There’s a new interview with Maynard on the Phoenix New Times this morning, mostly related to Puscifer, Money Shot and Winemaking, but as is usually the case, offers a few thoughts from Maynard on Tool. Before I give you my opinion on what I think it’s all about, here’s the text from the article related to Tool:
You’d think Keenan hates Tool. In fact, his reputation as a recluse comes largely from his stubborn refusal to answer questions about Tool, including the undying question: “When’s the next Tool album coming out?” New Times pointed out to him that he seems freer to express his less serious side in Puscifer, as critics and fans tend to view his other projects more seriously.
“It’s weird. It shouldn’t be,” Keenan says. “I mean, this one’s named dick, this one’s named vagina. That’s the start there, okay?”
He acknowledges that there was indeed humor in the Tool albums. But as with any time he’s asked about Tool, his answers quickly become curt. A hint of exasperation creeps into his voice and he exhales heavily through his nose.
“Yeah, it’s there,” he says. “But people miss it because they’re so focused on the other bullshit.”
He shakes his head.
“It’s lost. Insufferable people . . . It’s just ridiculous, retards. I’m sorry. Can’t help them. Way too serious. Too much. Lighten up.”
Did he have to corral the other band members to play this one show in 2015?
“No, they had to con me into it.”
Deftones is also playing the festival. Are we going to hear “Passenger,” the Deftones song featuring Keenan guesting on vocals? Keenan hasn’t performed it live in more than a decade.
He shakes his head vigorously.
Then the million-dollar question: When’s the next Tool album coming out?
“There’s nothing to say,” he says. “I can’t.”
For insufferable, humourless Tool fans, this seems like it’s a simple kick in the nuts. I think it’s not quite what it seems. The problem with interviews published on websites is that some much of the nuances of communication are lost as they are transcribed from sound to text. Maynard tells fans to “lighten up” and then in the next sentence says he was conned into playing with Tool. Everyone seems to immediately assume he’s being serious – personally, I’m not so sure. Maybe I’m just naive.
Reading reactions from Tool fans here on Fourtheye, Facebook, Reddit and all over the net, it’s almost like a self fulfilling prophecy. Maynard says Tool fans are insufferable, overly serious people, and the next minute the internet is full of them complaining about Maynard’s attitude to Tool. Maynard has a history of being dismissive of Tool fans, so today’s revelations should really be no surprise to any of us.
The full interview can be found on the Phoenix New Times website. It’s a shame that what is a good interview is going to only be discussed because of the small section dedicated to Tool.
