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Maynard James Keenan looks back on his career
Maynard James Keenan reflects on how growing up amid religious fundamentalism, social division and bullying shaped his outlook and confrontational humour. The interview also traces how he has built distinct identities for Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer while remaining a prominent, deliberately unconventional figure in rock.
Keenan says he moved from Ohio to live with his father in Michigan at 13, after his parents separated when he was three, and later lived in Los Angeles. Now 62, he is balancing work across all three bands: Tool headlined festivals this year, A Perfect Circle toured the UK and Europe, and Puscifer released the album *Normal Isn’t*, with a tour planned for November. He also discusses childhood fears, his scepticism towards church leaders and how repeatedly changing schools made him learn to reinvent himself.
In short
- Keenan says his Ohio upbringing shaped his outlook.
- He continues to work across three distinct bands.
- Puscifer’s *Normal Isn’t* is due to tour in November.