Music

Rare footage from one of Tool's first shows surfaces online

by Richard Howard

Since 1991 is a vague memory for many of us (and no doubt predates others’ entrance into this world), let me set the scene. Pop, as always, ruled the roost with the release of Michael Jackson’s record-demolishing Dangerous and hits by the likes of Amy Grant (“Who?” “Don’t worry about it, man.”) and Paula Abdul. Rap was just starting to make inroads into the mainstream; mostly through radio-friendly offerings from MC Hammer, Salt-N-Peppa and DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, but also some real shit like A Tribe Called Quest’s Low End Theory.

As for rock, the second half of the year saw stalwarts like Queen and U2 upstaged by heavier acts. Guns ‘N’ Roses and Metallica both had massive albums, which in turn would be overshadowed by the rise of ‘grunge’ with the release of Nevermind and Ten. But while the listening public was already being eased into a world of heavily distorted guitars, they still weren’t quite ready for the assault on the senses that is Tool. Thankfully, their early fans knew they were something special – to the point that they were willing to lug camcorders roughly the size of an Escalade to document their shows.

Recently, footage surfaced of an October 1991 L.A. gig, which would put it before the band’s first EP, 1992’s Opiate. Featuring original bassist Paul D’Amour and a relatively baby-faced but already weird AF Maynard James Keenan, the set showcases the chops that would propel Tool to stardom years later.

Peep the vids below to see them rip through a number of tunes that would later show up on their first EP, plus an early version of “Sober.”

And yes, that’s Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello up top in the picture. Pretty cool, eh?