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Primer 55

{{Short description|American nu metal band}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Primer 55

| image =

| caption =

| image_size =

| origin = Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.

| genre = {{flatlist|

  • Nu metal{{cite book|first=Tommy|last=Udo|title=Brave Nu World|year=2002|publisher=Sanctuary Publishing|isbn=1-86074-415-X|page=[https://archive.org/details/bravenuworld00tomm/page/229 229]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/bravenuworld00tomm/page/229}}{{cite web |title= Primer 55 |work= Freetime Magazine |url= http://www.freetime.com/primer-55/ |access-date= December 11, 2015 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151222162911/http://www.freetime.com/primer-55/ |archive-date= December 22, 2015 |df= mdy-all }}
  • rap metal{{cite journal |first= Scott |last= Olivenbaum |title= Fear Factory, Puya, Primer 55, Dry Kill Logic |journal= Blistering |date= June 29, 2001 |access-date= December 15, 2015 |url= http://www.blistering.com/concertdet.php3?rid=92 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071011205429/http://www.blistering.com/concertdet.php3?rid=92 |archive-date= October 11, 2007 |url-status= dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/introduction-to-mayhem/ |title=CD Revuews - Introduction To Mayhem Primer 55 |website=Blabbermouth.net}}
  • alternative metal{{Cite web|url=https://billingsgazette.com/entertainment/enjoy/primer-55-rises-from-the-ashes-reunited-rock-band-tops-bill-for-f-o-e/article_0d73f8ec-f1cd-536d-8e53-d6044542dff2.html|title=Primer 55 rises from the ashes Reunited rock band tops bill for F.O.E. show Wednesday|author=Cathy Ulrich|website=The Billings Gazette|date=December 13, 2007 }}

}}

| years_active = {{flatlist|

  • 1997–2003
  • 2007–2015

}}

| label = {{flatlist|

}}

| website =

| past_members =

  • Bobby Burns
  • Grover Norton
  • Darren Walling
  • Josh McLane
  • Mike "Jr." Christopher
  • Kobie Jackson
  • Jason "J-Sin" Luttrell
  • Preston Nash
  • Heath Shaw
  • Joey Busciglio
  • Yogi Allgood
  • Donny Polinske
  • Joshua Toomey
  • Sergio Alemar
  • Ryan Mertz
  • Kevin Britt
  • Nic Bell

}}

Primer 55 was an American nu metal band which formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1997. The name originated from the combination of Primer, meaning "something that's unfinished", and 55, which refers to Interstate 55, "the road that drugs run on to get to Chicago through Memphis".{{cite web|url=http://www.voxonline.com/alternative/primer_55/vox_interviews_primer_55.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061021052604/http://www.voxonline.com/alternative/primer_55/vox_interviews_primer_55.htm|title=VOX Interviews PRIMER 55|archive-date=October 21, 2006|publisher=Voxonline.com|access-date=February 15, 2015}}

History

=Formation and early days (1997–1998)=

Primer 55 was formed in 1997 in Memphis, Tennessee by guitarist Bobby Burns and vocalist J-Sin. The two met when J-Sin's previous band was the opening act for Burns' previous band. Burns' heavy metal music influences and J-Sin's hip hop influences melded to create the band's rap rock sound.{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p398488/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Biography of Primer 55 |access-date=December 4, 2008 |last=Loehr |first=Josh |website=AllMusic}} Bassist Mike "Jr." Christopher and drummer Josh McLane were then added to complete the lineup.

=Record deal, ''Introduction to Mayhem'' and ''(The) New Release'' (1999–2002)=

After releasing an EP on the independent label Propellant Transmissions, Primer 55 signed a contract with Island Records and reissued the EP as their debut album, Introduction to Mayhem on January 25, 2000. The remixed and reconstructed album features appearances from Incubus turntablist Chris Kilmore and Hed PE frontman Jared Gomes.

