Of the three bands led by Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer), the latter trio definitely isn’t the most…well, normal. MJK has called the experimental band his “creative subconscious,” which is evident from the goth/punk aesthetic of the new album Normal Isn’t and the delightfully un-normal accompanying live show.
In true MJK fashion, the set at The Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta, GA began in almost total darkness on stage as he and counterpart Carina Round’s soft echoing vocals introduced “Thrust,” the first track from the new album, while guitarist Mat Mitchell, touring drummer Gunnar Olsen, and touring bassist Greg Edwards provided its immersive music.
As they stepped down from the back of the stage and into the light, the elaborate costumes Puscifer is known for were on full display: Maynard (aka Bellendia Black), in an all-black suit and a black and white striped mohawk that defied gravity, as well as a stripe of red and black war paint across his eyes, and Carina (Fanny Grey) in a crimson gown with puffy sleeves and long black gloves. Both maintained detached, wide-eyed stares and almost robotic movements throughout the performance as it continued through the first half of Normal Isn’t, including “Self-Evident,” “Bad Wolf,” and the title track.
The band came to a full stop during “The Algorithm,” when a fan close to the stage had a medical problem that was addressed immediately. Maynard broke character for a brief moment to remind the crowd to “stay safe out there,” before shifting into “The Quiet Parts” and “Pendulum.”
After a bizarre but comical video entitled “Bangers and Mashups,” during which Bellendia Black and Fanny Grey were interviewed (for lack of better words), Puscifer returned to the music, departing from the new material to give some love to some older tunes, such as “The Arsonist,” and “The Remedy,” both from 2015’s Money Shot and “Bullet Train to Iowa” from 2020’s Existential Reckoning.
A ten-minute intermission allowed the crowd to scramble to the merch table/bar/bathroom, but all returned in time to count down the seconds until the show resumed, proving that there are no fans quite like Maynard’s fans out there, eager and attentive and always hungry for more. Beloved track “The Humbling River” got a new, quieter remix—still a great version, but the full band backing it would’ve fit better in the set, in my opinion—with fans singing back every word.
The fantastic new single “ImpetuoUs” came next, and with lyrics like “They’re all afraid. We’re not the same” and “Truth, lies, fake or factual, we don’t care, let’s just dance” it serves as a parallel of current affairs and the surrealism of this reality. With its punctuating heavy drums and a sick synth guitar, it’s arguably the best track on Normal Isn’t, and my favorite performance of the night.
Puscifer threw it back to 2007 with fan-favorite “Momma Sed,” from V is for Vagina, before an unexpected appearance from Atlanta’s own Puddles Pity Party, who burst onto the stage to perform a cover of “Conditions of My Parole,” with opener Dave Hill also joining in the fun. “A Public Stoning” was the perfect choice to close out the night, with its rather Tool-esque vibe and Maynard’s strong vocals taking center stage and leaving fans wanting more.
The Normal Isn’t tour is a bit dark at times, but it also doesn’t take itself too seriously (at one point Maynard and Carina were literally shooting little foam pellets at each other across the stage), evoking Maynard’s weird sense of humor and balancing both with ease. It’s a highly entertaining experience of theatrics, incredible music, visuals, and camaraderie that is unique to Puscifer alone. The Normal Isn’t tour continues its run through May 14th. Grab tickets below!
