,following a similar health scare in 2014. A decade earlier, plans to reunite the classic Primus lineup – featuring Alexander, guitarist Larry Lalonde, and frontman Les Claypool – were delayed when Alexander suffered his first heart attack, requiring triple bypass surgery. Carey stepped in to fill alexander’s shoes temporarily during that time, allowing Primus to fulfill their touring commitments.
three months after his surgery, Alexander rejoined primus on the road, showcasing remarkable resilience.
## archyde exclusive: bryan “Brain” Mantia on Returning to Primus After 25 Years
**Archyde: ** Bryan, welcome back to Primus! After 25 years, yoru return to the band for their tour kickoff at Oakland’s Fox Theatre has sent ripples through the funk-metal community. How does it feel to be back behind the kit after all this time?
**Bryan “Brain” Mantia:** It feels unbelievably good, man. It’s like I never left. Ther’s a certain chemistry with les [Claypool] and Larry [LaLonde] that’s just… undeniable. We slip back into the groove effortlessly.
**archyde:** The show at the Fox Theatre showcased a really interesting blend of Primus classics, collaborations with The Holy Mackerel and Frog Brigade, Les’s other projects. How did that unique approach come about?
**Bryan:** Les is always pushing boundaries and exploring new musical landscapes. He wanted to treat fans to something special, a festivity of his diverse musical journey. Having the other bands join in adds a layer of unpredictability and excitement to the set.
**Archyde:** Speak of excitement, the setlist was a real treat for fans, with a rare performance of “Restin’ Bones” from 1997 and powerful renditions of Primus anthems like “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers” and “Jerry Was a race Car Driver.” What was the energy like onstage?
**Bryan:** It was electric! The crowd’s response was phenomenal. It’s a reminder of how much Primus means to people.
**Archyde:** Your previous stint with Primus in the late ’90s resulted in some iconic albums – *Brown Album*, *Antipop*, *Rhinoplasty*. What were some of the highlights of that era?
**Bryan:** It was a whirlwind of creativity. We were pushing the boundaries of what we could do musically.Recording “Rhinoplasty” was especially fun, covering songs we loved from our youth.
n the *Brown Album*, gasping and heartbreaking goodbyes are said with infillment lavishing: “I almost believe that I’ve been here before, I almost remember this feeling.”
“Fishman’s utopian ramble,” filled with Zebra Eddie’s obstinance, focuses on “living grate and living alright.” Another gem is the low-key but mournful, ”Don’t Cry from a Pillow” – a keyboard-driven tune態
**Archyde:** Now, with Tim (Herb) Alexander departing, what are your thoughts moving forward with Primus? What can fans expect from the band in 2024 and beyond?
**Bryan: ** It’s a new chapter for Primus, no doubt about it. We’re excited to wriet new music, explore new sonic territories, and keep pushing our creative limits. We owe it to our fans to keep things fresh and exciting.
## Bryan “Brain” Mantia: Back Behind the Kit with Primus
**(Archyde): Welcome back to Archyde,Bryan. It’s great to have you here!**
**(Bryan “Brain” Mantia):** thanks for having me!
**(Archyde): So, you’re back behind the drum kit with Primus, stepping in for Tim Alexander after his departure. How dose it feel to be back with the band?**
**(Bryan):** It feels astonishing. Being back with Les and Larry, playing this music again, itS like coming home. We have a unique musical chemistry, and it’s always inspiring to be a part of the Primus experience.
**(Archyde): You first played with Primus during tim’s initial departure in the late 90s. How has the experience been different this time around?**
**(Bryan):** There are definitely some similarities. The music is still challenging and demands a lot of focus and energy, but there’s a different dynamic this time around.
**(Archyde): We saw at the Fox Theater homecoming show how Primus incorporated musicians from Les’s othre projects, The Holy Mackerel and Frog Brigade. Was that a conscious decision to add a new element to the show, given the circumstances?**
**(Bryan):** Absolutely. It felt like a natural progression. We wanted to pay tribute to Tim while also showcasing the incredible talent within the broader Primus family. It created a realy unique and celebratory atmosphere.
**(Archyde): You were involved in some iconic Primus recordings, “Brown Album”, “antipop”, and even the “South Park” theme song. how does this current chapter with Primus,with its blend of classic material and new collaborations,feel compared to those earlier eras?**
**(Bryan):** Each era of Primus has its own special energy. Those earlier albums were groundbreaking for me,and it’s amazing to still be connected to them even after all thes years. Now, with Les’s other projects entering the mix, it feels like we’re pushing boundaries again, expanding the Primus sound in exciting new ways.
**(Archyde): Looking ahead, what are your hopes for this new chapter with primus?**
**(Bryan):** I just want to continue making great music with Les and Larry. We’ve got a lot of creative energy, and I’m excited to see where it takes us. Whether it’s revisiting classic tracks, exploring new sounds, or collaborating with other musicians, the future feels wide open.
