Tim Alexander Says His Latest Exit From Primus Stems From “A Deep Need To Prioritize My Mental And Physical Health”

The latest departure of acclaimed drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander from alternative metal oddballs Primus came not only as a shock to fans, but also the group themselves. As his now once again ex-bandmates in that multi-platinum alternative metal outfit relayed last week, Alexander abruptly told them of his exit via email. It was an unexpected turn of events — though admittedly not unprecedented.

Alexander‘s first run in the eclectic trio came to an end in 1996. Those key years saw the group achieve the height of their commercial success and cement the foundation for the lengthy career that has followed. He would return alongside the band when they came out of a three-year hiatus in 2003, remaining behind the kit until he once again exited in 2010.

Following some more time away, he reunited with the group for his longest stint in their lineup yet, performing and recording with them from 2013 up until last month. While the mid 2010s saw Alexander suffer two heart attacks over the course of a few years, his health wasn’t what saw him opt to once again exit the fold — at least, not entirely as he’s newly revealed.

Instead, as he is said to have relayed to his bandmates, he had “lost his passion for playing.” Since his exit was announced by the band this past Tuesday, October 29th, the 59-year-old musician had remained silent, until now.

Alexander has newly spoken to Rolling Stone on this latest exit, explaining to the publication his reasons for quitting, while also offering an open statement on the matter. Speaking of once again hanging it up, he shared:

“I’m dealing with all the aches and pains, but I’m doing things to strengthen my body and to strengthen my relationships and to strengthen my mind … I’m the happiest I think I’ve ever been. I’m not looking at this like, ‘I can’t function anymore, I got to quit.’ I feel good, I feel strong, but I’ve had to make these changes to get to this point.”

He continued:

“A lot of times, you do something you love for a long time, and sometimes the passion turns into a job, and sometimes that job doesn’t feel like it’s your being anymore.”

He added:

“Over time, I started realizing that it was affecting my physical life, it was affecting my mental life, and it was affecting my family life, and my heart just wasn’t in it. When I discovered that I’m struggling with all these things, I had to sit and think about exactly what am I doing. I don’t think I’ve ever chosen my path in life, I think I’ve just always thought ‘I’m a drummer, I’m just gonna do music,’ and things came to me, accepting whatever happens.”

While his bandmates publicly shared little in the way of explanation as to why Alexander quit in the statement they issued last week, the man himself has since revealed that the email he sent notifying the group of his exit was more elaborate than the public was led to believe. He explained:

“Initially, I wrote this letter from my heart to those guys, to let them know [I was leaving]… It was very heartfelt, it was very loving, I said positive things about how much I appreciated them and how much admiration there was. So it was very surprising that only certain parts would be released to the whole world.”

Seeking to rectify that situation, Alexander has now published the following open letter publicly explaining his decision:

“I know there are a lot of questions about why I quit Primus and feel it’s important to share my story – for myself as well as our fans. Stepping away from Primus has been one of the most challenging decisions of my life, but ultimately, it came down to love—for myself, my family, and the life I want to create moving forward. I chose a path of love.

With regard to what I said to the band about ‘losing my passion for playing,’ I did say that. But I also said: ‘All of these tours left me feeling empty. My body hurts constantly.’ This context is important. I also told them they deserve someone who wants to be there.

And I meant it. As far as ‘abruptly’ goes, I suppose there’s never the perfect time to leave something you’ve been a part of for so long. Bands have their own inner workings and are a relationship. Sometimes it doesn’t feel balanced, and sometimes it doesn’t work out.

Over the past months, I’ve been in a place of deep healing and intensive mental health rehabilitation, learning to confront struggles I’ve carried for years. In this period of solitude, I’ve started to see with new clarity what no longer serves me, the people and situations that do not support my well-being, and the parts of my life I need to let go of to find peace and stability.

When I first joined Primus, I was 24 years old. I’m almost 60 now and not just a drummer, but also a husband and a dad. Being a drummer for almost four decades has taken its toll on my body. As I said previously, my body hurts. My hands hurt. My back hurts. Ten years ago, I had open heart surgery and am still dealing with the aftermath.

For so many years of my life, I slept, breathed and lived the music, giving it everything I had – and often at the expense of both my physical and mental health. Drumming is a strenuous profession – and coupled with touring and performing it can be exhausting on every level. But I love drumming and always will. Just as I will always hold so much love and appreciation for our fans, the music we made, the places we went and everything I learned along the way.

When we were coming up as young musicians, it was a different world than it is today. There wasn’t a focus on how this life affected us – it just wasn’t talked about – and I think we lost a lot of amazing musicians over the years because of that. I no longer feel the need to hide the fact that for the last year I wasn’t happy and was in a dark place emotionally. I desperately missed my family while on tour and felt very lonely.

My decision to leave the band was rooted in a deep need to prioritize my mental and physical health. I want to give my family the presence and energy they deserve and take care of myself in a way that allows me to thrive.

I view this next chapter as a positive fresh beginning that can hopefully inspire others to speak and live their own truths, even when it’s hard. I wish the band continued success; and to the fans who have stood by me, I want to thank you for your compassion and words of kindness. Your support has been a source of strength for me, and while I’m closing this chapter, I’m excited to explore a new path forward—one grounded in love, respect, and health.”

Alexander currently intends to divert his focus to teaching drums to aspiring musicians for the time being. Meanwhile, with the unexpected hole in their roster, Primus have been left to scramble for their immediate live plans.

Their annual New Year’s Eve shows will instead find the band pivoting to include members of their various offshoots in Colonel Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade and more.

Their scheduled performance at Tool‘s first-ever ‘Tool Live In The Sand‘ destination festival in March will see them once again joined by Tool‘s own Danny Carey behind the drum kit. Outside of that though, they also intend to begin auditioning for a more suitable long-term fill-in.

Whoever they land on will be facing a bit of trial by fire, as the group’s next full-fledged tour is a second leg of the ‘Sessanta‘ tour. Originally launched earlier this year to celebrate the 60th birthday of Maynard James Keenan — the voice of Tool, A Perfect Circle & Puscifer — that trek will return in April for another run.

It serves up a unique setlist, which finds members of all three bands interchanging throughout the night to tackle not only their own songs, but also each other’s various works. Primus‘ live plans include:

12/30 Oakland, CA – Fox Theater (feat. Limbomaniacs)
12/31 Oakland, CA – Fox Theater (feat. Beanpole)
03/05-09 Punta Cana, DOM – Tool Live In The Sand

‘Sessanta V2.0 Tour‘ with A Perfect Circle & Puscifer:

04/24 Palm Springs, CA – Acrisure Arena
04/25 Las Vegas, NV – PH Live at Planet Hollywood
04/27 Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
04/29 San Antonio, TX – Freeman Coliseum
05/01 Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
05/02 Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
05/04 Huntsville, AL – The Orion Amphitheater
05/06 Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
05/08 Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
05/10 Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
05/11 Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
05/14 Manchester, NH – SNHU Arena
05/15 Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at The Mann Center
05/17 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
05/18 Fairfax, VA – EagleBank Arena
05/20 Pittsburgh, PA – Petersen Events Center
05/22 Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
05/24 Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center
05/25 Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center
05/28 Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
05/29 St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
05/31 Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater
06/01 St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
06/03 Omaha, NE – Baxter Arena
06/06 Portland, OR – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
06/07 Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre