Tool Vocalist Maynard James Keenan Explains Why He Can’t Hear Crowds Live — And Why A Puscifer Song Wouldn’t Work On A Tool Stage

Tool and Puscifer may share the same frontman, but according to vocalist Maynard James Keenan, the two projects operate under very different live-performance realities — especially when it comes to what he can physically sing onstage.

During a recent conversation with producer and interviewer Rick Beato, Keenan opened up about the technical and environmental differences between the bands while discussing Puscifer’s latest release, ‘Normal Isn’t’. The discussion centered around the song “Pendulum,” which pushed his vocal range to a point that nearly made live performance impossible.

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Low Registers And Live Limitations

Keenan explained that recording a song and performing it live are two entirely different challenges, particularly when dealing with unusually low vocal passages.

“A song like that [‘Pendulum’], you do it and then you go, ‘Sh*t, can I play this live?’ Because it is a pretty low vocal register. So, we did it. We filmed it at The Exchange downtown, but I literally had to be in the back corner away from cymbals, amps, everything, because I had to be able to hear the vocal live. So, I think that was the most nerve-wracking part of that song — performing that live — is making sure that I could hear myself.”

When asked whether the track represents the lowest end of his usable range, Keenan confirmed that it essentially marks the limit — at least in a live setting.

“That’s it. As far as being able to play live, that’s the bottom of the range… And I could do that with this band. I couldn’t do that with Tool. Because all the ambient noise on stage with Danny’s drums and Adam’s 16 guitar amps and the bass and everything, I wouldn’t be able to do a song like this with Tool. Because it’s just too loud on stage.”

He added that Puscifer’s stage setup allows him to physically distance himself from louder instruments, something impossible within Tool’s massive live production.

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Why He Doesn’t Hear The Audience

Keenan also revealed that audiences might be surprised to learn he intentionally avoids hearing crowd reactions during performances altogether.

“…I like it to be bone dry. No audience sounds or anything out there. You don’t get to hear the accolades or the reaction. I can’t hear them… To me the most important part is that they hear an accurate and passionate version of this song.”

For Keenan, the priority isn’t interaction — it’s precision.

“It’s not about me and you adoring me. It has nothing to do with being adored. It has to do with presenting these songs the best we can. And the best way to do that is for me to not hear you. I have to hear Mat Mitchell. I have to hear the drums. I have to hear me in context.”

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The Problem With In-Ear Monitor Mixes

The vocalist also discussed how improper in-ear monitor mixes can affect singers’ pitch during live shows, noting that audiences sometimes misinterpret what they’re hearing.

“…There’s a lot of singers that you hear them live and they sound like they’re singing flat. It’s because their vocal is too loud over the music in their mix… their live vocal is so much louder than the music that they’re singing to an adjusted version of the music in their ear.”

He cited late Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell as an example.

“You know that guy can sing — there’s no question. But with his in-ear monitors, his vocal was so loud in his mix that he sounded like he was singing flat. He’s not flat. He’s singing to what he’s hearing.”

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Why Keenan Stays At The Back Of Tool’s Stage

Keenan’s famously minimal stage presence with Tool — often performing from an elevated platform behind the band — also comes down to practical reasons rather than mystique.

In a previous interview with Kerrang! in 2024, he explained that positioning himself away from the front helps both the band’s communication and the overall live mix.

“With Tool, Danny’s drums are so loud… and then you’ve got Adam’s row of amps and Justin’s wall of bass. It just makes it way harder for the front-of-house to have a mix if I’m down front. The position up top is also great because I can see what’s going on and we can connect with each other.”

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