It Happened Last Night
Puscifer / Photo by John Dole
MORE ON SPIN.COM:
>> Review: Puscifer, V Is for Vagina
>> Listen: Keenan of Tool's New Puscifer Song
>> Maynard James Keenan Announces Puscifer Tour
Photo by John Dole
Puscifer's Tricks Are a Treat in San Diego
Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan's new tour is a genre-blurring cabaret.
By Scott McDonald 11.02.09 11:03 AM
Puscifer / Photo by John Dole
Maynard James Keenan -- the freak-show ringmaster of Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer -- perpetually promises to design spectacles that go well beyond what people expect from a rock show. If the costume changes, sexually explicit variety-show comedy, multimedia pieces, and elaborate sets on display at Puscifer's Halloween night tour opener at San Diego's Spreckels Theatre are any indication, Keenan has already made good on his word.
The performance opened with a video message from Keenan's character, "Major Douche," who stood in front of an American flag backdrop, admonished patrons who might record or photograph the show, then led the crowd in a rousing chant of "Vagina!"
What followed felt like an X-rated episode of Hee-Haw, starring two more characters: Keenan as bumpkin crooner Billy Dee (a polyester-clad cross between Charlie Rich and Carl Perkins) and comedian Laura Milligan as his child bride/sidekick Hildy (think sexed-up Dolly Parton). And, for added ambiance, all of this played out on a detailed set of a country-style front porch.
MORE ON SPIN.COM:
>> Review: Puscifer, V Is for Vagina
>> Listen: Keenan of Tool's New Puscifer Song
>> Maynard James Keenan Announces Puscifer Tour
Photo by John Dole
With a battery-operated, leg-humping dog strapped to his calf, Billy Dee bantered with Hildy about blowjobs, herpes, and "ass sex" in between countrified re-workings of songs from Puscifer's 2007 full-length, V Is for Vagina. Guitarist Johnny Polonsky cranked out slide versions of "Drunk With Power" and "Queen B" before launching into a cover Electric Sheep's "Cuntry Boner."
And that was just Act One!
When the lights came up again, the entire outfit had ditched their country garb for a more modern look, with Keenan and back-up singer Brit chanteuse Carina Round performing behind flat-screen monitors -- their bodies were readily visible, but their faces were only seen on screen. The band ripped through seven album-like versions of Puscifer songs, including four from the soon-to-be-released C Is For (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference Here) EP. And, yes, that's the official title.
While his Billy Dee character ran at the mouth in the first act, Keenan was workmanlike in the second. Outside of a few thank-yous, he only added: "We're here tomorrow and it'll be different."
After 90 minutes, the spectacle ended without an encore, but no one in the heavily costumed crowd seemed to mind -- one of The Shining's "redrum twins" exclaimed that it was one of the best concerts she'd ever seen. And that would have to make Maynard proud.
Set List:
"Vagina Mine"
"Dozo"
"Sour Grapes"
(Video break #1)
"World Up My Ass"
"Queen B"
(Video Break #2)
"Drunk With Power"
"Trekka"
"Rev 22:20"
"Cuntry Boner"
(Video Break #3)
"Momma Sed"
"Polar Bear"
"Potions"
"The Undertaker"
"Dozo"
"The Mission"
"The Humbling River"
they didn't do uncle scratch's gospel revival to open the show like they did in vegas? that shit was great! hahaha
nevermind... just realized my error. don't flame me. haha
Uncle Scratch's Gospel Revival is a seperate band out of Cleveland Ohio. While the drummer (brother Ed) does resemble Maynard, he is a different person.
That Maynard Jame Keenan is once crazy dude & has a dirty mind too!
If the nasty songs didn't seem over-the-top, then all that hillbilly and Jesus Revival stuff surely bent the reality prism! But I got my money's worth even though I had to remove my wig and get hassled by security! Now if I could just get rid of this itchy rash!
Thats fucking gay! Look at Maynard on stage dressed up, what the fuck happened to Tool? Does Maynard think he is a comedian now? Bullshit I tell you!
You obviously don't get Maynard and his new band
You cant be angry or a hard ass all the time.
Actually, yes, he was a stand-up comedian first... but you didn't know that :)
did you want a waaah burger to go with those cry-fries?
I believe Tool is still a band...what do you think you are entitled to? MJK is an entertainer, whatever the motif.
you really don't remember maynard dressing in drag or dressing like a reverend? or being covered completely in paint? or his mullet mohawk for god's sake?
its calld puscifer & not TOOL 4 a reason u idiot! if u dont like it dont listen to it & keep ur tool cds in! what ever happened to imaginations???
by the way, maynard has been dabbling in comedy for longer than TOOL..
if you are going to talk badly about something, get the facts straight first. second, don't pay attention to what you personally dislike, as it is only intended for those who like it.
I went and took a poop in my seat. Seriously.
The country stuff was aweful... I felt like I was getting ripped off having to sit there and listen to my favorite Puscifer songs butchered into a country tune. Maynard makes a speech about how the crowd should respect the band and not flash cameras, but where is his respect to the people who dropped over $100 to be there? I want Puscifer dammit! Not a country version of it. So I probably wont be seeing anymore Puscifer live shows
I went to both shows and I didn't know which one I liked more. Its a rare day that you get to see Rev. Maynard "perform" anymore... and I was grateful and sore from laughing because of it. Total money spent $200... and worth every penny. I'm thinking of going to both the Phoenix shows because I thought both nights were such amazing and unique experiences. I appreciate Tool for being Tool and Puscifer for being Puscifer. Different groups.... different emotions.
