Primus frontman Les Claypool explained what he thought about Rush’s comeback with new drummer Anika Nilles replacing late drummer Neil Peart.
Rush announced its Fifty Something reunion tour in October 2025, marking the band’s first run of shows since Neil Peart’s death in 2020. The band introduced Nilles as “another remarkable person” and “an incredible drummer and musician” who would add “another chapter” to Rush’s story.
Nilles is a German drummer, composer and producer who previously played in the touring band of Jeff Beck for more than 60 shows and has released her own albums.
During an interview with TotalRock, Claypool was asked about his thoughts on Rush in 2026 given that the band had to replace a very well-known drummer.
Claypool said: “Well, that was my, you know, that was my first concert. It was actually Larry LaLonde’s first concert as well, different year because I’m a little older than Larry. But my first concert was Hemispheres with Pat Travers and Rush at the Capitol when I was 14 years old. I drank three warm beers and threw up in the parking lot, and it was one of the greatest nights of my life.”
“But yeah, so they were a huge part of our upbringing and our early experiences with music. But also, we toured with them quite a lot in the early ’90s, so they’re very dear friends. So when they came back to do this, and, you know, it’s the year of drummers. There’s so many drummers have switched positions and done this, that, and the next thing.”
“And I text with Geddy quite a lot, and they’re in a very similar boat here. They have Anika, who’s very excited to do this and is breathing a new life to their whole thing. You know, and it’s very similar to what’s happened with us. So I think it’s very exciting.”
Claypool’s remarks about “the year of drummers” and Primus being in a “very similar boat” point to the band’s own recent transition. According to Rolling Stone, Primus entered its own drummer change after Tim “Herb” Alexander unexpectedly resigned, prompting the band to post an open call for a replacement.
“And we were supposed to actually base our last U.S. tour around getting to see one of their shows, and we were down in Texas, and of course their gear got stuck at the border in Mexico, and the show got canceled. So we didn’t actually get to see them, but we went and had dinner with them and hung out and met Anika, and she was great. So I’m anxious to see it.”
