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Tour de Force

DO I OR DO I NOT CARE ABOUT SEEING PUSCIFER LIVE? THAT IS THE QUESTION.

 Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 3:30pm by

maynard pusciferPuscifer, Maynard James Keenan’s bizarro electro lounge music side-project, just announced a string of East Coast and Midwest dates for Spring 2010… and while I was initially very excited, upon further reflection I’m not so sure.

I feel like I’m in a cartoon, when a character has an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, both strongly making the case for their cause. Here’s what mine are saying:

Angel: It’s Maynard! He’s a genius! While Puscifer might not really be your bag, Maynard’s one of the most creative guys in all of music and will surely put on a show that’s at the very least entertaining. Go to the show! Come on! Do it! You know it’s the right thing and you won’t regret it.

Devil: Don’t bother with this tripe. The music’s not that interesting, and the show won’t be what you’re hoping for. Ultimately you want this to be Tool, and it isn’t Tool at all. Don’t waste your money or your time… no reason to go to this!

I’m divided. I really don’t know what to do. Halp!

Full list of tour dates after the jump.

-VN

March 2    Atlanta, GA       CW Center Stage
March 3    Atlanta, GA       CW Center Stage
March 5    Washington, DC     Lincoln Center
March 6    Washington, DC     Lincoln Center
March 8     Philadelphia, PA     Theater of Living Arts
March 9     Philadelphia, PA     Theater of Living Arts
March 11     New York, NY     Grand Ballroom
March 13     New York, NY     Apollo Theater
March 15     Boston, MA     Berklee Academy of Music
March 16     Boston, MA     Berklee Academy of Music
March 19     Toronto, ON     Queen Elizabeth Theater
March 20     Toronto, ON     Queen Elizabeth Theater
March 21     Lorain, OH     Lorain Theater
March 23     Detroit, MI     Royal Oak Theater
March 24     Detroit, MI     Royal Oak Theater
March 26     Chicago, IL     Vic Theater
March 27     Chicago, IL     Vic Theater
March 29     Milwaukee, WI     Pabst Theater
March 30     St. Louis, MO     Roberts Orpheum Theater
March 31     Kansas City, MO     Uptown Theater
April 2         Minneapolis, MN     Pantages Theater
April 3         Minneapolis, MN     Pantages Theater

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  • http://www.radioactivesandwich.com slice two

    puscifer is one of the best acts to come out this decade. not going to see them is a terrible idea.

    GO SEE PUSCIFER!

    • SP420

      This.

      I’m so at Boston.

  • RockOutWithMy…YouKnow

    I’m in the same predicament. I have a serious man-crush on Maynard, but I don’t know if it’s worth traveling to NYC to see Puscifier. Tool or APC, absoluetly, but I just can’t see myself doing the 2 hours to listen to shit I’m not really into.

  • \m/Eluveitie\m/

    If the music isn’t enjoyable, don’t go. If you want elaborate visuals, catch a good play or a movie instead. Don’t force yourself to sit through music you don’t like just because it’s Maynard, you don’t have to endorse him like you do Apple. But if you think there’s a chance you’ll like the songs, go to the show.

  • DNS666

    Always go with the devil option — this is a metal site after all. Besides, while I really dig Tool, Puscifer is just plain crap.

    • Mark

      Well put.

  • bearbomb

    What’s with all the theater venues? How pretentious.

    • blah

      shut the fuck up

      • bradylikesbigbird

        die in a fire bearbomb no one cares

  • Bicro

    Dude, use the money for more food and liquor.

    Get drunk and listen to Tankard.

  • http://www.last.fm/user/groverXIII groverXIII

    I’d go see it… but then, I actually liked Puscifer’s album. It’s good for when I’m in the mood for something mellow. I find several of the tracks mesmerizing.

  • http://www.myspace.com/theatomicbombaudition Aleezy

    I don’t really get Puscifer though I do love much of what Maynard refers to as less cerebral, more immediate and fun pop music. When I listen to it, I don’t feel any of the cleverness or depth that is (presumably) Maynard’s brand. Even your favorite of favorites (and I would say Maynard’s up there for me) are eventually bound to tap into aspects of their creativity that won’t appeal. Metallica had ‘Load’ and now Maynard has Puscifer. Godspeed, but not might thing.

