Primus is in the market for a new drummer ...
because Tim Alexander abruptly quit the hard rock group ...
informing his bandmates via electronic communications. The band announced Tuesday that Tim quit Primus "effective immediately" ..
. after firing off an email to founding members Les Claypool and Larry LaLonde . Primus says they were blindsided when Tim decided to quit .
.. and, the band says he went radio silent after dropping out, aside from one response where he told them he had "lost his passion for playing.
" Tim joined Primus way back in 1989 ...
though he took a 7-year hiatus in 1996 before returning. The band's biggest hit was the 1993 classic "My Name is Mud" ..
. and Primus recorded the OG theme song for "South Park." Les and Larry say they're disappointed to lose Tim but they respect his choice .
.. and, the band says it's still planning to take the stage Dec.
31 for a New Year's Eve gig at the Fox Theater in Oakland, without Tim of course. Tim had open heart surgery back in 2014 ..
. but it doesn't sound like health is a factor in his departure..
