Maynard James Keenan Wants Obama Collabo - Bonnaroo 2012

We caught up with Maynard James Keenan from Puscifer at the Bonnaroo Music Festival 2012 to find out what went on behind the scenes of "Conditions of My Parole" and when we can expect a new Tool record.
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[@MrMetalCreature]

People need to understand that Tool do not do interviews.

[@GavinEngel]

Poor MJK, has to answer questions about his other band. Its a tough life.

[@badkittygothgirl]

That move was in no way brave. A dj friend of mind interviewed him a few years ago when Puscifer first started touring. Knowing that I am a HUGE TooL nerd, she looked to me for some interesting questions that she could ask him. The first words out of my mouth were, "whatever you do, don't ask him about TooL". She said, "It's funny you mention that, his management said, 'If you must ask him about TooL, make sure it is your last question b/c it will be the last question if you do". Hahahaha.

[@FruscianteFender]

I love Maynard and how mysterious he acts when Tool is brought up

[@xMaverickFPS]

lol, when will the media learn?.. when it's an interview with Puscifer, you don't mention APC or Tool

[@lemonsys]

the thing i love about him is that hes NOT a typical rock star, hes a regular old relatively introverted dude who is consistently and admirably engaged in his artform. thats his focus, the music itself, not the glamour, not the press, he just doesnt have a whole lot to say to everyone who wants to squeeze tool details out of him and i respect that he DOESNT put on a facade for the camera, because what he says on camera is not the point. if she were doing her job she would have known that.

[@muttonbuster]

I think people are too inclined to put him on this all encompassing pedestal of cerebral superiority. Granted he's a very bright guy; but having a gift for gab and mild, indirect condescension isn't IMO a sign of how bright someone is. He's got to be one of the most difficult interviews out there, unless you ask him a wine question that allows him to plug his product. Danny Carey, IMO, would be a much more interesting person with which to have a conversation.

[@leftistLizard92]

I totally agree. What makes Tool great is not the glitz and glam rocker style of so many other "corporate bands", but rather the quality of art in their music.

[@Doeboh]

Anyone here remember that they were dealing with a lawsuit which completely halted all of the production of Tool? I would be irritated too if people bugged me all the time about expecting an album when you're just dealing with the stress and money going into court, and being reminded of that during an interview when you're out doing something and trying to take your mind off of it. The fact that he said nothing at all about it is fine when that's the case. The rest of the comments are bashing on him for simply keeping quiet about it, until she asked again and then he explained that he had nothing to say about it.

[@zmac1218]

Give Maynard his own prime time sitcom slot. I really love hating to love that man!!

[@B166ER-]

A "mouth harp" is also known as the "Jew harp".....food for thought

[@kitpalmer1583]

oh for god's sake

[@mcpure9083]

Makes sense

[@hat6036]

It means that Adam Jones the driving creative force behind Tool

[@mikebarker5783]

So good to see you , I've missed you so much.

[@LetsTalkResidentEvil]

They are recording a new record this summer. Danny said it himself.

[@Onmysheet]

Danny Carey may have implied the album would be "completed" in december, not released. So a spring 2013 release looks more likely.

[@Nighttimechaos]

I love Tool, I love A Perfect Circle, but Puscifer... I just can't get into that shit ._.

[@angelofwar9223]

Jonathan D. Garcia I just recently got into them

[@PiniataMurderer]

The thing about maynard is that he uses his music to help him heal and let out inner thoughts and emotions he has been really "happy these days and doesnt find the need to scream anymore" he said so himself. I really do believe this will be tools last record. It is called seventh side if im not mistaken you can go check it out on tool disectionals website.

[@bshwalker]

This is what i like about Maynard. He presents himself as who he is. If you don't like him, you can move on. He's not needy for adoring fans. He shares his art. If you like it, great. If you don't, great. He's not a performer= someone that does what they have to to please and appease a certain group of people. He's an artist. He creates and shares. That same attitude comes through in his personality. Life's too short to suck up He may seem like an a-hole to many, but I seriously doubt he cares.

[@Cosmickbby]

She was doing her job, she was interviewing him. She's an interviewer. She's interviewed him before so it's nothing new to her. She's a fan of him too. Just because she doesn't really know his personality about certain questions like we do doesn't mean she's stupid. The questions asked are typical, mediocre, and repetitive, but I wouldn't call them or her stupid. They're just questions he's heard a million times.

[@BKJ-88]

People are just assholes

[@mysapience]

Are you claiming that rappers cant form proper sentences?

