PRIMUS made their highly anticipated return to the stage on December 30 at Oakland's Fox Theater, marking their first performance since drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander's recent departure. The band welcomed back Bryan "Brain" Mantia behind the drum kit, who previously played with PRIMUS in the late 1990s.
The Oakland show featured an expanded lineup, incorporating musicians from frontman Les Claypool's other projects - THE HOLY MACKEREL and FROG BRIGADE. The performance was split into three distinct segments, with each group delivering their signature sound.
Opening with THE HOLY MACKEREL material, the show progressed through FROG BRIGADE selections before culminating in a PRIMUS set featuring Mantia. The band revisited classics like "Jerry Was A Race Car Driver" and "Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers," while also performing "Restin' Bones" for the first time since 1997.
Alexander's departure was announced in October 2023, when he informed his bandmates via email that he had "lost his passion for playing." In a recent letter to Rolling Stone magazine, Alexander explained that his long-time passion had evolved into "just a job," prompting his decision to leave.
Looking ahead, PRIMUS plans to continue their scheduled performances. Danny Carey from TOOL will join them for the upcoming "Live In The Sand" festival. For their 2025 "Sessanta" dates, the band is actively seeking what they describe as the "greatest drummer on earth."
Mantia's return marks another chapter in PRIMUS's evolving lineup. During his previous tenure with the band (1996-2000), he recorded several notable releases including "Brown Album," "Antipop," and the "South Park" theme song.