Maynard James Keenan is currently busy with all of his bands: Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer. And based on comments in a new interview, fans can expect new music from all three in the near future.
Revolver captured Keenan and Primus’ Les Claypool in conversation amidst their joint “Sessanta” tour — a celebration of Keenan’s 60th birthday that involves collaborative and rotating sets by A Perfect Circle, Primus, and Puscifer.
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It was at the end of the discussion when Keenan revealed his post-tour plans, which also involve opening a fried chicken restaurant and his continued winemaking operation Caduceus Cellars.
“I’ve got three bands that need to write songs, so I’m going to be doing that,” said Keenan who turned 60 on Wednesday (April 17th). “But I’m also expanding out in Arizona, opening up a fried chicken place in Cottonwood. When it comes to winemaking and growing our own grapes, we’re planting vineyards and strapping in for four or five years of waiting to see what’s going to happen there. That’s the one that takes the most planning and patience.”
He added, “But other than that, the path is kind of laid out for you. Like Les said, he’s a bass player. I’m a singer. I’ve got to write songs. That’s what I do. So the next year and a half to me is writing songs I’ve got to write.”
The comments align with Keenan’s previous remarks about a new Tool album (“We can’t drag this out another 14 years”), which were seconded by bassist Justin Chancellor (“There’s no thought of taking 13 years”). Meanwhile, A Perfect Circle haven’t released a new album since 2018’s Eat the Elephant.
That said, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer did put out new songs on the recently released Sessanta E.P.P.P. that also features a new track by Primus. Keenan co-wrote all three of the tunes on the EP.
Elsewhere in the interview, Keenan discussed the time management that goes into being the frontman for three active projects.
“It really is time management that it comes down to,” he said. “Being in a successful band, time gets away from you because you get super lazy. There are times during the day to do things. But it’s also important to leave space in there to get your head straight. I really admire Les with his absolute: ‘I’m gonna go fishing.’”
The “Sessanta” tour runs through a May 4th show at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York. Get tickets to the remaining dates here.
Photo Gallery: Tool and Elder play Madison Square Garden in New York City in January 2024 (click to expand and scroll through):