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|Genre = <!--These are in alphabetical order and only suited as a rough overview. For sources, context and weight, read the biography!-->[[Alternative metal]]<br />[[Art rock]]<br />[[Progressive metal]]<br />[[Progressive rock]]
|Genre = <!--These are in alphabetical order and only suited as a rough overview. For sources, context and weight, read the biography!-->[[Alternative metal]]<br />[[Art rock]]<br />[[Progressive metal]]<br />[[Progressive rock]]
|Years_active = 1990–Present
|Years_active = 1990–Present
|Associated_acts = [[A Perfect Circle]]<br />[[Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty]]<br />[[Green Jellÿ]]<br />[[Peach (band)|Peach]]<br />[[Pigmy Love Circus]]<br />[[Puscifer]]<br />[[Tapeworm (band)|Tapeworm]]<br />[[TexA.N.S.]]
|Associated_acts = [[A Perfect Circle]]<br />[[Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty]]<br />[[Green Jellÿ]]<br />[[Peach (band)|Peach]]<br />[[Pigmy Love Circus]]<br />[[Puscifer]]<br />[[Tapeworm (band)|Tapeworm]]<br />[[TexA.N.S.]]<br />[[VOLTO!]]
|Label = [[Zoo Entertainment]]<br />[[Volcano Records|Volcano II]]<br />Tool Dissectional
|Label = [[Zoo Entertainment]]<br />[[Volcano Records|Volcano II]]<br />Tool Dissectional
|URL = [http://www.toolband.com/ Toolband.com]
|URL = [http://www.toolband.com/ Toolband.com]

Revision as of 19:54, 19 December 2007

Tool

Tool is an American rock band, formed in 1990 in Los Angeles, California. The band consists of drummer Danny Carey, bassist Justin Chancellor, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Tool has won three Grammy Awards, performed worldwide tours, and produced albums topping the charts in several countries.[1]

The band emerged with a heavy metal sound on their first LP when the genre was dominated by thrash metal, and was later seen at the top of the alternative metal movement with the release of their second LP, Ænima, in 1996. Efforts to unify musical experimentation, visual arts, and a message of personal evolution continued with Lateralus (2001) and the most recent album 10,000 Days (2006), gaining the band critical acclaim and success around the world.

Due to Tool's incorporation of visual arts and relatively long and complex releases, the band is generally described as a style-transgressing act and part of progressive and art rock. The relationship between the band and today's music industry is ambivalent,[2] at times marked by censorship and the bandmembers' insistence on privacy.[3]

History

Early years (1988–1992)

During the 1980s, the future members of Tool all moved to Los Angeles. Both Paul D'Amour and Adam Jones wanted to enter the film industry, while Maynard James Keenan found employment remodeling pet stores after studying visual arts in Michigan.[3] Danny Carey performed as a drummer for Green Jellÿ,[3] and Carole King, and played around Los Angeles with Pigmy Love Circus.[4]

The "Wrench" was an early band logo, created by longtime collaborator Cam de Leon.[5]

Keenan and Jones met through a mutual friend in 1989.[6] After Keenan played a tape recording for Jones of his previous band project, Jones was so impressed by his voice that he eventually talked his friend into forming their own band.[6] They started jamming together and were still on the lookout for a drummer and a bass player. Danny Carey happened to live above Keenan and was introduced to Jones by Tom Morello, an old high school friend of Jones and former bandmate of Electric Sheep.[7] Carey began playing in their sessions because he "felt kinda sorry for them", as other invited musicians were not showing up.[8] Tool's lineup was completed when a friend of Jones introduced them to bassist D'Amour.[9] Early on, the band fabricated the story that they formed because of the pseudophilosophy "lachrymology".[10] Although "lachrymology" was also explained to be an inspiration for the band's name, Keenan later explained their intentions differently: "Tool is exactly what it sounds like: It's a big dick. It's a wrench.... we are ... your tool; use us as a catalyst in your process of finding out whatever it is you need to find out, or whatever it is you're trying to achieve."[11]

File:Tool hush screenshot.jpg
Only Tool's first music video "Hush" (1992) features prominent appearances by the band members. Keenan, Carey, D'Amour and Jones (left to right) are pictured wearing parental advisory stickers covering their genitalia.

After only a few gigs, the band was approached by record companies,[6] and only three months into their career signed a record deal with Zoo Entertainment.[9] In March 1992, Zoo published the band's first effort, Opiate. Described by the band as "slam and bang" heavy metal[12] and the "hardest sounding" six songs they had written to that point,[13] the EP included the singles "Hush" and "Opiate". The band's first music video "Hush" promoted the band's dissenting views about the then-prominent Parents Music Resource Center and its advocacy of the censorship of music. The video featured the band members naked with their genitalia covered by parental advisory stickers and their mouths covered by duct tape.[14] The band began touring with Rollins Band, Skitzo, Fishbone, and Rage Against the Machine[2] to positive responses, which Janiss Garza of RIP Magazine summarized in September 1992 as a "buzz" and "a strong start".[15]

Undertow (1993–1995)

File:Screenshot tool sober lollapalooza 93 mtv clip.jpg
Tool's Lollapalooza 1993 performance was an important step in boosting their popularity. Above the band performs "Sober". Left to right: Jones, Keenan, Carey.

