One of the handful of drummers in history where you can tell exactly who it is within seconds just by listening. His creativity on the kit is a breath of fresh air to this day
Seas of cheese came out, I had my first drum kit for 6 months, at 14 I tried to explain to my mom for my b day, x más all I wanted was that tape, I was the first kid in school humming the entire album, Love u Mom and Primus
Tim Alexander might be the most underrated musician of our generation. He's amazing but I rarely hear his name mentioned when people discuss great drummers.
That ride (that's Tim's used since the 80's) is a 22" Zildjian Impulse ride. Thanks to Tim's work with Primus, I came to love that ride & was lucky to find one on the interwebs a few years back; I'll part with it neither for love nor money. It's my own.... my preciousssss!
I didn't listen to a lot of Primus, but now watching this I realize just how much I've borrowed from this guy stylistically off of the few songs I heard him drum on... that's the mark of an amazing drummer and creator if I've ever seen one.
Herb has the tastiest beats! His syncopated double bass work is refreshing, in a sea of steady sixteenth note double bass patterns that practically every other drummer does!!
Loving all this Tim Alexander stuff on social media at the moment.. one of my all time favourite drummers, and there never seemed to be much stuff on him online!!! Thanks Vater for the video.
Man I love Primus. Three talented men who's talents are glued into one brilliancy. Awesome to see herb do a video like this! Answering to his fans is awesome.
It's funny that Tim Alexander seems to be our secret, not just Primus fans but other drummers and musicians in general that understand what a master of the instrument he is. He shows how musical the drums can be. Can't help but feel like we should be screaming his name at someone. Idk maybe I just did?
I got to meet and talk to Tim for the seas of cheese tour and he was super cool! We talked drums and I asked him about influences and what not, great dude and drummer that definitely influenced mea! Les was right there also he seemed a bit more shy and or maybe kind of distracted by someone else but wish I could have met him also!
You can find vids of him playing it in 1990, the time of the Frizzle Fry album. Just search for.... 'Primus - January 13, 1990 Csttle Club 2 cam edit' .... His basic rule for Spagetti Western is to play snare with right hand, & hats with left hand. Remember that & you're good. It feels a little odd when you first start playing, but soon it's muscle memory. Pick up some sticks & air drum to it for practice. And the tom fills are finished with a double-kick triplet, or double-stoke will suffice if your kick technique is not so hoaned.
Indeed. I used to think it was 16th-note triplets with 4 notes being played on the toms and the other two notes of the sextuplet being played with his double bass drums, and I still think that's the case every now and then but he changes it up from 16th note triplets (the group of 6 notes) to possibly 32nd notes which would be six notes on the toms followed by the last two notes on the bass drums. I can fudge it close enough where someone would recognize the part but I'm not sure if I'm playing it exactly right.
Watching this again after Primus just announced Tim abrupty told them he is immediately quitting the band and has lost his passion for playing....sad to hear but I hope he's doing well. Great drummer.
Been trying to figure out the sticking for Over The Electric Grapevine for the longest time! Almost thought there were two drum parts at one point. nope! Left side tom!!
They come in two packs now? Now, I have to learn to play with both hands. Ironic fact, my name is MUDD. Im a drummer, huge fan, From Minnesota, dontcha know, and I love fishing and pulling the wings off flys. Primus and Slayer are my two faves. Got to see them together at OZZFEST one year. That was better than digging out a ingrown toe nail. You know that feeling?
Dudes seriously underrated, and overshadowed by Les. I like to think of him as completely on par with those like Danny Carey or Neil Peart. Just in terms of colorfulness and over the top creativity, but I guess you would need that in a drummer to be able to go along with Claypool lol!
Actually he added more the the John the Fisherman beat than the original recording - it sounded like he added some ghost snare notes in there and hi hat barks on the 1 count - truly an amazing drummer! I've been trying to learn the hi hat "roll" from Tommy the Cat, but I can't get it to sound quite right - is it going from doubles to singles?
Tim never plays a song the same way twice. Check out vids from 1989 to now & you'll find John the Fisherman (& others) to have various different fills, chops & so-on. And the hi-hats in Tommy are sporadic, singles to doubles; he used to use a single-handed double stroke technique quite a bit: I'm pretty sure he's using it in the Suck On This version of Tommy towards the end, on the snare drum, with cymbals (& toms) crashing at every other beat.. I had a couple Skype sessions with him & the first thing he mentioned was the double stroke technique.. One-handed.. Supposed to give two hits in the space of one arm movement.
What's exasperating about finding anything about this incredible drummer, not so well-known but part of such a notorious band as Primus, is that everything will most of the time only focuse again and again and again on how to play Primus songs. Damn, I would like to find more jams or drum solos. Just things that we haven't heard yet about him. Decripting always the same songs won't bring us too close to the essence of his musicality which can be felt so much on these classic records. Anyway, internet, youtube and mass media won't change the fact that he's my favorite drummer, beyond Primus music.
