Though Primus recently revealed that they’d formally welcomed drummer John Hoffman into their lineup, the alt-funk weirdos went through an extensive audition process before picking up their latest skinsman. Now, they’ve launched a new YouTube series chronicling the other drummers they met along the way.
The first episode of the Primus Interstellar Drum Derby premiered today (February 20th), and it observes the unique audition process that came in the wake of longtime drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander’s surprise departure from the band last fall.
After Primus put out an open call for “a well-mannered, affable individual with original sensibility and aesthetic,” they ended up hearing from more than 6100 prospective percussionists. While the first episode begins with comedian Fred Armisen heading behind the drum kit at Primus’ rehearsal studio in Los Angeles, California, the instalment is actually centered on jams they had with Kent, Connecticut-based drummer Rory Dolan.
Dolan told the doc-makers that he’s been a Primus fan since his early teens, having first come across the band when he heard a copy of Suck on This playing on the overhead speakers at a local record store. He has also played drums in a progressive power trio called Lespecial for more than 20 years, and he’s likewise a drum teacher.
After meeting bassist Les Claypool and guitarist Larry “Ler” Lalonde, Doral locked into a spaciously screwy jam with the musicians. They likewise hit a cover of Yes’ “Roundabout” before slamming into Primus original’s including Sailing the Seas of Cheese’s “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers,” Frizzle Fry’s “Groundhog’s Day” and Green Naugahyde’s “Last Salmon Man.”
Claypool said Dolan was “surprisingly good” and tasteful during his audition, and the bassist liked that he didn’t just smash into his cymbals. Lalonde joked at one point that the guitar playing throughout the jam was “spectacular” before praising the guest drummer.
While we seemingly already know how the series will end—with Hoffman behind the kit—you can check out the first instalment of the Primus Interstellar Drum Derby up above.
Future episodes will feature Hoffman and drummers Thomas Pridgen, Mike Stone, Stan Bicknell, Sam Groveman, Nikki Glaspie, Gergo Borlai, and Thomas Lang. It’s likewise teased that a few special guests will show up—likely including TOOL’s Maynard James Keenan, who had been around when Hoffman did his try-out.