The following year, at a time when post-Nirvana alternative rock was at its height, Tool released their first full-length album, Undertow (1993). It expressed more diverse dynamics than Opiate and included songs the band had chosen not to publish on their previous release when they opted for a heavier sound.[13] The band began touring again as planned, with an exception in May 1993. Tool was scheduled to play the Garden Pavilion in Hollywood but learned at the last minute that the Garden Pavilion belonged to L. Ron Hubbard's Church of Scientology, which the band felt clashed with "the band's ethics about how a person should not follow a belief system that constricts their development as a human being".[2] Keenan recalled that he "spent most of the show baa-ing like a sheep at the audience".[16]

Tool later played several very successful concerts during the Lollapalooza road show, and were moved from second to main stage by their manager and the festival's co-founder Ted Gardner.[17] At the last concert of Lollapalooza in Tool's hometown Los Angeles, comedian Bill Hicks introduced the band. Hicks had become a friend of the band and an influence on them after being mentioned in Undertow's liner notes.[18] He jokingly asked the audience of 60,000 people to stand still and help him look for a lost contact lens.[19] The boost in popularity gained from these concerts led Undertow to be certified gold by the RIAA in September 1993 and to receive platinum status in 1995,[20] despite being sold with a censored album cover by distributors such as Wal-Mart.[21][22] The single "Sober" closed in on becoming a hit single by March 1994 and won the band Billboard's "Best Video By A New Artist" award for the accompanying stop motion music video.[13]

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With the release of Tool's follow-up single "Prison Sex", the band again became the target of censorship. The song's lyrics and video dealt with child abuse, which sparked controversial reactions; Keenan's lyrics begin with: "It took so long to remember just what happened. I was so young and vestal then, you know it hurt me, but I'm breathing so I guess I'm still alive." The video was mainly created by guitarist Adam Jones, who saw it as his "surrealistic interpretation" of the subject matter.[24] And while some contemporary journalists again praised the video[23] and described the lyrics as "metaphoric",[14] the American branch of MuchMusic asked Keenan to represent the band in a hearing. It deemed the respective music video too graphic and offensive,[2] and MTV stopped airing it after a few viewings.[23]

In September 1995, the band entered the studios to record their second album. At that time, Tool experienced its only lineup change to date, with bassist D'Amour leaving the band amicably to pursue other projects. Justin Chancellor, a member of former tourmates Peach, eventually replaced D'Amour, chosen over competitors such as Kyuss' Scott Reeder, Filter's Frank Cavanaugh, Pigmy Love Circus's E. Shepherd Stevenson and ZAUM's Marco Fox.[25]

Ænima (1996–2000)

File:Tool aenima cover dedication to hicks.jpg
This version of the Ænima artwork shows a dedication to satirist Bill Hicks, "another dead hero".

After Justin Chancellor came on board, recording of the already-begun Ænima continued. The band enlisted the help of producer David Bottrill, who had produced some of King Crimson's albums while Jones collaborated with Cam de Leon to create Ænima's (later Grammy-nominated) artwork. The album was released in October 1996.

Two-and-a-half years prior, satirist Bill Hicks had died; the album was dedicated to his memory.[2] The band intended to raise awareness about Hicks' material and ideas, because they felt that Tool and Hicks "were resonating similar concepts".[26] In particular, Ænima's final track "Third Eye" is preceded by a clip of Hicks' performances, and both the lenticular casing of the Ænima CD packaging as well as the chorus of the title track "Ænema" make reference to a sketch off Hicks' Arizona Bay, where he contemplates the idea of California falling into the Pacific Ocean.[26][27] Eventually, "Ænema" would win Tool their first Grammy Award.[28]

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"Ænema"
This Bill Hicks inspired song won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

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The first single "Stinkfist" had difficulty gaining airplay: It was shortened by radio programmers, MTV renamed the music video of "Stinkfist" to "Track #1" due to offensive connotations,[29] and the lyrics of the song were altered.[30] Responding to fan complaints of censorship, Matt Pinfield of MTV's 120 Minutes expressed regrets on air by waving his fist in front of his face while introducing the video and explaining the name change.[29]

A tour began in October 1996, only two weeks after Ænima's release. Following numerous appearances in the United States and Europe, Tool headed for Australia in late March 1997. April 1 saw the first of several April Fools pranks related with the band, most of them being initiated by Kabir Akhtar, webmaster of the semi-official fanpage t.d.n, announcing that:[31]

…while on tour in Australia, Tool's tour bus was involved in a serious highway accident. Early reports from Zoo Entertainment are that at least three of the band are listed in critical condition.

The hoax gained wide attention and was eventually exposed on radio and MTV. Akhtar later posted an apology, claiming that t.d.n "will not indulge itself in such outlandish pranks in the future"—a false claim, as later pranks would prove.[31] The tour continued the next day as originally announced. Eventually returning to the United States, Tool appeared at Lollapalooza '97 in July, this time as a headliner, gaining critical praise from The New York Times:[32]

Tool was returning in triumph to Lollapalooza after appearing among the obscure bands on the festival's smaller stage in 1993. Now Tool is the prime attraction for a festival that's struggling to maintain its purpose.... Tool uses taboo-breaking imagery for hellfire moralizing in songs that swerve from bitter reproach to nihilistic condemnation. Its music has refined all the troubled majesty of grunge.

