Seven episodes into Primus’ ongoing Interstellar Drum Derby YouTube series, we finally get to see the audition that sealed current drummer John Hoffman’s place in the funk-rock eccentrics’ current line-up. Better yet, we also see TOOL frontman Maynard James Keenan play towel boy for the day during the jam sesh.
As previously reported, Hoffman beat out more than 6,100 applicants to become Primus’ drummer, following longtime skinsman Tim “Herb” Alexander’s departure from the group last fall. When we’re first introduced to Hoffman in the episode, the Shreveport, Louisiana-based percussionist details his joy at having seen an email response from Primus bassist-vocalist Les Claypool in his inbox, which invited him to come jam. It’s a moment that he says teared up him up plenty.
As the band get to know Hoffman, they grill him on how best to perform a sick fill in “Southbound Pachyderm,” which he beatboxes to great effect. Hoffman discusses his “retro-nerd” interests when he’s not behind the kit. Then they hit improv jams, sailed some cheesy seas with a run-through of “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers,” frizzle fried their way through “Groundhog’s Day” and just generally got on super well.
Playing along with Primus worked up a sweat for Hoffman, but thankfully Keenan was in the group’s rehearsal room to pass off a hand towel for the drummer to dab himself off with. Hoffman had previously written on Instagram that between the rehearsal and Keenan’s unexpected cameo, this had “been one of the most incredible days of [his] life.”
You can check out the episode — in which Claypool and guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde describe their new drummer as an intuitive, dynamic player who “got some good shit going” — up above.
As previously reported, the now Hoffman-sporting Primus lineup are set to head out on their “Onward & Upward” headlining tour this summer, though they’ll have to hit a round of “Sessanta 2.0” tour dates alongside Puscifer and A Perfect Circle first.
You’ll find all of Primus’ upcoming dates here.