The Horrors of Touring | Tim "Herb" Alexander Leaves Primus

[@vistalite]

I did 3 months in a van, zig-zagging the country in a van with 4 other guys. We slept in the van, on a floor or maybe a Motel 6 if budget allowed. I was in my early 20s and had mostly a fun adventure. I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything. In my early 30s I did mostly regional shows for 2 or 3 days in a row, a few times a year. Lots of college gigs and couch surfing. Now, in my 50s, I dread dragging my sh*t out of the house to play a local club once or twice a month.

[@SPY1964-LL]

Herb is a mature man who faced things bravely. The brand will continue.

[@ZachAdkinsGuitar]

No doubt

[@JordanNewill]

Exactly what you mentioned is why even though I'm in a band I don't want to tour. Too much time away from my wife and sons. You miss out on way too much, all these birthdays and possibly holidays and milestones in your kids lives. Respect to those who have families and still do the touring life because that's gotta be insanely difficult. If I was a single person still with no children I might consider it

[@donna_NC]

Thankful… I just seen Primus (Fav) w/ Coheed & Cambria and Puddles in Charlotte, NC back in July.. Les still drives the bus and I don’t blame Tim. Thanks Zach 😎👍🏼

[@glennjames7107]

Congrats to Herb for stepping up and admitting his reality. What an amazing drummer, definitely in my top ten ever ! I hope he finds his happy place. I along with millions of other Primus fans will miss him dearly, but as a fan, I care more about Tims well being than me being able to see him play with Primus.

[@michaelstusiak5902]

Good luck Herb.

[@michaelr.4878]

Some people dig touring..and some people don't. I imagine that it is a tough life..but I've never done it...and have no interest in it. I think that you have to be built for it. Tim Alexander has left Primus 3 times now. It sounds like he tried to love it...but couldn't...and has finally decided to do the right thing by doing what it right for him.

[@Nothing-h3x]

A lot of the really big bands are 55+ years old. Our heroes are becoming senior citizens. The void is not being filled.

[@rubberlover666]

It's rough. I know people who tour in busses and planes and people who are still in the van. Both types struggle with the same things: the instability, the loneliness, the odd hours, being with the same people day in and day out with no outlet. That coupled with the economic insecurity that comes with being an artist in America makes it something you both really have to want to do AND be mentally prepared for. There's a reason most bands would rather just play a few festivals a year than weeks of Tuesday night shows in the winter months. But that's not an option for a lot of bands. I'll never forget hanging with one of my friends backstage a few years back. He was touring on a bus opening for a large band. The meals were catered, the venues had laundry. We were in the parking lot when he turned to me and asked for help with his college application. "I can't do this anymore." Heartbreaking.

[@ChrisGordonMadAxeMan]

Very interesting topic andf a good one to cover! I toured extensivley in my 20's and you are spot on with regards to where one might be in life at that age, I was single and all I did was music, teaching full time and playing out about four times a week (the country scene in the 90's was busy) I then got tapped to go on the road, and it was supposed to be 5 weeks and turned into 3 plus years! One of the greatest times of my life, and my chops were in great shape. After 3 years though I felt a pull to get grounded, and get my liver back! I remember someone saying to me "touring is a lifestyle, rather than a life" I am not saying that I agree with that 100 percent but it stayed with me. When I came off the road I started a music school amd started playing my music for the joy of creating without a worry about making income from it. Anyway, I found a balance where I teach and will do fly dates or a small run that lasts no longer than 2 weeks. There is a balance but it does take its toll!

[@SharmutaCartel]

I saw Soulfly in the early 2000’s and Max’s son was doing homework at the merch desk. Max said his son wanted to come on this tour but the deal was he had to keep up on his homework. Pretty awesome to see and you could tell Max was happy he was there.