Regardless of a decline in popularity of alternative rock music during the mid-90s in the United States, Ænima eventually matched Tool's successful debut, selling equal numbers.[33] The progressive-influenced Ænima landed the band at the head of the alternative metal genre: It featured the Grammy Award-winning "Ænema" and appeared on several "Best Albums of 1996" lists,[34] with notable examples being Kerrang![35] and Terrorizer.[36]

A legal battle that began the same year impeded the band from working on another release. Volcano Records—the successor of Tool's by-then defunct label Zoo Entertainment—alleged contract violations by Tool and filed suit. According to Volcano, Tool violated their contract when the band looked at offers from other record labels. After Tool filed a counter suit stating that Volcano failed to use a renewal option in their contract, the parties settled out of court. At the end of 1998, Tool agreed to a new contract, a three-record joint venture deal.[37] In 2000, the band dismissed their long-time manager Ted Gardner, who then decided to sue the band over his commission on this lucrative agreement.[38]

These legal battles put a great strain on the band and delayed work on their next album.[2] During this time, Keenan founded the successful band A Perfect Circle with long-time Tool guitar tech Billy Howerdel, while Jones joined The Melvins' Buzz Osborne and Carey Dead Kennedys' Jello Biafra on other side-projects.[39] At this point, rumors that Tool were breaking up began to spread until the band released the Salival box set (CD/VHS or CD/DVD) in 2000,[40][41] effectively putting an end to the rumors.[1] The CD contained one new original track, a cover of Led Zeppelin's "No Quarter", live versions of Peach's "You Lied", as well as old revised songs. The VHS and DVD both contained four music videos, with a bonus music video for "Hush" on the DVD. Although Salival did not produce any singles, the hidden track "Maynard's Dick" (which dates back to the Opiate era) briefly found its way to FM radio when several DJs chose to play it on air under the title "Maynard's Dead".[42]

Lateralus (2001–2005)

In January 2001, Tool announced a new album, Systema Encéphale, along with a 12-song tracklist containing titles such as "Riverchrist", "Numbereft", "Encephatalis", "Musick", and "Coeliacus".[43] File-sharing networks such as Napster became flooded with bogus files bearing the titles' names.[43] During that time, Tool members were outspokenly critical of file-sharing networks in general due to the negative impact on artists that are dependent on success in record sales to continue their career. Keenan had this to say during an interview with NY Rock in 2000:[44]

I think there are a lot of other industries out there that might deserve being destroyed. The ones who get hurt by MP3s are not so much companies or the business, but the artists, people who are trying to write songs.

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"Schism"
"Schism" is the Grammy awarded first single off Lateralus. With its abstract lyrics, and multi-sectioned, odd-metered structure it has since become a signature song of the band.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

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Only one month later, the band revealed that the new album was actually titled Lateralus and that the name Systema Encéphale and the tracklist had been a ruse.[45] Lateralus and the corresponding tours would take Tool a step further towards art-rock[46][47][48] and progressive rock[49][50][51] territory. Rolling Stone wrote in an attempt to summarize the album that "Drums, bass and guitars move in jarring cycles of hyperhowl and near-silent death march.... The prolonged running times of most of Lateralus' thirteen tracks are misleading; the entire album rolls and stomps with suitelike purpose."[50] Joshua Klein of The A.V. Club in turn expressed his opinion that Lateralus, with its 79 minutes and relatively complex and long songs—topped by the ten-and-a-half minute music video for "Parabola"—posed a challenge to fans and music programming alike.[52]

The album became a success the world over, reaching #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart in its debut week.[53] Tool received their second Grammy Award for the best metal performance of 2001 for the song "Schism".[54] During the band's acceptance speech, drummer Carey stated that he would like to thank his parents (for putting up with him) and Satan, and bassist Chancellor concluded: "I want to thank my dad for doing my mom."[55]

Extensive touring throughout 2001 and 2002 supported Lateralus and included a personal highlight of the band: a 10-show joint mini-tour with King Crimson in August 2001. Comparisons between the two were made, MTV described the bands as "the once and future kings of progressive rock", and Keenan stated: "For me, being on stage with King Crimson is like Lenny Kravitz playing with Led Zeppelin, or Britney Spears onstage with Debbie Gibson."[47]

Although the end of the tour in November 2002 seemed to spell another dormancy for the band, they did not become completely inactive. While Keenan recorded and toured with A Perfect Circle, the other band members released an interview and a recording of new material, both fan club exclusive. On April 1, 2005, the official website announced that "Maynard has found Jesus" and would be abandoning the recording of the new Tool album temporarily and possibly permanently. Kurt Loder of MTV contacted Keenan via email to ask for a confirmation and received a nonchalant confirmation. When Loder asked again, Keenan's response was simply "heh heh".[56] On April 7, the official Tool site posted the following news item titled with the Bill Hicks quote "Christians, huh? So forgive me." It then explained, "Good news, April fools fans. The writing and recording is back under way."[57]

The writing and recording proceeded for the follow-up to Lateralus; meanwhile, a Lateralus vinyl edition and two DVD singles were released, and the band's official website received a new splash intro by artist Joshua Davis.[58] The "double vinyl four-picture disc" edition of Lateralus was first released as a limited autographed edition exclusively available to fan club members and publicly released on August 23 2005. On December 20 2005, the two DVDs were released, one containing the single "Schism" and the other "Parabola", a remix by Lustmord, and the music video with commentary by David Yow and Jello Biafra, respectively.

10,000 Days (2006–present)

Fifteen years into the band's career, Tool had acquired what Dan Epstein of Revolver described as a devoted "cult" following,[59] and as details about the band's next album emerged, such as the influence of Lateralus tourmates Fantômas and Meshuggah,[60] the rumor mill surrounding new Tool releases resurfaced.[61] The main controversy was the album title. After rumored titles such as Teleincision had been dismissed, a news item on the official Tool website announced the new album's name was 10,000 Days.

