Tim Alexander, Drummer for Primus + Puscifer, Suffers Heart Attack

Veteran rock drummer Tim Alexander, a longtime member of Primus and key contributor to Maynard James Keenan's Puscifer project, has suffered a heart attack and is heading for open heart surgery at the beginning of the upcoming week.

Alexander is the current drummer for Primus, having previously been a member of the band from 1988 to 1996 and 2003 to 2009. He rejoined the Les Claypool-led group in 2013. He's played drums on seven Primus albums, including the band's two most successful discs -- 1991's 'Sailing the Seas of Cheese' and 1993's 'Pork Soda.'

In addition, Alexander has appeared on Puscifer's two studio albums and one EP, and played drums on the Keenan-fronted A Perfect Circle's hit song 'The Hollow.' In a Facebook post, Puscifer alerted their fans to the news of Alexander's heart attack and impending surgery, writing the following:

Calling All Cars! Rough news. @timalexander suffered a heart attack. Open Heart Surgery on Mon/Tues. Global Positive Thoughts, Por favor. @Puscifer We need our Herb the Ginseng Drummer aka Peter Merkin alive and thieving.

We'd like to send our best wishes to Tim Alexander for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

Watch Primus' 'Jerry Was a Race Car Driver' Video

Watch Puscifer's 'Conditions of My Parole' Video