Hungarian Powerhouse Gergo Borlai Stars In Latest Primus ‘Interstellar Drum Derby’ Video

Primus may have named John Hoffman as their new drummer, but the band’s Interstellar Drum Derby video series rolls on. The latest episode features Hungarian drummer Gergő Borlai.

Tim “Herb” Alexander abruptly departed Primus last fall, leaving his bandmates in need of a new drummer. Interstellar Drum Derby documents Les Claypool and Larry “Ler” LaLonde's search for Alexander’s replacement. After reviewing over 6,1000 video submissions, the pair whittled down the list to 10 finalists and brought them in for live auditions. Hoffman was then selected and made his debut with the band last month at Tool's Live In The Sand festival in the Dominican Republic.

Drummer/comedian Fred Armisen portrays a candidate and appears at the beginning of each video. The Gergő Borlai episode is the eighth in the Interstellar Drum Derby series with past installments devoted to John Hoffman, lespecial's Rory Dolan, Thomas Pridgen, Mike Stone, Stan Bicknell, Sam Groverman and Nikki Glaspie.

Gergő Borlai was raised in Hungary and currently resides in Los Angeles. Borlai was one of the first candidates Claypool and LaLonde looked at after receiving a recommendation from Tool drummer Danny Carey. The drummer has been playing drums since age 3 and has appeared on over 300 albums.

After discussing his passion for the music of Frank Zappa, Borlai engaged in a pair of open jams with LaLonde and Claypool to start his audition. The three musicians went on to perform Primus songs “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers,” “Groundhog’s Day,” “Last Salmon Man” and “Jerry Was A Racecar Driver.”

Watch the Gergő Borlai episode of Primus’ Interstellar Drum Derby below:

Primus, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer kick off the 2025 Sessanta tour on April 24 in Thousand Palms, California. The trio then embarks on their first headlining trek with Hoffman on drums this summer.