Nevertheless, speculation continued and reached a point where it was alleged that 10,000 Days was merely a "decoy" album to fool audiences until the day of release,[61] which eventually proved false when a leaked copy of the album was distributed via filesharing networks a week prior to the official release.[62] The album opener "Vicarious" premiered on US radio stations on April 17. The record followed on May 2 2006 in the US and debuted at the top spots of various international charts. 10,000 Days sold 564,000 copies in its opening week in the US and was number one on the Billboard 200 charts, doubling sales of Pearl Jam's self-titled album, the closest competitor,[63] although the critical reception of 10,000 Days was less favorable than its predecessor Lateralus.[64]

Tool appeared at many big festivals during their 10,000 Days tour. Here, they play the orange stage (main stage) at the 2006 edition of Roskilde Festival.

After the release of 10,000 Days, a tour kicked off at Coachella on April 30, 2006. The touring schedule was similar to the Lateralus tour of 2001; supporting acts were Isis and Mastodon. During a short break early next year, after touring Australia and New Zealand, drummer Danny Carey suffered a bicep tear during a skirmish with his girlfriend's dog, casting uncertainty on the band's upcoming concerts in North America.[65] Carey underwent surgery on February 21, and several gigs had to be postponed. Back on tour by April, Tool appeared as a headliner at the Bonnaroo Music Festival with a guest appearance from Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello on "Lateralus".[66]

Meanwhile, the packaging of 10,000 Days gained Tool the distinction of "Best Recording Package" during the 49th Grammy Awards in February 2007, but their first single "Vicarious" fell short in the category "Best Hard Rock Performance" to Wolfmother's "Woman".[67]

In an interview conducted May 2007, Justin Chancellor stated that the band would continue their tour probably until early 2008 and afterwards "take some time off". He qualified this by adding that the band has already written new material and will surely release another album at some point down the road.[68] A possible project until a next album is to make a "band movie", a possibility the band has reportedly thought of for a long time. The ideas range from "a narrative story in a surreal fashion with as much money and special effects" as possible to "pockets of all of that or something that's live or the band playing".[69] And although Carey stated that the necessary know-how was at hand due to the many relations to artists working in the movie business, Jones dismissed: "It's just talk right now."[70][69]

On October 18, 2007, it was reported on the band's website that the music video for "Vicarious" would be released on December 18 on DVD, and posted a still from the video.[71]

Musical style and influences

Tool has gained critical praise from the International Herald Tribune's C.B. Liddell for a complex and ever-evolving sound.[72] Describing their general sound, the All Music Guide refers to them as "grinding, post-Jane's Addiction heavy metal",[1] and The New York Times sees similarities to "Led Zeppelin's heaving, battering guitar riffs and Middle Eastern modes".[73] Their 2001 work Lateralus led the All Music Guide to compare it to Pink Floyd's Meddle (1971) but thirty years later and altered by "Tool's impulse to cram every inch of infinity with hard guitar meat and absolute dread".[49]

Musical style

A component of Tool's song repertoire relies on the use of odd meter time signatures. For instance, Justin Chancellor describes the time signature employed on Lateralus' first single "Schism", as 6.5/8 and that it later "goes into all kinds of other times".[74] The album's title track "Lateralus" also displays shifting rhythms,[74] as does 10,000 Days' (2006) "Wings for Marie (Pt 1)" and "10,000 Days (Wings Pt 2)".[75]

Beyond this aspect of the band's sound, each band member experiments within his musical scope. Bass Player magazine attested to Chancellor's bass playing as a "thick midrange tone, guitar-style techniques, and elastic versatility".[74] As an example of this, the magazine mentioned the use of a wah effect by hammering "the notes with the left hand and using the bass's tone controls to get a tone sweep", such as on the song "The Patient" (Lateralus 2001).[74]

Completing the band's rhythm section, drummer Danny Carey uses polyrhythms, tabla-style techniques, and the incorporation of custom electronic drum pads to trigger samples, such as prerecorded tabla and octoban sounds.[75]

Maynard James Keenan's ability as a vocalist has been characterized more subjectively by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: after his performance during an Alice in Chains reunion concert in 2005, freelancer Travis Hay saw him as "a natural fit at replacing Layne Staley".[76] Regarding his role in A Perfect Circle and Tool, The New York Times wrote that "...both groups rely on Mr. Keenan's ability to dignify emotions like lust, anger and disgust, the honey in his voice adding a touch of profundity".[77]

According to Guitar Player magazine, Adam Jones does not rely on any one particular guitar playing technique but rather combines many techniques.[78] For example, the All Music Guide wrote that he "alternately utiliz[es] power chords, scratchy noise, chiming arpeggios, and a quiet minimalism" in "Sober".[79] Additionally, the band uses forms of instrumental experimentation, like the use of a "pipe bomb microphone" (a guitar pickup mounted inside a brass cylinder) and a talk box guitar solo on "Jambi".[80]

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"Lateralus"
The number of syllables per line in the lyrics to "Lateralus" correspond to an arrangement of the fibonacci numbers.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

