Primer 55
Primer 55 |
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Primer 55 is a rap metal music group based in Louisville, KY[2]. They are currently signed to Crash Music.[3]
History
1997-1999
Primer 55 was formed in 1997 in Memphis, TN. Guitarist Bobby Burns co-founded the band with vocalist Jason "J-Sin" Luttrell[4]. They would then recruit Mike "Jr." Christopher and Josh McLane to complete the line-up. The band would play local venues, slowly gathering a following. In 1999, they released their self titled album through independent label Propellant Transmissions.
2000-2001
Not long after their first release, the band would sign a recording contract with Island Def Jam and release Introduction To Mayhem in 2000. The album spawned the band's most successful single entitled "Loose." The CD has sold just over 250,000 copies to date. They would also appear on the 2000 leg of the Ozzfest tour. In 2001, drummer Josh McLane left the band citing personal reasons and was replaced by John Kamoosi. Kamoosi did a few tours and left the band before they were to go into the studio for The New Release. By this point, Mike "Jr." Christopher had left the band as well, leaving Bobby Burns to perform both bass and guitar duties for the album, as he had done on the first one. They recruited former Helmet drummer John Stainer to perform drum tracks for the album, and after the album was finished, they found a new rhythm section in bassist Kobie Jackson (formerly of Allston), and Preston Nash (formerly of Dope).
2002-present
Primer 55 was the opening act at the 2002 Gathering of the Juggalos in Peoria, Illinois. They replaced Kittie who had pulled out due to a payment dispute with Insane Clown Posse leader Violent J. Primer 55 has shared the stage with such notable acts as Soulfly (who Bobby Burns is now with), Fear Factory, Disturbed, and Taproot. In May 2002, the band split with Island/Def Jam, and performed on the "10-Dollar Riot" tour with Skinlab, Dope, and Society 1. Sometime in this time period, the band also parted ways with Kobie Jackson, and replaced him with Josh Toomey of the band 12v Negative Earth. In January 2003, the band split up, only to reunite in 2007. The band recently parted ways with J-Sin due to his drug problem compromising his ability to perform, and Heath Joyce of the band IGM stepped up to finish the tour. In early 2008 the band announced they had found a permanent replacement, bringing in Donny Polinske (The DRP) from the band SORE, and they have also found a new guitarist Curt Taylor from the band Smash Machine. Primer 55 is scheduled to begin recording a new CD in mid July.
Members
- Current members[4]
- Former members[4]
- 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
| Album | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Primer 55[4] | 1999 | Propellant Transmissions |
| Introduction To Mayhem[4] | 2000 | Island Def Jam |
| The New Release[5] | 2001 | Island Records |
| Bootleg I | 2005 | FFL Records |
| Bootleg II | 2005 | FFL Records |
| Family For Life[4] | 2007 | Crash Music |
Notes
- ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "MusicMight Biography". Retrieved 2008-09-15.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Primer 55 signs with Crash Music, Blabbermouth.net
- ^ a b c d e f Template:Amg
- ^ "Primer 55 : Albums", VH1.com