Justin Chancellor Originally Rejected Invitation to Audition for Tool

Tool, the thinking bassist’s prog band, haven’t released an album in 13 years. Fortunately their new one Fear Inoculum, is loaded with brain-melting virtuoso bass courtesy of the great Justin Chancellor. “I’m ashamed to say it, but I watch KZbin videos of our live shows” he confesses

[@Victu5]

Did he just say Schism came together easily? I guess the pieces really did just fit....

[@immastranger6752]

Easily is a VERY relative term

[@increasement]

just the main bass riff...which im pretty sure Adam hated. Hence the way the song came out.

[@jsmak36]

BOOOOOOOO!!!

[@Not_Andrew_Huberman]

Ha... hahaha

[@ryu-ken]

Lulz

[@thegoatchild3545]

Can we take a moment to thank Justin’s brother for convincing him to take the job? THANK YOU, JIM!!!👍👍🤘🤘👏👏

[@liamfslal]

...and Paul for dismissing himself. Perhaps it was a demonstration of natural selection? I really can't fathom Tool w/out Justin! I love this story!

[@rubaidaallen2764]

His brother really needs to be commended for that. Bravo 👏👏👏

[@cheleonearth]

Yes. Forever grateful to bro 💥🎸💥

[@pullthereins]

Had he not, we’d have been hearing a totally different Tool.

[@oldironsides4107]

You guys must be new tool fans as Paul cane up with everything in the first two and most of aenima. You’re favorite tool bass lines from aenima were Paul. It doesn’t matter. But you’re under the impression Justin makes the band which he doesn’t. There could have been dozens and dozens of bassists to take that spot.

[@kellyjewett294]

Justin's creativity is off the charts! His work on 'DESCENDING' is incredible!

[@rubaidaallen2764]

Descending 😌

[@peterdefrankrijker]

He is a force of nature on the bass. Just like John Paul Jones-who was often overlooked-he is TOOL’s soul. I think that if Led Zeppelin had somehow been allowed to carry on, they would have evolved into TOOL.

[@zanglin918]

Justin just seems like he's be a fun guy to hang around. Always sounds very friendly and down to earth.

[@negrinotostao8236]

He's the type of dude I would want to watch a footy game at a pub and talk football.

[@kristagreene3672]

Thank Justin for all your talent and hard work! These guy are definitely four pieces of a whole puzzle

[@kagancetin2065]

Well said

[@IsraelLong131]

I thought it said 4 pieces of a whole pizza. Probably because im stoned outta my gourd and i got the meanass munchies

[@Qartoffeln1]

Thank you for 46 & 2, Justin. First song I ever heard from Tool and my favorite to the day.

[@rosook9440]

Same here man 🤘

[@Qartoffeln1]

rosook that intro... 😎👍🏼

[@rosook9440]

Qartoffeln1 justin conjured some black magic for that intro 😂

[@Bob46374]

Me too

[@MasonMillerKingofCaturday]

Justin says in this interview that he wrote it before the audition

[@jamiehouk6965]

I've always marveled at how these 4 member geniuses ended up together!

[@Itsunclegabby]

Quite serendipitous beginnings and fitting. Apparently, Maynard was almost singer of Ratm.

[@07foxmulder]

Maybe they’re not geniuses. Maybe you’re just putting them on a pedestal. But don’t worry, Tool fans are notorious for doing that.

[@Itsunclegabby]

@@07foxmulder *hug*

[@mickeymouse2456]

@@07foxmulder says the guy who names himself fox mulder, placing this fictional character on a pedestal, or maybe its David Duchovny that he's putting on the pedestal.

[@07foxmulder]

@@mickeymouse2456 Lol

[@rubaidaallen2764]

Glad he changed his mind. Tool is so much more EPIC with him in it. Phenomenal bass player 🤘🤘🤘

[@oldironsides4107]

Damournwas great as well. I love all there albums but I’m the 90s I saw them 15 times live. There was no greater show on earth. I saw them live last year and it was great still. But nothing like they used to be live.