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The band puts an emphasis on the sound of their songs and attempts to reduce the effect lyrics can have on the perception of songs by not releasing song lyrics with any album.[3] Lyrical arrangements are often given special attention, such as in "Lateralus". The number of syllables per line in the lyrics to "Lateralus" correspond to an arrangement of the fibonacci numbers[81] and in "Jambi" the metrical foot iamb is used.[82] The lyrics on Ænima and Lateralus focused on philosophy and spirituality—specific subjects range from organized religion in "Opiate", to evolution and Jungian psychology in "Forty Six & 2" and transcendence in "Lateralus".[83] On 10,000 Days, Keenan wanted to explore issues more personal to him:[83] the album name and title track refer to the twenty-seven years his mother suffered from complications of a stroke until her passing away in 2003.[84]

Influences

The band has named some of its influences as the Melvins[85] and Meshuggah,[60] but the most publicized influence are progressive rock pioneers King Crimson.[86] However, longtime King Crimson member Robert Fripp downplayed any influence his band had on Tool. In an interview with Tool, he touched briefly on how the two bands relate to each other:[87]

Do you hear the influence? There's just one figure where I hear an influence, just one. It was a piece we were developing that we dropped. And it's almost exactly the same figure: three note arpeggio with a particular accent from the guitar. So I do not think you could have heard it. That's the only thing.

He also stated:[88]

I happen to be a Tool fan. The members of Tool have been generous enough to suggest that Crimson has been an influence on them. Adam Jones asked me if I could detect it in their music, and I said I couldn’t. I can detect more Tool influence in King Crimson, than I can hear King Crimson in Tool.

In turn, Maloof and Newquists' attribute Tool an influence in modern metal in its own right in their book The New Metal Masters.[7] Sean Richardson of The Boston Phoenix sees System of a Down, Deftones and Breaking Benjamin as examples of Tool's "towering influence" on the genre.[89] Moreover, Keenan's unique style of singing has been repeatedly seen influencing artists such as Pete Loeffler of Chevelle.[90][91] When asked about "these bands who list Tool as an influence" during an interview with the Australian music magazine Drum Media, Keenan replied:[92]

I do not really see the connection. Because there is some intensity in some of our songs, I think these bands pick up the surface noise, and that's their influence.... When I hear these loud, goofy posturing idiots jumping up and down, more concerned about their hairdos than their music, it's just we do not do that, what am I missing? There's nothing to the music that moves me, or compels me to want to sit down and listen to it, which is unfortunate. Maybe I'm just a cynical old bastard.

Visual arts

Part of Tool's work as a band is to incorporate influences of other works of art in their music videos, live shows, and album packaging. In particular, Adam Jones doubles as the band's art director and director of their music videos.[93] Another expression of this is an official website "dedicated to the arts and influences" on the band, dissectional.com.

Music videos

See also: Tool discography
Screencap from "Sober", directed by Adam Jones and Fred Stuhr.

The band has released seven music videos but made personal appearances in only the first two, which the band states is to prevent people from "latching onto the personalities involved rather than listening to the music."[14] With the exception of "Hush", all of Tool's music videos feature stop motion animation at least to some extent. The videos are mainly created by Adam Jones, often with the help of artists such as Chet Zar,[94] Alex Grey,[94] and Osseus Labyrint.[95]

The "Sober" music video in particular attracted much attention. Jones explained that it doesn't contain a story-line, his intentions were to summon personal emotions with its imagery.[13] Rolling Stone described this imagery stating that, in the video, "evil little men dwell in a dark dungeon with meat coursing through pipes in the wall" and called it a "groundbreaking", "epic" clip.[96] Billboard voted it "Best Video By A New Artist".[13]

No videos have been released to accompany any of their songs off their latest release, 10,000 Days. The video for "Vicarious" was "nearly finished" in July 2006 but has yet to be released.[97] On 18 October, 2007, the news feed on the official Tool website revealed that the video for "Vicarious" will be released as a DVD on December 18th, 2007.[98]

Album artwork

Responsible for most of the band's artwork concepts is Adam Jones. Their first album Undertow featured a ribcage sculpture by Jones on the cover and photos contributed by the bandmembers.[24] Later albums included artwork by collaborating artists: Ænima[99] and Salival[100] featured works by Cam de Leon; Lateralus[101] as well as 10,000 Days[93] were created with the help of Alex Grey. The releases earned positive critical reception, with a music journalist of the Associated Press attributing to the band a reputation for innovative album packaging.[93]

Both Ænima[102] and 10,000 Days[67] were nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Recording Package, but while the former failed to win in 1997, the latter did win in 2006. As art director, Adam Jones created packaging for 10,000 Days that features a pair of stereoscopic lenses for viewing 3-D artwork and photos. Jones has been a lifelong fan of stereoscopic photography and expressed a desire for the packaging to be unique within budget, as well as reflecting '70s artwork that he appreciates.[103]

Live shows

See also: Tool tours
Tool performing live in 2006, showcasing an elaborate light show, using 10,000 Days artwork as backdrop.

