Puscifer

Music Fests Like Coachella Drive Concert Sales to New Heights

Record Store Day's Hot Heavy Metal Vinyl Releases

It looks like all these Record Store Days are paying off. In 2012, global sales for vinyl records hit $171 million, their highest point since 1997--the same year that Hanson's "MMMBop" topped the charts. This Saturday, April 20, marks the sixth annual Record Store Day, when artists and labels dish ... More >>

Puscifer Gets Freaky With "Bohemian Rhapsody" Video

The times I've chatted with Maynard James Keenan, he's always seemed calm, collected, and to-the-point. He's a businessman, a vitner, and he's real busy. Then, just when I've imagined him as a normal dude (a fan of Justified, The Walking Dead, and Fringe, by the way) he reminds me that he built his ... More >>

Nobody's Tool: Maynard James Keenan Would Rather Talk About His Other Bands

Maynard James Keenan Discusses Donkey Punch the Night

Right now, there's a Tool fan angrily venting about the lack of a new Tool album in some dark corner of the Internet. Right now, Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan is most likely working on something other than a new Tool album. As detailed in this week's Phoenix New Times cover story, Keenan is a ... More >>

Coachella 2013 Official Lineup is Posted

The wait, as they say, is finally over. You can cease all the speculation of who the hell is officially playing this year's Coachella as Goldenvoice unveiled the lineup in grand fashion. See also: -Who Is Really Playing Coachella This Year? -The Rolling Stones Aren't Playing Coachella, but Some ... More >>

The 17 Most Anticipated Metal Albums of 2013

I'm almost a little bummed that the world didn't end on December 21. No War of the Worlds or 2012 scenes became a reality, although I was so sure that the only reason gas prices were down was because all the rich people were holed up in their submarines, burrowed into the Alps like a goddamn modern- ... More >>

Maynard James Keenan: Being Wrong Sucks

Editor's Note: With a tip of the cap to the man, we bid Maynard James Keenan adieu. This is MJK's final column for Up on the Sun, as he's devoting 2013 to more music and more wine. You won't have to wait too long to hear some of the fruits of his labor: On Tuesday, February 19, Puscifer will release ... More >>

Intended Zing: Maynard James Keenan Would Like You To Stop Effin' Around

I base my life and my movements throughout it on quite a few assumptions. These may or may not be accurate, factual, or even realistic. And until they actually prove themselves to be inaccurate, I follow them without question. (Insert silly comment about assuming here.) Today's rant is centered on ... More >>

Maynard James Keenan: Events and Rituals

The journey known as "Vintage 2012" is almost complete. Not finished, but it's most certainly arriving at a fairly calm station. No more 2 a.m. panic-related insomnia attacks, where I stare at the ceiling going over and over the logistics of a tiny workspace. I'm not about to kid myself; there's sti ... More >>

Why Arizona?

Since the New Times is moving this column to coincide with the print edition, I thought I'd take a moment to re-introduce myself and give you a peek into why I've resided in Arizona for the past 17 years. It has a little to do with the glowing gray area between synchronicity and fate. By this I mean ... More >>

Maynard is Moving to Wednesday

By now you've probably grown accustomed to starting every other week with a dispatch from "Chicken Little" himself, Maynard James Keenan. Up on the Sun is proud to feature Kennan's column twice a month, and you folks have responded in a big way to the the winemaker/multimedia artist/musician/actor's ... More >>

Top Five Phoenix Music Stories of the Week

The news waits for no one -- at least that's what we read somewhere -- so it's perfectly understandable that you, the reader, might have missed out on a musical tidbit, breaking news about your favorite venue, or one of our rants. So enjoy this digest-style sampling of some of our biggest stories f ... More >>

What is Puscifer?

What is Puscifer? (Besides being the International Multi-Media Project I've been developing since 1995?) Good question. We usually respond with the very dismissive and obviously evasive answer: "What is Puscifer is what Puscifer is." A less evasive version of the answer is that it is an "uncertain c ... More >>

Maynard James Keenan: Rochambeau Myself

I love a good comedy. Browsing through mental notes of quotable material, apropos for tedious moments brought on by the petty, the narrow minded, and the desperate, keeps me questionably sane. See also: Maynard James Keenan: These Are The "End of Days" See also: Maynard James Keenan: Up on the Sun ... More >>

Maynard James Keenan: These Are The "End of Days"

See also: Maynard James Keenan: Up on the Sun's New Columnist See also: Maynard James Keenan (Puscifer, Tool, A Perfect Circle) on The Importance of Keeping It Local See also: Can Maynard James Keenan Put Arizona Wine on the Map? See also: New Film Queens of Country Has a Bizarre Vibe That Is Distin ... More >>

