Sessanta: Primus, Puscifer, & A Perfect Circle @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Maynard James Keenan (MJK) has become a household name in the rock/metal landscape since his arrival as the lead singer in the progressive rock/progressive metal/alt metal/post-metal/art rock band Tool in 1990. Born James Herbert Keenan on April 17, 1964, MJK has evolved from not just being the frontman for the larger-than-life band Tool but also the proud owner of the very successful Caduceus Cellars and vineyard named Merkin Vineyards (2004) located in Jerome, Arizona. Jokingly in a 2006 interview (with MJK is there any other way?), MJK was quoted by IGN.com: “This is a prime spot for vineyards. An untapped resource. But the master plan is to have the Merkin Vineyards Bed and Breakfast set up for when California drops in the ocean. Beachfront property and the New Napa Valley. You got it.” That is most definitely a nod to the song (and album title) “Aenima” from the 1996 release by Tool. Incidentally, the band got the idea of an ‘Arizona Bay’ from the late and great Bill Hick’s epic comedic set Arizona Bay.
But I digress, over the years between Tool albums, MJK has also lent out his singing duties to two other unbelievable and remarkable alternative rock bands: A Perfect Circle and Puscifer (which we will discuss further in a minute). Most recently on Jan. 2024, MJK fulfilled his life-long dream when all his hard work paid off when he received the distinguished rank of black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). For one person, that list of accolades can be daunting for some to try, but not for MJK. No task is too large for his undertaking. Even the task of touring with not one but two of your bands in which you are the lead singer, plus asking your good friends in Primus to join in on the fun. On September 12th, 2023, in celebration of MJK’s 60th birthday on April 17th, 2024, Sessanta was announced via social media in which Primus, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer would join forces to tour twenty-one (21) cities starting April 2nd in Boston, MA. and concluding May 4th in Forest Hills, NY. After getting the opportunity earlier in 2024 to photograph Tool on their tour with Elder, I figured why not get the trifecta of MJK bands this year with the Sessanta tour stop at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, GA?
It has been five years since their last proper tour, but A Perfect Circle (APC) did not skip a beat performing on stage this evening. APC is an alternative rock/alternative metal/hard rock/art rock band from Los Angeles, CA., and has been active from 1999-2004 * 2010-present. The original lineup included MJK (vocals), Billy Howerdel (lead guitar/keyboards/backing and lead vocals), Troy Van Leeuwen (rhythm guitar), Josh Freese (drums), and Paz Lenchantin (bass/strings/backing vocals/piano). After some lineup changes over the years, APC now consists of MJK (vocals), Billy Howerdel (lead guitar/keyboards/backing and lead vocals), James Iha (rhythm guitar/keyboards), Matt McJunkins (bass/backing vocals), and Josh Freese (drums). For this tour, James Iha could not attend this tour due to previous engagements with his original band, The Smashing Pumpkins. In his place, APC recruited a familiar face in Greg Edwards (Failure) who would take over the duties of playing rhythm guitar. Via Josh’s Instagram page, he announced that for the first time in thirteen (13) years, he would be back behind the drum set with APC for this tour on selected dates before departing after the April 20th show to rejoin the Foo Fighters on tour. Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer) would then handle the remaining tour dates, and maybe Tim “Herb” Alexander (Primus) sprinkled in for good measure. APC has released four (4) LPs since 2000, with Eat the Elephant being the most recent release from 2018.
APC was the brainchild of long-time guitar tech for Nine Inch Nails, The Smashing Pumpkins, Fishbone, and Tool- Billy Howerdel. What started as a friendship between MJK and Billy became much more when the two discussed forming a new band based on Billy’s recorded demos. Fast-forward to the present day, APC has cemented itself in the alternative rock/metal pantheon with four (4) critically acclaimed albums. I was fortunate to catch APC on their first major North American tour on August 23, 2000, at The Tabernacle (Atlanta) on tour with Sunna. Over the years, as their tours became less and less, I cherished the times I had the opportunity to see them perform. And especially when I was able to get backstage for a meet and greet during their February 24th, 2001, tour stop in Fort Mill, S.C. featuring the original lineup save for MJK and Josh Freese, who arrived late to the arena due to the birth of one of his children.