Following their first tours in the early nineties, Tool has performed as a headline act in world tours and major festivals such as Lollapalooza (1997), Coachella (1999 and 2006), Download Festival (2006), Roskilde (2006), Big Day Out (2007), and Bonnaroo (2007). They have been joined on stage by numerous artists such as Buzz Osborne and Scott Reeder on several occasions; Tom Morello and Zack de la Rocha during their 1991 tour; Tricky, Robert Fripp, Mike Patton, Dave Lombardo, and experimental arts duo Osseus Labyrint[104] during their 2001–02 Lateralus tour; and Kirk Hammett, Phil Campbell, Serj Tankian, and Tom Morello during their 2006–07 tour. They have covered songs by Ted Nugent,[105] Peach,[105] Kyuss,[105] and the Ramones.[106]

Live shows on Tool's headline tour incorporate an unorthodox stage setting and video display.[107] The bandmembers' designated positions on stage see singer Maynard James Keenan lining up in the second row with drummer Danny Carey on an elevated platform, while guitarist Adam Jones and bassist Justin Chancellor stand in the first row at the respective edges of the stage.[108] No followspots or live cameras are used;[109] instead, the band employs extensive backlighting to direct the focus away from the bandmembers and towards large screens in the back and the crowd.[107] Breckinridge Haggerty, the band's live lighting and video designer, explains that the resulting dark spaces on stage "are ... for Maynard. A lot of the songs are a personal journey for him ... and he feels more comfortable in the shadows."[109] The big screens are used to play back "looped clips that aren’t tracked to a song like a music video. The band has never used any sort of timecode. They’ve always made sure the video can change on-the-fly, in a way that can be improvised.... The show is never the same twice."[109] During the 10,000 Days tour, the video material consisted of over six hours of material, created by Adam Jones, his wife Camella Grace, Chet Zar, Meats Meyer and Breckinridge Haggerty.[109] Some of the material created by Chet Zar has been released on his DVD Disturb the Normal.[110]

Discography

Main article: Tool discography

Studio albums

  • Undertow (1993, Zoo/BMG/Volcano: USA, 2x platinum)
  • Ænima (1996, Zoo/BMG/Volcano: USA, 3x platinum)
  • Lateralus (2001, Volcano II/Tool Dissectional: USA, 3x platinum)
  • 10,000 Days (2006, Volcano II/Tool Dissectional: USA, 2x platinum)

Others

  • Tool a.k.a. 72826 demo (1991, Toolshed)
  • Opiate EP (1992, Zoo/BMG/Volcano: USA, platinum)
  • Salival box set (2000, Volcano II/Tool Dissectional: USA)