Just watch all the vids you can. I like him in Primus, personally. My fav vids are those of Primus around 1989 - 1990: You'll see some dynamite drumming from Tim.
It's a bell, most likely a prototype from Zildjian. I'm pretty sure Tim's used one or two prototype bells since 1989 or before. The only Zildjian bells I've managed to find in store (in Australia) are Zil-Bells; 6" & 9". They're ok, but I'd prefer the ones Tim uses. He'd have contacts at Zildjian, presumably, & could have them make ones to his liking.
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One of the handful of drummers in history where you can tell exactly who it is within seconds just by listening. His creativity on the kit is a breath of fresh air to this day
David from Korn admired him
Seas of cheese came out, I had my first drum kit for 6 months, at 14 I tried to explain to my mom for my b day, x más all I wanted was that tape, I was the first kid in school humming the entire album, Love u Mom and Primus
This is awesome, warmed my soul hell yeah!
Tim will always be my favourite Primus drummer. The first time i heard Frizzle Fry some where in 91 i was blown away..
I Love how he doesn't abuse of the double bass and makes great rythms Instead
well said, I've also loved that little double bass roll and cymbal flourish in Jerry
over the electric grapevine is such a great song I love the drums
Tim Alexander might be the most underrated musician of our generation. He's amazing but I rarely hear his name mentioned when people discuss great drummers.
that actually makes me like him more...hidden gem
wow Vater, thanks for this raw, deep insight into Herbology.
That ride (that's Tim's used since the 80's) is a 22" Zildjian Impulse ride. Thanks to Tim's work with Primus, I came to love that ride & was lucky to find one on the interwebs a few years back; I'll part with it neither for love nor money. It's my own.... my preciousssss!
I didn't listen to a lot of Primus, but now watching this I realize just how much I've borrowed from this guy stylistically off of the few songs I heard him drum on... that's the mark of an amazing drummer and creator if I've ever seen one.
I could listen to primus drum tracks all day
The tuning he use in his kit is always amazing that kick sounds great every time
Tim's use of cymbals is so signature. He's one of my main influences in the drum world and his name is never used enough.
Herb has the tastiest beats! His syncopated double bass work is refreshing, in a sea of steady sixteenth note double bass patterns that practically every other drummer does!!
This guy is so underrated. Very unique and groovy drummer. Very creative indeed.
He’s my favorite drummer by far.
Loving all this Tim Alexander stuff on social media at the moment.. one of my all time favourite drummers, and there never seemed to be much stuff on him online!!! Thanks Vater for the video.
god damn Jerry looked so clean!!! this dude is next level, looks like I'm going down a rabbit hole lol
Year of the Parrot. Great drums from the legend Herb.
My favorite drummer of all time ❤
I love Tim Alexander...and I don't care who knows it!!!
I'm suppose to be working but all I can think about now is playing drums.
He's gonna do Over The Electric Grapevine?! That is my favourite drum part ever written, so excited 😁😁😁
One of my favourite drummers. Such a distinctive sound and feel.
One of my biggest influences, I just love him
One of the best percussionist out there!!
tim is the man
he's like the only guy I've seen use double bass pedals so well
Man I love Primus. Three talented men who's talents are glued into one brilliancy. Awesome to see herb do a video like this! Answering to his fans is awesome.
It's funny that Tim Alexander seems to be our secret, not just Primus fans but other drummers and musicians in general that understand what a master of the instrument he is. He shows how musical the drums can be. Can't help but feel like we should be screaming his name at someone. Idk maybe I just did?
I got to meet and talk to Tim for the seas of cheese tour and he was super cool! We talked drums and I asked him about influences and what not, great dude and drummer that definitely influenced mea! Les was right there also he seemed a bit more shy and or maybe kind of distracted by someone else but wish I could have met him also!
of all the primus shows i have been too... the drum solos have been most memorable.
Saw Primus on the Slayer farewell tour-his drumming sounded so good!!!
You I've always been one of my biggest influences. And always will be
I've always wanted Herb to explain Spaghetti Western!
You can find vids of him playing it in 1990, the time of the Frizzle Fry album. Just search for.... 'Primus - January 13, 1990 Csttle Club 2 cam edit' .... His basic rule for Spagetti Western is to play snare with right hand, & hats with left hand. Remember that & you're good. It feels a little odd when you first start playing, but soon it's muscle memory. Pick up some sticks & air drum to it for practice. And the tom fills are finished with a double-kick triplet, or double-stoke will suffice if your kick technique is not so hoaned.
Indeed. I used to think it was 16th-note triplets with 4 notes being played on the toms and the other two notes of the sextuplet being played with his double bass drums, and I still think that's the case every now and then but he changes it up from 16th note triplets (the group of 6 notes) to possibly 32nd notes which would be six notes on the toms followed by the last two notes on the bass drums. I can fudge it close enough where someone would recognize the part but I'm not sure if I'm playing it exactly right.
