Tim Alexander (A Perfect Circle) - 'The Hollow' live drum cam

Tim "Herb" Alexander is one of the most innovative but still little known drummers in the drumming community. If you've heard of Primus then you probably still haven't heard of him.

Herb is the second to last of a long list of drummers to play for the many incarnations of Primus. Primus' frontman and bassist Les Claypool is very picky about his drummers. After many unsatisfactory drummers, Herb tried out and got the job. Herb's mix of incredible technique and hard-core influences was admired by Les. Herb and Les first met at the Berklee School For Music in Boston.

We first heard Herb in the Primus context on the live album titled Suck On This. On this record, Herb plays his first and last recorded solo with Primus. Herb shows off his many chops and his often copied double bass drum technique. Admired by, among others, Steve Smith of Journey.

Primus later released their first studio album titled Frizzle Fry. Herb again shows us his vast array of chops but also shows some influence from players like Stewart Copeland of The Police.

The second studio album for Primus titled Sailing The Seas Of Cheese, shows the "pop" side of Herb's drumming. His rhythms during the verses are very straight forward and simple sounding. I say sounding because in actuality they are not, due to the ghost or grace notes and other nuances rarely picked up by the unschooled musician. But, as always, Herb shows us how much is possible with double bass. Playing tasteful arrangements without sounding like the usual Heavy Metal bombast.

The next album by Primus was titled Pork Soda. According to Herb, the time when they recorded this album was a "dark time" for him. It shows. Herb takes a new approach to the music, yet he still plays in his Primus style. Playing some new time signatures, Herb makes it all look and sound so easy.

After the tour in support of this album, Herb and Primus took a break. While on his break, Herb started a band with his own friends called Laundry. Herb shows us an entirely different drummer on this album. Playing some impossibly difficult fills and fresh arrangements, Herb show how versitile he really is.

After Primus' break, they recorded their second latest album and Herb's last with Primus, Tales From The Punchbowl. This album is harder than the other Primus albums. It is also very diverse. Herb plays arrangements in many different settings. Even playing a jig on "Deanza Jig".

After the tour for Punchbowl, Herb and Primus parted ways due to their different visions of the future. Herb is now playing with his friends in Laundry and playing clinics for his cymbal endorsement, Zildjian. Look for a new Laundry album out soon.

Herb uses Zildjian cymbals, Starclassic drums, Vic Firth Herb Alexander signature sticks and Remo drum heads.

Update: Tim is again with Primus

[TheeFinchLynch]

Herb, Josh, Danny: Maynard is blessed with an arsenal of top flight drummers.

[fnv-wn]

Herb's playing on this track is highly underrated imo. I would have loved to hear more of him with APC.

[bubingabill]

amazingly technical drummer. immaculate time... its hard to play to a recorded track and nail it like this. just a showcase of his writing and technical skill... amazing! hope he's healthy soon.

[divinitymode]

Just brilliant. All the groove, all the power, all the feel. One of my all time favourite drum parts. It’s just...perfect.

[brucec]

Herb the "ginseng" drummer! Always a pleasure to watch!

[aknozturk]

I'm not a drummer. I am a singer. As long as there is no apparent mistake on drum plays in a song, I don't even notice they are there. But, "The Hollow" made it wholly different for me. I noticed it. I apparently got a different taste from that recording. It was different. Then i searched and got the name Tim Alexander. Tim taught me how the playing of drums in a song so sharply changes its atmosphere and makes it a masterpiece. Thank you so much Tim. You are my only favourite drummer ever.

[raulmattia]

Thanks to my father I grew up listening to primus. Tim is my greatest influence in style of drumming till now.

[tomosmansounds]

Tremendous. I remember watching old footage of Primus playing 'To Defy The Laws of Tradition' on some old radio show recording they stuck on a DVD back in the day and watching it over and over, mesmerised by his style. Amazing drummer.

[stefanodegerome]

Nailing the groove without being flashy. Pure class. Thank you, Tim. :)

[crazyjkz]

Phenomenal drumming. He makes it look so easy.

[Aerospacer]

Damn those drums got a beating! This is a great example of a hard hitting drummer. Tim is one of the hardest hitting drummers out there.

[nickthurnbeck]

I was at two of those shows. Tim's band, Laundry, was an opener. and if you must know the 1st show i attended was at The Big Fish Pub in Tempe AZ, and again a few days later The Nile Theater in Mesa AZ and both kicked serious ass. feel free to be jealous now.

[adamhalitzka]

Herb is the number one influence on my playing. When I found a "Sailing the Seas of Cheese" tape in an old trans am in like '94. I knew it was magic.

[crushingthevector]

Ive been a huge fan of Tim Alexander for many years. BUT I did not know he played with APC. I loved his Fata Morgana stuff he did a few years back and came very close to having him play on a tune I was recording in 2008-09. He is a very cool human being and likely one of the best drummers from my generation. Its always a thrill to discover something you might have overlooked by an artist you admire. Would love to discover more Ive not seen by him.

[christophcarle]

He + APC would have been such a fantastic combo! I like Josh, but Tim is Tim😁

[chrishitsthings]

Ahhh, Tim to could play anything and I'd be in awe! THUMBS UP IF YOU'RE IN AGREEMENT!!!!

[Zu_Television]

cool i never thought i would see him play this.... thanks for posting!!!

[DonnyOsmosis]

Glad you survived the HEART ISSUES, T.H.A.  - still with us... alive and double-kicking.

[drumrboy]

Tim was the original drummer when the project started. He played the songs live before the album. Josh did the all the songs on the album except track 2 (this song).

[blablabla]

Amazing economical drumming, my favorite drumming on the album