Primer 55

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Primer 55
Origin Memphis, Tennessee
Genre(s) Alternative metal, nu metal, rapcore
Years active 1997–2003
2007–present
Label(s) Propellant Transmissions
Island Def Jam
Island Records
FFL Records
Crash Music
Associated acts Soulfly
ICP
Fear Factory
Disturbed
Taproot
Skinlab
Dope
Society 1
Members
Bobby Burns
Donny Polinske (the DRP)
Josh Toomey
Frank Fontsere
Billy Grey
Former members
Heath Joyce
Josh McLane
John Kamoosi
Mike "Jr." Christopher
Kobie Jackson
Jason "J-Sin" Luttrell
John Stainer
Preston Nash
Tim Lau

Primer 55 is a alternative metal music group from Memphis, Tennessee. They are currently signed to Crash Music.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] 1997-1999

Primer 55 was formed in 1997 in Memphis, TN. Guitarist Bobby Burns co-founded the band with vocalist Jason "J-Sin" Luttrell[2]. 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.

[edit] 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).

[edit] 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 Milwaukee.

[edit] Members

  • Current members[2]
    • Bobby Burns - guitar, vocals (1997-2003, 2007-)
    • Donny Polinske - vocals (2008-)
    • Josh Toomey - bass (2002-2003, 2007-)
    • Frank Fontsere - drums (2007-)
    • Billy Grey - guitar (2007-)
  • Former members[2]
    • 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)

[edit] Discography

Album Year Label
Primer 55[2] 1999 Propellant Transmissions
Introduction To Mayhem[2] 2000 Island Def Jam
The New Release[3] 2001 Island Records
Bootleg I 2005 FFL Records
Bootleg II 2005 FFL Records
Family For Life[2] 2007 Crash Music

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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