That song is easy to play.......minus the style he plays the song in
Watching this again after Primus just announced Tim abrupty told them he is immediately quitting the band and has lost his passion for playing....sad to hear but I hope he's doing well. Great drummer.
so nice to see this side , thank you
all primus drummers are great but tims my number one guy ! (:
Hern Is radicaly patient extreme/calm. Loved him since open for Rush jan 1992. In Oakland ,CA 34 primus shows later none since 2018. Im hungrAY!!!
Agreed, gusbandicoot. It's a privilege to see more Tim Alexander... period!
I love tim and his style
Very nice drummer.he was the best drummer for Primus with his great sound
You know a drummer is great when you can actually hear the entire song in your head when they play.
This is wonderful thanks
In my best Maury Povich voice: "Tim, you ARE the man!"
Awesome video thanks!
Sooo underrated it's criminal
His setup is really cool!
Yyz is my favorite song of all time, but John the Fisherman is easily my favorite drum beat of all time
When I was learning how to play in the 90's I learned his style while my friends we playing grundge. My playing was/is SO much tastier.
Super badass
Been trying to figure out the sticking for Over The Electric Grapevine for the longest time! Almost thought there were two drum parts at one point. nope! Left side tom!!
I love how I typed in herb drums and this came up!!!
Love the Electric Grapevine groove. What's the sticking on the 2nd part of that groove?
No you are awesome!
Love that
el mejor!! es un moustro herb Alexander.
3:11 best beatbox ever
Epic!
They come in two packs now? Now, I have to learn to play with both hands. Ironic fact, my name is MUDD. Im a drummer, huge fan, From Minnesota, dontcha know, and I love fishing and pulling the wings off flys.
Primus and Slayer are my two faves. Got to see them together at OZZFEST one year. That was better than digging out a ingrown toe nail. You know that feeling?
Tim is the reason I have a rack of 6" toms
Dudes seriously underrated, and overshadowed by Les. I like to think of him as completely on par with those like Danny Carey or Neil Peart. Just in terms of colorfulness and over the top creativity, but I guess you would need that in a drummer to be able to go along with Claypool lol!
I agree. In fact, Danny Carey has referred to Tim as one of his "influences and heroes." That's a direct quote.
Actually he added more the the John the Fisherman beat than the original recording - it sounded like he added some ghost snare notes in there and hi hat barks on the 1 count - truly an amazing drummer! I've been trying to learn the hi hat "roll" from Tommy the Cat, but I can't get it to sound quite right - is it going from doubles to singles?
Tim never plays a song the same way twice. Check out vids from 1989 to now & you'll find John the Fisherman (& others) to have various different fills, chops & so-on. And the hi-hats in Tommy are sporadic, singles to doubles; he used to use a single-handed double stroke technique quite a bit: I'm pretty sure he's using it in the Suck On This version of Tommy towards the end, on the snare drum, with cymbals (& toms) crashing at every other beat.. I had a couple Skype sessions with him & the first thing he mentioned was the double stroke technique.. One-handed.. Supposed to give two hits in the space of one arm movement.
What will be in the third video?
can I buy these? I can't find them for sale anywhere
I watch him do it, and I still can’t figure out the extended grapevine part..
What's exasperating about finding anything about this incredible drummer, not so well-known but part of such a notorious band as Primus, is that everything will most of the time only focuse again and again and again on how to play Primus songs. Damn, I would like to find more jams or drum solos. Just things that we haven't heard yet about him. Decripting always the same songs won't bring us too close to the essence of his musicality which can be felt so much on these classic records. Anyway, internet, youtube and mass media won't change the fact that he's my favorite drummer, beyond Primus music.
Just watch all the vids you can. I like him in Primus, personally. My fav vids are those of Primus around 1989 - 1990: You'll see some dynamite drumming from Tim.
1:20 ? What was that??
2:07🤗
HI, ANYONE KNOWS WICH HIHATS ARE THOSE?
fucking beast
What the cymbal he hits at 2:29?
It's a bell, most likely a prototype from Zildjian. I'm pretty sure Tim's used one or two prototype bells since 1989 or before. The only Zildjian bells I've managed to find in store (in Australia) are Zil-Bells; 6" & 9". They're ok, but I'd prefer the ones Tim uses. He'd have contacts at Zildjian, presumably, & could have them make ones to his liking.
That is one of three different Zil-Bells. He uses a couple that aren't in production (prototypes).
It's some sort of bell cymbal.
it's a Yamaha dextell 300
Lingo lives
Herb = Drum God.
2B with small round tip, sugar maple
I've always wondered if he still has that scar above his eyebrow
I don't see many crash cymbals hmmmm
Rad af
Jerry was a racecar driver
He drove so goddamn fast
"Check out my stick"...HOW DARE YOU SIR!!
Ruh roh...I'm the 666th like
Herb needs some bigger crashes. If not bigger crashes, then just add another crash. I only see one and it's more like a 12" splash. Oh well...
Don't worry about it. Tim knows what he's doing.
Primus sucks
Hey this guy is pretty good.