[@rubaidaallen2764]

@@oldironsides4107 They're still amazing. I saw them during the Lateralus era and you're right. There was something inexplicably magical about the band between 1991 and 2002. They're still incredible, don't get me wrong, but those early days were 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@oldironsides4107]

There my favorite band by far. One of the shows they played before nirvana during the undertow album. Which was my great. My favorite was aenima. And Maynard was blue and had dots and the lights looked liked it was going through him. I saw them live in the eatlyb90s with opiate. I never saw the lateralus tour or 10,000 days. Saw the fear inoculmn and I can’t remever if it was before or slightly after the album dropped. All great shows. Been to countless concerts my favorites were tool in all forms and Marilyn Manson when the Antichrist superstar album came out believe it or not lol.

[@DavyRo]

It's telling that Adam describes Justin as the riff king, surely anyone who's listened to a lot of music can see how good these 3 musicians create such masterpieces. There is no way the band could be happy with a 3min song as they produce such complex pieces. The skill of the 3 has a big part in their sound to. It's unbelievable that they ended up together to create what they do. It's a freak chance and like Justin says they really have a great time playing together and it shows massively. Maynards voice totally compliments the musicians in a way that not many others could. So it's no wonder they're so successful their creations are unique and original. It's one thing being unique and original but to also be unbelievably good as well is the icing on the cake.

[@justinlast2lastharder749]

3 musicians? So...did you forget there is a drummer?

[@bdrums97]

@@justinlast2lastharder749 Hes talking about Danny, Adam and Justin. He was saying how Maynard compliments the 3 of them to make great music

[@paulbutler2846]

AND Adam is a set designer, make up FX artist, sculptor and worked on Jurassic Park, Escape from New York and Terminator 2. He would have been about 25 at the time of Terminator 2. They're all just talented men. Bloody Maynard with his wine. Crazy stuff.

[@konasurfah]

Pass the goddamn butter 😎

[@NoahsArcade]

I love that video, pass the beurre

[@Itsunclegabby]

🤲🧈

[@midplanewanderer9507]

You can tell by how he speaks and carries himself that he's a rare high-quality individual with integrity. That's why he's such a wicked musician. There ARE assholes out there with a bit of talent and ability, but they inevitably fade-away or self-destruct, eclipsed by their own black-holes of unconscious ego. Not Justin. His soul is intact. He's seems an alchemist of sorts, viciously self aware yet maintaining careful doubt of his own greatness. Rare creatures like that always go far.

[@radakinryder2741]

Damn dude this is true on so many levels.

[@cheleonearth]

Yes! So well said✨

[@360.Tapestry]

that's just a longer way of saying he's an individual with high conscientiousness

[@deftoneseire07]

Never met him but comes across a very genuine person

[@rubaidaallen2764]

Beautifully said 👏👏👏👏

[@Brankas]

It's amazing how gifted he is. He's aware of that and still sounds like a humble and nice guy. How awesome

[@randykrus9562]

One of the few bands that releases an album 30 years after the first.....and its just as good.

[@therealnynetynyne360]

46&2 was the first song i learned start to finish on bass. Still to this day my favorite song to play

[@marshap1223]

Let's face Tool got its soul when this guy came on board. They were nearly there but not quite. Thank you brother Jim.

[@Sludgee9]

The exact opposite. They lost their soul with this guy. D'amour has a better, more aggressive style. They have done nothing bet get progressively worse since he got in.

[@awol.oper8r]

He made their sound so much more psychedelic, him and Danny bring the best out of each other too

[@samuelcolgrove6407]

@@Sludgee9 i agree, no hate to justin but no two D'amour basslines sound similar. The Grudge and Fear Innoculum lines are very similar, down to the effects.

[@user-tu2dr3ny6x]

@@Sludgee9 LOL

[@milohasagun]

Idk if thats how id put it.. undertow is so fuckin good. Their soul was always there but it became more polyrythmic with justin on board

[@jongrogan2168]

Justin, just about all TOOL fans are by definition super fans and would be extremely interested in tediously exploring all the “extra” music you’ve got!