[@JohnDoe-xr5is]

I was a 'weekend warrior' for over three decades. Rock bands, country bands, dance bands, wedding bands, R&B bands..whatever I could get. Band breaks up?....go put together another band and get back out there. Many years I was playing over 100 shows a year...all while I had a day job. Some good gigs, some horrible gigs. One day, you're playing a festival for 5000 people with stage/PA/lights provided, the next weekend you're playing in the corner of a dive bar for three people. I thought I'd die on stage. But when I hit 55 years old, I decided I don't want to do this anymore. It was very confusing to me, as all I've ever really wanted to do since I was 14 was play music. But I was in a modern country band with some decent gigs, and I quit, knowing I'll never be in a band again. It was quite emotional. For years, I figured 'some day' I'll just play acoustic solo/duo gigs. But I thought I'd be a LOT older when that happens. But now at 63, that's all I do. I play solo and I've also partnered with a keyboard player from an old band...a guy who I knew I'd get along with, and that's all I want to do now. Of course it was fun going out and buying a bunch of acoustics! As you get older, your tolerance for putting up with asshole band members decreases....plus the late nights, the high volume, the heavy gear...etc. It's all behind me now...and I have to admit, I don't miss it. Yes, I miss playing some of the music, but all that other stuff...not a bit.

[@mikebell2112]

There's nothing more devastating to a child than when their father doesn't attend their baseball game. I know it because I saw it on the television.

[@ZachAdkinsGuitar]

One example

[@donna_NC]

Yes they have been touring a lot! Just this year I went to Sessanta, then Primus and now next year coming up will be Sessanta 2.0 in 2025

[@michaelstusiak5902]

Physically, it can be tough even for a part-time band. I play keys and by the 4th set my hands really hurt. Of course I'm old. Still I love playing and want to keep doing it.

[@davehodson6288]

Just watched this zach.the way you explained this was brilliant. Really interesting

[@ZachAdkinsGuitar]

Thank you!!

[@michaelr.4878]

After writing and reading my initial comment on the Alexander resignation, I think this is the easiest way to sum up the situation. He loves the music,...but he doesn't love the musican's lifestyle.

[@image30p]

I get it. I won't play live again. Not that I did very much. Heck I even said I won't stand up anymore! All guitar parts performed while seated!

[@llsrrll6930]

I’m sure when you are young and vibrant it’s a blast but as you get older it would be aweful to not be home.

[@bigjermboktown6976]

Man humans are so weird. If you listen to people and all people everybody that's at home wishes they were on a world tour and everybody that's on a world tour wishes they were at home. And I think everybody that's done something for 30 or 40 years is just ready to do something different at some point. But people talk about how sore they are and how their body hurts and goddamn I'm 42 years old I don't feel any different than I did when I was 22. But I guess it's just human nature and I really think the most important thing is mental health because of that starts going sideways it's pretty much hard to control anything else. And I guess if I was that guy in Primus and I had been doing that that long I wouldn't feel like I need to give an excuse of why I'm quitting I would just say God damn I'm 60 years old what more of a reason do I need.

[@ericgriffin120]

Primus has had exactly 1726 shows since 1984. 90 in the last 3 years. Wow that is a lot.

[@ZachAdkinsGuitar]

Jeez....

[@theitineranthistorian2024]

people are just rude. love is sneered at. compassion is an alien concept these days. drummers work so hard, especially metal. bill ward left sabbath and was afraid of people, late 70's, from touring. how do you leave the party? and then you got to be in sales. music is supposed to be fun.

[@markorendas1423]

Need to play that gone daddy gone song. Crap. Id be happy seeing folks w a drum device. Just keep it innovative. Herb needs to be appreciated. Not overused....

[@MikeHunt-n4u]

Being a touring musician is like being a truck driver. But truck drivers make more money than most musicians.

[@ZachAdkinsGuitar]

No doubt!

[@noeditbookreviews]

I used to work with truck drivers. I asked one of them how they do what they do without falling asleep. He said "we all take speed." I absolutely believe him, too. That job left me with a pretty low opinion of truck drivers, having spoken to so many.

[@Nothing-h3x]

@@noeditbookreviewsTruck drivers get drug tested all the time. It’s not like it was in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. Things are very strict and heavily regulated nowadays.

[@Rich-jd9up]

Dude....nobody but NOBODY cares about Primus. 😂🤣😉

[@Bogeyman19DidNotScareMyAss]

I did until Les went all up bill gates hiney hole in 2020.

[@ZachAdkinsGuitar]

That's fair