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Puscifer

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Puscifer
Puscifer in 2011
Puscifer in 2011
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
Genres
Years active1995–present
LabelsPuscifer Entertainment
Members
Websitewww.puscifer.com

Puscifer (/ˈpʊsɪfər/)[1] is an American rock supergroup formed in Los Angeles by Maynard James Keenan, known as the lead singer of the bands Tool and A Perfect Circle. As Keenan is the only permanent member, he considers the project to be his "creative subconscious". In light of this, Puscifer is considered a pseudonym for his solo work.[2]

Background

Puscifer's original name was Umlaut, "a premiere improvisational hardcore band".[3] The name "Puscifer" was first publicized as a fictional band in the first episode of Mr. Show, including Keenan and Adam Jones as members. Jones is not associated with Puscifer otherwise, although artwork by Jones has been featured on Puscifer apparel (the "Your Mom's a Bitch" shirt, specifically). Keenan describes Puscifer as "simply a playground for the various voices in my head, [...] a space with no clear or discernible goals, [...] where my Id, Ego, and Anima all come together to exchange cookie recipes."[4] Keenan also worked on short films with Ford Englerth and Jeffrey Brooks from Red Rock Entertainment Development; these shorts were done in a similar manner to that of Mr. Show and Tom Waits' Big Time.[3]

Puscifer is "as much a clothing line as it is a band", with the clothing items produced in limited numbers. Keenan collaborated on a leather jacket with Paul Frank.[3] On September 16, 2008, Keenan updated the puscifer.com blog, revealing that the first ever Puscifer store would be opening "hopefully" by October 1 in Jerome, Arizona. Occupying a small space above a tattoo parlor, the store opened on October 3, 2008.[5] In addition to the merchandise available on the band's online store, Keenan has also made available locally roasted coffee, art, and an ever-changing list of limited edition collectibles.[6]

Don't Shoot the Messenger

Don't Shoot the Messenger is a four-track EP released by Puscifer on October 9, 2007.

"V" Is for Vagina

On April 10, 2007, Keenan posted on the official website that a release would be aimed for mid-October.[7] A newer post on June 25, 2007 stated that Joe Barresi mixed the first song, which had a music video made for it, as well as an alternate version of "Cuntry Boner", and that it would likely be released as a CD single with bonus tracks. Further mixing was done by Keenan and Alan Moulder by August.[8]

Keenan announced at the end of July that the album was titled "V" Is for Vagina and, a few days later, he announced the first single, "Queen B.", with a video following in late September.[9] On October 1, "Queen B." appeared on the podcast on puscifer.com. This was followed by the podcast release of "Trekka" on October 7. The album was released on October 30 and debuted at number 25 on the Billboard 200, as well as number 1 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart.[10]

On October 17, 2008, an official music video for the song "Momma Sed" was released online via the official Puscifer YouTube channel. A dub remix album completely by Lustmord, entitled "D" Is for Dubby – The Lustmord Dub Mixes, also appeared at the official website's store.[11]

"Momma Sed" also featured in the 2012 film End of Watch.

"V" Is for Vagina has sold 112,000 copies.[12]

"V" Is for Viagra. The Remixes

A remix album entitled "V" Is for Viagra was released on April 29, 2008. It contains ten remixes of tracks from "V" Is for Vagina, as well as two remixes of the non-album single "Cuntry Boner". It features remixes by Dave "Rave" Ogilvie of Skinny Puppy, Lustmord, Renholder, Paul Barker from Ministry, Telefon Tel Aviv, among others.

Two of the tracks from the album, "Indigo Children" (JLE Dub Mix) and "Momma Sed" (Tandimonium Mix), appear on the official soundtrack for the video game Need for Speed: Undercover.

"V" Is for Viagra has sold 23,000 copies.[12]

"D" Is for Dubby, the Lustmord Dub Mixes

A second remix album was released in October 2009. Titled "D" Is for Dubby, the album focuses on remixes of "V" Is for Vagina by artist Lustmord performed in a dub style.[13]

"C" Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference Here)

"C" Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference Here) is an EP that was announced on the toolarmy.com and Puscifer websites on October 12, 2009. It was subsequently released on November 10, 2009. The EP contains six tracks; four previously unreleased songs, and two live recordings of tracks from "V" Is for Vagina, which were recorded from the Club Nokia shows on Puscifer's 2009 tour.

