Tool

Tool have been a major influence on Your Scarecrows sound and approach to songwriting. Here's a brief history and some recommended listening.

Band History

Tool formed in 1990 in Los Angeles and have gone on to become one of the most revered and interesting rock / metal bands around. Their first album Undertow came out amongst the alternative rock and grunge movement and for some Tool got lumped in with all of the other Gen X bands. On their debut E.P. and album they started out with a heavy metal sound but they were playing straight ahead four minute songs that were not that far from the norm. The main difference to other bands was Maynard Keenans voice. Whereas other bands would always shout to get heard Maynard Keenans voice ranges from quiet and thoughtful to a howl that can compete with the angriest of bands.

It was Tools second album Aenima that gained them a huge following. It mixed the sludgy sound of Undertow with industrial beats , comedy skits and eight minute epics. It's the kind of album that will take months to get into but once you do it will get better and better all the time. It was after Aenima that things started to get weird. Because of legal problems with Tool and their label they were unable to put out any music so Maynard formed a new band with Guitarist Billy Howerdel. They drafted in Paz Lenchantin on Bass, Josh Freese on Drums and Troy Van Leeuwen. The group became A perfect Circle and went on to become a multi platinum band.

With Maynard doing well it led to some questioning if Tool would ever release anythig new or if A perfect Circle held Maynards focus now. Thankfully it didn't and they went on to release Lateralus and Vicarious, two of the best albums of their careers. I saw them live on both tours and it was pretty special.

Tool generally take about five years to write an album. Give them a listen and you'll see why. It's multi layered, technically and lyrically complex music that takes effort to appreciate. But if you put in the effort the rewards are obvious.

Band Members

Vocals - Maynard James Keenan
Guitar - Adam Jones
Bass - Justin Chancellor
Drums - Danny Carey

Stinkfist - Live

Album Highlights

Undertow, Aenima, Lateralus, 10,000 Days (ALL of them)