Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by oceanminded050
I definitely enjoyed the setlists of the last couple tours. I agree though, many of the songs are overplayed now, but they never get old. I'll never get tired of Stinkfist or 46 and 2 live. I've had my fair share of Sober though, they can give that one a rest.
I was glad they busted out Flood at the last show I was at, and I wished they would play more songs like that. How about some Swamp Song or Eulogy or H? And I've always wanted to hear Third Eye live. I've seen Tool 6 times now and there are still so many songs I've wanted to hear. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the next tour.
On a separate note, is anyone here a member of Tool Army? Is it worth it? I'm considering joining but I want to make sure I get more than a certificate and a stupid key chain.
It is a waste of money. I was one of the first 500 to join and got an autographed picture with all 4 band members but that was only for the first 500. It went downhill when 12000 people joined during the 10,000 Days tour. It really sucks ass now.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by thelev
It is a waste of money. I was one of the first 500 to join and got an autographed picture with all 4 band members but that was only for the first 500. It went downhill when 12000 people joined during the 10,000 Days tour. It really sucks ass now.
Thanks for the heads up. I was hoping the Tool Army was a good way to get insider information and get access to presales for concerts etc. Did it help you with getting presales for tickets at all? On the surface, it looks like a complete waste of money.
I haven't heard V is for Viagra yet. I wasn't too crazy about V is for Vagina, with the exception of a couple songs.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by banned
Nice shot, Rynne.
$10K and a lifetime pass to Coachella? hmmm...
I'd keep the pig and float it above my place like in Children of Men ;)
lol thats awesome. when pigs fly, right? i love that film!!!
The V for Viagra remix is ok...especially Lustmord's remixes...facking tight!!!
__________________ Sep. 7, 2006 Los Angeles, CA~Staples Center// Apr. 28, 2007 Las Vegas, NV~The Pearl (PIT) // May 2, 2007 San Diego, CA~Cox Arena// Dec. 14, 2007 Las Vegas, NV~The Pearl (PIT)
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by LateraL9eight7
Speaking of youtube trips down memory lane, I was watching stuff from the 5/20/01 show at the Hammerstein Ballroom which I proudly admit was my first Tool show ever( and quite possibly the best I've seen). Made me wonder.. that was only a few shows into that tour.. how long did it take you to nail the end of the Grudge? You pretty much had to be just as tight as the band when it comes to the final second where you went strobe crazy no?
I can only imagine how laborously awesome it must be when that band hands you a new record and says "here, design this show.." than you come across a song like Rosetta or The Grudge that has passages that feature 4 band members hitting 4 differant accents..
Actually, I wasn't at that Hammerstein show because it's one of the ones I missed at the start of Lateralus due to some other commitments.
I designed the rig and advised someone else (of my choosing) on what to do in my place.
As far as the initial designing goes, it can be quite a task to interpret a Tool album for the first time.
Sometimes (if I'm good) they let me hear early versions of songs during the writing process, or the recording process, so I can start to get ideas.
For example, I first heard "Disposition-Reflection-Triad" in the fall of 2000, before it had any lyrics.
Another early one was "Jambi", also before it had any lyrics (but was always called "Jambi", I recall), when it was little more than a bass riff.
The most recent one was "Wings I & II" moments after the final mix.
It's always a rarity (and priveledge) to get that kind of access. It only occurs when they offer, and I do what I can not to step on that.
There are some stages of the process that NO ONE apart from the band get to hear, not even their manager. They take it very seriously.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by junior
Actually, I wasn't at that Hammerstein show because it's one of the ones I missed at the start of Lateralus due to some other commitments.
I designed the rig and advised someone else (of my choosing) on what to do in my place.
As far as the initial designing goes, it can be quite a task to interpret a Tool album for the first time.
Sometimes (if I'm good) they let me hear early versions of songs during the writing process, or the recording process, so I can start to get ideas.
For example, I first heard "Disposition-Reflection-Triad" in the fall of 2000, before it had any lyrics.
Another early one was "Jambi", also before it had any lyrics (but was always called "Jambi", I recall), when it was little more than a bass riff.
The most recent one was "Wings I & II" moments after the final mix.
It's always a rarity (and priveledge) to get that kind of access. It only occurs when they offer, and I do what I can not to step on that.
There are some stages of the process that NO ONE apart from the band get to hear, not even their manager. They take it very seriously.
During sound check, do they ever jam on a new tune or idea or do they keep it strict to a few songs from that night's show?
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Junior,
Out of curiosity, how does one get involved in your line of work? That sounds like the sweetest job ever. I am completely blown away by the visuals at ever Tool show I've seen.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Start hanging out at your local rock club. Gravitate towards to light board. They'll start noticing the guy standing at the light board chomping at the bit to push buttons for the Sunday afternoon local band matinee show.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by sinfall
During sound check, do they ever jam on a new tune or idea or do they keep it strict to a few songs from that night's show?
