Maynard James Keenan Variety Show
Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle) is touring the Western U.S. with his latest side project Puscifer. He released albums under the Puscifer moniker in 2007 and 2008, but this is the first time he's taking the act on the road since debuting it in Las Vegas in February. The band's name originated on an episode of Mr. Show with Keenan and Tool guitarist Adam Jones as band members. The February show featured appearances by Mr. Show alums Brian Posehn and Mary Lynn Rajskub, as well as some other big names, including Milla Jovovich, who provided some vocals. But don't expect to see Jovovich touring with the band, as the members vary depending on location. Last night Keenan took advantage of the opening band to fill in some roles.
Sweethead, the new project of Queens of the Stone Age guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen, opened the show. Before joining Queens of the Stone Age, Van Leeuwen was a member of Keenan's first side project, A Perfect Circle. Sweethead was formed in 2008 and, while lead singer Serrina Sims isn't entirely comfortable in the role, her seductive allure is sure to get attention in the near future.
The performance began with a scene reminiscent of Sgt. Slaughter setting up an episode of G.I. Joe. Keenan, in full military uniform, appeared as his character Major Douche on the theater's screen. Major Douche introduced the performance and reminded concertgoers that video recording and flash photography was strictly prohibited. Following Major Douche's intro, Sims returned to the stage in what appeared to be a failed attempt at acting, as she improvised a skit with Keenan playing the role of fictional televangelist Neil Suckit. Keenan's televangelist character rolled out to the stage on a Segway, dressed in a sweat suit with "Jesus" printed across his ass. That skit segued into a performance of "Sour Grapes," a gospel sounding track from V Is For Vagina.
After the initial sketch, the remainder of the show was music interspersed with video features criticizing organized religion. The anti-organized religious sentiment expressed by the videos drew ironic cheers from an audience that at times was unwittingly playing a role in the satire. While the video didn't have us laughing out loud, it provided interesting breaks in the performance and was fodder for conversation after the concert. Keenan is still proving to be on the cutting edge, and though he spent most of the musical performances hiding behind a monitor, he managed to find center stage a few times. Given all the distractions, including band members walking into center stage to fill their Riedel stem-less glasses with Merkin Vineyards Chupacabra, Keenan's wine project, the show could've easily been a trainwreck. But Keenan, looking cool in his suit, sunglasses, and cowboy hat, pulled it off.
