Primus drummer Tim in recovery after heart op

Drum hero Tim Alexander's heart surgery has been a success and all signs point to a "speedy recovery".

The Puscifer and Primus drummer, 49, is recovering in hospital after going through open heart surgery yesterday in the wake of a heart attack.

A statement on Primus’ Facebook page reads: “The Mighty Tim ‘Herb’ Alexander has pulled through surgery, the blockage from his heart has been removed with no complications and all signs point to a glorious and speedy recovery.”

A message on Puscifer’s Facebook page adds: “According to Tim’s manager, Tim has successfully pulled through surgery. Exhale.”

When news of Alexander’s heart attack broke, both bands and Tim’s family called for fans to tweet messages of support using the hashtag #carrythebeat and to create a “global drum circle” of prayers and good wishes.

The drummer began his third stint with Primus last year, after previously appeared on seven of the band’s albums. He released two records in the 1990s with his own band Laundry, and played on A Perfect Circle’s 2000 release Mer de Noms, before recording for both Puscifer studio albums.

He is also a member of newly-launched prog outfit Escape The Cult.

Stef wrote close to 5,000 stories during his time as assistant online news editor and later as online news editor between 2014-2016. An accomplished reporter and journalist, Stef has written extensively for a number of UK newspapers and also played bass with UK rock favourites Logan. His favourite bands are Pixies and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Stef left the world of rock'n'roll news behind when he moved to his beloved Canada in 2016, but he started on his next 5000 stories in 2022.