[@Jimihendrix6699]

notice how he is with Puscifer at the show and not Tool. Tool could probably play almost any venue in the US if they wanted to.

[@Teeb2]

wait, is this the same chick that did the pantera interview show? She was cursing like a sailor and here she doesn't at all.

[@AzureKite619]

Every song this man makes is gold. I don't care how long it takes, I just want to see some more music from this guy. People need to be patient and stop bothering him about 'When's the next Tool album?' or 'Is A Perfect Circle coming back anytime soon?' It'll happen when it happens.

[@kalookookoodoug]

this lady got the thickness

[@adams115]

Jason Hurnley Hell Yeah

[@angelofwar9223]

Lol 🤣

[@chrisgutsie5320]

Can I get ah hell yeah

[@mdbly5199]

On JRE he said its a random process that he is extremely busy and that the band tries to coordinate times for them all to be together but that its rare, also said tool records are endless and none stop that improvement is always there. but he is working on it

[@farfigneugan42]

it wasn't out of the blue, it was an expounding on comments made by another member of the band in reference. It wasn't outside the scope of what he could provide.

[@bannedfromisrael]

3:02 Tool? Never heard of it..

[@whiplash505]

I'm seeing tool this weekend. Yeahhhhhhhh

[@TheDobligator]

Danny Carey was interviewed and said they have the outlines for at least five solid songs and (try not to piss yourself) they plan to publish the next album by the end of the year.

[@Oppisetter]

She's not supposed to ask about another Tool album. He doesn't necessarily want to scream his whole life, as bad as we want him too.

[@Onmysheet]

His silent answer from the last question was hilarious! Props to the interviewer for showing professionalism.

[@Onmysheet]

That's how the production of the album is at that moment. It's still a long way.

[@BigMeatyClawss]

You said since Aenema, he was like this in interview pre-Aenema days like in 93-95. He is just not into the whole interviewing scene. He has his good interviews, and his bad, just like anyone else. He also probably doesn't comment on the new album because Tool, as a band, has never really promoted any of his albums. The long hiatuses in between albums has always been a sort of, tradition. Notice that a lot of bands that produced new albums every 2 years are no longer around.

[@vesperchilton8006]

is this julia who used to host cranium on fuse back in the early 2000s???

[@vesperchilton8006]

oh it is.. i wonder what she’s up to these days lol i watched her show religiously as a kid

[@bterwin9887]

"if i have nothing to tell you im not going to tell you anything" this made me chuckle

[@hat6036]

Maynard is actually never around, Danny has talked about how frustrating it is. I agree that Maynard is an irreplaceable member of Tool but he is not Tool. Adam Jones is Tool and he always will be

[@increasement]

You just admitted that Tool would be nothing without Maynard, then go on to contradict that statement. If Tool is Adam's band, he would have fired Maynard back in 2001. He knows no one else can sing for Tool. Maynard's the best at what he does, and one of the only singers with his approach. Actually, I don't know any other singers who even try to push the envelope to his degree, but I digress.

[@jametowne]

She still receives credit for the "get" even if he doesn't say much, so I doubt she's too upset

[@jumeau1]

It's all about how the person interviewing engages the person being interviewed. She was just shooting questions at him that she had probably written down before hand. Rogan just started chatting with him like they were just sitting around drinking coffee in their living room or something. Of all the interviews with him I've seen, he always responds better to the people that just talk to him and don't just drill him with scripted questions.

[@jntaylor222]

After reading some of the comments I can tell some of these people do not follow Maynard that closely. Tool and APC do not need any promotion, the fans follow them closely enough, he never promotes Tool because that's all he is ever asked about. He's not going to give out any information about the bands so the interviewer shouldn't even go there. As for why he doesn't just focus on tool is because he has other interests that he is passionate about. Watch Blood Into Wine, and you'll learn.

[@James123456714]

what is with the f%$%$ing clock in the background?

[@SergeantBagel]

"Jimi Hendrix." Oh god, my sides!

[@flamingolovesnin]

yah but with the way the music industry is going lately, will there really be another band to take the place of tool?

[@AJlord1]

dude shes a metal interviewer. juliya interviews metal bands and has since 1990.

[@mdab0123]

Maynard is a pretty smart man, man. He reads right through people. She probably could care less about his passions, besides Tool. I was even anticipating the usual "when is the next Tool record?" question. I'm a big fan but when the record comes out, it comes out. Even if I had a "new-tool-album-button", I wouldn't push it. Anything organic grows and blooms at its own pace. If I were Maynard, I too would be sick and tired of the same questions - especially that one.

