Mike Sullivan, guitarist for Chicago, IL-based instrumental post-metal band Russian Circles, has reflected on the time Tool guitarist Adam Jones personally stepped up to help Russian Circles salvage a potentially disastrous live show.
Taking to his Instagram roughly a week ago, Sullivan recalled how troubles with rented gear during a 2007 UK tour that found Russian Circles as direct support to alternative metal stars Tool nearly found their opening set go sideways. While things worked out in the end, a personal gesture shown towards Sullivan by Jones ahead of that set as stuck with him since. Sullivan said of the matter:
“Many moons ago, we were fortunate enough to support TOOL for a few shows in the UK. The first show was at Brixton Academy in London. This was my first time ever renting amplifiers in my life. I was unfamiliar with the rental gear and for some reason, I couldn’t get a single sound out of the amps during soundcheck. Being a union-run stage, we were forbidden to make any noise after a certain time but I was allowed to keep messing with the amps as long as I didn’t make any noise.
I twisted some controls and switches but ultimately left the stage with zero confidence the amps were working at all. Backstage, I was pretty bummed and concerned about the show. A few minutes later, we hear a knock on our green room door. We answer the door to see Adam standing there. He politely introduced himself and inquired about the amp situation.
Upon hearing this, he offered to have his guitar tech setup his backup amp rig behind mine. This gesture was one of the most kind and thoughtful experiences of my life. Ends up that my last-minute tweaking of my rentals was successful and I was able to play the set with those. But taking the stage, knowing Adam’s amps were there as a safety net, completely calmed my nerves.
I’ll never forget Adam’s personal kindness. To this day, my bandmates and I use Adam’s humility and generosity as a yardstick for our own behavior. I already looked up to Adam as an artist and player but to know he is equally kind as he is talented, makes me value him even more.
Happy birthday to @adamjones_tv and thanks for the endless inspiration @toolmusic”
As Sullivan noted above, he made that post in celebration of Jones‘ 61st birthday, which took place this last Thursday, January 15th.