[@therealnynetynyne360]

This

[@justinpridham7919]

Makes me smile the way this guy understands what he's part of and is fairly humble for being as good as he is. I almost expect to read into my heroes some level of disconnect but he seems like a genuine brother with some integrity. Great interview

[@360.Tapestry]

the way he jokingly said "you've got a great look" as a prerequisite to join tool made me laugh unexpectedly lol

[@oldironsides4107]

Yeah. You have parroted the same sentiments if half the comments. Teeheeeheee

[@360.Tapestry]

@@oldironsides4107 are you ok? do you require medical attention?

[@aglees2b]

Absolutely loving how open Justin is about the creative process. Very unique and important insight

[@MrGunwitch]

Justin somehow manages to hold down the bass role whilst also filling space as a pseudo rhythm guitarist (and pseudo lead in parts). Phenomenal artist.

[@caseyrogers573]

In the band of my dreams he’s the bassist.

[@jeremymoss346]

TOOL is the band of my dreams

[@gman4988]

I need those practice recording CDs Justin mentioned. I would listen to every hour

[@jaco5187]

Tool took more time between albums than The Beatles were a band.

[@therealnynetynyne360]

Can't rush perfection

[@jasonoliveras9192]

I dont have much to say other than, justins work--- speaks for itself! Spiral out!

[@FellowshipOfTheRune]

Keep going

[@nimitz1739]

I thought he said “We are all asses.” But he said artist with a strong accent lol 13:58

[@andym28]

Yeah sounded like arses

[@chiefskingdom6686]

Sometimes, I think I'm hearing the guitar, and it's the bass!!!! You are awesome!!!!

[@robertrazo4330]

Almost didn’t join Tool but my goodness, I’m so glad he did. He gives Tool that special sound. He doesn’t pluck with his fingers, he uses a pick and gets the most out of that bass.

[@tristanwright9733]

Superfan? If give my arm to have 1 practice CD lmfao. They need to release it!!!

[@therealnynetynyne360]

Not my arm I need that for bass. A leg perhaps?

[@jarlathquinn5722]

I love how he mentioned The God Machine, from London is the early nineties. I am one year older than Justin and I walked some of the same London streets and bands as he did. Brilliant interview.

[@theNEScollector1985]

Still waiting on that new music video 😉

[@milohasagun]

This was an awesome interview

[@00govan00]

"this is completely unique and as good as it gets." love it

[@antondavidovic3996]

Justin sounds like Bear Grylls with a cold

[@claymac7895]

To hear that he wrote the “rift” for 46 and 2 just on a dime before he was even in the band is so crazy.

[@cloudbloom]

Great interview, thanks for this

[@danielbrunner7730]

Tool is my religion... In the name of Maynard, Justin, Adam, and Danny. Nothing speaks to my soul like they do and as much as I love all of them Justin is the one I want to meet someday! Everytime I see them I make sure I'm on the right side so I can see Justin the most except for when I saw them in Cleveland this year they upgraded our tickets for some reason and we were right by Adam and ironically we actually could see Justin even better then when we were in Pittsburgh several weeks earlier!

[@KernowekTim]

Excellent! Thank you very much indeed.

[@CMBrannstrom]

Great down to earth interviewer

[@azaces6645]

I absolutely love Puscifer, and APC, combined I've seen those band live over 16 times. But when it comes down to it, no where on earth has anyone ever created music as good, as inspiring, nor as discovering, and as Tool.

[@azaces6645]

I would say the same thing about Puscifer however when you replace the drummer with some mr. Potato Head freak oh, you just lose what you were. Puscifer is no longer as good as it used to be because Jeff Friedl made that band Rock. It's well-known that Maynard is a dick, but I didn't know he was also a stupid dick

[@TOOLED162]

Justin Chancellor......The G.O.A.T. \m/

[@SacredNutrino]

He's so normal and friendly I'd be so star struck if i met him and i love he's a fellow Englishman :D

[@ryukan250]

A timeline without Justin in Tool is hard to imagine. Danny's drumming would never have had the same style or sound if Justin never joined. His bass playing on Wings for Marie/10,000 Days is up there with the best bass compositions ever recorded.

