Puscifer
Encyclopedia
Puscifer
is a side project of Maynard James Keenan
Maynard James Keenan
Maynard James Keenan is an American rock singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, winemaker, and actor. Originally from Ohio, Keenan spent his high school and college years in Michigan. After serving in the Army in the early 1980s, he attended Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids...

 from the bands Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...

 and A Perfect Circle
A Perfect Circle
A Perfect Circle is an American rock supergroup formed in 1999 by guitarist Billy Howerdel and Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan. The original incarnation of the band also included Paz Lenchantin on bass, Troy Van Leeuwen on guitar, and Tim Alexander on drums...

. As Keenan is the only permanent member and he considers the project to be his "creative subconscious", Puscifer could also be considered a pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...

 for his solo work.

Background

Puscifer's original name was Umlaut, "a premiere improvisational hardcore band". The name "Puscifer" was first publicized as a fictional band in the first episode of Mr. Show
Mr. Show
Mr. Show with Bob and David is an American sketch comedy series featuring former Saturday Night Live writer/actor Bob Odenkirk and stand up comedian/actor David Cross...

, including Keenan and Adam Jones
Adam Jones (musician)
Adam Thomas Jones is a three time Grammy Award-winning Welsh-American musician and visual artist, best known for his position as the guitarist for Grammy-Award winning band Tool. Jones has been rated the 75th Greatest Guitarist of all time by the Rolling Stone and placed 9th in Guitar World's Top...

 as members. Jones is not associated with Puscifer otherwise, although artwork by Jones has been featured on Puscifer apparel (the "Your Mom's a Bitch" shirt, specifically). Keenan describes Puscifer as "simply a playground for the various voices in my head, [...] a space with no clear or discernible goals, [...] where my Id, Ego
Id, ego, and super-ego
Id, ego and super-ego are the three parts of the psychic apparatus defined in Sigmund Freud's structural model of the psyche; they are the three theoretical constructs in terms of whose activity and interaction mental life is described...

, and Anima
Anima (Jung)
The anima and animus, in Carl Jung's school of analytical psychology, are the two primary anthropomorphic archetypes of the unconscious mind, as opposed to both the theriomorphic and inferior-function of the shadow archetypes, as well as the abstract symbol sets that formulate the archetype of the...

 all come together to exchange cookie recipes." Keenan has reportedly been working on short films with Ford Englerth and Jeffrey Brooks from Red Rock Entertainment Development that may be shown on an upcoming tour. These shorts are done in a similar manner to that of Mr. Show and Tom Waits
Tom Waits
Thomas Alan "Tom" Waits is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."...

' Big Time.

Puscifer is "as much a clothing line as it is a band", with the clothing items produced in limited numbers. Keenan collaborated on a leather jacket
Leather jacket
A leather jacket is a type of clothing—a jacket-length coat—usually worn on top of other apparel, and made from the tanned hide of various animals. The leather material is typically dyed black, or various shades of brown, but a wide range of colors is possible...

 with Paul Frank
Paul Frank
Paul Frank is an American cartoonist, artist and fashion designer. His creations adorn clothing, accessories, and many other products...

. On September 16, 2008, Keenan updated the puscifer.com blog, revealing that the first ever Puscifer store would be opening "hopefully" by October 1 in Jerome
Jerome, Arizona
Jerome is a town in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 353.-History:...

, Arizona. Occupying a small space above a tattoo parlor, the store opened on October 3, 2008. In addition to the merchandise available on the band's online store, Keenan has also made available locally-roasted coffee, art, and an ever-changing list of limited edition collectibles.

