Maynard James Keenan: words and vocals Billy Howerdel: composer, guitar, and vocals Josh Freese: drums
With “eMOTIVe,” A Perfect Circle restore rock ‘n’ roll to its revolutionary roots by throwing a 12-megaton musical bomb in the face of the ruling class. Described by APC’s Maynard James Keenan as “a collection of songs about war, peace, love and greed,” the astonishing set blends all-new original material with a provocative selection of cover versions.
The tracks chosen by Keenan and his longtime collaborator Billy Howerdel bridge three decades of protest songs, spanning an array of genres – hardcore punk and heavy metal, new wave and Delta blues, folk rock and rhythm & blues. Among the insurgent classics reinterpreted on “eMOTIVe” are John Lennon’s “Imagine,” Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” Memphis Minnie’s blues stomper, “When The Levee Breaks” (made famous by Led Zeppelin), Depeche Mode’s “People Are People,” Devo’s “Freedom Of Choice,” Black Flag’s “Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie,” Fear’s “Let’s Have A War,” Joni Mitchell’s “Fiddle And The Drum,” and the Nick Lowe (by way of Elvis Costello) anti-anthem, “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding.” The album kicks off with an explosive take on “Annihilation,” originally recorded by Berkeley aggro-punk legends, Crucifix.
A remarkable feat of artistry and activism, “eMOTIVe” displays A Perfect Circle’s extraordinary talent for subversion by reimagining this radical material for a new generation. The results are as challenging, complex and confrontational as anything in the band’s acclaimed canon, rich with Keenan’s always-resonant vocalizing, Howerdel’s impassioned atmospherics, and drummer Josh Freese’s pulse-pounding rhythms.
“eMOTIVe” also marks Howerdel’s debut behind the mic. The guitarist – who has been hailed as a master of virtuoso, volatile riffs – offers lead vocals on a number of tracks, including “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding” and “Freedom of Choice,” as well as co-lead vocals (with Keenan) on “What’s Going On.”
The creation of “eMOTIVe” was spurred by A Perfect Circle’s outrage at current political climate – from the government’s assault on civil liberties to the uncalled-for war in Iraq to the increasing menace of corporate-controlled mass media. Along with the cover material, the album also features a pair of thought-provoking new songs – “Counting Bodies Like Sheep To The Rhythm Of the War Drums” and “Passive.” Both tracks display APC’s trademark sonic power – heart-stopping, dramatic, and one hundred percent full-on. In addition, an animated video for “Counting Bodies Like Sheep To The Rhythm Of the War Drums” – posted on the band’s official website, www.aperfectcircle.com – offers a sly visual attack on the man in charge. Taken as a whole, “eMOTIVe” stands as a true milestone, an inventive, indignant document of rock ‘n’ roll ire and righteous vitriol.
Produced and engineered by APC guitarist Billy Howerdel, and executive produced by vocalist Maynard James Keenan, “eMOTIVe” includes string arrangements by APC founding member Paz Lenchantin, as well as contributions from Nine Inch Nails’ Danny Lohner and Telefon Tel Aviv’s Josh Eustis.
“eMOTIVe” is A Perfect Circle’s third full-length release, following 2000’s RIAA platinum-certified “MER DE NOMS,” and 2003’s gold-certified “THIRTEENTH STEP.” The band came together in 1999, fronted by Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan and his longtime friend, guitarist/producer Billy Howerdel. The two musicians had long discussed a creative partnership, and when circumstances produced an opening in Keenan’s schedule, they set to work, enlisting bassist Paz Lenchantin, guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen (Failure), and ex-Vandals/Guns N’Roses drummer Josh Freese into the fold.
From the start, A Perfect Circle drew ecstatic praise from both fans and the critical establishment. “MER DE NOMS” entered the “Billboard 200” at #4, making history as the highest-ever chart debut by a new rock band. Hailed for its powerful, prosaic intensity, the album included three massive rock radio hits – “3 Libras,” “Judith,” and “The Hollow.”
“THIRTEENTH STEP” arrived nearly three years later. Though the line-up had changed – with Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha and Marilyn Manson bassist Jeordie White replacing the departed van Leeuwen and Lenchantin – APC continued to mine commercial success, debuting at #2 on the “Billboard 200.” Packed with a trio of radio smashes – “Weak And Powerless,” “The Outsider,” and “Blue” – the album reaped rapturous critical approbation. “A masterpiece,” declared Alternative Press in a five-out-of-five starred review. Rolling Stone hailed the album’s “droning guitars, dub-deep bass and simmering vocals,” while Spin commended the collection as “inherently combustible.” Hit Parader summed it up: A Perfect Circle is “the most inventive and challenging band on the hard rock front.”
“eMOTIVe” is followed by with a special CD/DVD package, dubbed “aMOTION.” The double-disc set is the ultimate APC fan-piece, with the CD featuring nine remixes of such APC favorites as “3 Libras,” “The Outsider,” and “Weak And Powerless,” retooled by such artists as Massive Attack, Danny Lohner, and A Perfect Circle’s own James Iha.
The “aMOTION” DVD content gathers together unexpurgated versions of APC’s amazing video output, including “Judith” (directed by David “Fight Club” Fincher), “Thinking Of You,” and the sardonically funny “Counting Bodies Like Sheep To The Rhythm Of the War Drums” clip. Also featured is a stunning live take on “The Noose,” along with a brand-new video for “Blue,” directed by Jose Perez, who won the opportunity to helm the clip via an online contest held on www.aperfectcircle.com. As if that weren’t enough, the “aMOTION” DVD includes the three “Blue” runner-up videos, exclusive commentary, a photo gallery, and a trio of trailers for the cult film series, Bikini Bandits.
A Perfect Circle – “eMOTIVe”
1. “Annihilation” (Matthew Borruso, Christopher Douglas, Sothira Pheng) Crucifix – “NOT SO QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT” (1982)
2. “Imagine” (John Lennon) John Lennon – “IMAGINE” (1971)
3. “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding” (Nick Lowe) Elvis Costello & the Attractions – “ARMED FORCES” (1979)
4. “Counting Bodies Like Sheep To The Rhythm Of The War Drums” (Billy Howerdel, Maynard James Keenan) A Perfect Circle – “eMOTIVe” (2004)
6. “When The Levee Breaks” (Memphis Minnie – Public Domain) Led Zeppelin – “UNTITLED” (1971)
7. “Freedom Of Choice” (Gerald V. Casale, Mark Mothersbaugh) Devo – “FREEDOM OF CHOICE” (1980)
8. “People Are People” (Martin L. Gore) Depeche Mode – “PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE” (1984)
9. “Passive” (TK) A Perfect Circle – “eMOTIVe” (2004)
10. “Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie” (Greg Ginn) Black Flag – “EVERYTHING WENT BLACK” (1983)
11. “Let’s Have A War” (Philo Cramer, Lee Ving) Fear – “THE RECORD” (1982)
12. “Fiddle And The Drum” (Joni Mitchell) Joni Mitchell – “CLOUDS” (1969)
Produced by Billy Howerdel Additional Production by Danny Lohner Executive Producer: Maynard James Keenan
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