A perfect circle
Contents |
The Band
A Perfect Circle (APC) is an Alternative Rock/Metal American Band, formed in 1999 by Billy Howerdel and Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan.
History
A Perfect Circle was a master plan designed by Billy Howerd, but without legs to move at that time. However, in 1992 Howerdel met Maynard James Keenan on a Tool's show and the two of them became friends.
In 1993, living in a lodging that Keenan offered, in North Hollywoord, Howerdel started the search for members. He initially wanted a female vocalist but, after showing some demos to Keenan, he showed some interest in being the vocalist, and Howerdel agreed that Keena would be a good fit.
Around 1999 with Paz Lenchantin on the bass, Troy Van on the guitar and Tim Alexander on the drums they threw their first gig at LA's Viper Club Reception on August 15th, 1999.
Some time later, still around 1999, APC (A Perfect Circle), entered the studio to begin working on their first album. However, Tim Alexander was replaced by Josh Freese.
On May 23rd, 2000 Mer De Noms was released. The album produced three singles Judith, 3 Libras, and The Hollow, reached 4th on the Billboard 200 and sold out over 188,000 copies in its first week!
It aslo earned some greats reviews; "Rolling Stone, Pat Blashill wrote that "Keenan added an almost operatic angst to Howerdel's songs" and concluded that "A Perfect Circle sound like a desperate dream of what rock used to be. Maybe that's the point". Allmusic's review expressed that "there's little question that the addicting combination of Keenan's aching voice and Howerdel's accomplished songs and production skills made for one of 2000's best splashes in whatever was left of 'modern rock'"
Two years later, while recording their second album Thirteenth Step, the band was living a hard time due to a member's departyre, Paz Lechantin left to join Billy Corgan's new band and Troy had to leave to handle touring duties as the new guitarist for Queens of the Stone Age.
They were replaced by Jeordie White, Ex-Bassist of Marilyn Manson, and Danny Lohner. However Danny didn't fit his place as second guitarist and was replaced by Ex-Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Yoshinobu Iha.
On September 16th, 2003 they released a more melodic and straightforward wave of sounds known as the Thirteenth Step.
One year later APC released, on November 2nd 2004, "Emotive". This album features Anti-war cover songs such as Imagine from John Lennon and Fiddle and the Drum from Joni Mitchell and originals.
In 2005 the band went to Hiatus. Keenan left to work on 10,000 Days while Howerdel began work on a side-project with Josh Freese.
Reunion seemed impossible, Keenan on an interview with Rock Hard Claimed that APC was over and there wouldn't be any new albums, that was for sure!
But in 2008, Keenan remarked on the status of APC: "As many of you may have heard, Billy and I are engaged in our own little projects for the moment. His is called ASHES DIVIDE and mine is called PUSCIFER...Please be advised that A PERFECT CIRCLE and TOOL are still alive and well. This is simply MORE."
And on December 9th, 2008, the band returned with Maynard James Keenan, Billy Howerdel, Josh Freese, Matt McJunkins, and James Iha as the line up. They were weren't aiming to release a new album, but just one or two new songs that would be streamed via internet.
Nowadays the band, is still working on new material and giging around the USA.
Band Members
Current
Maynard James Keenan – lead vocals (1999–present)
Billy Howerdel – lead & rhythm guitars, vocals (1999–present)
Josh Freese – drums, percussion (1999–present)
James Iha – rhythm guitars, keyboards (2003–2004, 2010–present)
Matt McJunkins – bass (2010–present)
Touring
Jeff Friedl – drums (2011)
Former
Tim Alexander – drums, percussion (1999)
Troy Van Leeuwen – rhythm guitars (1999–2002)
Paz Lenchantin – bass, strings, backing vocals (1999–2002, 2004)
Danny Lohner – rhythm guitars, bass, sound engineer (1999–2004)
Jeordie White – bass (2003–2004)
Discography
Abums
Mer De Noms (2000)
Thirteenth Step (2003)
Emotive (2004)
Songs
