A Perfect Circle

Monday, May 31

It’s All About The Music

If you are one of the many A Perfect Circle fans trying to dig up dirt on your favorite band- forget it. These musical self-proclaimed misfits are notorious for dodging press, performing in near darkness and donning wigs during shows. The overall effect? A Perfect Circle wants to be heard, not seen.

APC’s sophomore effort, Thirteenth Step, is an even less cheery notion. The album title is telling of the self-destructive nature of addiction and pain, the feeling of being beaten when already down. It is that final sense of desperation that is known as the “thirteenth step.” Prevalent themes such as obsession, loneliness and agitation are seen throughout the album, especially in the songs “Blue” and “The Noose.”

What is possibly the brightest beacon of hope for APC is it’s extremely loyal fan base. The band is actually a splinter from Tool, since Maynard James Keenan is Tool’s front man. However, serving as a double-band rock star isn’t easy for Keenan. For instance, when APC began working on songs for Thirteenth Step, Keenan was on tour with Tool. Billy Howerdel found himself sending copies of works in progress to Keenan, which he would write vocals for and send back. Clearly, this arrangement was detrimental to any spur-of-the-moment creative flow.

Also hindering the progress of the album was the absence of guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen, who was touring with Queens of the Stone Age. Although he had planned to return to the studio with APC, a hectic touring schedule kept Van Leeuwen on the road. James Iha of Smashing Pumpkins replaced Van Leeuwen and will stay with APC to work on future studio recordings.

In addition to Iha, Jeordie White replaced bassist Paz Lenchantin, who quit the band to join Papa M. The ebb and flow of APC’s schedule left Lenchantin wanting a constantly active band, and with Keenan on the road with Tool, the band faced significant downtime.

Once Tool was off the road, Keenan focused solely on A Perfect Circle and the writing process began to take form. Howerdel had orchestrated the band’s entire Mer de Noms album and taking on Keenan as a creative partner was difficult at first. Although Keenan is known as a picky singer, the collaboration ultimately resulted in a “deeper, more developed sound.”

That deeper, more developed sound doesn’t register as quickly as Mer de Noms with the listener. Introspective in nature, the songs of Thirteenth Step will need a few rounds in the Discman to be fully absorbed. Not for casual listening, this album requires a contemplated focus.

Tickets for A Perfect Circle with special guest Burning Brides at the Frank Erwin Center, Monday, May 31 at 7:30PM are $29.50 (limited number of general admission floor tickets available) and are ON SALE NOW at all Texas Box Office Outlets (includes H-E-B stores in Austin, Bastrop, Bee Caves, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Round Rock, and San Marcos; Ft. Hood Bldg. #136 and Renaissance Records in Killeen), charge-by-phone at 512/477-6060 or order on-line at TexasBoxOffice.com. Convenience charges may apply. All information subject to change. The Frank Erwin Center is a smoke-free facility. Convenient parking is available within walking distance in nearby state and university lots. For more information, call 512/471-7744. The Nextel Emergency Message Center is available on the arena concourse during this event. For emergencies only call 512/845-4213. uterwincenter.com

Register To Win a pair of tickets to A Perfect Circle

To register, e-mail your first and last name, area code and phone number, and e-mail address to: apcwintix@erwin.utexas.edu.

• Entry Deadline is Monday, May 24, 2004.
• One randomly chosen winner will be selected from all received entries and notified via
e-mail by Friday, May 28, 2004.
• No purchase necessary.
• No employees or family members of sponsors, media partners, Texas Athletics, or the Frank Erwin Center are eligible to win.
• Prize is non-transferable, and may not be substituted for any other Frank Erwin Center event.
• All prizes will be awarded. One entry per person.
• Odds of winning are determined solely by the number of entries received.
• Winner will allow Frank Erwin Center to use their name, face or likeness for promotional purposes.
• Must be at least 18 years old to enter.

One winner will receive two (2) tickets to A Perfect Circle with special guest Burning Brides coming to the Frank Erwin Center, Monday, May 31st!