"V" Is for Vagina

On April 10, 2007, Keenan posted on the official website that a release would be aimed for mid-October. A newer post on June 25, 2007 stated that Joe Barresi
Joe Barresi
Joe Barresi is an American record engineer and producer who has worked with bands such as Kyuss, The Melvins, Tool, Queens of the Stone Age, Coheed and Cambria, Tomahawk, L7, The Jesus Lizard, Parkway Drive and Bad Religion.-Biography:...

 mixed the first song, which would have a music video, as well as an alternate version of "Cuntry Boner
Cuntry Boner
"Cuntry Boner" is a song by Puscifer, the song is released as the first ever commercial retail single from the act. Though released a month prior, the song is not featured on the debut album "V" Is for Vagina. It is the first song of theirs to be released that is not from a soundtrack or a remix...

", and would likely be released as a CD single with bonus tracks. Further mixing would be done by Keenan and Alan Moulder
Alan Moulder
Alan Moulder is one of Britain's premier alternative rock record producers. He has worked with such artists as Depeche Mode, Erasure, Elastica, Gary Numan, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Curve, Ride, Lush and My Bloody Valentine, Lostprophets, Shihad, Ivyrise and Placebo, as well as with many American...

 by August.

Keenan announced at the end of July that the album would be titled "V" Is for Vagina and, a few days later, he announced that the first single would be "Queen B.
Queen B.
"Queen B." is the first single released from the album "V" Is for Vagina by Puscifer. It peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart in late 2007...

" with a video released in late September. On October 1, "Queen B." appeared on the podcast on puscifer.com. This was followed by the podcast release of "Trekka" on October 7. The album was released on October 30 and debuted at #25 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...

, as well as #1 on the Billboard Indie charts.

On October 17, 2008, an official music video for the song Momma Sed was released online via the official Puscifer YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....

 channel. A new dub remix album also appeared at the official website's store completely by Lustmord
Lustmord
Brian Williams is a British electronic musician often credited for creating the dark ambient genre with albums recorded under the name Lustmord.- History :Williams started recording as Lustmord in 1980 before joining SPK in 1982...

, entitled "D" Is for Dubby - The Lustmord Dub Mixes
"D" Is for Dubby - The Lustmord Dub Mixes
"D" is For Dubby – The Lustmord Dub Mixes is a remix album by Puscifer, a side project of Maynard James Keenan, which was released as a digital download on 17 October 2008...

.

"V" Is for Vagina has sold 112,000 copies.

"V" Is for Viagra. The Remixes

A remix album entitled "V" Is for Viagra was released on April 29, 2008. It contains ten remixes of tracks from the first Puscifer album "V" Is for Vagina, as well as two remixes of the non-album single "Cuntry Boner". It features remixes by Dave "Rave" Ogilvie of Skinny Puppy
Skinny Puppy
Skinny Puppy is a Canadian industrial musical group, formed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1982. The group is widely considered to be the founders of the electro-industrial genre....

, Lustmord
Lustmord
Brian Williams is a British electronic musician often credited for creating the dark ambient genre with albums recorded under the name Lustmord.- History :Williams started recording as Lustmord in 1980 before joining SPK in 1982...

, Renholder, Paul Barker
Paul Barker
Paul Barker , also referred to as Hermes Pan, is the former bass guitarist, producer and engineer with the industrial metal band Ministry from 1986 to 2004...

 from Ministry
Ministry (band)
Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...

, Telefon Tel Aviv
Telefon Tel Aviv
Telefon Tel Aviv is a Chicago, Illinois-based American electronic music act. Formerly comprising Charles Cooper and Joshua Eustis, Telefon Tel Aviv continues with Eustis as the sole official member since Cooper's death in 2009.-History:...

, among others.

Two of the tracks from the album, Indigo Children (JLE Dub Mix) and Momma Sed (Tandimonium Mix), appear on the official soundtrack for the video game Need for Speed: Undercover
Need for Speed: Undercover
Need for Speed: Undercover is the 12th installment of the popular racing video game series Need for Speed, developed by EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts . It was released on PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, and mobile...

.

"V" Is for Viagra has sold 23,000 copies.

"C" Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference Here)

"C" Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference Here) was announced on the toolarmy.com and Puscifer websites on October 12, 2009, and was released on November 10, 2009. The EP contains six tracks; four previously unreleased songs, and two live recordings of tracks from "V" is For Vagina, which were recorded from the Club Nokia shows on Puscifer's 2009 tour.

