Shreveporter Named Full Time Drummer for Primus

One thing that doesn't get talked about nearly enough is Shreveport's music scene. I don't know why, but over the last decade or so, it's just kind of fallen off the map. Once upon a time, you couldn't go anywhere without running into some incredible live music. Every bar had a band...heck, most restaurants had a band. From American Tragedy to Shayliff to Logan Lewis, there were just tons of bands/artists that everyone knew.

And it's not like all those people left or broke up. They're still around, they just don't get talked about like they should. But, whether you realize it or not, the music scene is still alive and kicking in Shreveport. Pop, rock, metal, blues and anything in between - you can find it here in Shreveport. Whether it's talked about a lot or not, the music scene is alive and well in Shreveport.

Don't believe me? Just look at Primus. They searched the world for a new drummer and found one right here in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Primus' Search For a New Drummer Led to Shreveport, LA

Back in November, Primus announced that long time drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander was leaving the band and that they were going to scour the earth to find their new drummer. Open auditions started then and have been going on since.

Depending on what you believe online, Primus talked to everyone from local musicians to heavy hitters like Thomas Pridgen from the Mars Volta. But, since the process started, there haven't been a ton of updates from the band - just a video here or there. However, the band did post that they received well over 5000 applications for the gig.

Well, according to a new Instagram post from Primus frontman Les Claypool, they found their man right here in Shreveport, LA: John Hoffman.

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A post shared by Les Claypool (@lesclaypool)

How Does Shreveport Know John Hoffman?

Now, you may be thinking, the name rings a bell...but who is John Hoffman. Whether you frequent Bears or the Casinos or anywhere else with live music in town, you've run into John. According to the bio he submitted to Primus, he "performs over 250 shows per year and is affectionately known as "the busiest drummer in Shreveport".

John is probably best known locally as the frontman and drummer for "Bayou Reggae" band Stiff Necked Fools. He's also a member of another renowned local, "Gypsy Punk Country Grumble boogie" band Dirtfoot.

Hoffman may have been born in Hawaii but he's lived here long enough to be Shreveport through and through.

Whether you are a fan of Primus or not, this is a BIG deal. Nothing like seeing one of our own succeed in a major way.