The band toured with Biohazard, Slipknot, Machine Head and Dope before scoring a slot as a second-stage performer on the Ozzfest 2000 festival tour. Then, in September 2000, Primer 55 toured alongside Soulfly, downset., and Slaves on Dope.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433296/20000825/primer_55.jhtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904014450/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433296/20000825/primer_55.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 4, 2012 |title=Soulfly Taps Downset, Primer 55, Slaves On Dope For Tour |access-date=December 4, 2008 |last=Manicini |first=Robert |date=August 25, 2000 |publisher=MTV News}} During this time the band experienced several line-up changes, a pattern that would continue on through the recording of their next album and beyond.{{cite web|url=http://www.theprp.com/thevault/interviews/primer551.shtml|title=Interview: Primer 55|publisher=Theprp.com|access-date=February 15, 2015}}

On August 14, 2001, Primer 55 released their second studio album, (the) New Release. It went to number 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart and No. 102 on the Billboard 200. The album's single, "This Life" peaked at No. 37 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart.{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r546022/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}} |title=Charts and awards for The New Release |access-date=December 4, 2008 |website=AllMusic}} After the album's initial success, it was suddenly shelved by Island Records. Burns told PureGrainAudio, "The album was out 2 months then 9/11 happened and we got lost in that shuffle that was going on in NY at that time."

Despite having their album shelved, the band embarked on "The $12 Riot Tour" on October 31 with Dope, Skinlab and Society 1.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/73807/dope-to-incite-12-riot-tour|title=Dope To Incite $12 Riot Tour|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 15, 2015}} The next year, Primer 55 performed as the opening act at the 2002 Gathering of the Juggalos in Peoria, Illinois.{{cite web |url=http://www.juggalogathering.com/home.php?page_id=main_stage_primer55 |title=Main Stage, Saturday 7-7:30PM: Primer 55 |access-date=December 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713123622/http://juggalogathering.com/home.php?page_id=main_stage_primer55 |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |publisher=Psychopathic Records}}

= First hiatus (2003–2006) =

In 2003, the band went on hiatus after struggles with record labels and internal issues among bandmates. Burns joined Soulfly, a band he'd met while touring with Ozzfest 2000. He toured the world and released four albums as the band's bass player. J-Sin would unfortunately battle alcohol and drug addiction, with Burns later describing him as not "in any shape to tour or anything like that for a really long time."{{cite web|url=http://puregrainaudio.com/interviews/primer-55|title=Interview with Primer 55 guitarist Bobby Burns « Interviews « PureGrainAudio.com|author=James Wright|publisher=Puregrainaudio.com|access-date=February 15, 2015}}

=Reformation, aborted third album and second hiatus (2007–present)=

When Soulfly went on hiatus in 2007, Crash Music contacted Burns, inspiring him to reform Primer 55 with J-Sin and join fellow Crash Music band Love Said No. The "Crash Music Metal Crusade Tour" took both bands out on the road together in late 2007{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=77692|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120918025712/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=77692|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 18, 2012|title=Primer 55, Love Said No To Join Forces For 'Crash Music Metal Crusade Tour' - Blabbermouth.net|work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|access-date=February 15, 2015}} and the band released the EP Family for Life, a collection of previously unreleased tracks recorded between 1998 and 2002, on November 6.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=75248 |title=PRIMER 55 Signs With CRASH MUSIC |access-date=December 4, 2008 |publisher=blabbermouth.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227020208/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=75248 |archive-date=December 27, 2007 }}

At an early 2008 performance, rapper Donny "The DRP" Polinske attended a Primer 55 performance in hopes of interesting Burns and J-Sin to guest on a track for his solo album. After only three weeks of touring, however, J-Sin was forced to exit the band due to poor performances and costly antics caused by continued drug and alcohol addictions that would eventually land him in rehab. While J-Sin was replaced temporarily by Heath Joyce, a longtime friend of Burns,{{cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/news.php?newsid=4918|title=Primer 55 Change Singers|publisher=Sputnikmusic|access-date=February 15, 2015}} officially The DRP would become Primer 55's next vocalist, performing with the band at the 2008 Gathering of the Juggalos alongside 2 Live Crew, Ice-T, and Twiztid.