    • BigJordowski

      It is hard to compare Puscifer to Load, I mean even if you don’t enjoy Puscifer, (and I do to a degree but it is by no means wowing to me) you can’t say Load. Maynard did this independent of TOOL. Metallica did Load as Metallica, it would be easier to forgive if it was Hetfield’s solo side-project but it wasn’t. At least Maynard doesn’t and will not soil the majesty that is TOOL with this, it’s his own thing. That being said, I’d go, even if the music is ok in my opinion, Maynard is still hilarious and it would be worth it to see a good show that I don’t have to go ape-shit at (like a real metal concert). A nice mellow cabaret show, I’m in. See you in the Twin Shitties Maynard!

  • Colin

    I’m not crazy about Puscifer, but I have some friends that say the live show was amazing. From what I hear, it’d be well worth it to go see them.

  • Josh A

    The live tracks on the latest EP are pretty good, I’d say start there, or youtube, see what you’re missing.

    • craver

      Yeah they are good, also seeing Maynard at The Apollo? That could be cool.
      On the other hand, it is going to be like $80, less then we spent for All Points West, but that was TOOL!
      Goddamn man crush…

  • lied

    Tool? Puscifer?

    He’s def. not a genius with band names.

    • SonOF

      Tool is a simple band name that you never forget. I think it has worked for them.

  • SonOF

    Even as another man with a Maynard crush, I’d say wait for a Tool or APC show; Puscifer is more of a novelty. However, surprisingly, people have praised Puscifer’s live show, so now I’m thinking maybe it is worth it….hmmm

  • Skeletonwitchcraft

    why cant tool just release a album more than twice a decade?

    get in the studio and feed us tool goddamnit, fuckin bullshit i tell ya

  • msv81

    I’ve seen Puscifer two times, both in Vegas. I was in the audience for their first performance ever, where Milla Jovovich performed “The Mission” (very hot). The show consisted of some not-so-funny sketch comedy and dialogue in between random Puscifer ads on large screens and very slowed down remixes of songs. I wasn’t into it at all, neither was most of the crowd (who, as you might guess, was made up of Tool/APC fanboys). The highlight was definitely the song with Milla, it was full of energy and is one of the few tracks I actually enjoy by the band.

    The second show was right before Halloween; the entire first half of the set was COUNTRY remixes of Puscifer songs (yes, I’m not joking, Maynard and some random woman were roll playing as two religious hicks from the Midwest). Suffice it to say, it was pretty terrible. The second half of the set was normal remixes of songs, some of which were half decent, some of which were not.

    Vince, if you’re not into the music and not into un-funny skits, don’t go. It’s really not worth your time. I walked away pretty disappointed after each performance.

  • Ddon

    Comedy can be a hit or miss kind of thing, comedy and music can be hit or disaster, I know, my band does a decent job of pulling it off and its fucking tough. I agree with the people that said to check out the music and youtube stuff.

    Maynards a great talent but Tool is made up of 4 people. There’s alot of interpretation going on on his part, and he’s really damn good at it. Puscifer is probably 80 percent his vision with other people doing the interpreting. Be ready for something musically and visually unTool.

  • http://DarkTwinCities.com devil

    Maynard’s Puscifer project is actually quite rewarding. The live shows feature the intricate, genre-defying music along with fun visuals and theatrics. If all you care for is Metal than don’t go. But if you’re open minded and can appreciate a wide range of good music then you shouldn’t miss this.

  • meow

    Tool is a great name for the simple fact that it represents the average Maynard fan.

    • yanky

      lol

      even if your a total fuckin assole 4 sayin it

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Fritz-Pettersen/536945538 Fritz Pettersen

    Go see the show man! Metal is not all!! Now, the next post on this site has PANTERA in the headline, im off!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Will-Sutphin/29706363 Will Sutphin

    not!

  • Trux

    If I were you dude, I `d listen to the devil on your shoulder….

  • timv

    well, it’s march now and i saw puscifer tuesday night in boston. the show was amazing, they remixed most of the songs so that they’re different from the album version. maynard was much more talkative than at any TOOL show i’ve seen, and there were great performances by tim alexander and the rest of the band. they also had some good video sketches in between the songs. hope you made it out, and if not, see them when you can!