Tool Newsletter April 2011

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Blair released the April 2011 newsletter on Toolband/Army, and it looks like this month is a return to form of sorts. I discusses mainly the Royal Wedding and also touches on Tool‘s progress:

Q: “Hey, Can you tell me what the new Tool album sounds like?”

A: Well, so far, it sounds like Stockhausen meets Jimmy Durante. No, actually I haven’t heard any of it yet. I did, however, see the dry erase board the other night, and even took a photo of the incomplete (Tool) arrangement on it, only to be later told by a band member not to post it. I don’t know why, though. It was ambiguous as ever. In fact, any musician would have an easier time deciphering the Voynich manuscript. Even so, I’ll go way out on a limb and predict that the new stuff sounds like… Tool. Or at least it WILL once Maynard adds everything that he does to the equation. For truly, that’s when all the colored scrawls of chord progressions, time signatures, and other abstruse musical notations on the board become the kind of Tool composition you’ve become familiar with.

For those of you without the patience to read Blair’s work, that’s about all you need to know (hidden codes aside).

A Perfect Circle join Ottawa Bluesfest

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In what’s turning out to be a busy day for A Perfect Circle announcements, it seems as though they will also be playing at the Ottawa Bluesfest on the 10th of July.  This festival, which spans a couple of weeks is bringing a pretty amazing lineup of acts including Soundgarden, Huey Lewis & the News, Joe Satriani and Shpongle.  The official website seems to be having problems at the moment, but you can check details here.

A Perfect Circle playing Lollapalooza

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As I predicted a little while back, A Perfect Circle were today announced as part of the Lollapalooza lineup for 2011.  A Perfect Circle seem to be one of the second tier acts, and other bands joining them on the three day festival include Foo Fighters, Ween, Muse, Deftones, Death From Above 1979 and The Cars.  Overall it seems like a quite reasonable lineup, and much lighter on shitty metal than other festivals they’re playing.

According to the website, the only tickets left are 3-Day passes, so I hope you had the foresight to get an earlybird ticket if APC are legitimately the only band you fancy on the lineup…

Danny Carey Interview in DRUMscene

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I mentioned this interview yesterday, but this morning when I visited the local magazine emporium, I spotted a copy of issue 64 of DRUMscene featuring Danny and decided to grab a copy (it was only $10).  And I gotta say it was $10 very well spent, then interview is one of the best I’ve read, and Danny speaks extensively about where the new album is at, the Live DVD, recording/song writing techniques and more. 

In fairness to the magazine and copyright laws, I’m not going to scan it for you guys, however here’s some of the highlights of the interview:

  • The loved the Big Day Out tour, it was a great break for them and they love the relaxed atmosphere that comes with playing in the tour.  They the it off really well with the guys from Rammstein.  The highlight of the tour for Danny was the Melbourne sideshow.
  • As of the time of the interview 4 songs are in the works, which Danny expects is about half the album.  Danny seems keen to write shorter and more to the point songs this time round, but things seem to have a habit of growing!  So far the songs seem to be heading along the path set by Jambi.
  • Maynard is expecting to spend some time with Tool before the APC shows and has expressed a desire to be more involved in the writing this time round, as Danny suggested that Maynard found some of the complex rhythms of the last album hard to write for.
  • There will be no further tours until the album is released, which all things going well they hope if 2011.  The plan is to be in the studio by the end of the US summer.
  • They are leaning towards using Joe Baressi for the album, but haven’t ruled out using David Bottrill.  Depends on how the remaining song writing pans out.
  • Danny’s really keen on getting a Live DVD out, using the footage recorded on previous tours (he talks specifically about the 6 pro-shot shows).  As far as he knows the others in the band are keen, but it is a lengthy process editing the footage.  Seemed pretty sure it would see the light of day eventually.
  • Currently in the Lamborghini CD player is the new Trans-am and Rammstein albums, as well as some old Jethro Tull.
  • He’s still keen on doing a drum workshop type DVD, and said he might do one this year if he finds the time.
  • Danny has taken up bike riding, loves Penang Beef Curry, Mexican food and The Big Lebowski

As I said, it’s a great interview, and I would suggest any Australians out there interesting in reading the whole thing head down to their local newsagent and grab a copy!  Or you should be able to snag one online here.

Danny in Drum Scene, More Tool Collectables

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According to Milhuisen, Danny will appear in Issue 64 of DRUMscene, apparently Australia’s #1 Drum Magazine.  As well as a “huge” interview, it will feature a poster.

DRUMscene Issue 64

I might head over to the newsagent in the morning and see if I can grab a copy.

Also, for those that missed it, copies of Salival and Lateralus Signed Vinyl were made available on the Toolarmy shop yesterday.  Took only 20 minutes for the 7 copies of Lateralus to sell, and a little longer for Salival.  Apparently there’s more to come, so keep checking!