The EP has sold 10,000 copies

The song "Rocket Mantastic" was later released.
This is the self'censored actual title that is on the cover art and not an attempt at censorship.

Conditions of My Parole

"Man Overboard," the first single from the album, became available via iTunes and other digital service providers on July 19, 2011.

Conditions of My Parole
Conditions of My Parole
Conditions of My Parole is the second studio album by Puscifer. The album was produced by Keenan, Mat Mitchell and Josh Eustis. Contributing musicians for the album include the aforementioned Keenan, Mitchell, and Eustis as well as Carina Round, Juliette Commagere, Matt McJunkins, Jeff Freidl, Gil...

was recorded at Jerome, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...

 in spring 2011 with tracking done amidst the wine barrels from Keenan's Caduceus Cellars. The album was produced by Keenan, Mat Mitchell and Josh Eustis. Contributing musicians for the new album include the aforementioned Keenan, Mitchell, and Eustis as well as Carina Round
Carina Round
Carina Round is a British singer/songwriter from Wolverhampton in the West Midlands of England.Comparisons are frequently drawn to PJ Harvey, though Round would contend that she is more directly influenced by Patti Smith.- Background :...

, Juliette Commagere
Juliette Commagere
Juliette Commagere is a Los Angeles based singer/songwriter who previously worked with the band Hello Stranger and The Bird and the Bee. She has toured with Nick Lowe, Ry Cooder, Pete Yorn and played the Download Festival with Bat for Lashes as well as co-headlined the 2nd annual Manimal Festival...

, Matt McJunkins
Matt McJunkins
Matt McJunkins is a studio and touring bass player who currently resides in Los Angeles, California. He plays bass in A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, Ashes Divide and recently 30 Seconds to Mars. He also sings backup vocals in all of these bands and plays some keyboard and guitar for Puscifer.- Early...

, Jeff Freidl, Gil Sharone
Gil Sharone
Gil Sharone is an American drummer and member of the band Stolen Babies, and formerly The Dillinger Escape Plan. He was also a fill in for punk rock band +44. His twin brother is Rani Sharone, also of Stolen Babies....

 and Rani Sharone
Rani Sharone
Rani Sharone is the bassist for the bands Otep and Stolen Babies. He is the twin brother of Gil Sharone, the drummer of the same band and formerly of Dillinger Escape Plan.-Biography:...

, Jonny Polonsky, Tim Alexander
Tim Alexander
Tim "Herb" Alexander is an American musician, best known as the former drummer for the rock band Primus. Tim played on the Primus recordings Suck on This to Tales from the Punchbowl, before leaving the band in 1996, only to rejoin in 2003 for the EP Animals Should Not Try to Act Like People...

, Devo Keenan, Alessandro Cortini
Alessandro Cortini
Alessandro Cortini is an Italian musician best known for touring and recording with the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails from 2004 to 2008. Currently, Cortini is also the frontman for the Los Angeles based electronic-alternative band SONOIO. In addition, he was a touring member of The...

, Sarah Jones
Sarah Jones
Sarah Jones is a Tony- and Obie Award-winning American playwright, actress, and poet.Called "a master of the genre" by The New York Times, Jones has written and performed four multi-character solo shows, including Bridge & Tunnel, which was produced Off-Broadway in 2004 by Oscar-winner Meryl...

, and Jon Theodore
Jon Theodore
Jon Philip Theodore is a drummer, formerly a member of The Mars Volta. He has become best known for his explosive, multi-textural and dynamic playing style.-History:...

.

It debut at #27 on the Billboard charts with 12,111 copies sold in its first week. With street date violations added in it sits at 12,337 copies sold after one week according to Soundscan.

Live shows

In February 2009, Keenan debuted Puscifer with shows in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...

