Maynard James Keenan has worn many hats (and hairpieces) over the years, but its his work in multi-platinum progressive alternative metal juggernauts Tool and alternative rock stars A Perfect Circle that will likely be the most lasting of his legacy on the cultural scale.
Of course there’s also the campy, theatrically-inclined hijinks that accompany his musical adventures in Puscifer, a small amount of time spent on the big screen, and a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu to his credit.
There’s also his successful career as a vintner, overseeing a coffee company, and most recently, renovating a building complex that newly hosts a cluster of the various brick and mortar businesses that he has launched with his wife Jennifer Lei Li Keenan. Among them a vinyl café, a ramen shop, a live venue, a barber shop, and more.
As evidenced in early Tool records, and most certainly paramount throughout his run with Puscifer however is his passion for comedy. The idea for Puscifer was originally seeded in the comedy clubs and sketches before taking on its current fully-fledged form. In fact, when Tool veered off into headier concepts, Keenan intentionally channeled that aspect of his personality into Puscifer.
Thus, being no stranger to the art of the joke, his latest podcast appearance is an easy fit. Amid the lead-up to his recent performance at Ozzy Osbourne‘s Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction, Keenan guested on comedian/actor Bert Kreischer‘s ‘Bertcast‘. That meeting of the minds allowed Keenan to not only show off of some of his deadpan comedic chops, but also offer more insight to his life, his family, and his various other current happenings.
As stated by the man himself in this podcast, Keenan‘s next business ventures include forays into gin and chocolate. However amid the hour and a half conversation, Keenan actually taking the time to answer what is perhaps the most obvious comedically-inclined Tool question posed by way of Kreischer‘s daughter is probably the scene-stealer.
Which is to say, yes, Keenan has indeed revealed what his favorite tool is. After initially meeting the question a grimace and a mocking laugh worthy of ‘Revenge Of The Nerds‘, Keenan obliged with the following reply: “A battery-operated pneumatic nail gun.”
After mimicking the sounds of a nail gun in use, he elaborated on his choice: “I remember when it was like a cannister and it would clog up, and get all f*cked up. The newer ones had like… you can charge the battery and [mimics nail gun sounds.] You can get some sh*t done.”
When Kreischer agreed with him, responding that “you can build a house so much quicker”, Keenan wryly offered, “So, does that answer your f*cking question?”
