Puscifer

Puscifer (pronounced /ˈpʊsɨfər/^[1]) is a side project of Maynard James Keenan from the bands Tool and A Perfect Circle. As Keenan is the only permanent member, Puscifer could also be considered a pseudonym for his solo work.^{[citation needed]}

Background

Puscifer's original name was Umlaut, "a premiere improvisational hardcore band".^[2] The name "Puscifer" was first publicized as a fictional band in the first episode of Mr. Show, including Keenan and Adam Jones as members. Jones is not associated with Puscifer otherwise, although artwork by Jones has been featured on Puscifer apparel (the "Your Mom's a Bitch" shirt, specifically). Keenan describes Puscifer as "simply a playground for the various voices in my head, [...] a space with no clear or discernible goals, [...] where my Id, Ego, and Anima all come together to exchange cookie recipes."^[3] Keenan has reportedly been working on short films with Ford Englerth and Jeffrey Brooks from Red Rock Entertainment Development that may be shown on an upcoming tour. These shorts are done in a similar manner to that of Mr. Show and Tom Waits' Big Time.^[2]

Puscifer is "as much a clothing line as it is a band", with the clothing items produced in limited numbers. Keenan collaborated on a leather jacket with Paul Frank.^[2] On September 16, 2008, Keenan updated the puscifer.com blog, revealing that the first ever Puscifer store would be opening "hopefully" by October 1 in Jerome, Arizona. Occupying a small space above a tattoo parlor, the store opened on October 3, 2008.^[4] In addition to the merchandise available on the band's online store, Keenan has also made available locally-roasted coffee, art, and an ever-changing list of limited edition collectibles.^[5]

It was announced on May 9, 2009 through Keenan's Twitter page that there is "new music coming soon from Puscifer".^[6] This "new music" was then confirmed on October 12, 2009 to be a new digital-only EP due for release in early November 2009, again through Keenan's Twitter.^[7]

"V" Is for Vagina

On April 10, 2007, Keenan posted on the official website that a release would be aimed for mid-October.^[8] A newer post on June 25, 2007 stated that Joe Barresi mixed the first song, which would have a music video, as well as an alternate version of "Cuntry Boner", and would likely be released as a CD single with bonus tracks. Further mixing would be done by Keenan and Alan Moulder by August.^[9]

Keenan announced at the end of July that the album would be titled "V" Is for Vagina and, a few days later, he announced that the first single would be "Queen B." with a video released in late September.^[10] On October 1, "Queen B." appeared on the podcast on puscifer.com. This was followed by the podcast release of "Trekka" on October 7. The album was released on October 30 and debuted at #25 on the Billboard 200, as well as #1 on the Billboard Indie charts.^[11]

On October 17, 2008, an official music video for the song Momma Sed was released online via the official Puscifer YouTube channel. A new dub remix album also appeared at the official website's store completely by Lustmord, entitled "D" is for Dubby - The Lustmord Dub Mixes.^[12]

"V" Is for Viagra. The Remixes

A remix album of ""V" Is for Vagina", entitled "V" Is for Viagra, was released on April 29, 2008. It contains ten remixes of tracks from the first Puscifer album "V" Is for Vagina, as well as two remixes of the non-album single "Cuntry Boner". It features remixes by Dave "Rave" Ogilvie of Skinny Puppy, Lustmord, Renholder, Paul Barker from Ministry, Telefon Tel Aviv, among others.

Two of the tracks from the album, Indigo Children (JLE Dub Mix) and Momma Sed (Tandimonium Mix), appear on the official soundtrack for the video game Need for Speed: Undercover.

"C" Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference HERE)

On October 12, 2009, "C" Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference HERE) was announced on the toolarmy.com and Puscifer websites. Targeted to be a digital download only, it was released on November 10, 2009. The EP contains six tracks, two of which are live recordings from the Club Nokia shows.

Live Shows

In 2009, Keenan held the first Puscifer shows in Las Vegas February 13, 14, and 15. Two more dates took place at Club Nokia, Los Angeles, on April 4 and 5.

Keenan has been quoted as planning to have a "revolving lineup" for Puscifer, to keep the shows "unique and unpredictable"^[13].

Members

According to Keenan's MySpace profile with regards to members, the band includes

Maynard James Keenan and a revolving door of talented people. The current list of guest musicians... Renholdër (Danny Lohner), Milla Jovovich, Lisa Germano, Josh Eustis, Satan's Muse, and more...

—Maynard James Keenan, MySpace, September 2008^[14]

As of the latest release, Keenan has recorded material with Lustmord, Jonny Polonski, Tim Alexander, Tim Commerford, Brad Wilk, Joey Jordison, Ainjel Emme, Josh Eustis of Black Light Burns & Telefon Tel Aviv, Gil Sharone, and Trey Gunn, as well as many other musicians.^[15][16]

Discography

Studio albums

• "V" Is for Vagina (October 30, 2007)

Remix albums

• "V" Is for Viagra. The Remixes (April 29, 2008)
• "D" Is for Dubby - The Lustmord Dub Mixes (October 17, 2008)

EPs

• Don't Shoot The Messenger (October 9, 2007)
• "C" Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference HERE) (November 10, 2009)

Singles

• "Cuntry Boner" (2007)
• "Queen B." (2008)
• "DoZo" (2008)
• "The Mission" (2009)

Music videos/DVDs

• "Queen B." (2008)
• "DoZo" (2008)
• "Momma Sed" (2008)
• "The Mission" (2009)

Contributions

References

External links

• Puscifer.com (MaynardJamesKeenan.com redirects here)
• Puscifer (censorshipisacancer) at MySpace
• Puscifer Podcast
• Puscifer Music site