A Perfect Circle
November 8,2010
Avalon
Emerging from a five year hiatus, A Perfect Circle descended upon the Avalon in Hollywood to perform their platinum debut album Mer De Noms in its entirety to the delight of their hardcore fans. Boasting a slightly reconfigured line-up with the addition of Matt McJunkins on bass, A Perfect Circle received a large ovation immediately upon taking the stage. The chugging guitar power chords of “The Hollow” were razor sharp as performed by Billy Howerdel and ex-Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha.
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Maynard James Keenan was perched at the
back of the stage wearing a wig singing in his unmistakable style.
“Magdalena” was perfect with its slow methodical buildup before peeling
into its anthemic chorus and Howerdel's scorching guitar solo. Although
the album was released ten years ago, “Judith” sounded as vital and
urgent when it was released as Keenan delved deep to unfurl the
screaming parts of the song.
back of the stage wearing a wig singing in his unmistakable style.
“Magdalena” was perfect with its slow methodical buildup before peeling
into its anthemic chorus and Howerdel's scorching guitar solo. Although
the album was released ten years ago, “Judith” sounded as vital and
urgent when it was released as Keenan delved deep to unfurl the
screaming parts of the song.
“Orestes” was
jokingly referred to being titled as “Stan Freese” by Keenan which
provoked Josh Freese to conduct a rim shot on his drum kit being that it
was a reference to his father. An air of levity definitely perfused the
air as Keenan explained that these shows were about the band
reconnecting with each other, before elaborating that if they mess up it
was McJunkins's fault since he is the new guy.
Freese
expertly displayed his drum finesse chops during “3 Libras,” proving why
he is a highly sought after session drummer. A mini intermission
occurred when Iha took the spotlight to tell a few jokes. One such joke
was “Where does a penguin keep his money? In a snowbank.” Not missing a
beat, “Thomas” perfectly slithered its way into your conscience with its
sludgy guitars. Iha showed off his guitars skills during “Thinking of
You” by ably handling the guitar solo on his Gibson Les Paul.
expertly displayed his drum finesse chops during “3 Libras,” proving why
he is a highly sought after session drummer. A mini intermission
occurred when Iha took the spotlight to tell a few jokes. One such joke
was “Where does a penguin keep his money? In a snowbank.” Not missing a
beat, “Thomas” perfectly slithered its way into your conscience with its
sludgy guitars. Iha showed off his guitars skills during “Thinking of
You” by ably handling the guitar solo on his Gibson Les Paul.
Howerdel
energetically played the sliding guitar octaves of “Brena” occasionally
stomping his foot along with the beat. The mellow vibe of “Over” put
the final touches on the completion of Mer De Noms. The surprise
of the evening came when original A Perfect Circle member Troy Van
Leeuwen added guitars to the David Bowie cover “Ashes To Ashes.” Their
cover of John Lennon's “Imagine” ended the evening with Keenan telling
the crowd the band's future is uncertain but they know were they are
going cause “that's how they roll.”
energetically played the sliding guitar octaves of “Brena” occasionally
stomping his foot along with the beat. The mellow vibe of “Over” put
the final touches on the completion of Mer De Noms. The surprise
of the evening came when original A Perfect Circle member Troy Van
Leeuwen added guitars to the David Bowie cover “Ashes To Ashes.” Their
cover of John Lennon's “Imagine” ended the evening with Keenan telling
the crowd the band's future is uncertain but they know were they are
going cause “that's how they roll.”
Personal Bias: Mer De Noms is one of the few albums I still remember how to play on the guitar.
Crowd: A multitude of Tool and Nine Inch Nails t-shirts were spotted in the audience.
Overheard in the Crowd: “This is amazing!” was overheard multiple times throughout the evening.
Random Notebook Dump: I spotted former A Perfect Circle bassist Paz Lenchantin backstage while being escorted into the photo pit.
Setlist:
“The Hollow”
“Magdalena”
“Rose”
“Judith”
“Orestes”
“3 Libras”
“Sleeping Beauty”
“Thomas”
“Renholder”
“Thinking of You”
“Brena”
“Over”
“Ashes To Ashes (David Bowie cover)”
“Imagine (John Lennon cover)”