. Throughout the year, he continued to perform with a revolving lineup, but limited concerts to the Southwest. However, in a November 2009 interview, Keenan stated: "Efforts to confine our beloved enigma to the Southwestern United States have been thwarted. We are compelled beyond all reason to bring the noise Eastward and share our special sauce. Although authorities suggest you be prepared for any and all possibilities, we simply suggest you arrive happy and hungry."

Keenan will take Puscifer on tour again in the fall and winter of 2011 in support of the newly released "Conditions of My Parole." This tour will cover a larger swath of the United States than previous West Coast-only tours.

Members

According to Keenan's MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....

 profile with regards to members, the band includes As of the latest release
"C" Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference HERE)
- Vinyl :Vinyl re-release with two bonus tracks.- Personnel :* Tim Alexander – Drums* Juliette Commagere - Additional Vocals, Acoustic Guitar* Joshua Eustis – Piano, Keyboards* Jeff Friedl - Drums* Milla Jovovich - Additional Vocals...

, Keenan has recorded material with Lustmord
Lustmord
Brian Williams is a British electronic musician often credited for creating the dark ambient genre with albums recorded under the name Lustmord.- History :Williams started recording as Lustmord in 1980 before joining SPK in 1982...

, Mat Mitchell, Jonny Polonski, Tim Alexander
Tim Alexander
Tim "Herb" Alexander is an American musician, best known as the former drummer for the rock band Primus. Tim played on the Primus recordings Suck on This to Tales from the Punchbowl, before leaving the band in 1996, only to rejoin in 2003 for the EP Animals Should Not Try to Act Like People...

, Tim Commerford
Tim Commerford
Timothy Robert Commerford , also known by his various monikers/stage names is the bassist/backing vocalist for American alternative metal band Rage Against The Machine and the now-defunct supergroup Audioslave.-Biography:Tim Commerford was born on February...

, Brad Wilk
Brad Wilk
Brad Wilk is an American musician, best known as the drummer of the American rock bands Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave.-Family and early life:...

, Joey Jordison
Joey Jordison
Joey Jordison , is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his work as the drummer for the nu metal band Slipknot. He grew up in Waukee, Iowa with his parents and two sisters, and was given his first drum kit at the age of 8...

, Ainjel Emme
Ainjel Emme
Ainjel Emme is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer.-Background:Born in Oakland, California, Ainjel Emme spent her early childhood in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, and Venice, California before settling in Austin, Texas in 1991. She has maintained...

, Josh Eustis of Black Light Burns
Black Light Burns
Black Light Burns are a rock band fronted by Wes Borland, of Limp Bizkit. The band's original studio lineup consisted of Borland, Danny Lohner, Josh Eustis and Josh Freese. Their debut album Cruel Melody, was released on June 5, 2007. The band released a covers and b-sides CD/DVD combo package in...

 & Telefon Tel Aviv
Telefon Tel Aviv
Telefon Tel Aviv is a Chicago, Illinois-based American electronic music act. Formerly comprising Charles Cooper and Joshua Eustis, Telefon Tel Aviv continues with Eustis as the sole official member since Cooper's death in 2009.-History:...

, Gil Sharone
Gil Sharone
Gil Sharone is an American drummer and member of the band Stolen Babies, and formerly The Dillinger Escape Plan. He was also a fill in for punk rock band +44. His twin brother is Rani Sharone, also of Stolen Babies....

, Rani Sharone and Trey Gunn
Trey Gunn
Trey Gunn is an American musician, known for his membership in progressive rock band King Crimson from 1994 to 2003, playing Warr Guitar and Chapman Stick.-Biography:...

, Carina Round, John Oliver, Juliette Commagere, Matt McJunkins, Jeff Freidl, Gil and Rani Sharone, Jonny Polonsky, Devo Keenan (his son), Alessandro Cortini, Dimitri Martin, Sarah Jones and Jon Theodore
Jon Theodore
Jon Philip Theodore is a drummer, formerly a member of The Mars Volta. He has become best known for his explosive, multi-textural and dynamic playing style.-History:...

 as well as many other musicians.

