Setlist + Video – Primus Play First Show With New Drummer

Yesterday (March 8), veteran funk metal/experimental rock band Primus played the second evening of Tool’s inaugural (three-day) Live in the Sand festival. In addition to it being the group’s first show of 2025, it also marked the live debut of their new drummer, John Hoffman, who officially replaced Tim “Herb” Alexander earlier this year.Tool’s Live in the Sand festival is taking place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Although it features several other huge acts (Coheed and Cambria, Mastodon, Eagles of Death Metal etc.), Primus’ set last night will surely go down as a highlight of the entire weekend.READ MORE: Primus Guitarist’s Home Destroyed in Los Angeles WildfireWhat Primus PlayedPer setlist.fm, they began with fan favorite “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers.” Somewhat unsurprisingly (given that he filled in for Alexander in 2024 and was there anyway), Tool’s Danny Carey sat behind the drum kit for it. What’s more, he did the same for follow-ups “Too Many Puppies,” “American Life,” “Here Come the Bastards” and encore “My Name is Mud.”That said, the band finally brought out Hoffman after “Here Come the Bastards,” allowing him to prove his chops and connect with fans during “Harold of the Rocks,” “Groundhog’s Day,” “Duchess and the Proverbial Mind Spread” and arguably Primus’ signature song, “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver.”Of course, both Carey and Hoffman put their own spin on their respective tunes, and interestingly, the band almost exclusively represented only their first two studio LPs (1990’s Frizzle Fry and 1991’s Sailing the Seas of Cheese).You can see the full setlist, fan-filmed clips of Primus’ performance and Primus’ upcoming tour dates further down the page. You can also purchase tickets for those shows here.More About Alexander Leaving and Hoffman JoiningAs Loudwire previously reported, Alexander – who’d been with Primus off and on since 1989 – left the group in October of 2024. Specifically, the band said that Alexander sent them an email “expressing that effective immediately, he would no longer be involved with Primus.” Naturally, they were in “shock,” and shortly thereafter, Alexander clarified that he departed Primus because his “body hurts constantly” and he was left “feeling empty” following their recent tours. By February of 2025, Primus had chosen the already experienced Hoffman to be Alexander’s replacement (and their eighth drummer overall).Primus Setlist (March 8, 2025)01. “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers)” (Danny Carey on drums)02. “Too Many Puppies” (Danny Carey on drums)03. “American Life” (Danny Carey on drums)04. “Here Come the Bastards” (Danny Carey on drums)05. “Harold of the Rocks” (John Hoffman on drums)06. “Groundhog’s Day” (John Hoffman on drums)07. “Duchess and the Proverbial Mind Spread” (John Hoffman on drums)08. “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” (John Hoffman on drums)09. “My Name is Mud” (Danny Carey on drums)via setlist.fm Primus, “American Life” (March 8, 2025)Primus, “Here Come the Bastards” (March 8, 2025)Misc. Other Primus Clip (March 8, 2025)Primus 2025 North American Tour DatesApril 24 – Palm Springs, Calif. @ Acrisure ArenaApril 25 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ PH Live at Planet HollywoodApril 27 – Albuquerque, N.M. @ Isleta AmphitheaterApril 29 – San Antonio, Texas @ Freeman ColiseumMay 1 – Tulsa, Okla. @ BOK CenterMay 2 – Rogers, Ark. @ Walmart AMPMay 4 – Huntsville, Ala. @ The Orion AmphitheaterMay 6 – Hollywood, Fla. @ Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino HollywoodMay 8 – Tampa, Fla. @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union AmphitheatreMay 10 – Charlotte, N.C. @ PNC Music PavilionMay 11 – Virginia Beach, Va. @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia BeachMay 14 – Manchester, N.H. @ SNHU ArenaMay 15 – Philadelphia, Pa. @ TD Pavilion at The Mann CenterMay 17 – Holmdel, N.J. @ PNC Bank Arts CenterMay 18 – Fairfax, Va. @ EagleBank ArenaMay 20 – Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Petersen Events CenterMay 22 – Toronto, Ontario @ Budweiser StageMay 24 – Indianapolis, Ind. @ Ruoff Music CenterMay 25 – Cleveland, Ohio @ Blossom Music CenterMay 28 – Grand Rapids, Mich. @ Van Andel ArenaMay 29 – St. Louis, Mo. @ Hollywood Casino AmphitheatreMay 31 – Milwaukee, Wis. @ American Family Insurance AmphitheaterJune 1 – St. Paul, Minn. @ Xcel Energy CenterJune 3 – Omaha, Neb. @ Baxter ArenaJune 6 – Portland, Ore. @ RV Inn Style Resorts AmphitheaterJune 7 – Auburn, Wash. @ White River Amphitheatre11 Rock + Metal Bands Who’ve Simultaneously Had Two or More DrummersKeep scrolling to see 11 rock and metal bands who’ve simultaneously used multiple drummers!Gallery Credit: Jordan Blum