Maynard James Keenan on New Tool Album: "If the Fruit's Not Ready, I Can't Pick It"

BY Calum SlingerlandPublished Nov 8, 2016

Last we heard of a new Tool album this month, those close to the group were explaining how "Tool 'fan' negativity" has an impact on the well-being of band members and the completion of a long-awaited new record. Now, frontman Maynard James Keenan is preaching patience to those who have had enough of waiting.

Currently touring his new biography A Perfect Union of Contrary Things, Keenan told the Wall Street Journal that further patience is the key from those looking to get their hands on a new Tool record.

"I really love Led Zeppelin, and it's a shame they're not making more records, more records. But I got up this morning without any problem," Keenan says. "We're working on it…Do I appear to you to be a lazy person who doesn't want to get that done?"

Keenan says it stems from a philosophy he applies not just to Tool-related business, but his whole life. "If the fruit's not ready, I can't pick it," he continued. "If it's not ready I move on to something else."

Tool's last album was 10,000 Days, which arrived in 2006, and of course since then, Keenan has indeed moved on to "something else" more than a few times.

Thanks to Alternative Nation for the tip.

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