This weekend, the members of Tool will reconvene for their first and only performance of 2015 as they headline the Monster Mash Music Festival in Tempe, Arizona. It’s unlikely the band’s live return will coincide with the release of new music, however. In fact, by all accounts, frontman Maynard James Keenan wants nothing to do with the band, or their fans.

In anticipation of Tool’s performance at Monster Mash, Keenan spoke with David Accomazzo of the Phoenix New Times. Understandably many of the questions posed to him were about his three-time Grammy Award-winning rock band. “But as with any time he’s asked about Tool, his answers quickly become curt,” Accomazzo notes, “A hint of exasperation creeps into his voice and he exhales heavily through his nose.”



Asked about the humor found in Tool’s albums, Keenan responded, “Yeah, it’s there, but people miss it because they’re so focused on the other bullshit.” He added, “It’s lost. Insufferable people … It’s just ridiculous, retards. I’m sorry. Can’t help them. Way too serious. Too much. Lighten up.”

In the interview, Keenan also admitted that the rest of the band “had to con me into” playing the Monster Mash performance, and when it comes to Tool’s long-awaited new album, he replied simply, “There’s nothing to say. I can’t.”

Instead, Keenan appears focused solely on his other band, Puscifer, which is set to appear at Monster Mash, ironically enough. In the interview, he also spoke extensively about his burgeoning wine business.