[@romerofederico4680]

It's not only Danny, Adam would never have had same freedom with any other bassist in the world too. I liked what Paul D'amour made in Opiate and Undertow, but since Justin started at Tool their music got wings. Only Justin have the ability of making the rhythm base and main melody in the same time, that's give to Adam completely freedom for follow the main melody, create another main or sub melody or just make arrangements and cool sounds. (plus Justin is a beast making arrangements, intros and noising) I never heard a bassist and guitarist with their musical level of communication and communion. I mean the way they come and back with their melodies or the way that they took each other song parts, and evolve and get back to the other is so unique.

[@junkyardwillie8320]

Interviewer: how do you see your role in the band? Justin: I’m the bass player If that was Maynard, he woulda just left it at that lol

[@chiefskingdom6686]

This man is a brilliant man!!!

[@IceKoldKilla]

Holy shit! He said he lived in Archway, North London! I literally live just down the road! 5 minute walk! Oh my god! What are the odds! I can't believe I didn't listen to this earlier this year! Wow... to think the bass player of Tool lived near where I've been living for a few years. I lived even closer a year ago. I'm just high and mind blown, sorry.

[@stevegeedey7270]

it was meant to be, justin joined the greatest band of my life time!!!!!

[@kekag]

37:31 so they did remaster the digital release... I figured they did because it sounded cleaner but never knew for sure.

[@MH3GL]

Probably should have kept the thumbnail as the background photo for the video...

[@JohnSmith-ky8um]

Still waiting for MV he talk about.

[@grgdel]

I understand why they didn't wanna stream their music at first, but ultimately they made the right decision to open up their catalog because a precious band may have been ,potentially, passed over by the current youth. Not to mention the countless adults being exposed, inside and outside the U.S., that have missed out on Tool because they're a somewhat obscure band.

[@Daniel-xu6kd]

They held On as long as possible.. ultimately technology overcomes

[@jimbosteen2935]

One of my fav albums now fear of the inoculum!!!!!!!

[@erlkonig6375]

great stuff! thanks!

[@vl292]

What a mellow and nice character. If the rest of guys are alike no wonder they've been able to go extremes like they obviously have. Lets hope next time there's less thinking going on as I dont get same vibes with the latest as with aenima/Lateralus.

[@jonnybuchan5074]

I would lose a ball to hear Tool cover "Obscene" by Rollins Band.

[@petertaylor9371]

This is the best interview

[@PATMAN0910]

absolutely brilliant podcast!

[@Lateralus138]

lol we call them universities in the U.S. as well. Colleges are fields of education within a university. It's just younger people usually don't know the difference until they go to university or they don't know because don't go at all (or whatever reasons).

[@MoonkeyAcid]

Some inspirations: Cliff Burton...Phill Lennor?... Thin Lizzy... Gob Machine...Jimmy Ferendendez...Janes Addiction... Behemoth...Mogwai

[@MoonkeyAcid]

Wolves in the throne room

[@oldironsides4107]

Phil lenor was the writer singer and bassist for thin Lizzie

[@RocksNRuts4]

cool to hear his story. grt bassist n band

[@doghouse3464]

Lovely guy

[@brandenrogers9507]

24:55 “Wind chimes” 😂

[@kramsniggah4333]

Justin is the traditional English gent, cannot fathom why he's asked to audition, shocked that he's considered to be part of the band, dumbstruck that he's been taken on! Great bass player, great bloke.

[@anikethrajaram1366]

and he sails, he's almost British!

[@larrymm1963]

Justin I love your musicianship and Playing. I had a Washburn that color cool

[@aland5657]

thanks Jim!

[@angeloprofera3296]

Man I love justin.

[@mouthfulladeez]

Thanks Jim!

[@Scp716creativecommons]

Thanks Jim

[@denisblack9897]

when i bought my first bass i just played power chords on D and G strings and drone D + melody on G for months my girlfriend then made fun of me, like i chose the wrong instrument and should have went with guitar... she pushed me into jazz, it was kinda useful, but i just should have kicked her out and continued to build my D and G chops with a pick this tone feels very very good on acid

[@jamesespinosa7995]

Thanks for this

[@Matt_FiF]

Anyone else hear Down With the Sickness?

