Primer 55 was a nu-metal band formed in 1997 by guitarist Bobby Burns and vocalist J-Sin. They were later joined by bassist Mike “Jr.” Christopher and drummer Josh McLane. The band gained attention with their energetic blend of rap-rock and metal, releasing albums that defined their place in the early 2000s nu-metal scene. However, their career was filled with breakups, reunions, and personal struggles. This ultimately led to their second hiatus, and we’re not sure what’s next.
Primer 55’s Career
Primer 55 gained traction with their 2000 debut album, ‘Introduction to Mayhem,’ which featured a mix of heavy riffs and rap vocals. They toured with major acts like Slipknot, Machine Head, and Sevendust, and even performed at Ozzfest 2000. Their second album, ‘(The) New Release’ (2001), expanded their sound, but internal conflicts and industry struggles began to affect the band.
Their First Hiatus
According to Burns’ interview with PureGrainAudio.com, Primer 55 went on hiatus in 2003 due to label issues and personal struggles. During this period, Bobby Burns joined Soulfly as their bassist, worked on four albums and toured extensively. Meanwhile, J-Sin struggled with substance abuse, and it prevented him from returning to music for many years. Burns said that J-Sin was “not in any shape to tour or anything like that for a really long time.”
Primer 55 Came Back in 2015
In 2007, Crash Music contacted Burns during a break from Soulfly, which led to Primer 55’s first comeback. They released the EP ‘Family for Life,’ and it contained previously unreleased material from their early days. They followed up with the single ‘Flexin’’ in 2009, which showed signs of a return. However, Burns dismissed the entire lineup in 2010 and put the band on hold once again.
Primer 55’s Second Hiatus
The band attempted another return, but officially entered their second hiatus on October 7, 2015. Discussions about a 20th-anniversary tour for ‘Introduction to Mayhem’ took place in 2020, but the plans never materialized. J-Sin passed away on August 10, 2018, at age 40 after battling Hepatitis C. His death was a huge loss to the band and its fans.
Where is Primer 55 Now?
Primer 55 remained on hold after years of inactivity, with no signs of a full return. In December 2024, Bobby Burns was diagnosed with alcoholic liver failure, a condition that put his health in serious danger. This raises concerns about Burns’ future and the possibility of any new Primer 55 music.