Very rarely (if ever) do they work on new material at a sound check. Even with the sound checks being closed to all but the touring crew, there are still too many ears around.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by oceanminded050
Junior,
Out of curiosity, how does one get involved in your line of work? That sounds like the sweetest job ever. I am completely blown away by the visuals at ever Tool show I've seen.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LateraL9eight7
Start hanging out at your local rock club. Gravitate towards to light board. They'll start noticing the guy standing at the light board chomping at the bit to push buttons for the Sunday afternoon local band matinee show.
The response from LateraL9eight7 is pretty close to how I got started.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
hmm...odd notation, but looking through group pics, I noticed Adam has been wearing the same damn shoes for like the past 12 years LOL. complete dedication to brand loyalty right there hahahaha
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by oceanminded050
Thanks for the heads up. I was hoping the Tool Army was a good way to get insider information and get access to presales for concerts etc. Did it help you with getting presales for tickets at all? On the surface, it looks like a complete waste of money.
I haven't heard V is for Viagra yet. I wasn't too crazy about V is for Vagina, with the exception of a couple songs.
Can't wait to read the Revolver mag!
I have actually got pre-sale tickets but unless you live within 100 miles of the venue you cannot get tickets. They offered pre-sale tickets on only 1 of 4 rounds of dates. Trust me when I say the message boards on this site blow away the boards on Toolarmy. I suppose since it is a one-time cost and not yearly it may be worth it...just don't expect to much from it.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
After "observing" the first 2 nights of the tour I had my first show at the helm of the Duran Duran lighting console tonight at Concord Pavilion.
Not as weird as I thought it would be, but I've still got a long way to go before it feels natural.
Definitely a departure from what I'm used to, though.
I think this is the first time I've been to Concord since the 1997 Lollapalooza.
Tomorrow we are at the Santa Barbara County Bowl, which will be the first show I've done there since the 1998 Tool show that caused them to receive a "lifetime ban" in Santa Barbara County.
Ive been there to see shows in recent years (Neil Young and Mars Volta [not together]), but not to do a show.
On Sunday we play the Nokia in LA, and believe it or not, we're expecting 2 or 3 members of a certain "other band" to be in the audience.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by junior
After "observing" the first 2 nights of the tour I had my first show at the helm of the Duran Duran lighting console tonight at Concord Pavilion.
Not as weird as I thought it would be, but I've still got a long way to go before it feels natural.
Definitely a departure from what I'm used to, though.
On Sunday we play the Nokia in LA, and believe it or not, we're expecting 2 or 3 members of a certain "other band" to be in the audience.
That's cool. Do you get the same "free reign" with the lights as you do with tool? Or is it more structured?
Sounds like a big day for Adam on Sunday. Lakers and Duran Duran, BACK-to-BACK! ;)
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by junior
Tomorrow we are at the Santa Barbara County Bowl, which will be the first show I've done there since the 1998 Tool show that caused them to receive a "lifetime ban" in Santa Barbara County.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Good interview, Junior. Didn't know you used to work for Filter. Richard Patrick's mom lives just down the road (relatively speaking) from me in Sunset Beach, NC. He always seemed liked an arrogant fuck the few times I've seen him, but apparently he's sober and much cooler now. Don't really kow, anyway, great article.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
A bit off-topic, but I'm seeing Dream Theater and Opeth tonight in Oakland! This show is going to rape!!!! I'm more stoked about Opeth even though I'm more of a DT fan, but Constant Motion was literally just a gay album. Nothing more to it haha, and if you thought Tool fans can be nerdy...nothing like a bunch of old dudes with no girlfriends and wizard beards screaming fantasy lyrics...
I must pick up a Revolver copy soon, lookin' foward to it!
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by jwb
Good interview, Junior. Didn't know you used to work for Filter. Richard Patrick's mom lives just down the road (relatively speaking) from me in Sunset Beach, NC. He always seemed liked an arrogant fuck the few times I've seen him, but apparently he's sober and much cooler now. Don't really kow, anyway, great article.
Yeah, I did Filter's first year and a half as a band. All of the "Short Bus" shows.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by junior
Yeah, I did Filter's first year and a half as a band. All of the "Short Bus" shows.
Sweet.
I went to the show in Wilmington, NC, (1995 I think), and I swear I thought a riot was going to break out. Richard had all these plastic cups of water set up around the drum riser, or amps, and he started slinging them at the bouncers in front of the stage who were trying to keep people from crowd surfing. They got pissed, words were exchanged, middle finger salutes flashed between them, then the bouncers just left. Filter kept playing and the place was a fucking zoo for the rest of the show! I swear I gave myself about a 50/50 chance of getting out of there unscathed.