Puscifer is an experimental rock/alternative rock/art rock/electronic rock/post-industrial band from Los Angeles, CA. who formed in 2003. Puscifer consists of MJK (vocals), Carina Round (vocals/guitars/percussion/keyboards), and Mat Mitchell (guitar/bass/keyboards/synthesizers/production). Touring musicians include Greg Edwards (bass) and Gunnar Olsen (drums/programming). Puscifer has released four (4) LPs, six (6) remix LPs, seven (7) live albums on various formats, three (3) EPs, eleven (11) singles, seventeen (17) music videos, and have contributed to twelve (12) compilations over their career. My most recent time seeing Puscifer perform was during their late afternoon Sunday performance at the 2022 edition of the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. Incidentally, Tool also headlined that weekend with a phenomenal late-night Saturday set for the Bonnaroovians in attendance.
Finally, we have the legendary alternative metal/funk metal/experimental rock/progressive rock band Primus from El Sobrante, CA., active from 1984-2000 * 2003-present. Primus consists of the mad genius Les Claypool (lead vocals/bass/double bass), Larry “Ler” LaLonde (guitars/backing vocals), and Tim “Herb” Alexander (drums/backing vocals). Primus has released nine (9) LPs, one (1) live album, five (5) EPs, twenty-two (22) singles, five (5) video albums, and twenty (20) videos. Primus has also contributed to numerous compilations including their hit theme song for the acclaimed animated sitcom South Park.
This evening was unlike any tour which I have attended. Instead of having each band get a full set to perform consecutively, each band would come out and perform a few songs from their discography and then give way for the next band. Each set was split into acts like a play or musical: Act I, Act II, and Act III. A few special moments to acknowledge from this evening; after the completion of the first song, MJK spoke out to the crowd in “Atlanta” hoping to get a roaring cheer from the crowd. To his chagrin, MJK said that that crowd’s responsive cheer sounded more like “Augusta” than “Atlanta”. I found that humorous since I felt he was referring to the crowd’s response as a ‘golf clap’ since the Master’s Golf Tournament took place the same week in Augusta. During Primus' final song of Act II, "Tommy the Cat", MJK came on stage and lent his vocals for this performance. He would take over the lyrics originally recorded by the legendary Tom Waits. I am not going to lie, this was a major highlight for this Concerthopper since this is one of my favorite songs from Primus. Plus, Atlanta native Puddles the Clown appeared on stage to help celebrate MJK’s 60th birthday.
Check out this evening’s set list for Sessanta live at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, GA:
Act I
A Perfect Circle
· “The Package”
· “Disillusioned”
· “The Contrarian”
Primus
· “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers”
· “Too Many Puppies”
· “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver”
Puscifer
· “Galileo”
· “Horizons”
· “Indigo Children”
Act II
Primus
· “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver”
· “My Name is Mud”
· “Tommy the Cat”
Puscifer
· “Flippant”
· “Momma Sed”
· “Bullet Train to Iowa”
· “The Underwhelming”
A Perfect Circle
· “The Hollow”
· “So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish”
· “Weak and Powerless”
· “The Outsider”
Act III
Puscifer
· “The Humbling River”
· “The Remedy”
A Perfect Circle
· “The Noose”
· “Judith”
Primus
· “Southbound Pachyderm”
MJK Words
· “Kindred”
· “No Angel”
· “Pablos Hippos”
· “Grand Canyon”
ICYMI: Follow this link to Concerthopper.com to read my review from Tool w/ Elder Live at State Farm Arena (Atlanta) from January 24, 2024. You still have a chance to catch this tour, but you better act fast because many dates have sold out months ago:
April 16 Phoenix, AZ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
April 17 Phoenix, AZ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre SOLD OUT
April 18 San Diego, CA The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park SOLD OUT
April 20 Los Angeles, CA The Hollywood Bowl
April 21 Berkeley, CA Greek Theatre SOLD OUT
April 23 West Valley City, UT Maverik Center
April 25 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre SOLD OUT
April 26 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre SOLD OUT
April 30 Bonner Springs, KS Azura Amphitheater
May 1 Chicago, IL Wintrust Arena
May 2 Clarkston, MI Pine Knob Music Theatre
May 4 Forest Hills, NY Forest Hills Stadium
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