Having previously announced an open call to search for their new drummer, Primus have warned applicants about scammers.
Earlier this year, the band shared the “complete shock” departure of longtime drummer Tim Alexander, and took to social media to tell fans they were “taking submissions from all points in the universe for the position of Primus drummer/percussionist”, later revealing they might have “found our guy” in Billy Strings.
They included an email address for all submissions, which required a resumé and video of a recent performance, with the band noting that while “flashy chops” were good, they were looking for a drummer who “had the ability to listen, react, and contribute to the musical conversation.”
Today (December 22) marked the last day drummers could submit, and they yet again took to Instagram to warn the 5,000 some hopefuls of potential scammers. Ahead of scheduling auditions for January, they said they had been “plagued” by pranksters throughout the process.
“We unfortunately have been plagued by a handful of pranksters who think it is funny to contact some of the applicants on their own and pretend to be a representative from PRIMUS,” they wrote.
“Although this is obviously the work of some extremely clever individuals whose intellect and sophistication must far exceed any of the general public to the point that none of us are really able to comprehend and appreciate this kind of humor, it is our duty here in the PRIMUS camp to at least give a “heads up” as it were, to those who may be duped by these sad individuals who are obviously struggling with their own insecurities and shriveled genitalia.”
Wrapping up the post, they asked fans to note that any correspondence from the band to would-be drum candidates would come from their management and would have confirmation information within the email.
Following Tim Alexander’s exit from the band, he explained his decision to leave earlier this month: “Over time, I started realizing that it was affecting my physical life, it was affecting my mental life, and it was affecting my family life, and my heart just wasn’t in it.”
“When I discovered that I’m struggling with all these things, I had to sit and think about exactly what am I doing,” he continued. “I don’t think I’ve ever chosen my path in life, I think I’ve just always thought ‘I’m a drummer, I’m just gonna do music,’ and things came to me, accepting whatever happens.”
Primus have since confirmed that their annual New Year’s show will proceed as scheduled in an augmented form and will feature members of Holy Mackerel and Frog Brigade.
For their upcoming festival date with Tool, dubbed Tool In The Sand, in the Dominican Republic, their one-time touring drummer, Danny Carey, will step in. Next year, the band are set to embark on the second leg of Tool’s Maynard James Keenan’s ‘Sessanta’ tour. For those dates, they wrote previously that they will be “searching for the ‘Greatest Drummer on Earth.”
Tool In The Sand, which has been labelled as an “all-inclusive” experience, is scheduled to take place on March 7-9 next year in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic across two resorts; the Hard Rock and Royalton resorts. Alongside Primus, bands like Mastodon, Coheed And Cambria, Eagles Of Death Metal, CKY and King’s X will be heading to the Dominican Republic for the festival.
Tickets are now on sale via the Tool In The Sand website. You can find more information, including the full lineup, here.
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