Prying Open My Third Eye! A Look Into The Musicians That Influenced Me & Other Rants
Hey everyone! So I've actually been working on what you could consider a "music journal" of sorts for the past couple months and decided what could be the harm in posting it here? This journal is really to talk about the musicians/music that have influenced me and some other rants.
So please enjoy! And a little tidbit of information I am NOT a professional writer so if I make any mistakes my bad haha. But I appreciate any constructive criticism
So lets start this off with my most influential and favorite lyricist/singer!
Maynard James Keenan
Who would've thought that in 1992 when the Progressive Metal/Art Rock band Tool released their Opiate EP that Maynard James Keenan would solidify his status as a musical icon. Sure, you don't hear about Maynard in the news everyday and he hasn't in my opinion, recieved as much praise as he should, but his music has captivated millions of fans. His iconic primal screams, his hypnotizing voice, crypted/beautiful lyrics, and imagination has been a driving force in the Progressive/Art Rock scene of the 90's.
A Short Bio:
Maynard James Keenan (born James Herbert Keenan) was born into a structurally unstable family, his parents divorced when he was only four and would barely see his father. His mother suffered a stroke when he was eleven (Judith Marie Keenan would become inspirations for various songs throughout Maynard’s musical career such as “Judith,” “Wings for Marie,” and “Jimmy.”) He would eventually attend West Point Prepatory School and soon decided to pursue a career in music. He would start playing in low-gig bands like TexA.N.S. and Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty.
Eventually in 1990 Adam Jones, Paul D’Amour, Danny Carey, and himself would form Tool. In 1992 they released Opiate EP and then four more studio albums; Undertow (1993), Ænima (1996), Lateralus (2001), and 10,000 Days (2006). Each album showed a personal evolution of the band including a fusion of art and music, with which they have become synonymous.
From 1999-2004 he joined the Supergroup A Perfect Circle (the line-ups include, Billy Howerdel, Paz Lenchantin, Josh Freese, Troy Van Leeuwen, Tim Alexander, James Iha, Jeordie White, and Danny Lohner) they released three studio albums, Mer de Noms (2000), Thirteenth Step (2003), eMotive (2004), and a remix album entitled Amotion (2004). A Perfect Circle allowed Maynard to go from the progressive sound that Tool was so known for to a lighter, more melodic, and "modern" sound.
Maynard is also enjoying a solo endevour under the pseudonym Puscifer, a unique approach by Maynard and an attempt to break his normal sounds. He also owns a vineyard named Merkin Vineyards operated in Arizona and has appeared in many shows and the movie "Crank 2: High Voltage."
His impact on music and myself:
There is still no doubt that Maynard has had a profound impact on music, his lyrical style can easily be interpreted in so many ways and that’s exactly what he wants. He desires listeners to connect with him and listen to better understand themselves, a personal evolution if you may. His voice is pure and one of the most unique in the music industry. He has influenced bands like System of a Down, Deftones, and Chevelle.
I first heard Tool in 2005, I was a freshman in high school and was on a somewhat "musical journey" where I was discovering bands that I didn't hear much on the radio and had never heard of. I had seen the "Tool" sticker on my brother's car, along with his Rage Against The Machine fabric poster, and his A Perfect Circle T-shirt. My brother bought the 10,000 Days album and in a moment of weakness I "borrowed" it and began to listen and that started my journey into my own self-discovery. Maynard's voice captivated me, I went and bought every album and would listen to them on "repeat" every night. Everyday I found myself liking something new about Tool and Maynard, my only dilemma was the fact I had no one to experience this with. My brother was constantly working and most of my friends were all into what I considered "terrible" music. But soon I found friends who enjoyed Tool just as much as I did and it helped me find a place to belong. Tool and Maynard have inspired me to pick up a notebook and pen and write, learn the bass guitar, and look at things in a different way than everyone else.
What to listen to (IMO):
"Sober" off the album Undertow
"Stinkfist" off the album Aenima
"Cold and Ugly" off the EP Opiate
"The Outsider" off the album Mer de Noms
"Undertaker" off the album V is for...
Reply With Quote
But alas! I have time 
This rant is literally about how music saved my life. I hope after reading this, people will understand and appreciate just what music can do for people.
Originally Posted by SmokeScreen