In 2009, Primer 55 released the song "Flexin{{'"}} with an accompanying music video.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OMu3zwC_9A |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/-OMu3zwC_9A |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|title=Primer 55 - "Flexin" - El Haney Video Productions LLC|date=July 26, 2009|work=YouTube|access-date=February 15, 2015}}{{cbignore}} A full-length album titled New American Gangsters was in the works{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=166295|title=Primer 55 Signs With Thc:Music/Rocket Science Ventures - Blabbermouth.net|work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|access-date=February 15, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121231751/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=166295|archive-date=November 21, 2011}} until January 2010 when Burns fired all of the other band members.{{cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/news.php?newsid=12339|title=Primer 55 fire members|publisher=Sputnikmusic|access-date=February 15, 2015}} Later that year, the band's MySpace page announced that J-Sin had returned to the band, yet the band also resumed recording and performing with The DRP.[http://www.culturealternative.com/2012/01/06/whats-all-this-ruckus-the-drp-interview/#.Txhkm2_DBAq] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525152415/http://www.culturealternative.com/2012/01/06/whats-all-this-ruckus-the-drp-interview/#.Txhkm2_DBAq|date=May 25, 2013}}

In early 2012, Primer 55 began playing acoustic sets through the midwestern and southeastern United States after Burns was inspired by watching old MTV Unplugged performances by bands like Nirvana and Korn.{{cite web|url=http://qctimes.com/entertainment/music/primer-leader-steps-back-for-acoustic-show/article_a41fa7a4-3717-11e1-b82c-0019bb2963f4.html|title=Primer 55 leader steps back for acoustic show|author=David Burke|website=Qctimes.com|date=January 4, 2012 |access-date=February 15, 2015}} In 2012, As Seen on TV was reissued under the title The Big Fuck You, with bonus tracks.

Primer 55 went on indefinite hiatus on October 7, 2015, as Burns would work on his band, Murder the Flesh.

On August 10, 2018, J-Sin died at the age of 40 after a longtime battle with Hepatitis C.{{cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/jason-j-sin-luttrell-singer-ozzfest-veterans-primer-55-dead-40|title=Jason "J-Sin" Luttrell, Singer of Ozzfest Veterans Primer 55, Dead at 40|website=Revolvermag.com|date=August 10, 2018}}

During December 2019, there was talk of new shows to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Introduction to Mayhem in 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2019/12/05/news/primer-55-pondering-reuniting-for-introduction-to-mayhem-20th-anniversary-shows/|title=Primer 55 Pondering Reuniting For "Introduction To Mayhem" 20th Anniversary Shows|date=December 6, 2019|website=Theprp.com}}

Members

=Final members=

  • Bobby Burns – guitar (1997–2003, 2007–2015), vocals (2010–2015)
  • Joey Busciglio – guitar (2013–2015)
  • Darren Walling – bass (2014–2015)
  • Heath Shaw – drums (2012–2015)

=Former members=

  • Jason "J-Sin" Luttrell – vocals (1997–2003, 2007, 2010) {{small|(died 2018)}}
  • Josh McLane – drums (2000–2001)
  • Mike "Jr." Christopher – bass (2000–2001)
  • Preston Nash – drums (2001–2003)
  • Kobie Jackson – bass (2002–2003)
  • Joshua Toomey – bass (2003, 2007–2010)
  • Heath Shaw – drums (2011–2013)
  • Donny "The DRP" Polinske – vocals (2008–2010)
  • Nic Bell – bass (2012–2014)

Timeline

{{#tag:timeline|

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Alignbars = justify

DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy

Period = from:01/01/1997 till:10/07/2015

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id:vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals

id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar

id:bass value:blue legend:Bass

id:drums value:orange legend:Drums

id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album

id:other value:gray(0.6) legend:EP

id:bars value:gray(0.95)

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at:08/14/2001

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at:06/01/1999

at:11/06/2007

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bar:Jason text:"Jason Luttrell"

bar:Donny text:"Donny Polinske"

bar:Bobby text:"Bobby Burns"

bar:Joey text:"Joey Busciglio"

bar:Mike text:"Mike Christopher"

bar:Kobie text:"Kobie Jackson"

bar:Joshua text:"Joshua Toomey"

bar:Nic text:"Nic Bell"

bar:Darren text:"Darren Walling"

bar:Josh text:"Josh McLane"

bar:Preston text:"Preston Nash"

bar:Heath text:"Heath Shaw"

bar:Grover text:"Grover Norton"