The EP has sold 10,000 copies.[12]

The song "Rocket Mantastic" was later released.

Conditions of My Parole

"Man Overboard", the first single from the album, became available via iTunes and other digital service providers on July 19, 2011.[14]

Conditions of My Parole was recorded at Jerome, Arizona, in spring 2011, with tracking done amidst the wine barrels from Keenan's Caduceus Cellars. The album was produced by Keenan, Mat Mitchell and Josh Eustis. Contributing musicians for the album include the aforementioned Keenan, Mitchell, and Eustis as well as Carina Round, Juliette Commagere, Matt McJunkins, Jeff Friedl, Gil Sharone and Rani Sharone, Jonny Polonsky, Tim Alexander, Devo Keenan, Alessandro Cortini, Sarah Jones, and Jon Theodore.[15]

It debuted at number 27 on the Billboard 200 with 12,111 copies sold in its first week. With street date violations added in, it sold 12,337 copies according to SoundScan.

Donkey Punch the Night

Donkey Punch the Night was announced November 19, 2012 and released on February 19, 2013. The EP was released in digital and CD formats, with a vinyl release following on March 12, 2013.[16] A cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" is included on the EP, as well as a cover of Accept's "Balls to the Wall".[17][18][19][20]

Money Shot

Money Shot was announced July 29, 2015 via the release of first single Grand Canyon.[21] The album was released on October 30, 2015.[22] A remix album titled Money Shot Your Re-Load was released on November 25, 2016.

Existential Reckoning

On May 8, 2020, the lead single and video "Apocalyptical" were released along with an announcement of an album to be released in the fall of 2020. The fourth studio album Existential Reckoning was announced on September 17, 2020.[23][24]

The release date for the album was later set to October 30, 2020, via Alchemy Recordings/Puscifer Entertainment/BMG.[25]

The album was produced by Mat Mitchell and Puscifer, and recorded and mixed by Mat Mitchell at Puscifer Studios in North Hollywood.[25] Keenan appears on the album as "Dick Merkin", alongside the musicians Mat Mitchell (guitar, bass, keys), Carina Round (vocals, keys), Greg Edwards (bass, guitar, keys), Gunnar Olsen (drums) and Sarah Jones (drums).[25]

Live shows

Maynard James Keenan performing with the rest of Puscifer at Coachella 2013

In February 2009, Keenan debuted Puscifer with shows in Las Vegas. Throughout the year, he continued to perform with a revolving lineup,[26] but limited concerts to the Southwest. However, in a November 2009 interview, Keenan stated: "Efforts to confine our beloved enigma to the Southwestern United States have been thwarted. We are compelled beyond all reason to bring the noise Eastward and share our special sauce. Although authorities suggest you be prepared for any and all possibilities, we simply suggest you arrive happy and hungry."[27]

Keenan took Puscifer on tour again in the fall and winter of 2011 in support of Conditions of My Parole. This tour covered a larger swath of the United States than previous West Coast-only tours.

In 2013, Puscifer played their first dates outside of North America, with the band performing three shows in Australia, and performances at Lollapalooza Brazil and Lollapalooza Chile.[28]

On February 16, 2016, Puscifer announced UK and European dates under the "Money Shot Heard Around The World" tour. The band played Manchester and London in the UK, then France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway before ending the tour in Sweden at the Cirkus.[29]

In late January 2017 Puscifer and guest act Luchafer toured Australia and New Zealand as part of the Money Shot: Round Under Tour.

On October 30, 2020, Puscifer performed their newest album Existential Reckoning live from Arcosanti, Arizona. The performance included their singles "Underwhelming" and "Apocalyptical". The performance was an audio-visual adventure performed with creative light and camera effects that brought the music to another level. The lineup for the show featured: Maynard James Keenan (vocals), Mat Mitchell (guitar), Carina Round (vocals), Greg Edwards (bass), and Gunnar Olsen (drums). Produced by Dino Paredes and Danny Winner, Directed by Adam Rothlein and Dino Paredes.

