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—described by Stereogum as a “weightless bustle of high-velocity flurries, Meters-y swamp-pocket, and cartoonish cymbal clutches”—has brought renewed fire to Primus since he officially joined the band earlier this year. His unlikely journey from Louisiana jam nights to the Primus drum throne was recently chronicled in this feature interview with Stereogum, as well as the band’s Interstellar Drum Derby YouTube series.
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 5th in Paso Robles, CA.
The Onward & Upward Tour marks an exciting new era for the band, with Hoffman officially at the kit. Selected after a months-long audition process, his arrival has brought fresh fire and creative reinvention to the Primus universe. The tour will hit 24 cities nationwide, including iconic venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre, The Greek Theatre, The Rooftop at Pier 17, and a two-night finale at Channel 24 in Sacramento. Along the way, the band will be joined by support from Ty Segall and MonoNeon on select dates.
“This fiery, cheerful, octopus-like drummer from Shreveport, Louisiana has breathed a very potent breath of freshness into this band we all call PRIMUS,” Claypool said in a recent statement. “Come see why this amazing fellow was able to rise above over 6,100 applicants to win the Interstellar Drum Derby and become the latest, and possibly the greatest, drummer to sit on the PRIMUS drum throne.”
SESSANTA TOUR 2025
Friday, May 2nd – Walmart AMP – Rogers, AR
Sunday, May 4th – The Orion Amphitheater – Huntsville, AL
Tuesday, May 6th – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Hollywood, FL
Thursday, May 8th – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre – Tampa, FL
Saturday, May 10th – PNC Music Pavilion – Charlotte, NC
Sunday, May 11th – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheatre – Virginia Beach, VA
Wednesday, May 14th – SNHU Arena – Manchester, NH
Thursday, May 15th – The Mann Center – Philadelphia, PA
Saturday, May 17th – PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ
Sunday, May 18th – EagleBank Arena – Fairfax, VA
Tuesday, May 20th – Petersen Events Center – Pittsburgh, PA
Thursday, May 22nd – Budweiser Stage – Toronto, ON
Saturday, May 24th – Ruoff Music Center – Noblesville, IN
Sunday, May 25th – Blossom Music Center – Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Wednesday, May 28th – The Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids, MI
Thursday, May 29th – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis, MO
Saturday, May 31st – American Family Insurance Amphitheater – Milwaukee, WI
Sunday, June 1st – Xcel Energy Center – Saint Paul, MN
Tuesday, June 3rd – Baxter Arena – Omaha, NE
Friday, June 6th – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater – Ridgefield, WA
Saturday, June 7th – White River Amphitheatre – Auburn, WA
ONWARD & UPWARD TOUR 2025
Saturday, July 5th – Vina Robles Amphitheatre – Paso Robles, CA*
Monday, July 7th – Sandy Amphitheater – Salt Lake City, UT*
Tuesday, July 8th – Snow King Mountain – Jackson, WY*
Wednesday, July 9th – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO*
Friday, July 11th – The Salt Shed – Chicago, IL*
Saturday, July 12th – Grinders KC – Kansas City, MO*
Sunday, July 13th – The Pinnacle – Nashville, TN*
Tuesday, July 15th – Iroquois Amphitheater – Louisville, KY*
Wednesday, July 16th – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre – Detroit, MI*
Friday, July 18th – Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards – Lafayette, NY*
Saturday, July 19th – Midway Lawn At Champlain Valley Expo – Essex Junction, VT*
Monday, July 21st – The Rooftop at Pier 17 – New York, NY*
Tuesday, July 22nd – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater – Bridgeport, CT^
Wednesday, July 23rd – Red Hat Amphitheater – Raleigh, NC^
Friday, July 25th – Synovus Bank Amphitheater At Chastain Park – Atlanta, GA^
Saturday, July 26th – Live Oak Bank Pavilion – Wilmington, NC^
Monday, July 28th – Saenger Theater – New Orleans, LA^
Tuesday, July 29th – Shreveport Municipal Auditorium – Shreveport, LA^
Wednesday, July 30th – The Bomb Factory – Dallas, TX^
Friday, August 1st – Arizona Financial Theatre – Phoenix, AZ^
Saturday, August 2nd – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre – San Diego, CA^
Sunday, August 3rd – Quarry Amphitheater – Santa Cruz, CA
Wednesday, August 6th – The Greek Theatre – Los Angeles, CA*
Thursday, August 7th – Channel 24 – Sacramento, CA
Friday, August 8th – Channel 24 – Sacramento, CA
• with Ty Segall
^ with MonoNeon
