Timothy W. Alexander is an American musician best known as the drummer for the rock band Primus. Alexander played on Primus recordings from Suck on This to Tales from the Punchbowl, before leaving the band in 1996, only to rejoin in 2003 for the EP Animals Should Not Try to Act Like People. Alexander left the band for a second time in 2010, only to rejoin again in 2013. Alexander is hailed frequently for his "polyrhythmic" playing.
Biography
Before Primus, Alexander played and recorded with Major Lingo, which at the time was a ska-based rhythm band that featured a lap steel guitar as the lead instrument, played by Tony Bruno. Alexander got the job with Primus replacing Jay Lane in 1988, and lasted until 1996. Alexander's second stint with Primus was from early 2003 until approximately 2009 when he was replaced by Jay Lane. Les Claypool spoke of Alexander's playing in an interview with Bass Player: " is a very precise player. Even when we're really stretching on something, you can rarely tell that we're still a band that doesn't rehearse much. And a huge part of that is because of Tim". Following Alexander's departure from Primus, he went on to form his own group, Laundry, which released on Claypool's label Prawn Song Records. Alexander has also collaborated with experimental bass player Michael Manring and guitarist Alex Skolnick to form the group known as Attention Deficit. Alexander was the first drummer of A Perfect Circle, performing early live shows with the band, and recording drums for the track "The Hollow" on the band's debut album, Mer de Noms. Alexander joined the theatrical group Blue Man Group, and has occasionally played with the Las Vegas-based improvisational rock band Überschall. Despite being primarily known for his drum work Alexander is also a guitarist and singer. He performed live guitar with the group Born Naked and held the lead vocal duties on Laundry's second album and supporting tour. Alexander was involved throughout 2008–2009 in a project known as Into the Presence which features songs by Luis Carlos Maldonado. Their debut album was released on Razor and Tie Records and includes performances from bassist Paz Lenchantin and cellist Ana Lenchantin. Both into The Presence and the Fata Morgana release were recorded and produced at Alexander's own Ghost Town Studios.
As of 2010 Alexander is actively involved as a member of Maynard James Keenan's Puscifer project. He has toured with them and can be heard on their most recent released recordings. On September 25, 2013, Rolling Stone announced via an interview with Claypool that Alexander would be rejoining Primus, with a possible recording session taking place as early as November. Previous drummer Jay Lane would be moving on to other projects including his former band Ratdog. On July 18, 2014, Alexander suffered a heart attack, and underwent open heart surgery. Primus updated Alexander's health status on July 21 with a Facebook post stating, "The Mighty Tim "Herb" Alexander has pulled through surgery, the blockage from his heart has been removed with no complications and all signs point to a glorious and speedy recovery." He rejoined Primus for their "Primus and the Chocolate Factory" tour 3 months later on October 22, 2014. Alexander currently operates a cider company out of Bellingham, Wa, called Herb's Cider.