Members

According to Keenan's MySpace profile with regard to members, the band includes

Maynard James Keenan and a revolving door of talented people. The current list of guest musicians... Renholdër (Danny Lohner), Milla Jovovich, Lisa Germano, Josh Eustis, Satan's Muse, and more...

— Maynard James Keenan, MySpace, September 2008

As of the latest release, Keenan has recorded material with Lustmord, Mat Mitchell, Jonny Polonsky, Tim Alexander, Tim Commerford, Brad Wilk, Joey Jordison, Ainjel Emme, Josh Eustis of Black Light Burns, Telefon Tel Aviv & Nine Inch Nails, Carina Round, John Oliver, Juliette Commagere, Matt McJunkins, Jeff Friedl, Gil and Rani Sharone, Malhar Naik, Devo Keenan (his son), Alessandro Cortini, Sarah Jones and Jon Theodore as well as many other musicians.[30][31]

The most recent touring lineup consisted of the following:

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[32]
AUS
[33]
BEL
(FL)
[34]
BEL
(WA)
[35]
CAN
[36]
FRA
[37]
GER
[38]
SWI
[39]
NZ
[40]
"V" Is for Vagina 25 27 194 22
Conditions of My Parole
  • Released: October 18, 2011 (US)[42]
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
27
Money Shot
  • Released: October 30, 2015 (US)[22]
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
30 51 130 82
Existential Reckoning
  • Released: October 30, 2020 (US)[43]
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
65 92 144 71 57
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Remix albums

List of remix albums
Title Album details
"V" Is for Viagra. The Remixes
  • Released: April 29, 2008 (US)
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
"D" Is for Dubby – The Lustmord Dub Mixes
  • Released: October 17, 2008 (US)
  • Formats: Digital download
Sound into Blood into Wine
  • Released: September 7, 2010 (US)
  • Formats: Digital download
All Re-Mixed Up
  • Released: August 27, 2013 (US)
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
Money Shot Your Re-Load
  • Released: November 25, 2016 (US)
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download

Live albums

List of live albums
Title Album details
What Is...
  • Released: November 26, 2013 (US)[44]
  • Formats: DVD, CD, Digital download
Puscifer's 8-Ball Bail Bonds – The Berger Barns Live in Phoenix
  • Released: November 29, 2013 (US)
  • Formats: LP

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected chart positions
Title EP details Peak chart positions
US
[32]
Don't Shoot the Messenger
  • Released: October 9, 2007 (US)[45]
  • Formats: Digital download
"C" Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference Here)
  • Released: November 10, 2009 (US)[46]
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
Donkey Punch the Night
  • Released: February 19, 2013 (US)[47]
  • Formats: CD, LP, Digital download
57

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Alt.

[48]
US
Main.

[49]
US
Rock

[50]
CAN
Rock

[51]
"Cuntry Boner" 2007 Non-album single
"Queen B." 26 38 "V" Is for Vagina
"DoZo" 2008
"The Mission" 2009 34 "C" Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference Here)
"Man Overboard" 2011 Conditions of My Parole
"Conditions of My Parole"
"Telling Ghosts" 2012
"Grand Canyon" 2015 Money Shot
"The Remedy" 37
"Apocalyptical" 2020 39 Existential Reckoning
"The Underwhelming"
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Music videos

List of music videos, showing year released and director
Title Year Director(s)
"Cuntry Boner" 2007 Un­known
"Queen B." 2008 Meats Meier[52][53]
"DoZo"
"Momma Sed" Christopher Sims[54]
"The Mission" 2009 Meats Meier[55][56]
"Man Overboard" 2011
"Conditions of My Parole" (Short Version) & (Director's Cut) Mike King, Flea Circus Films & Puscifer[57][58]
"Telling Ghosts" 2012 Tim Cadiente & Meats Meier[59]
"Bohemian Rhapsody" 2013 Mike King, Flea Circus Films & Puscifer[60]
"Toma" 2014 Tim Cadiente[61]
"Grand Canyon" 2015 Maynard James Keenan, Puscifer & Ghost Atomic[62]
"Money Shot" Tim Cadiente & Puscifer[63]
"The Remedy" Adam Rothlein & Puscifer[64]
"The Arsonist" 2016 David Brown & Junior[65]
"Apocalyptical" 2020 Puscifer & Meats Meier[66]
"Theorem" Maynard James Keenan[67]
"Bedlamite" Maynard James Keenan[68]

