I was at that show last night. Great performance as usual from the band. I too had conversations with them after the show. Very personable guys.

I can't even remember Russian Circles supporting Tool tbh. I guess they must have! I agree that they were excellent live when I saw them a couple of months ago.

I never even heard of those guys...guess I will check them out ;)

definitely recommend it. this is probably your best starting point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFzAd4PNCaY

first two songs of that album are ridiculously good.

$285 for two signed maynard prints?

that's more than just a little ridiculous.

Shit like that should be voted on by the band ( like adam said, "tool is an equal democracy") and given a big fat, No Fucking Way! By the other three to MJK.
And I know I'm on record as a Maynard-hater, but shit like not meeting Russian Circles during a tour and charging stupid amounts of money for a signed pic just reinforces my stance.

What happened?

Maynard didn't meet Russian Circles on tour and jwb is now butthurt for some reason.

.

For what it's worth, I think they only opened 3 shows. It's not like they were on a long tour together.

LOL! (My butt's just fine, thank you)
It's not so much MJK not saying, "hello," to the opening band. It's his attitude in general towards Tool fans. It's like we're an ATM for his many side projects (none of which could sustain themselves on merit alone) It's his TOOL money/fame that allow him to pursue them. Let's be realistic, nobody here would have an APC or Puscifer record, shirt, ticket stub, key chain, or $285 signed photo without him being the singer for TOOL. And nobody here would have an $80 bottle of wine from some obscure winery in Arizona.
And while I'm bitching, I might as well add Alex Grey to my list. Whatever happened to all that money for the "Tool Shrine" he got from his infomercials prior to Tool shows back in 2009?

Thank you, I feel much better now.

My understanding is that he is integrating this into his Entheon project, which has a lot further monetary goal they are currently pushing to make money for.

I don't get why people hate on Alex Grey so much. Sure, people are tired of his art style, but I don't see anything wrong with him promoting his links to Tool if it garners more attention to his work. I don't see this the same way you (and I, to some degree) view Maynard's promotion of Puscifer, the photographer he is so fond of, and such--I honestly don't believe Puscifer would stand alone unless Maynard were fronting them. But I do believe Alex's work is unique, and it would be just fine even without Tool's contributions to his popularity.

Ty Baby Jesus for electric guitars and LSD.

Here's Tom with the weather!

So what? The CEO of Google won't return my calls either. What a dick!

Wow! I hope you are being sarcastic (tough to detect in posts) and not defending MJK unconditionally. As a supporter, contributor (money, real time set list and pics to Fourtheye), yeah, it's me ajreeb, I'd be surprised if you wouldn't call "Shenanigans" on Maynard if it was deserved. You have always seemed to be one to call out BS when you see it, on Tool or anyone else.

Aha, you've revealed what type of Tool fan you are!

There certainly was some sarcasm there, and no I wouldn't defend Maynard unconditionally. I'm sure Maynard is a dick in many ways, and I imagine he has his reasons. He seems to have a routine at shows as well. That this precludes him from meeting the support act shouldn't result in vilification, especially when we aren't privy to the underlying reasons behind it.

I doubt Maynard thinks "fuck the support band, they are beneath me". It's probably more like "I can't get sick on this tour or my voice is fucked". I imagine there's members of the touring staff that rarely see him backstage as well.

But what does bother me is when fans get all hung up on it. I just don't see the point. It's like yelling at clouds.

You got me!
One who questions everything they (MJK) does regarding his/ their loyal to fans
One who would travel to Hawaii for one Show.
Fly out for the weekend to Cali to catch TOOL at Coachella
Fly out to New Orleans to catch the opening show of a tour with Kanaduh
Fly out to Spokane to catch the opening show with Kanaduh
Fly out to Vegas (many times) for one show... And use Kanaduh's VIP Pass because Adam was going to kick his ass (and steal his cell phone, again)

PS Again, if you were being sarcastic I apologize. It's tough to tell on posts.

<sarcasm alert>
No one really understands "the cloud " anyway, so I certainly wouldn't yell at it.
<over>

And truth be told, I get more Tool info from fourtheye than toolband, so props to you!

.

I was just poking fun, bud. Sounds like you dig the band! I do too, I'm not knocking you. Take care.

Wait. What just happened?


edit: Nevermind

I feel the exact same way.


It's hard to judge maynard, there really aren't a lot of people to compare him to. To me his integrity as an artist comes from the music he puts out...Even if you don't like puscifer's music, the lyrics are totally maynard and are really fucking good. So, in that sense, maybe he's being an asshole because he is trying to have a normal life and that's the only way he knows how to keep people away. Then again, considering the stories of him being an asshole rockstar to women backstage, he may be an asshole because he's already a rockstar asshole pretentious douche. Who knows.

I will say two things though, the first is I don't think maynard being in tool is the only reason all his side projects have and are succeeding. Apc is extremely talented in their own right, I'm pretty sure I know people who liked them before they knew who the lead singer was. They are a great art rock band, point blank. Puscifer, definitely harder to argue for, but songs like momma sed affect a lot of people and definitely got people taking that project more seriously.

