Primus have released the final episode of Interstellar Drum Derby, the band’s behind-the-scenes YouTube series chronicling their global open-call audition for a new drummer. The finale brings the journey full circle, showcasing the last round of in-studio auditions, final interviews, and the now-iconic moment when Les Claypool surprised John Hoffman with a cake and the news that he’d officially joined Primus.
The episode features appearances from Fred Armisen and Bob Odenkirk, commentary from longtime drum tech Tim “Soya” Solyan, and footage of both Hoffman and fellow finalist Gergő Borlai performing, bonding with the band, and reflecting on the stakes of the opportunity. What began as a cosmic call for submissions ends here as a celebration of chemistry, instinct, and a hard-earned seat behind one of the most storied kits in modern rock.
In its final stretch, the episode transitions into the studio for an exclusive look at the making of “Little Lord Fentanyl,” the band’s first new song in over three years – and the first to feature Hoffman. Captured during what would become his final audition, the footage shows Hoffman recording with the band before being officially offered the gig, offering fans a rare glimpse into Primus’ creative process at a pivotal moment of transition.
Primus is back with their first new studio track since 2022’s Conspiranoid EP: the blistering, surrealist anthem “Little Lord Fentanyl”. A twisted fable steeped in groove and dark humor, the track features a guest appearance from Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle, Puscifer), whose unmistakable voice slithers through the chaos with sinister glee.
The single also marks the official studio debut of drummer John Hoffman, a Shreveport native who joined the band earlier this year after beating out more than 6,100 applicants in a global audition process dubbed the Interstellar Drum Derby.
“Little Lord Fentanyl” showcases the intricate, playful rhythms of Hoffman, whose unconventional style has brought renewed fire to Primus since he officially joined the band earlier this year.
Stream/download “Little Lord Fentanyl” here, and listen to the track below:
The release of “Little Lord Fentanyl” comes in the midst of Primus’ spring run on the Sessanta Tour – a collaborative outing with A Perfect Circle and Puscifer celebrating Keenan’s 60(ish) birthday – and ahead of their Onward & Upward summer headline tour, which kicks off July 5 in Paso Robles, CA.
The Onward & Upward Tour will hit 24 cities across the US, making stops at iconic venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, The Salt Shed in Chicago, The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York, and The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, before culminating in a celebratory two-night stand at Channel 24 in Sacramento on August 7 and 8. Along the way, Primus will be joined by a pair of equally bold and idiosyncratic artists – Ty Segall and MonoNeon – who will appear on select dates throughout the tour.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit primusville.com.
The Onward & Upward tour borrows its name from the ever-mutating DNA of Primus itself – a band that’s never been content to sit still or play it straight. That spirit of constant evolution is now hurtling forward with the addition of drummer John Hoffman, whose arrival marks a bold new chapter for the trio. Selected from more than 6,200 global applicants during the band’s wide-open audition process, Hoffman’s deep pocket, wild musical mind, and immediate chemistry with Les Claypool and Larry LaLonde made him the clear choice.
Les Claypool shared the following statement about the tour and the band’s newest member:
“Hitting the road this summer with Hoffer at the helm! This fiery, cheerful, octopus-like drummer from Shreveport, Louisiana has breathed a very potent breath of freshness into this band we all call Primus.
“While splitting the drum duties of his first gig with the mighty Danny Carey down in the Dominican Republic, John “Hoffer” Hoffman has launched himself into the Primus world with all guns-a-blazin’.
“Fresh from their next jaunt around the states with Sessanta Part 2 this Spring, Hoffer, Ler, and The Ol’ Colonel will be playing some full length Primus sets at choice venues across the US, dipping into material (mainly at the request of Hoffer) that have not been performed in a many years.
“Come see why this amazing fellow was able to rise above over 6100 applicants to win the Interstellar Drum Derby and become the latest, and possibly the greatest, drummer to sit on the Primus drum throne.
“ONWARD AND UPWARD!!”
Watch John Hoffman’s first show with Primus from the Tool In the Sand Festival in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, below.
Onward & Upward Tour 2025:
July
5 – Vina Robles Amphitheatre – Paso Robles, CA*
7 – Sandy Amphitheater – Salt Lake City, UT*
8 – Snow King Mountain – Jackson, WY*
9 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO*
11 – The Salt Shed – Chicago, IL*
12 – Grinders KC – Kansas City, MO*
13 – The Pinnacle – Nashville, TN*
15 – Iroquois Amphitheater – Louisville, KY*
16 – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre – Detroit, MI*
18 – Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards – Lafayette, NY*
19 – Midway Lawn At Champlain Valley Expo – Essex Junction, VT*
21 – The Rooftop at Pier 17 – New York, NY*
22 – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater – Bridgeport, CT^
23 – Red Hat Amphitheater – Raleigh, NC^
25 – Synovus Bank Amphitheater At Chastain Park – Atlanta, GA^
26 – Live Oak Bank Pavilion – Wilmington, NC^
28 – Saenger Theater – New Orleans, LA^
29 – Shreveport Municipal Auditorium – Shreveport, LA^
30 – The Bomb Factory – Dallas, TX^
August
1 – Arizona Financial Theatre – Phoenix, AZ^
2 – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre – San Diego, CA^
3 – Quarry Amphitheater – Santa Cruz, CA
6 – The Greek Theatre – Los Angeles, CA*
7 – Channel 24 – Sacramento, CA
8 – Channel 24 – Sacramento, CA
• with Ty Segall
^ with MonoNeon
Watch John Hoffman’s first show with Primus from the Tool In the Sand Festival in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic:
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The post PRIMUS Share Final Episode Of “Interstellar Drum Derby” Chronicling New Drummer JOHN HOFFMAN’s Road To The Band And The Recording Of “Little Lord Fentanyl”; Video appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
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The episode features appearances from Fred Armisen and Bob Odenkirk, commentary from longtime drum tech Tim “Soya” Solyan, and footage of both Hoffman and fellow finalist Gergő Borlai performing, bonding with the band, and reflecting on the stakes of the opportunity. What began as a cosmic call for submissions ends here as a celebration of chemistry, instinct, and a hard-earned seat behind one of the most storied kits in modern rock.