I couldn't agree with u more!! i felt so ripped off! we traveled from chicago to vegas (and spent a lot of money for tix n hotel) to see puscifer perform n not some country band!!
Ever since I found out that maynard sings the vocals to the elton john song rocketman, for the The Heart Is A Drum Machine soundtrack, I've been trying to find it everywhere. No luck on anyfront other that a shitty bootleg on youtube with some fuckhole talking through it all. Any suggestions?
I can't find either, but I was lucky enough to hear live at the Puscifer concert in L.A. in April!! If he releases the version that he did both those nights, that will be GREAT!! He changed it up a bit....Sounded Amazing!!
Did they play a conventional Puscifer set on the 2nd night? I wish I would have been there, we only got the country-fried version in Las Vegas. I have the same opinion as anonymous above - when I pay money to see an act, I expect to see them play their songs, not the weird al cover tunes. I was wowed at the February shows in Las Vegas, so having this thrust in my face was extremely disappointing.
Did anyone do the meet and greet ? how was it ? and what was the gift?
To any of you who lack the creative and intellectual capacity to see the humor in the Halloween show I say go get your Metallica CD's out and leave the rest of us alone. The Cuntry Set was funny and fun and light-hearted and made for an awesome Halloween, everyone in the audience was dressed up as someone else, why shouldn't Maynard? The second set DEFINITELY made up for anywhere the first may have lacked. IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A CABARET, it's supposed to be a Show, not a concert. AND if you bothered to listen to the man's lyrics, chances are you might understand that.
Puscifer is in many ways the BEST incarnation yet of MJK. We get to see the dark underbelly of Maynard and experience him and his worldview on a far more personal level.
AND DID YOU LISTEN TO THE NEW SONGS? OH MY GOD! Go buy the EP November 10th and give them a listen... absolutely incredible.
Thanks Maynard, thanks for daring to be different and for daring to say what you really think and feel. Those of us who adore you will always be here, waiting...
Like I told my son on the way out to San Diego - "If Maynard wants to walk around on stilts dressed as a clown I'd still pay to see it..." Little did I know...
Puscifer was amazing! I WISH I GOT TO SEE THEIR CUNTRY SET! all these other ppl complaining about this and that and how it sounded different. BOOHOO!! You go there for the experience and watch the SHOW not a concert. did you notice how there were no mosh pits and how it was all assigned seating?!?! OBVIOUSLY these whiners do not understand Maynard's new plight with his musical creativity.
It's funny to see all these metal heads listening to an experimental/industrial/electronic group ONLY BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT IT IS HEADLINED BY MJK FROM TOOL. i guess they will never understand anything thats not "METAL". and believe me, i too enjoy metal but there is far more styles of music out there.
while i agree that puscifer is a gret band in its own right and not to be confused with or compared to tool i must say that it is in bad taste to degrade everyone who happens to dislike on of maynard's shows as an idiot child. yeah, maynard is a great artist, but he is not a fucking god and frankly i wouldn't be happy to sit through country tunes no matter how funny the guy on stage is or how much i like the lyrics. especially if i paid that much money for it. have some respect for people who disagree, after all no one calls you misguided mindless followers just because you worship the ground maynard walks on, no matter what shit he pulls. i am sure he would.
Ravenous is right on the money. I was at the show and I couldn't stand listening to that garbage. We left with a crowd of about 30-40 other pissed off patrons about 30 minutes in to the show. I don't care that we missed the new material the way it was meant to be played, my love for all the songs I paid to hear had already been tainted beyond redemption.
I red a comment up there /\ /\ /\ /\ not too far from the top about maynard and dressing up as if he's a comedian...
Maynard puts on characters like an actor does when he performs... He dresses differently for his shows and his guest appearances.
For 'A Perfect Circle' maynard wore long haired wigs as a method of differing himself from the frontman of 'Tool'.
He said in an interview about 'Avenged Sevenfold' that the artists in that band sell their faces/looks instead of their music. Thus allowing them to create and release their (dare I say) SHIT and still having an impresasive fan base consisting of teeny boppers and emo boys that have nothing better to do.
Ha, to finish, I'm sure Maynard is DEEPLY sorry for dissapointing you by dressing up for the show.
Grow a scrotum?
enough. now you know that uncle scratch is the real deal.
it is time for all sinners to repent.
I just farted really really loud.
I like MJK's wine
Here's a real critique: Spreckles Theatre did not allow patrons to wear masks, face paint, or have halloween props and no candy allowed either. A friend of mine is goth and wore her regular make up and was told to wash it off and had to stuff a little head crown in her purse. She paid a $100 for her ticket. I don't know where Spin gets off saying "in the heavily costumed crowd".
The meet and greet was a little disappointing. $200 for a two second glimpse...maybe get to say or ask something and get a signed CD (an old one-must have been extras lingering around). I was hoping for some wine, but it did get me a front row seat. However, I was barely able to see the dog past the top of the stage and there was a Ninja photographer running back and forth in front. With that said (I still love ya Maynard. You're a good a guy :)
The show itself was a show, not a concert...for those who are disappointed in the country theme. It's not like a surprise either. I'm a T()()L fan too, but certainly didn't expect a T()()L show and the country theme was expected.
It was good. I liked it. It was funny. Like a bible belt spoof and go figure...our favorite little bald man can get his audience to chant "va-gi-na"...LOL.
Excuse the dashes. Website censorship...
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