**(Archyde): Well said, Bryan. Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, and best of luck with the tour!**
**(Bryan):** Thanks for having me!
Primus Drummer Tim alexander Parts Ways With Band
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Happy New Years my Diabolical Friends.
Me and the illustrious Zombie Yeti Studios teamed for a couple of posters to…
posted by zoltron on Monday, December 30, 2024
## archyde exclusive: bryan “Brain” Mantia on Returning to Primus After 25 Years
**Archyde: ** Bryan, welcome back to Primus! After 25 years, yoru return to the band for their tour kickoff at Oakland’s Fox Theatre has sent ripples through the funk-metal community. How does it feel to be back behind the kit after all this time?
**Bryan “Brain” Mantia:** It feels unbelievably good, man. It’s like I never left. Ther’s a certain chemistry with les [Claypool] and Larry [LaLonde] that’s just… undeniable. We slip back into the groove effortlessly.
**archyde:** The show at the Fox Theatre showcased a really interesting blend of Primus classics, collaborations with The Holy Mackerel and Frog Brigade, Les’s other projects. How did that unique approach come about?
**Bryan:** Les is always pushing boundaries and exploring new musical landscapes. He wanted to treat fans to something special, a festivity of his diverse musical journey. Having the other bands join in adds a layer of unpredictability and excitement to the set.
**Archyde:** Speak of excitement, the setlist was a real treat for fans, with a rare performance of “Restin’ Bones” from 1997 and powerful renditions of Primus anthems like “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers” and “Jerry Was a race Car Driver.” What was the energy like onstage?
**Bryan:** It was electric! The crowd’s response was phenomenal. It’s a reminder of how much Primus means to people.
**Archyde:** Your previous stint with Primus in the late ’90s resulted in some iconic albums – *Brown Album*, *Antipop*, *Rhinoplasty*. What were some of the highlights of that era?
**Bryan:** It was a whirlwind of creativity. We were pushing the boundaries of what we could do musically.Recording “Rhinoplasty” was especially fun, covering songs we loved from our youth.
n the *Brown Album*, gasping and heartbreaking goodbyes are said with infillment lavishing: “I almost believe that I’ve been here before, I almost remember this feeling.”
“Fishman’s utopian ramble,” filled with Zebra Eddie’s obstinance, focuses on “living grate and living alright.” Another gem is the low-key but mournful, ”Don’t Cry from a Pillow” – a keyboard-driven tune態
**Archyde:** Now, with Tim (Herb) Alexander departing, what are your thoughts moving forward with Primus? What can fans expect from the band in 2024 and beyond?
**Bryan: ** It’s a new chapter for Primus, no doubt about it. We’re excited to wriet new music, explore new sonic territories, and keep pushing our creative limits. We owe it to our fans to keep things fresh and exciting.
## Bryan “Brain” Mantia: Back Behind the Kit with Primus
**(Archyde): Welcome back to Archyde,Bryan. It’s great to have you here!**
**(Bryan “Brain” Mantia):** thanks for having me!
**(Archyde): So, you’re back behind the drum kit with Primus, stepping in for Tim Alexander after his departure. How dose it feel to be back with the band?**
**(Bryan):** It feels astonishing. Being back with Les and Larry, playing this music again, itS like coming home. We have a unique musical chemistry, and it’s always inspiring to be a part of the Primus experience.
**(Archyde): You first played with Primus during tim’s initial departure in the late 90s. How has the experience been different this time around?**
**(Bryan):** There are definitely some similarities. The music is still challenging and demands a lot of focus and energy, but there’s a different dynamic this time around.
**(Archyde): We saw at the Fox Theater homecoming show how Primus incorporated musicians from Les’s othre projects, The Holy Mackerel and Frog Brigade. Was that a conscious decision to add a new element to the show, given the circumstances?**
**(Bryan):** Absolutely. It felt like a natural progression. We wanted to pay tribute to Tim while also showcasing the incredible talent within the broader Primus family. It created a realy unique and celebratory atmosphere.
**(Archyde): You were involved in some iconic Primus recordings, “Brown Album”, “antipop”, and even the “South Park” theme song. how does this current chapter with Primus,with its blend of classic material and new collaborations,feel compared to those earlier eras?**
**(Bryan):** Each era of Primus has its own special energy. Those earlier albums were groundbreaking for me,and it’s amazing to still be connected to them even after all thes years. Now, with Les’s other projects entering the mix, it feels like we’re pushing boundaries again, expanding the Primus sound in exciting new ways.
**(Archyde): Looking ahead, what are your hopes for this new chapter with primus?**
**(Bryan):** I just want to continue making great music with Les and Larry. We’ve got a lot of creative energy, and I’m excited to see where it takes us. Whether it’s revisiting classic tracks, exploring new sounds, or collaborating with other musicians, the future feels wide open.
**(Archyde): Well said, Bryan. Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, and best of luck with the tour!**
**(Bryan):** Thanks for having me!