PlotData=

width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)

bar:Jason from:01/01/1997 till:07/01/2003 color:vocals

bar:Jason from:07/20/2007 till:12/01/2007 color:vocals

bar:Jason from:03/01/2010 till:07/01/2010 color:vocals

bar:Donny from:08/07/2008 till:01/17/2010 color:vocals

bar:Bobby from:01/01/1997 till:07/01/2003 color:guitar

bar:Bobby from:01/01/1997 till:01/01/2000 color:bass width:3

bar:Bobby from:01/01/1997 till:01/01/2000 color:drums width:3

bar:Bobby from:07/20/2007 till:01/01/2013 color:guitar

bar:Bobby from:02/01/2001 till:09/01/2002 color:bass width:3

bar:Bobby from:07/01/2010 till:01/01/2013 color:vocals width:3

bar:Bobby from:01/01/2013 till:10/07/2015 color:vocals

bar:Bobby from:01/01/2013 till:10/07/2015 color:guitar width:3

bar:Joey from:01/01/2013 till:10/07/2015 color:guitar

bar:Mike from:01/01/2000 till:02/01/2001 color:bass

bar:Kobie from:09/01/2002 till:02/01/2003 color:bass

bar:Joshua from:02/01/2003 till:07/01/2003 color:bass

bar:Joshua from:07/20/2007 till:01/17/2010 color:bass

bar:Nic from:01/01/2012 till:01/01/2014 color:bass

bar:Darren from:01/01/2014 till:10/07/2015 color:bass

bar:Josh from:01/01/2000 till:02/01/2001 color:drums

bar:Preston from:02/01/2001 till:07/01/2003 color:drums

bar:Heath from:01/01/2011 till:04/01/2013 color:drums

bar:Grover from:04/01/2013 till:10/07/2015 color:drums

}}

Discography

=Albums=

class="wikitable"

!align="center"|Album information

align="left"|Introduction to Mayhem

  • Released: January 25, 2000 {{small|(U.S.)}}
  • Label: Island Records
  • Chart positions: –
  • US sales: 100,000+{{cite web|url=http://metalsludge.tv/classic/?p=30356|title=Sludge Scans For February 2002|website=Metalsludge.tv|access-date=February 16, 2016}}
align="left"|(The) New Release
  • Released: August 14, 2001 {{small|(U.S.)}}
  • Label: Island Records
  • Chart positions: No. 102 {{small|(Billboard 200)}}
  • US sales: 75,000+{{cite web|url=http://metalsludge.tv/classic/?p=30358|title=Sludge Scans For June & July 2002|website=Metalsludge.tv|access-date=February 16, 2016}}

    • =Other releases=

    • As Seen on TV (1999)
    • Bootleg I/Bootleg II (2005)
    • Family for Life (2007)
    • The Big Fuck You (2012)

    =Singles=

    • "Loose" (2000){{cite web|url=http://www.cdandlp.com/item/2/0-1101-0-1-0/114768652/primer-55-introduction-to-mayhem.html|title=Introduction To Mayhem by PRIMER 55, CDS with seidboard|publisher=Cdandlp.com|access-date=February 15, 2015}}
    • "Set It Off" (2000){{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Relative-AshPrimer-55-Split-Sampler/release/3250215|title=Relative Ash - Primer 55 – Split Sampler|publisher=Discogs.com|access-date=February 15, 2015}}
    • "Appetite for Destruction" (2000){{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Rebirth-Of-The-Loud/release/1854644|title=Various – Rebirth Of The Loud|publisher=Discogs.com|access-date=February 15, 2015}}
    • "This Life" (2001){{cite web|url=http://www.cdandlp.com/item/2/0-2101-0-1-0/1063067604/primer-55-this-life-radio-mix.html|title=PRIMER 55|publisher=Cdandlp.com|access-date=February 15, 2015}}

    References

    {{Reflist}}

    External links

    • [https://myspace.com/primer55rocks Primer 55] on Myspace
    • [http://familyforliferecords.bigcartel.com Family for Life Records]
    • [http://www.reverbnation.com/primer55 ReverbNation]
    • {{Discogs artist|Primer 55}}

    {{Authority control}}

    Category:American nu metal musical groups

    Category:American rap metal musical groups

    Category:Heavy metal musical groups from Kentucky

    Category:Island Records artists

    Category:Musical groups established in 1997

    Category:Musical groups from Louisville, Kentucky

    Category:1997 establishments in Tennessee