Was that typical for Filter shows back then? I saw them again during the 'Title of Record' tour and it was much calmer. Of course, 'Take a picture' was the big single then.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by jwb
Sweet.
I went to the show in Wilmington, NC, (1995 I think), and I swear I thought a riot was going to break out. Richard had all these plastic cups of water set up around the drum riser, or amps, and he started slinging them at the bouncers in front of the stage who were trying to keep people from crowd surfing. They got pissed, words were exchanged, middle finger salutes flashed between them, then the bouncers just left. Filter kept playing and the place was a fucking zoo for the rest of the show! I swear I gave myself about a 50/50 chance of getting out of there unscathed.
Was that typical for Filter shows back then? I saw them again during the 'Title of Record' tour and it was much calmer. Of course, 'Take a picture' was the big single then.
Do you remember the name of the venue?
I used to be able to remember almost every gig, but this one escapes me.
That sort of stuff happened at a number of shows in 1995.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
So Junior, what's next in the world of multimedia touring for TOOL? How far in advance do you get together to go over stage ideas? Are a number of different ideas presented to the guys and they choose or do they come to the crew with a specific idea in mind?
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by junior
Do you remember the name of the venue?
I used to be able to remember almost every gig, but this one escapes me.
That sort of stuff happened at a number of shows in 1995.
It was at a place called "The Mad Monk" in Wilmington, NC. It was in strip mall right next door to a really good hotdog place, if that helps.
Been to a bunch shows there, and that was by far the most out of control.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by jwb
It was at a place called "The Mad Monk" in Wilmington, NC. It was in strip mall right next door to a really good hotdog place, if that helps.
Been to a bunch shows there, and that was by far the most out of control.
I do remember the "Mad Monk", but I can't quite picture it.
Is that the place that Hootie and the Blowfish got their start?
If so, I think I remember what it looks like, and I remember Filter playing there, but I don't remember anything specific about the show.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by junior
I do remember the "Mad Monk", but I can't quite picture it.
Is that the place that Hootie and the Blowfish got their start?
I could be wrong, but you're probably thinking of the now defunct 'Rockafellas' here in Columbia, SC.
I don't post too often so now's a good time to say thanks for all the insider info, Junior. Between your posts and the Revolver issue, this hiatus will be far less painful, heh.
Re: General Tool tour questions / discussion (merged)
Quote:
Originally Posted by sinfall
So Junior, what's next in the world of multimedia touring for TOOL? How far in advance do you get together to go over stage ideas? Are a number of different ideas presented to the guys and they choose or do they come to the crew with a specific idea in mind?
Historically, it usually doesn't get seriously discussed until a couple of months before the tour starts.
The most recent arena tour was based on an original idea of Adam's. The first serious meeting about it took place in Germany at the "Rock im Park" festival on the 3rd of June, 2006. It was there that we first pooled the various ideas and decided the objectives. The actual construction and programming took place in Burbank, CA during the July break. It was then put in to trucks to send it to Vancouver.
Whenever the next tour takes place, I'm hoping we can actually spend even more advance time on it.
I have some ideas that didn't fit the last concept that I'm hoping to incorporate next time around. Between now and then, I'm sure Adam will discover/imagine a number of ideas that he wants to try.
I'm hoping to be able to bounce ideas back and forth so we can get a good plan started. Technology also changes quickly in the production world, so you don't want to commit to something that will be "old hat" by the time Tool actually gets to use it. That's one of the side effects of trying to stay somewhat innovative. A bonus is that there are tech companies and inventors that are drawn to Tool and are willing to present prototypes to us before the masses. During the last tour we got to see a demo of an effect that could potentially be massive. The inventor is holding out for Tool, so I'm hoping it isn't too far in the future that Tool tour again or he would have to present it to someone else. And before anyone asks, that's the extent of what I can say about it.
It's difficult to commit to a complete idea too far in advance, because there is no guarantee of what venue types the band are going to be playing. The touring world is scattered with the carcasses of once successful bands that were so sure they could sell out arenas and spent giant amounts of money to create a show that had to be scaled down once they got on the road and couldn't sell tickets. I can specifically point to Korn in 2002. They were so sure that they were the biggest band in the world and they hit the road with 15 trucks of equipment on what was planned to be a two-and-a-half year tour. When the tickets weren't selling they sent back a third of it and eventually over two-thirds of it to where they were in 3 trucks after a few months until they eventually scrapped the tour and decided to make another album and try again. Tool have historically been very cautious of that, which is one of the reasons that the decisions get made late in the game.
Midway through the process in 2006 it was decided that a number of the shows were going to be amphitheatres. Arenas and amphitheatres are very different spaces to try to accomplish a show, and the decision was to try to make one show that would work the same in both spaces. If we get that mixture of venue types again in the future I'd like to find a way to make a different experience for each type of venue, and not have one feel like a lesser version of the other. I think it can be done with some careful planning.