Discography

Studio albums
  • "V" Is for Vagina (October 30, 2007)
  • Conditions of My Parole
    Conditions of My Parole
    Conditions of My Parole is the second studio album by Puscifer. The album was produced by Keenan, Mat Mitchell and Josh Eustis. Contributing musicians for the album include the aforementioned Keenan, Mitchell, and Eustis as well as Carina Round, Juliette Commagere, Matt McJunkins, Jeff Freidl, Gil...

    (October 18, 2011) #86 CAN


Remix albums
  • "V" Is for Viagra. The Remixes (April 29, 2008)
  • "D" Is for Dubby – The Lustmord Dub Mixes (October 17, 2008)
  • Sound into Blood into Wine
    Sound Into Blood Into Wine
    Sound Into Blood Into Wine is the soundtrack for the movie Blood Into Wine, starring Maynard James Keenan and Eric Glomski.-Track listing:#"Sour Grapes" — 7:27...

    (September 7, 2010)


EPs
  • Don't Shoot the Messenger
    Don't Shoot the Messenger
    Don't Shoot the Messenger is an EP by Puscifer. Three of the tracks were previously released on soundtracks, "Trekka " being the only exception...

    (October 9, 2007)
  • "C" Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference Here)
    "C" Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference HERE)
    - Vinyl :Vinyl re-release with two bonus tracks.- Personnel :* Tim Alexander – Drums* Juliette Commagere - Additional Vocals, Acoustic Guitar* Joshua Eustis – Piano, Keyboards* Jeff Friedl - Drums* Milla Jovovich - Additional Vocals...

    (November 10, 2009)


Singles
  • "Cuntry Boner
    Cuntry Boner
    "Cuntry Boner" is a song by Puscifer, the song is released as the first ever commercial retail single from the act. Though released a month prior, the song is not featured on the debut album "V" Is for Vagina. It is the first song of theirs to be released that is not from a soundtrack or a remix...

    " (2007)
  • "Queen B.
    Queen B.
    "Queen B." is the first single released from the album "V" Is for Vagina by Puscifer. It peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart in late 2007...

    " (2007)
  • "DoZo" (2008)
  • "The Mission" (2009)
  • "Man Overboard" (2011)
  • "Conditions of My Parole" (2011)


Music videos/DVDs
  • "Cuntry Boner" (2007)
  • "Queen B." (2008)
  • "DoZo" (2008)
  • "Momma Sed" (2008)
  • "The Mission" (2009)
  • "Man Overboard" (2011)
  • "Conditions of My Parole" [Short Version] (2011)


Contributions
Song Length Compilation Track
"REV 22:20" 4:39 Underworld (2003) 2
"REV 22:20 (REV 4:20 Mix)" (Remixed by Charlie Clouser
Charlie Clouser
Charles Alexander "Charlie" Clouser is an American musician whose activities include playing keyboard, synth, theremin, and drums. He is known for his abilities in music programming, engineering, mixing, and remixing. He was a member of the band Nine Inch Nails 1994–2000. Before he was in Nine...

)
4:47 Saw II (2005) 6
"The Undertaker (Renholdër
Danny Lohner
Daniel Patrick "Danny" Lohner , frequently known as Renholdër, is an American rock musician who plays bass guitar, electric guitar, and keyboards. He worked with Trent Reznor on numerous occasions, both with Nine Inch Nails and on the now defunct Tapeworm project...

 Mix)"
3:57 Underworld: Evolution (2006) 1
"Lighten Up, Francis (JLE Dub Mix)" 4:34 Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009) 1
"Holiday on the Moon (Puscifer Mix)" 5:08 "New Tales to Tell: A Tribute to Love and Rockets
Love and Rockets (band)
Love and Rockets were an English alternative rock band formed in 1985 by former Bauhaus members Daniel Ash , David J , and Kevin Haskins . Former Bauhaus vocalist Peter Murphy had embarked on a solo career after Bauhaus split in 1983...

" (2009)
1
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