In its final stretch, the episode transitions into the studio for an exclusive look at the making of “Little Lord Fentanyl,” the band’s first new song in over three years – and the first to feature Hoffman. Captured during what would become his final audition, the footage shows Hoffman recording with the band before being officially offered the gig, offering fans a rare glimpse into Primus’ creative process at a pivotal moment of transition.
Primus is back with their first new studio track since 2022’s Conspiranoid EP: the blistering, surrealist anthem “Little Lord Fentanyl”. A twisted fable steeped in groove and dark humor, the track features a guest appearance from Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle, Puscifer), whose unmistakable voice slithers through the chaos with sinister glee.
The single also marks the official studio debut of drummer John Hoffman, a Shreveport native who joined the band earlier this year after beating out more than 6,100 applicants in a global audition process dubbed the Interstellar Drum Derby.
“Little Lord Fentanyl” showcases the intricate, playful rhythms of Hoffman, whose unconventional style has brought renewed fire to Primus since he officially joined the band earlier this year.
Stream/download “Little Lord Fentanyl” here, and listen to the track below:
The release of “Little Lord Fentanyl” comes in the midst of Primus’ spring run on the Sessanta Tour – a collaborative outing with A Perfect Circle and Puscifer celebrating Keenan’s 60(ish) birthday – and ahead of their Onward & Upward summer headline tour, which kicks off July 5 in Paso Robles, CA.
The Onward & Upward Tour will hit 24 cities across the US, making stops at iconic venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, The Salt Shed in Chicago, The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York, and The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, before culminating in a celebratory two-night stand at Channel 24 in Sacramento on August 7 and 8. Along the way, Primus will be joined by a pair of equally bold and idiosyncratic artists – Ty Segall and MonoNeon – who will appear on select dates throughout the tour.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit primusville.com.
The Onward & Upward tour borrows its name from the ever-mutating DNA of Primus itself – a band that’s never been content to sit still or play it straight. That spirit of constant evolution is now hurtling forward with the addition of drummer John Hoffman, whose arrival marks a bold new chapter for the trio. Selected from more than 6,200 global applicants during the band’s wide-open audition process, Hoffman’s deep pocket, wild musical mind, and immediate chemistry with Les Claypool and Larry LaLonde made him the clear choice.
Les Claypool shared the following statement about the tour and the band’s newest member:
“Hitting the road this summer with Hoffer at the helm! This fiery, cheerful, octopus-like drummer from Shreveport, Louisiana has breathed a very potent breath of freshness into this band we all call Primus.
“While splitting the drum duties of his first gig with the mighty Danny Carey down in the Dominican Republic, John “Hoffer” Hoffman has launched himself into the Primus world with all guns-a-blazin’.
“Fresh from their next jaunt around the states with Sessanta Part 2 this Spring, Hoffer, Ler, and The Ol’ Colonel will be playing some full length Primus sets at choice venues across the US, dipping into material (mainly at the request of Hoffer) that have not been performed in a many years.
“Come see why this amazing fellow was able to rise above over 6100 applicants to win the Interstellar Drum Derby and become the latest, and possibly the greatest, drummer to sit on the Primus drum throne.
“ONWARD AND UPWARD!!”
Watch John Hoffman’s first show with Primus from the Tool In the Sand Festival in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, below.
Onward & Upward Tour 2025:
July
5 – Vina Robles Amphitheatre – Paso Robles, CA*
7 – Sandy Amphitheater – Salt Lake City, UT*
8 – Snow King Mountain – Jackson, WY*
9 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO*
11 – The Salt Shed – Chicago, IL*
12 – Grinders KC – Kansas City, MO*
13 – The Pinnacle – Nashville, TN*
15 – Iroquois Amphitheater – Louisville, KY*
16 – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre – Detroit, MI*
18 – Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards – Lafayette, NY*
19 – Midway Lawn At Champlain Valley Expo – Essex Junction, VT*
21 – The Rooftop at Pier 17 – New York, NY*
22 – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater – Bridgeport, CT^
23 – Red Hat Amphitheater – Raleigh, NC^
25 – Synovus Bank Amphitheater At Chastain Park – Atlanta, GA^
26 – Live Oak Bank Pavilion – Wilmington, NC^
28 – Saenger Theater – New Orleans, LA^
29 – Shreveport Municipal Auditorium – Shreveport, LA^
30 – The Bomb Factory – Dallas, TX^
August
1 – Arizona Financial Theatre – Phoenix, AZ^
2 – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre – San Diego, CA^
3 – Quarry Amphitheater – Santa Cruz, CA
6 – The Greek Theatre – Los Angeles, CA*
7 – Channel 24 – Sacramento, CA
8 – Channel 24 – Sacramento, CA
• with Ty Segall
^ with MonoNeon
Watch John Hoffman’s first show with Primus from the Tool In the Sand Festival in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic:
Do you have a rock, hard rock, heavy metal website, blog, podcast, radio show, YouTube channel, Spotify playlist? BraveWords Records wants to send you music!
Submit your info: https://forms.gle/j8wygtJjnv429GzJ6
The post PRIMUS Share Final Episode Of “Interstellar Drum Derby” Chronicling New Drummer JOHN HOFFMAN’s Road To The Band And The Recording Of “Little Lord Fentanyl”; Video appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
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