Live music review: Experimental rockers Puscifer played Bass Hall on their Normal Isn’t Tour
Maynard James Keenan is 61 years old and still works with three bands, releases music at a steady rate, and still tours the globe like he’s 31. From fronting the progressive metal behemoths Tool, hard rock supergroup A Perfect Circle, and on Tuesday, March 24, at Bass Concert Hall with experimental rock stage spectacle-makers Puscifer, Keenan and his meticulously chosen associates take on his utmost creative oddities with undeniable passion. Like his outsized arena outfit Tool, Puscifer has maintained consistent membership throughout their history that sculpts a well-oiled machine that showcases Keenan, English co-vocalist Carina Round, and multi-instrumentalist Mat Mitchell, feeding the loyalists once again with their latest studio record Normal Isn’t for their 2026 tour that demonstrated no creative burnout – and a statement on the current concert industry itself.
Bass Concert Hall, located on the University of Texas campus, is an institution. With high-spirited staff who appeared to be openly welcoming to the attendees on Tuesday night, the vibes inside the swanky theater were immaculate, with fans sporting metal shirts of all kinds and, of course, Tool and A Perfect Circle gear. Fans of Maynard’s work often analyze his high concepts with studious concentration. Often watching fanmade analysis videos and every band interview they can to soak up what it all means. It’s fair to say Maynard is always keeping the fans guessing, and when he and whoever he decides to take on the road in a given period takes the stage, it all suddenly starts to make sense.
Puscifer took the stage with its original trio, joined by touring musicians Gunner Olsen on drums and Josh Moreau on bass guitar. This ensemble set the stage for the band’s signature eccentric performance, bringing out Maynard’s even weirder side. Before the show started, a cartoon duo appeared onscreen and told the crowd, “Put your cell phones away or be vaporized.” The audience was asked to respond loudly with “We understand!” before the concert could proceed. The message was clear: using our phones can distract us from meaningful moments, and Puscifer demanded everyone’s full, undivided attention.
Let’s start by saying the sound inside Bass was crisp and clear; every note, synth pulse, and vocal was heard with precise detail, an easy feat to mess up when it comes to Austin’s Live Nation and C3 staples, Stubb’s and Emo’s. With the “No phones” demand in full enforcement, ushers could be seen shutting down any spectators who attempted to film, snap pictures, or even check their smartwatches during the show. This reporter checked a text during the two-hour set, only to be met with a firm but polite venue worker who told me to cease any such action. The stage featured a two-tier setup, with Maynard first opting to sing the tunes from atop the structure, obscured by the stage lights, in his usual, mysterious, enigmatic fashion. The vocalist duo performs under the gothic personas with Keenan as Bellendia Black and Round as Fanny Grey, each giving the other ample spotlight time as the production progressed.
With the famed musicians’ reputation for attacking concepts with massive creative velocity, the evening’s performance featured the new record in its 11-track entirety. While this could seem disappointing for the “Greatest Hits” crowd that normally populate legacy artist appearances, this was not the case for the Puscifer superfans. Despite being a seated theater, the whole orchestra section of the room stood on their feet for the allotted runtime. One audience member could even be seen swinging their prosthetic leg around in a non-aggressive manner throughout the gig, only to be thwarted by staff every time they attempted the joyous stunt. My concert buddy actively encouraged the activity from our row. “Just let the folks go off, man!”
If you’ve watched interviews with Keenan over the years, you know the guy is no stranger to speaking his mind, even if he’s coming off with abrasive honesty. But when he’s onstage, it’s all about the business, and no playful banter was uttered from the stage. With this no BS approach and Bass Concert Hall being the first time I had seen any Maynard project in a live setting, it provided an uninterrupted, ideal introduction to his work.
The performance also featured a bizarre cooking show video, “Bangers and Mashups,” featuring an almost-silent Round and an apocalypse forecaster, Keenan, acting in character and brushing off the overzealous host. The onstage props also featured prop guns that Carina and Maynard appeared to use in a wild west-type standoff, possibly a nod to the ongoing wars around the world in 2026.
Despite being only a two-hour presentation, there was a pause in momentum for a 10-minute intermission. I guess all the greats need a break every now and again. The duo’s performative antics, alongside the stellar musical performances of the backing ensemble, proved a heavy rock delight, with drummer Olsen providing all the haunting tribal drumbeats and both guitarists delivering their syncopated, hypnotizing riffs. The synth work throughout the show was also impressive, possibly reminding some fans of the Nine Inch Nails “Peel It Back” tour stop in Austin a few weeks back. A masterclass in instrumentation, people expect nothing less from the likes of Puscifer.
The audience’s response made it feel like we weren’t in an upscale theater, but a gothic dance club where you and your dressed-in-black friends go to expel your off-kilter energy around the folks doing the same. Maynard even shouted out local goth club Elysium, go figure. For the last tune, Keenan lifted the cell phone ban, and people squeezed their snaps and social media stories in for the night. You gotta prove you were there, right? Puscifer doesn’t seek to match their studio perfection; they amplify it. That’s a simple but proven practice in honed longevity. Puscifer’s never lost an ounce of it.
Puscifer continues down the road this Spring through May 15 in Los Angeles, with tickets available via the band’s website. Thank you to Bass Concert Hall for a wonderful night.
All photos by Troy Gonzales
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