References

  • Akhtar, Kabir (2001-07-16). "The Tool FAQ". toolshed.down.net. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  • DeRogatis, Jim (2003). Turn on Your Mind: Four Decades of Great Psychedelic Rock. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 0634055488.
  • Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Tool". All Music Guide. AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2006-04-28. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Kitts, Jeff (2002). Guitar World Presents Nu-Metal. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 0634032879. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • McIver, Joel (2002). Nu-Metal: The Next Generation of Rock and Punk. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0711992092.
  • Newquist, Harvey P. (2004). The New Metal Masters. Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0879308049. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Sherry, James (2006). Heavy Metal Thunder: Kick-Ass Cover Art from Kick-Ass Albums. Chronicle Books. ISBN 0811853535. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Sokal, Roman (2001-05-23). "Tool - Stepping Out From the Shadows". Exclaim!. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Tool Biography". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2006-04-28. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Sokal, Roman (2001-05-23). "Tool - Stepping Out From the Shadows". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2006-09-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d Gennaro, Loraine (1997). "Angry Jung Men!". Livewire Magazine. 7 (3). Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  4. ^ "Tool Bio: Danny Carey". Toolband.com. Retrieved 2007-05-08.
  5. ^ Lowe Law Lawyers agency (2006). "Visual Artist Cam De Leon's Lawsuit Against Rock Band TOOL Allowed to Proceed". Press release. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
  6. ^ a b c Kitts, pp. 1965–1969.
  7. ^ a b Newquist, pp. 11–15.
  8. ^ Akhtar, C3.
  9. ^ a b Turman, Katherine (1994-05-31). "A Sober Look At Tool". Circus. Retrieved 2007-04-09. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ Blake, Blair MacKenzie. "Let Not My Tears Fall Unnoticed: Being the Secret Joys of a Lachrymist". toolarmy.com. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
  11. ^ Zappa, Moon Unit (April, 1994). "Tool Rules". RayGun Magazine (15). Retrieved 2006-08-27. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ Akhtar, E8.
  13. ^ a b c d e Gennaro, Loraine (1994). "Tool Guitarist Adam Jones is a Master of Many Trades". Guitar School. 03: 16. Retrieved 2006-04-07.
  14. ^ a b c Roncon, Theresa (Interviewer) (February, 1997). Tool Muchmusic spotlight (TV). Canada: MuchMusic. {{cite AV media}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Garza, Janiss (1992). "Fresh Blood". RIP magazine. 9. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
  16. ^ Dolan, Jon (2006). "33 Things You Should Know About Tool". Blender. Retrieved 2006-09-18. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  17. ^ Pettigrew, Jason (1997). "Nobody's Tool". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  18. ^ Garza, Janiss (1997). "Hard rockers hail comic genius Bill Hicks". High Times. Retrieved 2006-09-18. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  19. ^ "Question & Answer with Kevin Booth". Fade to Black presents: It's Only a Ride: Bill Hicks. Retrieved 2007-07-14.
  20. ^ "Tool Tool fact kit". Circus. 1997. Retrieved 2007-12-05. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  21. ^ Griffin, J.R. (1994). "TOOL on Videos, Censorship, Art, And Why You Should Never Let A Guy Named Maynard Put You In A Cage". Axcess: 52. Retrieved 2007-05-13.
  22. ^ Sherry, p. 176.
  23. ^ a b c "A Tool for the Truly Cool. Big hit of Lollapalooza tour gears up for second album". San Francisco Chronicle. 1994. Retrieved 2006-03-02.
  24. ^ a b Jenison, David (1994). "Tool". HYPNO. Retrieved 2007-11-10. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  25. ^ Fiend, Rob (October, 1996). "Sink or Swim - A Conversation With Tool's Justin Chancellor". Gavin Magazine. Retrieved 2007-05-09. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ a b Langer, Andy (May, 1997). "Another Dead Hero". The Austin Chronicle. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |http://toolshed.down.net/articles/index.php?action= ignored (help)
  27. ^ Zwick, John (2004-02-25). "Dead 10 years, Hicks still makes us laugh". University of Colorado at Denver Advocate. Retrieved 2007-04-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ "40th Grammy Awards". Rockonthenet.com. 1998. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  29. ^ a b Akhtar, Kabir. "The "Track #1" Fiasco". toolshed.down.net. Retrieved 2006-03-06.
  30. ^ McIver, p. 137.
  31. ^ a b Akhtar, Kabir. "Tool News: April Fools 1997". toolshed.down.net. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  32. ^ Pareles, Jon. "Lollapalooza's Recycled Hormones: Rebellion by the Numbers". The New York Times. Retrieved 2006-03-06.
  33. ^ Fruchtman, Edward (August, 1997). "Never Wanted To Be Rock Stars But They Are". Circus. 8. Retrieved 2006-06-25. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ "Tool - Aenima". acclaimedmusic.net. Retrieved 2007-06-25.
  35. ^ "Kerrang! End of Year Lists". Kerrang!. Retrieved 2007-07-27.
  36. ^ "Terrorizer End of Year Lists". Terrorizer. Retrieved 2007-07-27.
  37. ^ Akhtar, C15.
  38. ^ Borzillo-Vrenna, Carrie. "Tool Gets Sued By Manager For $5 Million". CDNow.com. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  39. ^ Slater, Rosanna (August, 2001). "Home Improvement". Classic Rock. Retrieved 2007-05-12. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ Kline, Scott (2002-10-17). "Breslin hosts heavier sound". The State News. Retrieved 2007-04-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ Osegueda, Mike (2002-11-22). "Tool tops weekend menu". The Fresno Bee. Retrieved 2007-04-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ^ Akhtar, H26.
  43. ^ a b Akhtar, Kabir. "Old News. January - March 2001". toolshed.down.net. Retrieved 2006-03-06.
  44. ^ Gabriella (2000). "Interview with Maynard James Keenan of A Perfect Circle". NY Rock. Retrieved 2006-04-28. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  45. ^ D'Angelo, Joe. "Tool Tinker With Album Title, Set Track List". MTV News. MTV.com. Retrieved 2006-03-06.
  46. ^ "Lateralus review". E! Online. 2001. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  47. ^ a b Bond, Laura (2001). "Tool Stretch Out And Slow Down In Show With King Crimson". VH1.com. Retrieved 2007-07-19.
  48. ^ Brett, Milano (2006). "Power Tool: Maynard James Keenan and band craft epic art-metal" (HTML). Boston Herald. Retrieved 2006-05-27.
  49. ^ a b Theakston, Rob (2001). "Lateralus Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2006-04-28.
  50. ^ a b Fricke, David (2001). "Lateralus Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2006-04-24.
  51. ^ DeRogatis, p. 562.
  52. ^ Klein, Joshua (2002-03-29). "Lateralus review". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2007-05-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  53. ^ "Discography Tool Laterlaus". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2006-04-29.
  54. ^ "Grammy Award Winners". The Recording Academy. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
  55. ^ D'Angelo, Joe (2002). "Alicia Keys Takes Five, 'O Brother' Gets Most At 44th Grammy Awards". MTV News. MTV.com. Retrieved 2006-08-07.
  56. ^ Harris, Chris (2005-04-07). "Maynard And Jesus Split: The Conclusion". MTV News. MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-02-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  57. ^ Blake, Blair MacKenzie (2005). "Tool: News". Toolband.com. Retrieved 2007-03-30.
