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Artist Biography - A Perfect Circle
Formed by Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan and former Tool guitar tech Billy Howerdel, A Perfect Circle is an extension of the alt-metal fused with art rock style popularized by Tool in the early to mid-'90s. While similar to Tool in intensity and melancholy, A Perfect Circle is less dark and more melodic with a theatrical, ambient quality that incorporates occasional strings and unusual instrumentation.
After the release of Aenima in 1996, Tool found themselves in the midst of an extended legal battle with former label Freeworld Entertainment. When the dust settled two years later, the band reached a 50/50 joint venture agreement for future recordings and, feeling a little burned out, decided to take some time off. It was at this point that Keenan joined up with Howerdel and Paz Lenchantin to form A Perfect Circle. Keenan had met Howerdel in 1992 when Tool opened for Fishbone. Howerdel had been Fishbone's tech at the time and had played Keenan a few of his songs. Keenan was impressed and the two talked of collaborating in the future. However, the opportunity didn't present itself until after the Freeworld settlement. With Keenan on vocals, Howerdel on guitar, and Lenchantin on bass, the trio recruited ex-Failure and Enemy member Troy Van Leeuwen on guitar and ex-Vandals and Guns N' Roses member Josh Freese on drums.
The quintet rehearsed together but didn't announce the formation of a new band until performing for the first time on August 15, 1999, at a benefit concert at the Viper Room in Los Angeles. Howerdel, who had been composing songs for years, as well as working with bands such as the Smashing Pumpkins and Nine Inch Nails, became the band's chief songwriter and producer. A Perfect Circle released their debut album, Mer de Noms, on May 23, 2000.
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A Perfect Circle
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 Perfect Circle is a progressive rock band, formed by guitarist Billy Howerdel. Howerdel had worked as a guitar tech for bands such as Nine Inch Nails, The Smashing Pumpkins, Fishbone and Tool. During the recording of Tool's ÃÆ'†nima album, he played demos of his music to Tool's singer, Maynard James Keenan, who, although Howerdel originally wanted a female singer, offered himself as vocalist should Howerdel form a band. To separate his appearance from Tool, Keenan wears a long wig on his otherwise bald scalp at all A Perfect Circle live appearances, photo shoots and music videos. During the band's first tour, this was a long purple wig, but now seems to be various colors and styles from one live performance to another.
Joined by The Vandals drummer Josh Freese, ex- Failure guitarist Troy van Leeuwen, and bassist/violinist Paz Lenchantin (later of Zwan), the band rehearsed the music that Howerdel had begun and finished their debut album Mer de Noms (French 'Sea of Names'). At this time Tool was tied up in negotiations with their record label, allowing Keenan much time to complete the work. While the band's first single, 'Judith', brought some comparisons to Tool, the album is quite different.
Between Lenchantin leaving the band for Billy Corgan's new band Zwan and van Leeuwen becoming the new tour guitarist of Queens of the Stone Age, the band was in need for a new bassist and guitarist for their live performances. These positions were taken over by ex-Marilyn Manson bassist Jeordie White (formerly known as Twiggy Ramirez) and ex-Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha.
The band released their second album, Thirteenth Step, in September 2003. A third album, eMOTIVe was released on November 2, 2004, which contains anti-war cover songs of artists such as John Lennon, and Joni Mitchell.
Current Line-up
Maynard James Keenan - Vocals
Billy Howerdel - Guitars
James Iha - Guitars
Jeordie White - Bass
Josh Freese - Drums
Discography
Mer de Noms (2000)
Thirteenth Step (2003)
eMOTIVe (2004)
aMOTION (Live DVD, and CD of Remixes) (Expected release: November 16th, 2004)
Music Videos
Judith from Mer de Noms
The Hollow from Mer de Noms
Three Libras from Mer de Noms
Weak and Powerless from Thirteenth Step
The Outsider from Thirteenth Step
Blue from Thirteenth Step
Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums from eMOTIVe
Imagine from eMOTIVe
Passive from eMOTIVe
First played by KROQ in November 2004.
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For more information , enjoy the official homepage of A Perfect Circle
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