History
The band was formed in 1997 by guitarist Bobby Burns, who was influenced by
heavy metal music and vocalist J-Sin, who was influenced by
hip hop.
[2] Burns and J-Sin enlisted the help of bassist Mike "Jr." Christopher and drummer Josh McLane. After the release of their self-titled debut album on the independent label Propellant Transmissions, Primer 55 signed a contract with
Island Records, releasing their second studio album,
Introduction to Mayhem
on January 25, 2000. The album featured appearances from
Incubus turntablist Chris Kilmore and
Hed PE frontman
Jared Gomes.
In September 2000, Primer 55 toured alongside
Soulfly,
downset., and
Slaves on Dope.
[3]
In 2001, McLane left the band for personal reasons and was replaced by John Kamoosi.
On August 14, 2001, Primer 55 released their third studio album,
The New Release
. It peaked at #1 on the
Billboard
Heatseekers
chart and #102 on the
Billboard
200. The album's single, "This Life" peaked at #37 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
[4] In 2002, the band performed as the opening act at the 2002 Gathering of the
Juggalos in
Peoria, Illinois.
[5] In 2007, the band signed with
Crash Music Inc. and using
Disc2day CD replication, released their fourth studio album,
Family for Life
on November 6, 2007.
[6] After the release of the album, former frontman and founding member Jason "J-Sin" Luttrell left the band, due to personality clashes with co-founder Burns..clashes that caused other former members to leave rather than deal with it, leaving the band reduced to nothing more than a cover band in its present state. Bobby Burns is the only remaining member of the original Primer 55. The band then recruited former SORE frontman Donny "The DRP" Polinske as the new frontman.
[7] The band performed at the 2008 Gathering of the Juggalos.
The band is currently working on a new album,
The New American Gangsters.
[8] In April 27, the band posted a new song called
Flexin
, in their
MySpace. A music video for the song is also being made.
[9]
Band members
- Donny "The DRP" Polinske - vocals (2008-)
- Bobby Burns - guitar, bass, vocals (1997-)
- Curt Taylor - guitar (2008-)
- Mikey Terito - Drums (2008-)
- Steve Snyder - bass (2009-)
Former members
- Josh McLane - drums (1997–2001)
- Mike "Jr" Christopher - bass (1997-2001)
- John Kamoosi - drums (2001)
- John Stainer - drums (studio) (2001)
- Kobie Jackson - bass (2001-2002)
- Preston Nash - drums - (2001-2003)
- Tim Lau - drums (studio) (2007)
- Jason "J-Sin" Luttrell - vocals (1997-2003, 2007)
- Heath Joyce - vocals (2007-2008)
- Josh Toomey - Bass (2003-2008)
- Frank Fontsere - drums (2003-2008)
- Billy Grey - Guitars (2005-2008)
Discography
- As Seen On TV
(1999)
- Introduction to Mayhem
(2000)
- The New Release
(2001)
- Family For Life
(2007)
- The New American Gangsters
(TBA)
References
- ''Stroke 9 puts a fine ending on K-Rock Spring Thing''
- Biography of Primer 55
- Soulfly Taps Downset, Primer 55, Slaves On Dope For Tour
- Charts and awards for ''The New Release''
- Main Stage, Saturday 7-7:30PM: Primer 55
- PRIMER 55 Signs With CRASH MUSIC
- http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/BlabberMouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=108895
- http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=41392
- http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=404299065&blogId=485879371