  58. ^ "Joshua Davis - Projects - Web - Tool" (FLASH). joshuadavis.com. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
  59. ^ Epstein, Dan (April 2006). "Do What You Wilt". Revolver.
  60. ^ a b Wiederhorn, Jon. "Tool Hammer Away At New Album". MTV News. MTV.com. Retrieved 2006-04-06.
  61. ^ a b Donovan, Patrick (2006). "Is anyone listening?". TheAge.com.au. Retrieved 2006-05-06.
  62. ^ Harris, Chris (2006-05-11). "Tool Planning Summer Tour Around Keenan's Wine Harvest". VH1.com. Retrieved 2007-06-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  63. ^ "Tool, Pearl Jam Claim Billboard Chart In The Name Of Rock (May 10, 2006)". MTV.com. Retrieved 2006-09-17.
  64. ^ Metacritic calculated an average score of 68 for 10,000 Days compared to 75 for Lateralus. "Tool: 10,000 Days (2006): Reviews". Metacritic. 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-17. "Tool: Lateralus (2001): Reviews". Metacritic. 2001. Retrieved 2007-06-17.
  65. ^ "TOOL : NEWS - TOOL Newsletter February 2007, e.v". Toolband.com. 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-10.
  66. ^ Cohen, Jonathan (2007-06-16). "Tool, All-Star Zeppelin Jam Highlight Bonnaroo Day One". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2007-06-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  67. ^ a b "Awards Winners List". 49th Annual Grammy Awards. Grammy.com. 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-25.
  68. ^ Pulsifer, Eric (2007-05-15). "Tool returns to Bossier on Thursday". nwlanews.com. Retrieved 2007-06-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  69. ^ a b Benson, John (2007-06-12). "Tool movie in the works?". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2007-06-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  70. ^ "Tool movie in the works?". The Rock Radio online. The Rock Radio. 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2007-06-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  71. ^ "Toolband.com". Tool. Tool. 2007-10-18. Retrieved 2007-10-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  72. ^ Liddell, C.B. (2007-01-12). "In Sight/Music & Arts Tool frontman: 'I have not smashed up 1 hotel room'". International Herald Tribune/The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 2007-05-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  73. ^ Pareles, Jon (1997). "Lollapalooza's Recycled Hormones: Rebellion by the Numbers". The New York Times. Retrieved 2006-04-28.
  74. ^ a b c d Scott Shiraki & E.E. Bradman (2001). "Handy Man: How Justin Chancellor Frames Tool's Metal Madness". Bass Player. Retrieved 2007-05-02. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  75. ^ a b Micallef, Ken (2006). "10,000 Days... and beyond". Modern Drummer. Retrieved 2007-05-02. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  76. ^ Hay, Travis (2005-02-21). "Alice in Chains owns stage in tsunami-relief show full of surprises". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2007-05-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  77. ^ Powers, Ann (2002). "Self-Confidence, and a Tattoo". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
  78. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (2001). "Mysterious Ways". Guitar Player. Retrieved 2007-05-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  79. ^ Huey, Steve. "Sober Song Review". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
  80. ^ Forlenza, Jeff (2006-07-01). "The Making of Tool's "10,000 Days"". Mix. Retrieved 2007-05-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  81. ^ diCarlo, Christopher W. "Interview with Maynard James Keenan". cdicarlo.com. Retrieved 2007-05-04.
  82. ^ Blake, Blair MacKenzie. "Tool Newsletter, July 2006". Toolband.com. Retrieved 2006-08-03.
  83. ^ a b "TOOL: New Album Title Revealed?". Blabbermouth.net. 2006-03-03. Retrieved 2007-05-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  84. ^ Serpick, Evan (2006). "10,000 Days Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2007-05-04.
  85. ^ Pettigrew, Jason (1997). "Nobody's Tool". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  86. ^ Blake, Blair MacKenzie (2001). "Augustember 2001 E.V." Tool Newsletter. Toolband.com. Retrieved 2006-04-28.
  87. ^ "Tool Army exclusive interview". Retrieved 2006-09-17.
  88. ^ Cleveland, Barry (2003). "Eyes Wide Open". Guitar Player. Retrieved 2007-10-19. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  89. ^ Richardson, Sean (2001-05-10). "Perfect circles - Tool connect on Lateralus". The Boston Phoenix. Retrieved 2007-05-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  90. ^ Assar, Vijith (2003-09-30). "Lucky 'Thirteen': Keenan bolsters potence". The Cavalier Daily. Retrieved 2007-05-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  91. ^ Rich, Robert (2007-05-09). "Chevelle to play in Austin, remains unique despite criticism". The Daily Texan. Retrieved 2007-05-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  92. ^ Yates, Rod (2001). "Happy Meals Versus Tool Albums". Drum Media. 7: 32. Retrieved 2006-09-17.
  93. ^ a b c Drew, Jonathan (2006-05-11). "MUSIC MEETS ART Name the band Tool's fave artist". The Associated Press. Retrieved 2007-05-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  94. ^ a b Sandberg, Marian (2006-11-01). "Tool Time". Live Design. Retrieved 2007-05-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  95. ^ Blake, Blair MacKenzie (2002-10-17). "OSSEUS LABYRINT a laboratory of random mutuations..." Tool: News. Toolband.com. Retrieved 2007-03-30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  96. ^ Heller, Greg (2001-01-12). "Weird Album Title for Tool". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved 2007-04-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  97. ^ Blake, Blair MacKenzie (2006). "Tool Newsletter July 2006". Toolband.com. Retrieved 2006-08-03. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  98. ^ Blake, Blair MacKenzie (2007). "Tool: A WORKING STILL FROM VICARIOUS". Toolband.com. Retrieved 2007-10-24. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  99. ^ Akhtar, G4.
  100. ^ "Salival Figure". Happypencil Store. happypencil.com.
  101. ^ Stephens, Michael (2002-05-08). "High Art: Alex Grey and the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors". PopMatters. Retrieved 2007-06-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  102. ^ Akhtar, D11.
  103. ^ "Tool Guitarist Wins Grammy For 'Best Recording Package'". Blabbermouth.net. 2007-02-11. Retrieved 2007-04-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  104. ^ Truong, Kev (2002). "Tool, The Melvins, Osseus Labyrint - [[April 24]], 2002 - Sydney, Australia @ Sydney Entertainment Centre". Blistering.com. Retrieved 2007-05-25. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  105. ^ a b c Akhtar, D9.
  106. ^ Rothman, Robin A. (2002-08-14). "Tool Take Radio City—Rockers salute the Ramones during epic set". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2007-05-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  107. ^ a b McManus, Keith P. (2001). "Tool thrills audience". The Flat Hat. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  108. ^ Pareles, Jon (2001-10-06). "Flailing Wildly to Escape the Darkness". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-06-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  109. ^ a b c d Ludwig, Rob (2006-10-16). "700 Clips for 10,000 Days". Projection, Light and Staging News. Retrieved 2007-04-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  110. ^ Zar, Chet (2006). "What is it?". Disturb the Normal description. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
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