"Tool singer Maynard James Keenan has revealed that two of the members
in his side-project band Perfect Circle have strong links with Guns N'
Roses. Ex-Vandals drummer Josh Freese also hits things hard for the
Gunners, while guitarist Billy Howerdel has been the band's guitar technician for years.
Perfect Circle recently appeared live at LA's Coachella Festival and
have begun work on their debut album. This is tentatively set to appear
in February on an as-yet-undecided label. The only confirmed song title so far is 'Thomas'.
"Tool always work on the music first when writing new stuff," says
Tool's manager Ted Gardner. "While others started on the music, Maynard
took a break and decided to do something on the side. He'd been friends
with Billy and Josh for a long time." Gardner adds that Tool currently have "enough material for about four
albums! They explore every idea, every riff, every note. They record
every rehearsal session, then go home and elaborate. Right now they're
in the process of elimination, reducing everything down to the 12 songs
which will be on the new Tool album."
Gardner hints that the new material may feature increased electronic
input from drummer Danny Carey, who has also learned how to play the
Indian drum tabla. As yet untitled, the album is due to be released
next spring on Music for Nations."

From Kerrang

---

Tool fans grinding their teeth down to nubs in anticipation of more
Maynard J. Keenan after Tool's 1996 Grammy-nominated album Aenima,
better call their dentist. Sigh. Tool is only now dragging itself into
the studio as you read this, having had the life sucked out of them by
label woes and the mysterious jailing of a band member. That kind of
stuff puts a damper on the creativity, man.
(Sidenote: Is this for real? I knew about the shit with the label, but who got arrested?)
But there was hope in a distant quarter. Laundry's insanely talented
vocalist/drummer (and former Primus drummer) Tim Alexander. Failure's
guitarist Billy Howerdal, guitarist Troy Van Leewan and bassist Paz
Lenchantin were sitting around thier pools, sipping smoothies trying
to figure out the perfect ingredient for their metal quintet,
A Perfect Circle, which was still more like a square at that point.

(Sidenote: What an insipid little paragraph, no?)
And what do you know? As it turns out, Maynard was available - tired
of picking up crap from those little creepy monsters from the videos
while on hiatus. He's a rock star! He needs an outlet for his twisted lyrics and dark imagery!
(Sidenote: Is it just me, or does this get worse as it goes?)
His Toolmates were cool with Maynard's decision to branch out, so he
has been rehearsing with A Perfect Circle for close to seven months
(Maynard claimed 3 years in his KROQ appearance). The night before
Tool headlined at Coachella, Maynard made his debut performance with A
Perfect Circle. Things are going so well that A Perfect Circle have
been talking to Tool's new label, Volcano, about a potential release.
(And, after having seen them, I REALLY hope they do...)
So, if you like what you hear, you can now enjoy double the Maynard.
And there's always room for more Maynard. But don't expect Toolesque
sounds from A Perfect Circle. It's a different creepy. (Yeah, whatever...)

O.C. Weekly