Puscifer
Puscifer | |
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Puscifer in 2011 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
Genres | Alternative rock, post-industrial, trip hop, experimental, ambient |
Years active | 1995–present |
Labels | Puscifer Entertainment |
Members | Maynard James Keenan Carina Round Mat Mitchell Jeff Friedl Mahsa Zargaran Paul Barker |
Website | www |
Puscifer /ˈpʊs[invalid input: 'ɨ']fər/[1] is a band of Maynard James Keenan, known for his work with 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 could be 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 has reportedly been working on short films with Ford Englerth and Jeffrey Brooks from Red Rock Entertainment Development that may be shown on an upcoming tour. These shorts are 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 would have a music video, as well as an alternate version of "Cuntry Boner", and would likely be released as a CD single with bonus tracks. Further mixing would be done by Keenan and Alan Moulder by August.[8]
Keenan announced at the end of July that the album would be titled "V" Is for Vagina and, a few days later, he announced that the first single would be "Queen B." with a video released 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 new dub remix album also appeared at the official website's store completely by Lustmord, entitled "D" Is for Dubby – The Lustmord Dub Mixes.[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 the first Puscifer album "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]
"C" Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference Here)
"C" Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference Here) is an EP which 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.[13]
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 new 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.[14]
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 February 19, 2013. The EP was released in digital and CD formats, with a vinyl release following on March 12, 2013.[15] A cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" is included on the EP, as well as a cover of Accept's "Balls to the Wall".[16][17][18][19]
Money Shot
Money Shot was announced July 29, 2015 via the release of first single Grand Canyon.[20] The album was released on October 30, 2015.[21]
Live shows
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Maynard_of_Puscifer_-_Coachella_2013.jpg/220px-Maynard_of_Puscifer_-_Coachella_2013.jpg)
In February 2009, Keenan debuted Puscifer with shows in Las Vegas. Throughout the year, he continued to perform with a revolving lineup,[22] 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."[23]
Keenan took Puscifer on tour again in the fall and winter of 2011 in support of the newly released "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.[24]
On February 16 2016, Puscifer announced UK and European dates under the "Money Shot Heard Around The World" tour. The band will play Manchester and London in the UK, then France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway before ending the tour in Sweden at the world famous Cirkus (Stockholm).[25]
Members
According to Keenan's MySpace profile with regards 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, 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.[26][27]
The most recent touring lineup consisted of the following:
- Maynard James Keenan: Vocals
- Carina Round: Vocals, Guitar, Banjitar, Tambourine
- Mat Mitchell: Lead Guitar
- Paul Barker: Bass
- Jeff Friedl: Drums, Samples
- Mahsa Zargaran: Keyboards, Samples, Guitar, Backing Vocals
Discography
- Studio albums
- "V" Is for Vagina (October 30, 2007) #25 US, #27 AUS
- Conditions of My Parole (October 18, 2011)[28] #27 US, #86 CAN
- Money Shot (October 30, 2015)[21] #30 US, #51 AUS[29]
- Remix albums
- "V" Is for Viagra. The Remixes (April 29, 2008)
- "D" Is for Dubby – The Lustmord Dub Mixes (October 17, 2008)
- Sound into Blood into Wine (September 7, 2010)
- All Re-Mixed Up (August 27, 2013)
- Live albums
- Puscifer's 8-Ball Bail Bonds – The Berger Barns Live in Phoenix (2013)
- What Is... (2013)[30]
- EPs
- Don't Shoot the Messenger (October 9, 2007)
- "C" Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference HERE) (November 10, 2009)
- Donkey Punch the Night (February 19, 2013)
- Singles
- "Cuntry Boner" (2007)
- "Queen B." (2007) [#26 Alternarive Songs]
- "DoZo" (2008)
- "The Mission" (2009)
- "Man Overboard" (2011)
- "Conditions of My Parole" (2011)
- "Telling Ghosts" (2012)
- "Grand Canyon" (2015)
- "The Remedy" (2015) [#38 Mainstream Rock Songs]
- Music videos
- "Cuntry Boner" (2007)
- "Queen B." (2008)
- "DoZo" (2008)
- "Momma Sed" (2008)
- "The Mission" (2009)
- "Man Overboard" (2011)
- "Conditions of My Parole" (Short Version and Director's Cut) (2011)
- "Telling Ghosts" (2012)
- "Toma" (2014)
- "Grand Canyon" (2015)
- "Money Shot" (2015)
- "The Remedy" (2015)
- 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)[31][32] | 5:28 | The Heart Is a Drum Machine (The Score) (2011) | 5 |
References
- ^ Fricke, David (2007-07-18). "Maynard James Keenan's Puscifer: Tool Leader Speaks on Enigmatic Side Project". Rolling Stone.