[@joesmith9216]

BASS players are the band!

[@heofonfyr5089]

I wonder what happened with that video Justin mentioned.

[@miffmaff2673]

Pretty good questions by the interviewer. Prolly ones I'd ask.

[@oldironsides4107]

What’s ya dad like? I can’t stop think about ya dad. Wanna meet that dad. He didn’t delve into those topics at all.

[@johnholmes4632]

40:10 Not having released an album for 11 years, and the shows have doubled or tripled in size, says it all about Tool and the impact they have on people.

[@lucian-ionelmarcu3680]

actualy..the vocals are/is intrument too..but nvm:P

[@johangericke1492]

Why is he sittinng there with a Warwick when he plays Wal basses?

[@unitedivide2789]

Nobody ever mentions Justin's ear attire?

[@increasement]

...earrings?

[@Crabbadabba]

In ears?

[@Neuri]

This is the Ernie Ball Podcast..

[@nkhamoza1]

LOL...you do have a "great look," Justin!

[@jeffjeff4477]

Cool dude

[@PARRISHMELLOTT]

WHERES THE VIDEO!

[@saimaexotics]

Blackadder JC! 🤣

[@mikegordon7040]

Bon clever!!!!

[@tristanwright9733]

Where the fuck has this been?

[@adamgoodfellow6351]

Hey, Justin. I knew you at Tonbridge, but not well. You missed someone out. Mark Toseland. If you see this, and want to get in touch with him you can do so through me. Best of wishes for happiness and continued success to you!

[@epale1873]

Really? Amazing! How was Justin like?

[@andym28]

Use a coin to get a huge cutting sound.

[@newhavensound]

What is he saying about ".???...speaks Norwegian."?

[@panthex002]

I believe he says: "As rare as a dog that speaks Norwegian."

[@joeramadan1254]

Cuz nobody speaks norwegian. ppl in norway speaks dutch

[@panthex002]

@@joeramadan1254 That makes no sense

[@shanehughes740]

@@joeramadan1254 umm no, Norwegians surprisingly speak Norwegian.

[@jameswhitbread574]

@@panthex002 it’s a quote from Blackadder the Third

[@DeadRingerMachine]

This guy is a great player, the bass is a LOT more important in TOOL than in most bands. Really sets the tone in a big percentage of their songs. That said, Fear Inoculum was a HUGE disappointment to me. I feel like I completely wasted my money and am still wasting space on my phone having those songs on it.

[@daqshiesel]

Dumb

[@mikalkyton846]

So, delete it?

[@daqshiesel]

@@mikalkyton846 seems like the thing to do.

[@johnburu5962]

Sad to hear , my brother. I love it , damn at the begining of the song "Fear Inculum" that second when he starts his bass line is of the fuckin hook! No shit everyone! Dude it sets a mode like I feel iam an artist too. Then the art starts! Yea these 4 musical artist are very special to my life. Thank you to Tool, and this amazing interview! Peace dude!☮️✌️🤫🕊️ P.S Maybe if they make another album, you might like it. Love every song from Tool!👽💯

[@danielbrunner7730]

Wow... That's very unfortunate! I can honestly say the first time I listened to it I wasn't sure how I felt. I think maybe cuz I waited 13 years. Although after the second and third time it really started coming together for me. It's not an album where you just listen to a song it's literally a masterpiece work of art! If I put it on I seriously go somewhere else and I don't even know how to put in words!

[@MikeHodges-pe8tx]

They always hide their fucking faces when they do interviews.

[@jimdukeproject]

I hate listening to Tool. It ruins me for 4/4 and all my own originals get messed up timing. Drat them! You’ll notice Adam plays to Justin’s bass rhythm. His riffs often set the tone of the songs rather than guitar.

[@spazemunky]

This guy just loves to listen to himself talk. Was Justin even there?

[@itsitggg3298]

Nickel back is better

[@zineyboi5021]

You are wrong

[@Itsunclegabby]

You are dismissed. Lol

[@konasurfah]

Worst shit post ever! Lmao

[@mr.batman8898]

Learn to Swim

[@henryrollins9177]

Hahaha...hate seeker!! 😀😀