A Perfect Circle
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A Perfect Circle is an alternative 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, Guns N' Roses and Tool. During the recording of Tool's Ænima 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.
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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" or "Merde Noms"). 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.
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.
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's current projects are unknown.
Latest Line-up
- Maynard James Keenan - Vocals
- Billy Howerdel - Guitar
- James Iha - Guitar
- Jeordie White - Bass
- Josh Freese - Drums
Note: While the above is the latest line-up to appear live, as of the release of eMOTIVe and aMOTION, it is unclear as to who exactly is in the band. As there will be no activity from A Perfect Circle for a number of years (due to Maynard James Keenan's commitment to his other band Tool) it is assumed the band will be reformed for the next album depending on which musicians are available. Billy Howerdel has mentioned in November 2004 that the band will definitely contain Keenan and himself, and most likely Josh Freese.
The liner notes of aMOTION list the members of the band as follows: Maynard James Keenan, Billy Howerdel, Josh Freese, Danny Lohner, Paz Lenchantin, Troy van Leeuwen, Jeordie White, James Iha and Tim Alexander.
It's assumed the next incarnation of the band will most likely contain an arrangement of the above members.
Discography
- Mer de Noms (2000)
- Thirteenth Step (2003)
- eMOTIVe (2004)
- aMOTION (2004)
Music Videos
- Judith from Mer de Noms (directed by David Fincher)
- The Hollow from Mer de Noms
- 3 Libras from Mer de Noms
- Thinking of You 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
External links
- A Perfect Circle's official website (http://www.aperfectcircle.com/)
- A Perfect Circle fan-site (http://www.aperfectcircle.net/)fr:A Perfect Circle
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