Contributions

Song Length Compilation Track
"REV 22:20" 4:39 Underworld (2003) 2
"REV 22:20 (REV 4:20 Mix)" (Remixed by Charlie Clouser) 4:47 Saw II (2005) 6
"The Undertaker (Renholdër Mix)" 3:57 Underworld: Evolution (2006) 1
"Lighten Up, Francis (JLE Dub Mix)" 4:34 Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009) 1
"Holiday on the Moon (Puscifer Mix)" 5:08 New Tales to Tell: A Tribute to Love and Rockets (2009) 1
"The Humbling River" 5:05 Transformers: Fall of Cybertron trailer (2011) 1
"The Mission" 5:05 Warehouse 13 season 2, "Around the Bend" (2010) 1
"Rocket Mantastic" (with Steven Drozd)[69][70] 5:28 The Heart Is a Drum Machine (The Score) (2011) 5

References

  1. ^ Fricke, David (2007-07-18). "Maynard James Keenan's Puscifer: Tool Leader Speaks on Enigmatic Side Project". Rolling Stone.
  2. ^ "Maynard James Keenan's official MySpace page". MySpace. Retrieved 2009-12-25.
  3. ^ a b c Daniel Robert Epstein (March 16, 2007). "Interviews > Maynard Keenan". SuicideGirls. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
  4. ^ The last two quotations are also shown in the introduction at Puscifer.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-02.
  5. ^ Major, Laura (October 3, 2008). "Puscifer store grand opening". ReGen magazine. Retrieved on November 5, 2008.
  6. ^ (October 29, 2008). "Puscifer Opens Store, Visits Others Archived 2009-01-08 at the Wayback Machine". philadelphiaathome.com. Retrieved on November 5, 2008.
  7. ^ Maynard James Keenan (April 10, 2007). "Spring Sprung". Puscifer.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2007. Retrieved April 17, 2007. I may be shooting for a fall release. Maybe mid October. Hard to say. So much needs to happen between now and then.
  8. ^ Maynard James Keenan (June 25, 2007). "Muzak soon". Puscifer.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved June 27, 2007.
  9. ^ (August 9, 2007). "TOOL Frontman's PUSCIFER Project To Film 'Queen B' Video Archived 2007-10-12 at the Wayback Machine". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
  10. ^ Hasty, Katie (November 7, 2007). ""Eagles Fly Past Britney to Debut At No. 1"". Billboard.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
  11. ^ "Momma Sed" music video on YouTube, official release on Puscifer account. Retrieved on November 5, 2008.
  12. ^ a b c "Yahoo Music". Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  13. ^ "The official Puscifer website". Puscifer.com. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-03. Retrieved 2011-06-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-08-28. Retrieved 2011-11-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. ^ "Puscifer". Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  17. ^ Firecloud, Johnny (November 19, 2012). "Puscifer Covers 'Bohemian Rhapsody' on New 'Donkey Punch The Night' EP". CraveOnline. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  18. ^ Young, Alex (November 19, 2012). "Puscifer announces new EP: Donkey Punch The Night". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  19. ^ Hughes, Josiah (November 19, 2012). "Puscifer Cover Queen on 'Donkey Punch the Night' EP". Exclaim!. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  20. ^ Hartmann, Graham (November 19, 2012). "Maynard James Keenan's Puscifer To Release 'Donkey Punch The Night' EP In Early 2013". Loudwire. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  21. ^ "PUSCIFER "GRAND CANYON"". pusciferdotcom. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2016 – via YouTube.
  22. ^ a b "Puscifer Announce New Album, Premiere Epic 'Grand Canyon' Song and Video". 28 July 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  23. ^ "Maynard James Keenan's Puscifer: See Insane Video for First New Song in 5 Years "Apocalyptical"". Revolver. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  24. ^ "Maynard James Keenan Announces Next Album From PUSCIFER". Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  25. ^ a b c "Puscifer". Facebook.com. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  26. ^ "Maynard James Keenan is Puscifer". SuicideGirls.com. 2 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  27. ^ "Tool Frontman Talks Puscifer On Portland's KUFO". Blabbermouth.net. 23 December 2009. Archived from the original on 29 June 2012. Retrieved 2009-12-25.
  28. ^ "Puscifer to Release Donkey Punch The Night EP, Featuring Covers of "Bohemian Rhapsody" and Accept's "Balls to the Wall"". November 30, 2012. Retrieved 2013-01-31.
