There are few bands in the dynamic realm of alternative metal that have been able to maintain such enigmatic charm and musicality as Primus. The new addition of John Hoffman to their ranks is a new beginning in the career of this legendary band. The journey to such a highly sought-after position is one of perseverance, talent, and a dash of musical destiny.
Hoffman was born in Hawaii but was grounded in Shreveport, Louisiana. Growing up in a musical home, his father was a likely determining force in his initial musical preferences. As a teenager, he was a defining force in Shreveport’s musical scene, having been drummer/frontman of the “Bayou Reggae” band Stiff Necked Fools, in addition to a member of the “Gypsy Punk Country Grumble Boogie” collective Dirtfoot, showcasing his musical flexibility.
The path to Primus was nothing short of unorthodox. In October, drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander resigned after many hard years of dedicated drumming, and Primus was challenged to cast a wide net in their quest to find a new drummer. The open auditions saw over 6,200 applications from drummers across the planet willing to take his place. Hoffman’s initial application was a short 50-second video clip of himself drumming “John the Fisherman,” a song that was likely to strike a chord in the hearts of Primus’s musical visionaries.
After a highly competitive process of selection, Hoffman was one of nine finalists to be invited to Los Angeles in January to audition in person. In retrospect, it was a “very, very surreal” experience, said Hoffman, and one he was deeply grateful for. He underscored the emotional process of it all and his expectation of getting to play with Primus.
The official welcome to the group came when Primus’s legendary bassist and lead singer, Les Claypool, welcomed Hoffman to the band in a warm Instagram post that included a photo of his new recruit, captioned “Hoffington!!! Welcome aboard!”
Hoffman’s appointment has been welcomed with open arms by fans and artists alike. The dynamic drum style of his, a union of technicality and emotional release, is set to support and enrich Primus’s unique sound. As the band looks to their next shows, such as their Tool Live in the Sand destination festival in Punta Cana and their Sessanta tour in collaboration with A Perfect Circle and Puscifer, fans anticipate the new vision and energy that Hoffman brings to the live set.
As a backdrop to his career, Hoffman’s path from Shreveport bands to the global stage of Primus is a compelling story of hard work, talent, and the serpentine path of artistic endeavor. His is a reminder that a commitment to one’s craft, coupled with open-mindedness to new possibilities, can take one to remarkable and surprising places.