[@daiselol]

coolest guy on fuse since ive subbed, easily

[@hat6036]

Maybe you should actually read my comment, I said that Maynard was an irreplaceable member of Tool but there is no denying that Adam is the driving creative force behind Tool

[@Drok333]

For a second there I thought she did her homework ,,, then she dropped the T-bomb.

[@Bassmastasnake33]

they all are contributing factors man, its an equal thing

[@aplasticcup06]

puscifer, yeah cool. TOOOOOL??? Even that silence gets me so stoked!!!!!!!!

[@Samitch04]

did anyone else look up Jolene Welch?

[@Cosmickbby]

Not really. She's actually use to interviewing metal musicians. She's a huge metal head. She had her own show called Uranium in which she also interviewed Maynard in when he was in A Perfect Circle. Back when she was known as Mistress Juliya. She's pretty awesome and she loves Maynard's music. I don't know why you're being so judgemental.

[@aspectator6506]

PassionateDemoness I don’t understand all the criticism either.

[@lyricsfreak711]

It seems like Maynard was not really into wanting to do a interview to begin with and I really don't see Maynard doing much with Tool after this album if he even does it. He seems much more set with Puscifer and spending time with his family and his wine vineyards.

[@unmistakable13]

one of THE hardest men to interview. Homie don't play no nicey nice. She held it pretty good...for a girl. Maynard and Obama? yes! hendrix rip

[@tawmbout]

MANAGEMENT: Maynard, you need to do an interview. MAYNARD: I don't want to. MANAGEMENT: Maynard, the label is asking for at least one interview this year... MAYNARD: Fine, I'm just going to be awkward and difficult and avoid answering a lot of questions.

[@Oppisetter]

Good thing you realize he doesn't want to scream his whole life. He said those exact words, so why must he produce more if he's content where he is? There is no way you can tell me he writes Tool songs feeling content. I too want another album, but if you listen to it for personal issues, I think he has produced more than enough material to help. If you don't eventually feel better, move on too something else. Also, he hates Tool??? DO EXPLAIN

[@OutsideTheWall94]

His work ethic? Well, lets see... The man has given us a Tool album, 2 Full length Puscifer albums as well as remixes and EPs, and the whole time he's been hands on with his wine. Not to mention he toured for all of the music, including an A Perfect Circle tour... I don't believe he's doing things just for money now, as so many people like to think, but that's just my opinion.

[@Onmysheet]

She probably didn't like him but at least she kept her composure from his answers. If you see his MTV interview with Danny you'll see what i mean.

[@garretwestisthebest]

The "stupid interviewer" is Juliya Chernetsky, who used to host two metal shows when FUSE was diverse. She's a friend of mine. She's now forced into interviewing stupid rappers and popstars in order for her to keep her job with FUSE. These are not her questions but the network's. Maynard likes to fuck with people. That's what makes him awesome. He was still professional and answered most of the questions straight up.

[@increasement]

I've always loved Julia! Her energy is so down to earth. She doesn't spend her interviews fangirling like most interviewers either. She straight up respects and has passion for artistic endeavors and people.

[@JustinDoyleMay]

who's the director he references?

[@jimmyditch6590]

They have done the cricket thing before why give it another spin

[@MrSneakyphill]

In actual interviews Maynard has explained exactly why he doesn't answer questions about TOOL, especially without other band members present. Go watch those interviews... then comeback and complain. He says TOOL is ours, not his. Its for people who like to ask questions, not for people who like to have questions answered for them.

[@MrCortar]

Man he looks like a tough person to interview.

[@RaEeSir]

It's simple. Maynard is touring with Puscifer. Ask him about Puscifer, not Tool.

[@jumperman06]

I don't think she realizes exactly who she is talking to. I doubt she could name Tool's chronology.

[@NThreeez]

So you think they would stop asking...I think he's actually being polite:D

[@kadpm743]

I just realized it's the same girl.. That interview was funny.. xD Now I remember, she has interviewed Maynard before, didn't recognize her without all the makeup, interview was funny too. It starts at 1:00 /watch?v=Qo4HvubOZdw

[@whitejam420]

The more i listen to puscifer and watch the shorts, the more i respect what is going on. They remind me of kaufman type humor. If you like it, you like it, and if not...i don't think they really care. i, personally, really like it.

[@fullthroat]

He's just impolite to this girl, why agree to do an interview in first place?

[@PatroniMeiSancti]

Maynard seems to be more open to interviews nowadays.