Maynard James Keenan: Up on the Sun's New Columnist

Maynard James Keenan has a lot on his resume. He's a musician, known for leading Puscifer, Tool, and A Perfect Circle, an actor, record producer, comedian, multimedia artist, and winemaker in Northern Arizona, where he co-owns Arizona Stronghold Vineyards, and oversees Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vi ... More >>

Puscifer's Matt McJunkin Says The Band is Working on a New Project (Plus, He's Working with Katy Perry)

It's hard to keep up with Maynard James Keenan's Puscifer, let alone predict where he's taking the project next. The music melds the masculinity of industrial, comedic and experimental rock with the feminine side of ambient, trippy instrumentals. After all, Keenan, the only permanent member of the ... More >>

Incoming: The Jacksons, Rush, The Temptations

If there will ever be another hologram worth talking about this year, it'll be Michael Jackson on this year's Unity Tour. The Jacksons are hitting the road for their first tour together in nearly 30 years, and even though we're joking about a glowing vision of Michael belting out Ben, the show will ... More >>

Happy Birthday Arizona: 100 Songs that Define Arizona, Pt. 4

Editor's Note: An abridged version of this article appears in this week's issue, featuring 100 Songs that Defined Arizona. In celebration of Arizona's centennial, we've rounded up sound clips for (almost) everything featured in our list. Thanks to everyone who submitted song suggestions, all of our ... More >>

100 Years of Music That Defined Arizona

What's Selling: Renfield Record Exchange Top 10 Selling Albums of the Week

Jerome may be America's highest and largest ghost town, but that doesn't mean you can't dip into one of the many storefronts to thumb through some vinyl. Renfield Record Exchange specializes in rare vinyl records and out-of-print CDs, but you can also replace your El Camino album if it somehow gets ... More >>

X, Puscifer, and Cake Over the Weekend

The Love Me Nots​X, The Love Me Nots, and more at Club Red Eight overlapping bands in four hours. Last night's X show felt more like a music festival than a Friday night concert. Eager fans bounced back and forth between Club Red and Red Owl to see a bunch of bands that played some variety ... More >>

Puscifer at Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center, 12/9/11

G. Luke Holwerda ​Puscifer Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center Friday, December 9, 2011 For more photos, click here. "I've read through that handbook for the recently deceased. It says: 'Live people ignore the strange and unusual. I, myself, am strange and unusual." -Lydia Deetz So, Maynar ... More >>

Top 5 Shows to Catch This Weekend: What Laura Says, Terra Firma, Joe Strummer Memorial, Rock For Tots, Greyhound Soul

What Laura Says​Well, it's Friday. You know, I feel like there was some song that made a big splash this year about Friday...but...I can't quite remember it. Must not have been that catchy. Your weekend is not doubt packed with holiday parties to attend, but in case you need a break from al ... More >>

Will Anderson, X, Cake, and More in This Week's Issue

Benjamin LeathermanWill Anderson at Hollywood Alley​When it comes to local music (and apparently, everything) all things must pass. So goes the reign of punk promoter Will Anderson, whose belly laugh, dirty Avail hat, and jovial smile have been a near-constant presence at punk shows in the Valley ... More >>

Maynard James Keenan (Puscifer, Tool, A Perfect Circle) on The Importance of Keeping It Local

​Maynard James Keenan is a successful guy: he's fronts two massive rock bands, Tool and A Perfect Circle, owns Merkin Vineyards and Caduceus Cellars in Jerome, Arizona, where he lives. Though ostensibly a "side-project," Keenan's band Puscifer seems to be increasingly be where Keenan's hear lies. ... More >>

Puscifer Venue Announced: Mesa Arts Center

​UPDATE: The show has been rescheduled for Friday, December, 9.Yesterday we brought the news that the ever-busy Maynard James Keenan was bringing his art-rock/comedy troupe Puscifer to Phoenix on Friday, December 9, with the venue TBA. Today, we can confirm that Puscifer is scheduled to perform at ... More >>

Oct. 4 In Blogs: Russell Pearce, Arizona's White Mountains, Puscifer, Big Earl's BBQ, and Desert Dust

In the 24-hour news cycle, it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries:

Puscifer to Bring Conditions of My Parole Tour to Phoenix

​Maynard James Keenan doesn't seem to like down time. When not working with prog rock giants Tool, he performs in the arty A Perfect Circle, and when not keeping busy with either of those bands, he makes wine here in Arizona, and has a major role in the upcoming existentialist country comedy, Quee ... More >>

Eric Steven Glomski, What Are You Listening To?

