.

: Tool's frontman forms a Perfect Circle


4-20-00 1:15 PM PST 
Maynard James Keenan returns with his new band A Perfect Circle. Keenan is the bands vocalist and primary lyricist while Billy Howerdel acts as chief composer and guitarist to form the nucleus of the group. Rounding out the line up are Josh Freese of the Vandals on drums, Paz Lenchantin on bass and violin plus Troy Van Leeuwen on guitar. 

The band signed a major deal with Virgin Records in March and their debut album, Mer De Noms, will be in stores on May 23rd. It features 12 songs written by Keenan and Howerdel with the latter taking the helm as producer for the album as well. Alan Moulder (Nine  Inch Nails, The Smashing Pumpkins, U2) and Howerdel teamed up to mix the disc that Virgin Records anticipates will appeal to heavy metal and alternative fans alike.  The first single from the album, �judith�, went out to radio stations this week, so keep your ears open.  

 Virgin Records expects this new band to go far. In the formal press statement announcing the band�s signing to the label,  Nancy Berry the vice chairman  of Virgin Music Group Worldwide had this to say, "We are very excited that Billy and Maynard have chosen Virgin to be the worldwide home of A Perfect Circle. The group�s street credibility, powerful musicianship and unique sound rank them among the top rock/alternative artists today. A Perfect Circle will be a global priority for Virgin. We will give them the special attention and enthusiasm that Virgin is known for as we release Mer De Noms to deliver another worldwide success." 

Currently A Perfect Circle is on tour with Nine Inch Nails in North America. 

Nine Inch Nails with A Perfect Circle tour dates 04/17 -Minneapolis, MN - Target Center
04/18 -Milwaukee, WI -U.S. Cellular Arena
04/20 -Indianapolis, IN -Conseco Fieldhouse
04/21 -Chicago, IL -UIC Pavilion
04/22 -Madison, WI -Dane Co. Expo Ctr. Col.
04/25 -Grand Rapids, MI -Van Andel Arena
04/26 -Chicago, IL -UIC Pavilion
04/28 -Toronto, ON -Maple Leaf Gardens
04/29 -Buffalo, NY -HSBC Arena
04/30 -Montreal, QC -Molson Centre
05/02 -Worcester, MA -The Centrum
05/03 -Providence, RI -Providence Civic Center
05/04 -Hartford, CT -Hartford Civic Center
05/06 -Philadelphia, PA -First Union Spectrum
05/07 -Burgettstown, PA -Post-Gazette Pavilion @Star Lake
05/09 -New York, NY -Madison Square Garden
05/12 -Columbia, MD -Merriweather Post
05/13 -Raleigh, NC -Alltel Pavilion @ Walnut Creek
05/14 -Charlotte, NC -Blockbuster Pavilion
05/17 -Miami, FL -Miami Arena
05/18 -Lakeland, FL -Lakeland Center
05/20 -Atlanta, GA -Lakewood Amphitheatre
05/22 -Houston, TX -Compaq Center
05/23 -Dallas, TX -Starplex Amphitheatre
05/25 -New Orleans, LA -New Orleans Arena
05/27 -Maryland Hgts., MO -Riverport Amphitheatre
05/28 -Kansas City, MO -Kemper Arena
05/30 -Omaha, NE -Omaha Civic Auditorium
06/02 -Las Vegas, NV -Thomas & Mack Center
06/04 -Phoenix, AZ -Arizona Mem. Coliseum
06/06 -Anaheim, CA -Arrowhead Pond
06/07 -San Francisco, CA -Cow Palace
06/09 -George, WA -The Gorge
06/10 -Portland, OR -Rose Garden Arena
06/12 -Spokane, WA -Spokane Arena
06/13 -Vancouver, BC -General Motors Place
06/15 -Nampa, ID -Idaho Center
06/17 -West Valley, UT -E Center
06/18 - Denver, CO -To Be Announced

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