Primus drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander said he left the band late last month for the sake of his health and his family.
“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,” he said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “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.”
After joining Primus in 1986, Alexander took a break in 1996, played with the band again from 2003 to 2010 and returned once more in 2013, according to Louder.
Primus announced Alexander’s most recent departure in a statement last week calling it a “complete shock” bandmates found “disappointing.”
They stated that the percussionist blamed his lost “passion for playing” for his exit. They said he also lost interest in further communicating with the group he joined as a 24-year-old rocker.
Alexander said it’s true he told bandmates the passion was gone, but said that characterization required more context.
“I’m almost 60 now and not just a drummer, but also a husband and a dad,” he said. “Being a drummer for almost four decades has taken its toll on my body.”
More specifically, Alexander said his back and hands hurt. He claimed an open heart surgery performed a decade ago has had lingering effects too. Alexander earlier stated he’d suffered heart attacks in 2014 and 2016.
Primus announced on Oct. 23 that it would be playing “a very special performance featuring Danny Carey on drums” when it goes to the Dominican Republic in March with bands including Mastodon and Tool.