IF YOU KNOW Tool, you’ll know that their fandom can be cult-like –as well as critical. People have spent hours poring over the meaning of their lyrics, as well as hours on social media, speculating about their timescale for making new music and the dynamic between the bandmembers. We set all that chatter aside, and went to LA for a rare and exclusive audience with frontman Maynard James Keenan and guitarist Adam Jones, ahead of their UK FOLLOW tour in May.
What we found were two people who are very human (sorry, Tool obsessives/conspiracists), and very self aware. Two people who are as comfortable talking about Tool’s clashing egos, disparate personalities and ongoing creative tensions as they are about messaging each other stupid memes and the perils of getting wig hair caught in your mouth when you’re trying to sing (see: Maynard’s outings with APerfect Circle).
Being in Tool doesn’t sound easy, but, as Adam himself says, they don’t take themselves too seriously. And despite the arguments and gaps between albums, it’s clear they still find the band immensely rewarding. As do we.
Stay metal,