Primus, Tool members announce intimate LA benefit concert

Show benefits film director Jimmy Hayward

On April 17th, Primus will perform an intimate benefit concert at The Belasco in Los Angeles in support of their close friend, film director, screenwriter, and animator Jimmy Hayward, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment. Featuring Danny Carey and Justin Chancellor of Tool and surprise guests, the event will raise funds for Hayward and his family, as he continues to battle this invasive disease. Tickets are on-sale this Friday, March 24th at 10 am PT via primusville.com.

“Every now and again cancer steps into our world and pulverizes the lives of people that are dear to us,” Claypool comments. “Such a thing happened a while back with our good friend Jimmy Hayward. Over the past couple years Jimmy has undergone many major surgeries to remove then reconstruct major damage from a cancer that invaded his bones. With a wife and two very young children at hand, Jimmy has shown incredible courage and tenacity in an unbelievably challenging time.”

“It is at this time that we in Primus and some of Jimmy’s good friends in the music/entertainment world have decided to give a ‘brother a hand,’ and do a live performance in his honor and for the benefit of his family,” Claypool continues. “Please come down and witness a one-time collaborative music event in celebration of our good friend.”

Claypool is currently gearing up for a massive 41-date Summer of Green Tour 2023 with the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, which marks the band’s first appearances together in 20 years. Kicking off in Stateline, NV on Wednesday, May 17th before winding its way from coast to coast, the tour will feature several festival appearances, including the Summer Camp Music Festival, the Mountain Music Festival, the Riverbend Music Festival, and the Peach Music Festival. Featuring Les Claypool on bass, Sean Lennon on guitar, Harry Waters on keyboard, Paulo Baldi on drums, Mike Dillon on percussion, and Skerik on horns, the set will include a full performance of Pink Floyd’s iconic tenth studio album Animals, which was famously captured on the band’s second 2001 live recording Live Frogs Set 2.

Select June performances will include a co-headlining set with Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew’s Remain In Light Tour, which finds the Talking Heads members performing songs from a monumental period of the band’s history alongside a powerhouse band. Additional support throughout the tour include Fishbone, Neal Francis, Budos Band, W.I.T.C.H., and Moon Duo.

The return of the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade follows Primus’ wildly popular A Tribute To Kings Tour, paying tribute to Rush, which toured the country in 2022. Last year also saw the release of Primus’ first new music in more than five years, the sprawling three song Conspiranoid EP, which included the epic 11-minute opening track, “Conspiranoia,” and second single, “Follow The Fool.”

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com