The February newsletter is now up on Toolband/Toolarmy and it’s a somewhat revealing one:

• Tool are in the process or writing new material., though Blair personally hasn’t heard any.
• Joe Baressi has, which suggests to me he’s probably going to engineer the album again.
• Adam has a new pedal he’s been playing around with, and this may or may not feature.
• Danny has some new percussion instruments, and they definitely don’t have a water bong in the room.
• The cover from the mini tour was from the band The God Machine, and it wasn’t played because a member of the band had recently passed away (a friend of Justins)
• Apparently the male doctors voice on Lost Keys is the bands manager, not Justin as has been suggested to me in the past.  The man in question, Pete Riedling if I remember correctly is an Australian.
• The Big Thing is the website updates.  It will happen sometime in the future.  My sources tell me around September.

It’s an interesting read, a mini-FAQ in some ways and I suggest you all take a look.

Thanks to Nathan for the tip!

According to a recent Facebook update by Adam:

Adam Jones ~ ! ! ! NASA – International Space Station: "The on orbit crew awoke at 4:15pET to the song "Parabola" by Tool, played for astronaut Bob Behnken

Nice!

AcousticPhenomena emailed me today to let me know about and interesting snippet he found on Robert Fripp’s website:

A fabbo lunch with Adam covering a wide range of common interests & experiencing, among which: the possibilities of continuing our album, begun in Los Angeles some 5-6 years ago; and go out speaking together.

Should be an interesting album should it actually happen.  This sounds promising, though I’m sure many would argue not at the expense of a Tool album…

Not sure how long it’s been on the site, but the January Tool Newsletter is now available on Toolband and Toolarmy.  It’s really just a bit of a recap of Tool-related news over the last couple of months, confirming that Tool aren’t doing much at the moment, and that Danny, Adam and Justin are all abroad (or have been) and that Maynard is busy with Puscifer and Caduceus stuff.

Hopefully this year is more fruitful than the last!  Happy Birthday from everyone at Fourtheye!

Sad news from Blair this morning is that Adam and Camella’s beloved great dane Diablo passed away last night:

I just received the sad news from Camella that great dane DIABLO passed away last night (peacefully after fighting bronchitis). Most people should have the adventures that Diablo had during his lifetime. The big fellow will surely be missed on this plane of existence.

The Melvins are doing a few shows in Europe late this year with Big Business and Porn.  Check them out if they’re in your neck of the woods:

November 24, 2009 Madrid, Spain – Penélope w/ Big Business, Porn
November 25, 2009 Barcelona, Spain – La[2] w/ Big Business, Porn
November 27, 2009 Conegliano, Italy – Zion Rock Club w/ Big Business, Porn
November 29, 2009 Athens, Greece – Unknown Palace w/ Big Business, Porn
December 1, 2009 Bologna, Italy – Estragon w/ Big Business, Porn
December 2, 2009 Segrate, Milan, Italy – Circolo Magnolia w/ Big Business, Porn
December 4, 2009 Munich, Germany – Feierwerk / Hansa 39 w/ Big Business, Porn
December 5, 2009 Schorndorf, Germany – Manufaktur w/ Big Business, Porn
December 6, 2009 Berlin, Germany – Maria am Ostbahnhof w/ Big Business, Porn
December 8, 2009 London, United Kingdom – Garage w/ Witch, Big Business, Porn
December 10, 2009 Kortrijk, Belgium – De Kreun w/ Big Business, Porn
December 11, 2009 – Minehead, United Kingdom – Butlins Holiday Resort – TEN YEARS OF ATP

In other Melvins stuff, King Buzzo has list of his favourite 10 albums, and why he likes them on theskinny.co.uk.

Finally, the remix version of Lustmord’s [O T H E R] album has been released.  Titled [O T H E R D U B] it features Adam Jones both on album playing guitar, and his art work graces the cover.  The album can be purchased here.

Technical Note: Mentioning “Porn” in a comment will see you getting sent to my spam/moderation list.  I’ll approve them as they come in, but don’t get all flustered if your comment doesn’t appear straight away.

I’ve got a few minor snippets of info collecting in my inbox, not quite worth of their own stories, but have finally reached a point where I want to clear it out! Anyway, here goes…

The Puscifer blog on Myspace has revealed some information regarding the support acts for the upcoming tour:

Depending on the city, Support for the upcoming Fall Run will be… SWEETHEAD, Uncle Scratches Gospel Revival, and Neil Hamburger.

Jack emailed me a link to a short Youtube video, presumable from some kin of Jurassic Park Making Of… which features a shot of Adam working on a dinosaur.

Finally, there’s a book of Tool lyrical interpretations that has been compiled by Steven Caddy, and it seems as though the original location of this hosted file has been closed.  So for prosterity I’ve added the book to Fourtheye and you can download it here.

Looks like the Revolver Book of Tool magazine is going to be reprinted, and the new edition will feature the recent Adam Jones/Kirk Hammett interview.

Already a highly desirable collector’s classic that sold out its first printing in a matter of days, we’ve gone back to the press to bring you the best Tool collection ever! Revolver’s 100-page special The Book of Tool is an unprecedented exploration of one of the most innovative, intriguing, and mysterious bands in the heavy-music scene.

The Book of Tool features exclusive interviews with all the band members, never-before-seen photographs and conceptual sketches, an exhaustive album-by-album oral history of the band, an interview with collaborating artist Alex Grey, looks at the instruments and techniques that Tool have employed to achieve their unique sound and compelling visual style, and much more.

The Book of Tool is a must for the library of any Tool fan. As a bonus, we’ve created two collector’s covers AND added a new bonus chapter featuring cult heroes Adam Jones and Kirk Hammett. This collector’s re-print is sure to sell out soon, so order your copy today!

Keep your eyes peeled for this, especially if you missed out the first time round.  Thanks to Vuduchild for the tip.

Update: Not sure why this article never got posted – it was originally done on the 8th of August, but never got past Draft stage.  Thanks Wordpress!

dustinspoly from Toolarmy also headed along to the recent Doctors Without Borders fundraiser, and he took the opportunity to as Adam a couple of questions we’re all dieing to know the answer to:

Why don’t they do H, 3rd Eye, Prison Sex or Hooker with a Penis live anymore?

AJ: Because Maynard picks the set list he feels comfortable with singing.

What music video they’re working on?

AJ: I am working on a new music video for Tool.  No more CGI it was a pain in the ass.

What was your favorite video out of all the Tool videos you created?

AJ: I like them all.

My favorite was Parabola

AJ: I love that one too it was a challenge to build the forest that Tricky was walking through.

What song is the new video going to be for?

AJ: I wish I could say but I am sworn to keep it on the hush until it’s done. But you will love it… I am doing some amazing special effect work on it.

Anything interesting he mention about the live shows?

AJ: A couple new visuals added for the mini tour…

Are the future projects Tool related or Adam solo projects?

AJ: We are in the finishing aspects of the writing process for the new album.

Will this be your last tour?

AJ: No way we love touring.

Thanks to Bellami for letting me know about the post on Toolarmy.