- ^ "Maynard James Keenan's official MySpace page". MySpace. Retrieved 2009-12-25.
- ^ a b c Daniel Robert Epstein (March 16, 2007). "Interviews > Maynard Keenan". SuicideGirls. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ^ The last two quotations are also shown in the introduction at Puscifer.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-02.
- ^ Major, Laura (October 3, 2008). "Puscifer store grand opening". ReGen magazine. Retrieved on November 5, 2008.
- ^ (October 29, 2008). "Puscifer Opens Store, Visits Others". philadelphiaathome.com. Retrieved on November 5, 2008.
- ^ Maynard James Keenan (April 10, 2007). "Spring Sprung". Puscifer.com. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
I may be shooting for a fall release. Maybe mid October. Hard to say. So much needs to happen between now and then.
- ^ Maynard James Keenan (June 25, 2007). "Muzak soon". Puscifer.com. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
- ^ (August 9, 2007). "TOOL Frontman's PUSCIFER Project To Film 'Queen B' Video". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
- ^ Hasty, Katie (November 7, 2007). ""Eagles Fly Past Britney to Debut At No. 1"". Billboard.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
- ^ "Momma Sed" music video on YouTube, official release on Puscifer account. Retrieved on November 5, 2008.
- ^ a b c http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/58556/week-ending-july-18-2010-boomer-icons-invade-top-10/;_ylt=AoyM7rED.Zqtb7uHlz843jUPwiUv?page=2#comments
- ^ http://www.skullsnbones.com/profiles/blogs/puscifer-conditions-of-my
- ^ http://www.kissrocks.com/weblogs/rock-report/2011/aug/16/puscifer-conditions-my-parole-artwork-unveiled/
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/PusciferMusic/info
- ^ Firecloud, Johnny (November 19, 2012). "Puscifer Covers 'Bohemian Rhapsody' on New 'Donkey Punch The Night' EP". CraveOnline. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
- ^ Young, Alex (November 19, 2012). "Puscifer announces new EP: Donkey Punch The Night". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
- ^ Hughes, Josiah (November 19, 2012). "Puscifer Cover Queen on 'Donkey Punch the Night' EP". Exclaim!. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtZJiQSmJ9g
- ^ a b http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/puscifer-announce-new-album-premiere-epic-grand-canyon-song-and-video-20150728
- ^ "Maynard James Keenan is Puscifer". SuicideGirls.com. 2 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
- ^ "Tool Frontman Talks Puscifer On Portland's KUFO". Blabbermouth.net. 23 December 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-25.
- ^ "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.
- ^ https://puscifer.com/tour/
- ^ Maynard James Keenan (2007-02-24). "Muzak 02/24/07". Puscifer.com. Retrieved 2007-03-02.
- ^ 'Side Project Special: Puscifer' Alternative Press #230.2
- ^ http://www.spin.com/articles/studio-maynard-james-keenans-puscifer
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (November 7, 2015). "ARIA Albums: Elvis Presley Has the No. 1 Album in Australia (Seriously)". Noise11. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ^ "PUSCIFER: 'What Is…' Feature-Length DVD And Accompanying Soundtrack Due In November". Retrieved 28 August 2013.
- ^ "Steven Drozd - The Heart Is A Drum Machine (The Score), Music Review". Retrieved 30 March 2013.
- ^ "Puscifer and Steven Drozd – Rocket Mantastic, Psych Explorations of The Future Heart". Retrieved 30 March 2013.