  29. ^ "The official Puscifer website". Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  30. ^ Maynard James Keenan (2007-02-24). "Muzak 02/24/07". Puscifer.com. Archived from the original on 2007-06-21. Retrieved 2007-03-02.
  31. ^ 'Side Project Special: Puscifer' Alternative Press #230.2
  32. ^ a b "Puscifer Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  33. ^ Peaks in Australia:
  34. ^ "PUSCIFER - MONEY SHOT". Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  35. ^ "PUSCIFER - EXISTENTIAL RECKONING". Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  36. ^ "Puscifer Chart History: Canada Albums". Billboard. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  37. ^ "PUSCIFER - "V" IS FOR VAGINA (ALBUM)". Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  38. ^ "PUSCIFER - EXISTENTIAL RECKONING (ALBUM)". Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  39. ^ "PUSCIFER - EXISTENTIAL RECKONING". Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  40. ^ "V IS FOR VAGINA". Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  41. ^ "Puscifer – "V" Is for Vagina". AllMusic. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  42. ^ "IN THE STUDIO: Maynard James Keenan's Puscifer - SPIN". 22 June 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  43. ^ "Maynard James Keenan Announces Next Album From PUSCIFER". Metal Injection. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  44. ^ "PUSCIFER: 'What Is...' Feature-Length DVD And Accompanying Soundtrack Due In November". Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  45. ^ "Don't Shoot the Messenger". puscifer.com. Puscifer. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  46. ^ "Puscifer – "C" Is For (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference Here) E.P." Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  47. ^ "Maynard James Keenan's Puscifer to Release 'Donkey Punch the Night' EP in Early 2013". loudwire.com. Loudwire. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  48. ^ "Puscifer Chart History: Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  49. ^ "Puscifer Chart History: Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  50. ^ "Puscifer Chart History: Hot Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  51. ^ "Puscifer Chart History: Canada Rock". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  52. ^ "Queen B." YouTube. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  53. ^ "PUSCIFER DoZo". YouTube. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  54. ^ "PUSCIFER Momma Sed". YouTube. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  55. ^ "PUSCIFER The Mission (M is for Milla mix)". YouTube. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  56. ^ "PUSCIFER Man Overboard". YouTube. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  57. ^ "PUSCIFER Conditions of My Parole, the video. Short Version". YouTube. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  58. ^ "PUSCIFER "Conditions of My Parole" Director's Cut". YouTube. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  59. ^ "PUSCIFER Telling Ghosts". YouTube. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  60. ^ "A Bohemian Rhapsody ala PUSCIFER (HD)". YouTube. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  61. ^ "PUSCIFER TOMA, Conditions of My Parole". YouTube. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  62. ^ "PUSCIFER "GRAND CANYON"". YouTube. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  63. ^ "PUSCIFER "MONEY SHOT" official video". YouTube. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  64. ^ "PUSCIFER "THE REMEDY" official video". YouTube. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  65. ^ "PUSCIFER "THE ARSONIST" official video". YouTube. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  66. ^ "Puscifer – "Apocalyptical" (Official Video)". YouTube. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  67. ^ "PUSCIFER Drops 'Theorem' Music Video". www.blabbermouth.net. Blabbermouth. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  68. ^ "PUSCIFER RELEASE "BEDLAMITE" VIDEO". www.volatileweekly.com. Volatile Weekly. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  69. ^ "Steven Drozd - The Heart Is A Drum Machine (The Score), Music Review". Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  70. ^ "Puscifer and Steven Drozd – Rocket Mantastic, Psych Explorations of The Future Heart". Retrieved 30 March 2013.