Second of all, I think the only reason this bickering among tool fans is even occurring (maynard is this, no he's not, it doesn't matter it's pointless) is because were all frustrated we have no new content. It was easier to handle the jokes about fans when we had material to absorb and talk about... Cuz at the end of the day I would say most of us are inspired by the band, and we don't want to feel slighted by them, we don't want to doubt their integrity, so when they sell a random concert photo of themselves for a few hundred bucks, meanwhile have yet to give us anything new (a ton of tours and mini tours of nothing new, save for a few side jams), it's not hard to get annoyed and ask "wtf, stop making money off us with rehashed shit and give us some worthwhile art." That's definitely how I feel. I'm not saying tool owes me anything, I'm not saying tool is the most important priority to me or even to them. What I am saying is, tool has given me and I would bet a lot of you, a lot over the years. Their music has touched us on an emotional level and on a cerebral level, and has done so powerfully. Because of that, they have earned a loyalty among their fans, myself included, that we let them get away with a lot, because we trust their intention just as much as we trust the art they give us. That said, it would be nice if they were more responsive to their fans, more than the occasional "here's a new 'limited edition' item for sale." That's all I'm saying. And even as I say it, I know the band has stressed their process is a selfish one, and considering how well it has worked, for them as success, and for fans as meaningful art, I can't say id want them to change anything, because their art is that damn good.

It's also important to keep in mind, they pretty much have told us all they could... They're writing. There's nothing to be said past that. Getting a snippet of it would ruin the way the song was meant to be heard, so I think were all just gonna have to wait it out, and hope they give us another great
Album. I'm still unsure they can deliver, I hate saying it, but I'm honestly not sure. But again, they've given us so much, I personally would forgive em, and I damn hope that doesn't happen, but I'm not getting my hopes too high.

^Well said^
Much better than my " Maynard is a unappreciative, money- grubbing, Toolfan- hating, side project sucking without him/us" rant.

This is a beautiful post sir, and I could not agree more. Very well said.

I definitely want to comment on this. I have traveled for all three bands, and in particular Puscifer is something that I absolutely LOVE far more than most Tool fans (especially on these forums). Puscifer is strange, quirky, and just plain different. But it works. Puscifer made me appreciate and dance to music I never thought would be possible. It's the more creative and playful side of Maynard's brain making an appearance in a way we would never be able to see with Tool.

However, with that said - lets not let anybody here fool themselves - Puscifer would not hold a candle to daylight or public fame if not for Maynard. Not a chance. That's not to say the music isn't deserving or worth being popular - it's just that on it's own merit would likely NEVER have a chance to become known or reasonably popular without his name. There are many bands and artists out there with immense skill but you never hear about them or their art because they never get that "lucky break" or something that lets them make it in the entertainment industry. Without Maynard Puscifer would have been over after 1 album and there would have been one (if any) actual concerts that were financially viable.

haha, out of all of your posts and venting this where I agree with you the most. how the fuck can ANYONE understand or excuse Tool for this fucking bullshit. and nobody kid yourselves - this is bullshit.

this was the tour I went to every show. I saw that fucking stupid advertisement 15 times. DONATE MONEY TO ALEX GREY. DONATE. to an artist who is heavily partnered and associated with these multi-millionaires for a "TOOL SHRINE". What the fuck is a tool shrine?

5 years later, no shrine.

I call bullshit on this one folks.

Hey bud, I hope you're doing well.
I got a little drunk watching American Football and my anti- MJK leans came out. You, if anyone, know how much I love this band and aren't interested I starting a forum fight. All my posts were well-meaning, just not well thought out.
And yeah, that shrine thing, aside from being semi-self congratulatory, should be scrapped and the money given to homeless shelters.

I don't like the shrine either, seems like a waste of money. But then again, it's not like they're twisting anyone's arm and forcing them to donate.

how can anyone even comment on the shrine? there is nothing to show for it yet. it's almost borderline fraud considering alex grey's foundation is a registered legitimate "charity".

adam jones showed up on stage with Palms last night, if anyone is following them or cares. anyone from here go to the show? I think the show was in LA

was anybody awake? Palms is a snoozer live.

it pains me to say this, but I agree with you.

I love Isis with a passion - they are my favourite band after tool - but Palms just doesn't do it for me.

Destiny has made me forget about waiting for new album!!! It will surely hold me over till the new album drops! Thank you Bungie!

Anybody seeing King Crimson this time around? Im at the Warfield now.

I think elusiveEuphoria went to some of the shows this time around, but I'm not sure if he talked about it in this thread. Enjoy the show! I wish they were came further south, I would've loved to see them.

Everyone who I know who's been has pretty much raved about the shows. I'd check them out if the ever came to Oz, but I'm not holding my breath!

FUCK. ...didnt even know they were out here. King Crimson was only Tool tour ive missed since Undertow

WHAT!?

i am rather embarrassed to say I also had no idea this tour existed. god damnit, Kanaduh.

Fucking Gavin!