Eric Steven Glomski​Eric Steven Glomski The director of winemaking at Arizona Stronghold Vineyards is helping host a river trip in the Verde Valley Saturday, July 23, complete with lunch and a wine tasting. For more information, call (928) 639-3004. When you put your key in the ignition and turn ... More >>

A Perfect Circle @ Comerica Theatre

A Perfect Circle To Play Comerica Theatre in July

Tim Cadiente​ Looks like last fall's string of tour dates (including two nights at Marquee Theatre, which our own Mike Meyer covered) has invigorated the long-inactive A Perfect Circle, as the band has dropped news of a North American tour set for this summer, including a stop at Comerica Theatre ... More >>

A Perfect Circle's Hiatus Over: Marquee Theatre Shows Scheduled

​Arizona winemaker/Tool singer Maynard James Keenan is getting his band A Perfect Circle back together.The group, which also includes Billy Howerdel of Ashes Divide, will embark on a five-city tour this fall including a three-night stop at Tempe's Marquee Theatre.

Puscifer Does Remix-Heavy Soundtrack to Maynard James Keenan's Wine Movie

​Tool singer Maynard James Keenan's side project Puscifer has released a soundtrack to the documentary about his winery. Sound Into Blood Into Wine is twelve tracks which accompany Blood Into Wine, and will be available September 7, the same day the film comes out on DVD.Most of the tracks are act ... More >>

Puscifer Takes Tour East This Spring

​Arizona's own Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle) takes the his side project, Puscifer, east in spring 2010. The musical/comedic/theatrical stageshow that is Puscifer played a few shows in the Southwest earlier this month including two dates at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix (o ... More >>

Concert Review: Puscifer at The Orpheum

Even if you're not a fan of Maynard James Keenan's two main projects, Tool and A Perfect Circle, -- and I generally am not -- you've gotta admit the guy has good taste in comedy. He helped popularize Bill Hicks by bringing the late comic along on Lollapalooza, he's done some work with Mr. Show and h ... More >>

December 4 In Blogs: Adam Stoddard, VW Trainwreck, Puscifer, and Guy Fieri

In the 24-hour news cycle it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries: Feathered Bastard: Joe Arpaio's Boy Adam Stoddard: Is He in the Lower Buckeye Jail? Up on the Sun: VW Trainwreck O ... More >>

Maynard James Keenan Gets Theatrical With Puscifer

Puscifer Plays The Orpheum Thursday and Friday

I'm definitely on the record with my thoughts about Tool's lame-ass stage "show" but honestly I'm pretty excited to see Maynard James Keenan's new side project Puscifer at The Orpheum Thursday. Why? Well, this video should help explain, as should the article we ran in this week's paper, which expl ... More >>

Rihanna Announces Contributors, New Hot Chip Album, Vice Party in NYC

Electric Mustache: Awsomeness: Christopher Walken - "Poker Face"Idolator: Shakira Engages In Some Bedroom AcrobaticsNME: The Strokes' Nikolai Fraiture finishes 23,347th in New York MarathonPitchfork: Hot Chip Announce New AlbumRolling Stone: Rihanna Confirms Slash, Will.i.am, Young Jeezy Guest on " ... More >>

Puscifer Tix On Sale Friday

​Tool frontman and vino aficionado Maynard James Keenan's on-the-sly musical endeavor, Puscifer, is set to headline two nights at downtown Phoenix's Orpheum Theatre this December. Lucky for you, tickets are available this Friday, October 9, at 10 a.m. via Live Nation.Apparently, Keenan leaves behi ... More >>

October 7 In Blogs: 287(g), Puscifer, Royal Coffee, and One Lucky Tempe 12 Girl

​In the 24-hour news cycle it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries: Feathered Bastard: Joe Arpaio's 287(g) Stalled: Board of Supervisors Says It'll Sign After Feds Sign Up on the ... More >>

Incoming: Dierks Bentley, Jello Biafra, fun., Brian Setzer

​ If you missed local boy Dierks Bentley's opening set at the Brad Paisley show this week you're in luck, as the Feel That Fire singer will be back in town in less than two months. The show is at Tempe Marketplace -- but is ticketed -- so it should be interesting to see how that works out, since w ... More >>

Maynard James Keenan's New Band, Puscifer, Finally Schedules a Show

Arizona's own Maynard James Keenan, best known as the front man of Tool and A Perfect Circle, has scheduled a show with his new band, Puscifer and it's nothing like what you'd expect from the enigmatic singer who was the subject of a New Times' cover story last month. On Valentine's Day weekend Kee ... More >>

Dec. 8 In Blogs: Fate, Napolitano, Phooson and the Largest Uterus Ever Removed

We understand that in the 24-hour news cycle it can be difficult to keep up. Worry not! We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries: Valley Fever: Local Docs Enter Record Books With Largest Uterus Ever Removed Light-R ... More >>

Can Maynard James Keenan Put Arizona Wine on the Map?

Tool Juice: A novice wine drinker tries the wines of novice wine maker Maynard James Keenan

Puscifer

"V" Is for Vagina
(Puscifer Entertainment)

Hear, See, Read: Monotonix, and Alter Der Ruine