Tool Lyrics

Tool Info:

Origin:
Los Angeles, California

Genres:
Alternative metal, art rock, progressive metal, progressive rock

Years active:
1990-present

Associated acts:
A Perfect Circle, Green Jellÿ

Influences:
Melvins, King Crimson

Name Origin
Keenan explained: "Tool is exactly what it sounds like: It's a big dick. It's a wrench. ... we are ... your tool; use us as a catalyst in your process of finding out whatever it is you need to find out, or whatever it is you're trying to achieve."

Early on, the band fabricated the story that they formed because of the pseudo-philosophy "lachrymology", a supposed religion that embraces pain, and its release through crying. The word itself literally translates to "the study of crying".

Members:
Maynard James Keenan -
lead vocals (1990-present)

Adam Jones -
guitar (1990-present)

Danny Carey -
drums, percussion (1990-present)

Justin Chancellor -
bass (1995-present)

Past members:
Paul D'Amour - bass (1990-1995)

Formed:
1990 in Los Angeles when drummer Danny Carey joined the rehearsal of his neighbour, singer Maynard James Keenan, Adam Jones, and Paul d'Amour

Tool Quotes:
Everything we release with Tool is inspired by our music. It doesn't matter if it is a video or if it's lyrics. The lyrics for "Schism" are nothing more than my interpretation of the music. Adam does most of the work when it comes to videos and he basically does the same as I do with the lyrics. The videos are his visual interpretations of our music.
-Maynard

Shows are really strange. Sometimes you really don't know what to expect. Sometimes you're playing in the sunshine. Something that just doesn't seem to go with our sound. It isn't worse; it's just different, absolutely different. Then there are some days when we really don't want to go on stage at all, when we feel terrible and think we really shouldn't play. And pretty often those shows turn out to be absolute highlights.
-Maynard

I don't care at all. We're just four guys and we are enjoying what we're doing with Tool. We are eager to learn about ourselves and to learn about music, about life, about everything. And, of course, we always hope that we can change something for the better through our music, give someone else some inspiration. I believe that music is a force in itself. It is there and it needs an outlet, a medium. In a way, we are just the medium.
-Maynard

Nothing ever happens smoothly or perfectly fine, but it all makes sense. I believe everything happens for a reason, no matter if it's good or bad. There is no point in trying to change the past because if something would have happened differently, we wouldn't be here now; we wouldn't be talking. You never know what would be or what would change, if you could go back in time and just change one single thing.
-Maynard

Tool Awards:
1998
Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance (Ænema)

2002
Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance (Schism)

2007
Grammy Award for Best Recording Package (10,000 Days)

Tour Dates: