Music

Maynard James Keenan is totally done with Tool and the band's fans

by Jesse Locke

Outside of their introduction to the Etsy community with a set of blankets made from band shirts, things have been mighty quiet from Team Tool. Fans might have to wait another 10,000 days for their next album (see what we did there?) but the math-metal minions will make a one-off Halloween appearance at the Monster Mash Music Festival in Tempe, Arizona. Unfortunately, frontman Maynard James Keenan doesn’t seem very excited about their return to the stage.

According to an interview with the Phoenix New Times, any questions about Tool saw the floppily mohawked musician “become curt” as “a hint of exasperation creeps into his voice and he exhales heavily through his nose.” That definitely sounds like someone who’s more excited about his winery and his Puscifer project (also playing at Monster Mash and releasing their new album Money Shot on October 31) than the band that won him three Grammys.

In fact, the 51-year-old singer said the other members of Tool “had to con [him] into” performing. His quotes about fans who miss the humour in their albums are even more derisive.

“Yeah, it’s there, but people miss it because they’re so focused on the other bullshit. It’s lost. Insufferable people… It’s just ridiculous, retards. I’m sorry. Can’t help them. Way too serious. Too much. Lighten up.”

So, there you have it. As for the last word on Tool’s first new album since 2006, Keenan put it plainly: “There’s nothing to say. I can’t.”