A Perfect Circle

History

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.

Related Topics:
The Vandals - Josh Freese - Failure - Paz Lenchantin - Zwan - Mer de Noms - Tool - Tool

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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 of 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.

Related Topics:
Billy Corgan - Zwan - Queens of the Stone Age - Marilyn Manson - Jeordie White - Smashing Pumpkins - James Iha

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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 colours and styles from one live performance to another.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The band released their second album, Thirteenth Step, in September 16 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. eMOTIVe was recorded with various different past and present members of APC, but mostly by Keenan and Howerdel.

Related Topics:
Thirteenth Step - September 16 - 2003 - EMOTIVe - November 2 - 2004 - John Lennon - Joni Mitchell

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On November 16, 2004 the band released the DVD and CD set entitled aMOTION. The set contains the music videos to the singles, as well as some previously unreleased videos, along with b-sides and remixes.

Related Topics:
November 16 - 2004 - AMOTION

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Due to Keenan's commitments with Tool, A Perfect Circle experiences a considerable amount of downtime during each Tool album recording, release and tour. This makes the band extremely dynamic in terms of its members. During the downtime, other members of the band seek other projects which can unfortunately mean they are unavailable when APC is reformed, which was the case with both Troy van Leeuwen and Paz Lenchantin. As of May 2005, Keenan is recording with Tool, Howerdel is planning a solo album, White is touring and performing with Nine Inch Nails and Freese is performing with Sting. Iha is currently touring with Vanessa and the O's in Europe.

Related Topics:
Tool - May - 2005 - Nine Inch Nails - Sting - Vanessa and the O's

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A Perfect Circle also has a new album in the works, which will be released in 2006.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~