[@Onmysheet]

She obviously doesn't follow Tool or know Maynard, because otherwise she wouldn't have asked him that last question. We all know the people who do follow him would know you wouldn't get a logical answer. It was great that he completely exposed this woman in this interview.

[@Aaron_Gentry]

I concur. It's true that Adam started Tool and as such it IS his band, as Adam himself has said, but he is NOT Tool. Tool is the coming together of four insanely talented musicians and the music that they create

[@AzraelMisanthrope]

Discography?

[@Teeb2]

that was a long pause

[@Onmysheet]

This is Maynard, that's too easy and straightforward you know what i mean.

[@Socialistdrummer]

Rule 1 of Maynard -- Don't ask him about other projects then the ones hes doing AT THE MOMENT, don't ask about Tool at an APC/ Puscifer show.

[@rebreh1029]

Maynard was giving sardonic answers throughout the whole interview; it didn't start with Julia asking about Tool. He's done this throughout his whole career.

[@Steel8Tesla]

The thing is about him is that he isn't doing any of this for his fans, he does what he does because he wishes to put out his untainted interpretation of messages. I'm aware its a difficult thing to understand as a fan (as I am one too) but he isn't doing this for me or you or her, losing fans isn't something he bothers himself about at all. I think these things are what make Maynard James Keenan fans different is because this are hear for Maynard's report/message. Maynard doesn't matter and Tool is concept, and he knows this better than anyone. Sorry this was a little long, something I've thought about for a while though. (this was a originally my comment but this seems better)

[@loomhancok]

+Samael Stapleford so. more unwasted TooL

[@Fakename70]

Jimi's available. Got a flashlight and a shovel?

[@rocketmuffin8310]

So that’s where Mistress Juliya ended up...

[@Letitgrow7]

I WAS THERE FRONT STAGE!

[@kundalini420]

"Going postal, in American English slang, means becoming extremely and uncontrollably angry, often to the point of violence, and usually in a workplace environment." wikipedia check out the the store at puscifer dot com, there is a shirt with "Goin POSTAL Since The Late Nineteen Hundreds"

[@NdannsN]

0:17 and 3:00 that's why Maynard is badass. Instead of anwering shit he just keeps silent to the stupid question he doesn't want to answer. He's not an hypocrite at least.

[@daiselol]

asks him about his favorite artists currently, he talks about winemakers and filmakers. what a badass

[@michellecraven2142]

i love him so much

[@barnumeffect5]

yeah. but i only seen her do a cover song of perfect. no original material.

[@eksyte]

"Buy my new record", too. =P

[@metalgirl3s]

I love that tshirt..

[@eightequalsequalsdee]

I love Tool. Favorite band. But if I ever had to interact with Maynard I would probably hate the shit out of him.

[@Onmysheet]

@ 3:04 you see his smug grin as if he's saying "You won't break me that easily bitch" lol

[@HeshersCompany]

I Love Tool.!?

[@Soporific1]

He's an interesting guy, but that was a worthless interview. If you don't want to do press, then don't do it.

[@bensmells]

couldn't agree more man

[@TTerneborn]

of Tool*

[@nykkimuffin1]

Maynard got married?

[@TheDreamMechanic]

You're wrong all the way around. The three instrumentalists are still writing material. They have to finish first before Maynard can add the lyrics. Not a dick move. At all. He's a brilliant, creative, and giving artist. He stays busy doing what he loves. Dick move? No. Maynard is 1/4 of Tool. They could go on with another singer. They're all brilliant. But they don't. That's why it's Tool. He's more of a singer than a screamer these days. He's healed and evolved. That's good.

[@manumercuri7207]

I dont agree at all. He agreed on doing the interview, thats nice enough, from there is up to the interviewer to take advatage of the situation, for an instance she could`ve gone along with the Obama joke but she didnt.

[@michaelcvetter5902]

Tool will not be spoken of. that's their thing, they try and keep it exclusive.

[@murrij]

The problem is that very few people that chat with Maynard have anything original to ask. Plus, how many times that week had he been asked about a new Tool album? Probably at least 6 and 2. Prep before u talk to him, and if he'd said "no comment" for the last year then don't ask. No wonder him and the rest of Tool rarely does interviews. Oh, and you're not that cute. Like you're going to flirt an answer out of him. Nothing personal, but again - know who you're interviewing.

[@KombinoHun]

"If I have nothing to tell you I'm not gonna tell you anything"

[@sean447744]

I have a lot of respect for Maynard but I do find his attitude a bit challenging to deal with. I am not one to say what his real intentions are but it can easily be interpreted as a lack of mutual respect.