Throughout the years, Tool, etc. frontman Maynard James Keenan has donned many a hat (and hairpiece) while touring with his various outfits. Early runs with that aforementioned band saw him experiment with several provocative looks, from the blue body paint era and the prosthetic breasts, to the more recent incarnations of riot gear and and punk rock mohawks.
Likewise, his longtime friend and fellow musician, Primus vocalist/bassist Les Claypool has also had a flair for the theatrical, be it the pig mask-adorned ‘Mr. Krinkle‘ video, the various helmets and headwear over the years, or even the masks he employs onstage to this day.
While one might suspect it’s all for the visual flair and showmanship, it turns out the two alternative metal icons actually began experimenting with costumes and masks to help with their own insecurities in performing their material live when they were starting out.
A recent joint interview conducted with the aforementioned pair on ‘Kyle Meredith…‘ found the two multi-platinum stars elaborating on why they often tend to perform with the aid of costumes, masks and makeup. When host Kyle Meredith asked if they felt as though they were ‘playing characters’ while onstage when dressed up as such, Claypool dived in, offering [transcribed by theprp.com]:
“I mean, for me, my whole singing career started as — and for many years — it was me doing nothing but playing characters. Because I was so not confident in my vocals, that I would just take on all these characters; pretend I was Mel Blanc, for lack of better explanation.
And it wasn’t until the early 2000s and doing Oysterhead and working with Sean Lennon and whatnot that I actually became comfortable with my voice. But I still enjoy stepping into characters. It just makes it easier for me. And I think it’s a better performance.
And I’ve always been attracted to, like, a lot of country music, and a lot of folk music, that tells some sort of tale. You know, whether it’s ‘John Henry‘ or ‘Amos Moses‘. Those songs made me listen a little harder. And so I wrote these songs with these characters, and subsequently became the characters, because I didn’t know…”
When asked if now when he dons a mask if he feels its done to be an entertainer or grants him the opportunity to step outside of himself, he responded:
“You know, the masks have just become such a staple over the years. It’s just, it’s like anything else, that’s the wonderful thing about being able to go do any shows. Whether it’s Sessanta or Primus shows, or Frog Brigade shows, is, to me, it’s like, I get to have Halloween multiple days a year.
Whether it’s me putting on something or seeing people in the audience. You know, lately, we’ve had all these bananas in the audience. I love it. You know? We’ve got all these bananas running around the audience. And I just think it’s the greatest. It makes me happy and inspires me to do… to step it up a notch on stage.”
While Keenan‘s pursuits in Tool may have been the gateway into his various experimentation with wigs, makeup, costumes and more, it’s a concept he’s perhaps explored most prolifically in his Puscifer project.
That endeavor has found him indulging in conceptual storylines, recurring characters, skits and more. When asked about his own approach to altering his appearance for the live stage. Keenan replied:
“It’s a different voice, but it’s also — you know, as Les had said — it stems initially from an insecurity of just being able to express yourself, and having some kind of a something to hide behind a little bit while you’re trying to figure out who the f*ck you are on that stage.
So, you know, then it just kind of becomes a thing you do, because you end up finding that… We’re trying to work some shit out as musicians or artists, but we’re also up there to entertain.
So I think it helps to put the costume on to remind myself I’m there to entertain and not just work through some weird daddy issues.”
The conversation then steered towards the preferred staging arrangements Keenan has when performing live with Tool. It’s a a decision he’s discussed prior, but it also conflicts with his own personal flair for dressing up onstage.
Instead of the traditional setup where the vocalist is up front and serving as the focal point for the band, Keenan‘s performances with the aforementioned alternative metal chart-toppers find him tucked away at the back, often on an elevated riser.
Keenan was asked to explain why he opts to lurk in the shadows per se with Tool, as opposed to standing front and center with Puscifer. He replied:
“With Puscifer, I’m always down in front. And a lot of that is just that is just logistics for sound, like, having all those amps and Danny‘s octopus drums and, you know, Justin‘s massive bass. To be down in front of the mix for the front of house is almost impossible.
So being up near the drums, and behind the guitar amps, actually ends up helping, just from a technical standpoint, to separate sound. And you know, it’s such a big show, like, I’m only… We’re only talking about another an extra six or eight feet so I’m not sure what the big deal is.”
The full conversation is available below. Having both toured and musically collaborated together in celebration of Keenan turning 60 this past April, the pair of alternative metal legends will be back out next year for a second leg of that ‘Sessanta‘ tour.
Per this interview, the pair have yet to decide if they will be recording another collaborative EP for that run, which will once again find A Perfect Circle, Primus & Puscifer sharing the stage at the same time.
