David Accomazzo at the Phoenix New Times recently caught up with Puscifer mastermind Maynard James Keenan, who proved to be difficult when asked questions about the band that made him a music icon, Tool. An excerpt from the story is available below:

He acknowledges that there was indeed humor in the Tool albums. But as with any time he's asked about Tool, his answers quickly become curt. A hint of exasperation creeps into his voice and he exhales heavily through his nose.

"Yeah, it's there," he says. "But people miss it because they're so focused on the other bullshit."

He shakes his head.

"It's lost. Insufferable people . . . It's just ridiculous, retards. I'm sorry. Can't help them. Way too serious. Too much. Lighten up."

Did he have to corral the other band members to play this one show in 2015?

"No, they had to con me into it."

Then the million-dollar question: When's the next Tool album coming out?

"There's nothing to say," he says. "I can't."

Go to this location for the complete feature, which focuses on the new Puscifer album Money Shot, due out on October 30th.

Puscifer, the Arizona-based outfit helmed by Maynard James Keenan, return with the electro-rock band’s third full-length album, Money Shot, on October 30th via Puscifer Entertainment. A full album stream can be found now at Pandora.

“Tossing out a few more cryptic Luchador flavored bread crumbs with this one,” says Maynard James Keenan of the Tim Cadiente/Puscifer directed clip, featuring the Flying Caliente Brothers, Clifton Collins Jr. (Westworld, Pacific Rim) and Jacob Vargas (Sons of Anarchy, Traffic). “Confused? Don't tweak your noodle. As with all of Puscifer's and Billy D's journeys, linear has no place here. Just embrace the chaos and enjoy the ride."

“It’s extremely satisfying to witness simple conversations and ideas transform into completed sonic landscapes. And to have these stories go above and beyond the initial ideas makes my grumpy heart swell three sizes,” said Maynard James Keenan. Puscifer celebrates the concept of creativity, invoking the audience “to create something with every breath drawn.” That sentiment takes center stage as Money Shot unfolds over its 10 songs.

Money Shot was produced by guitar player, programmer Mat Mitchell and Keenan with some additional awesome sauce coming from the one of a kind, bad ass Carina Round. “It’s such a pleasure to work on music with so many creative individuals. The intermix of influences and ideas made for an album I’m really proud of,” added Mitchell. Additional participants include Carina Round, Juliette Commagere, Devo Keenan, Tim Alexander, Jon Theodore, Jeff Friedl and Matt McJunkins, with Adam Rothlein directing the “Grand Canyon” video.

Puscifer's previous studio albums, the tongue-in-cheek V Is For V****a (2007) and the Spaghetti western-flavored Conditions Of My Parole (2011) both debuted in the Billboard Top 30. Puscifer was born in 1995 during Keenan’s participation in Laura Milligan’s Hollywood-based, underground variety stage show, Tantrum. The outfit’s first television appearance came via Mr. Show.  The multimedia troupe has morphed over its now 20-year history into a band that creates and blends insightful, captivating music coupled with jaw-dropping imagery and the more-than-occasional Kaufman-esque comedy.

Money Shot tracklisting:

“Galileo”
“Agostina”
“Grand Canyon”
“Simultaneous”
“Money Shot”
“The Arsonist”
“The Remedy”
“Smoke And Mirrors”
“Life Of Brian (Apparently You Haven’t Seen)”
“Autumn”

“Grand Canyon” video:

Puscifer will be returning to the road, kicking off a six-week outing on November 1st at the Monster Mash Festival in Phoenix.

“As is the Modus Operandi of Puscifer, there will be a whole new show to accompany the Money Shot release. We’ve been leaving a few clues here and there as to what it may entail,” said Maynard James Keenan.  “As usual, we prefer to Show rather than Tell. Odds are if you’ve been a fan of the diverse nature of our performances in the past, you’ll want to go ahead and place those bets.”

The live lineup for the Money Shot tour includes Keenan, Mat Mitchell, Carina Round, Jeff Friedl, Mahsa Zargaran and the newest addition, Paul Barker (Ministry, Lead Into Gold).

Tour dates:

November
1 - Phoenix, AZ - Monster Mash Festival
3 - Dallas, TX - Majestic Theatre
4 - Austin, TX - Bass Concert Hall
5 - San Antonio, TX - Tobin Center
7 - New Orleans, LA - Saenger Theatre
8 - Atlanta, GA - Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center
10 - Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium
11 - Bethesda, MD - Strathmore Theatre
12 - Boston, MA - The Orpheum Theatre
14 - New Haven, CT - Shubert Theatre
15 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore
17 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
18 - Albany, NY - Palace Theatre
20 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theatre
21 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre
22 - Kansas City, MO - Arvest Bank Theatre
24 - Denver, CO - Bellco Theatre
25 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kingsbury Hall
28 - Portland, OR - Keller Auditorium
29 - Spokane, WA - INB Performing Arts Center
30 - Calgary, AB - Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

December
2 - Vancouver, BC - Queen Elizabeth Theatre
3 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre
6 - Fresno, CA - Warnors Theatre
8 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater
10 - Los Angeles, CA - Ace Theatre
11 - Los Angeles, CA - Ace Theatre
12 - Las Vegas, NV - The Pearl at The Palms Casino