page: 54
 title: Self Reliance, Not Self Promotion
author: Holly Bailey

	Intelligent lyrics are often a rare find among the cock-
rockers of heavy metal, so, maybe that's why Tool and its cerebral 
approach to music hasn't hit the mainstream. Then again, maybe it's 
the fact the Los Angeles-based quintet is most reclusive outfit in 
rock, a business which rewards image more then quality.
	Either way, Tool, since its first release in 1992, has been 
recognized by critics as the smartest metal band in years. In 
addition, the band has built an extensive grassroots following, all 
while resisting traditional means of exposure.
	Tool makes its first Oklahoma City appearance at 7:30 p.m. 
Tuesday at the Travel and Transportation Building (TNT) at the 
Fairgrounds, 333 Gordon Cooper Blvd. 
	Not surprisingly, the members of Tool declined to be 
interviewed in advance of their show next week. The band, following a 
philosophy of self reliance over self promotion, rarely grants 
promotional interviews or photo shoots.
	Instead, when its latest release "Aenima" was released 
in '96, Tool issues a list of quotations for music writers to use 
when writing about the band. Titled "Tool Speaks On...," the list 
covers every topic imaginable from touring to CD cover art to brush 
fires.
	The band's forays into music video are also rare, 
although "Aenima" did yield a spot for the single "Stinkfist." 
However, the video, directed in an ominous, stop-action format, gave 
more spotlight to horrific Claymation figures than the band. Not 
typical MTV fare, it won several special effects awards and garnered 
plenty of airplay.
	The video, as well as the creepy, 3-D cover art for "Aenima," 
was created by Adam Jones, Tool's guitarist.
	"We treat everything we do -- albums, art, posters and 
videos -- with as much thought as we put into writing and recording 
the record," Jones said.
	Tool's lack of media saturation only seems to increase the 
band's fan base. It's radio-hostile albums each have surpassed 
platinum status. And on the Internet, the outfit has garnered dozens 
of web-pages, all dedicated to dissecting and analyzing the band's 
music.
	The message found in "Aenima" and '93 "Undertow" can be 
summed up in one word -- think. Most of the band's songs are riddled 
with meaningful philosophic and scientific references. The message 
seems a little strange coming from a band which revels in pulverizing 
drums and power guitars. But Tool has never fit in the same category 
of metal bands as Motley Crue and Megadeth.
	Tool's sound can be described best as a nightmarish symphony, 
where the feeling is as ominous as the band's reclusive image.
	"People will mosh to anything these days," Jones said.
	"But there are those that the music reaches on a deeper 
psychological and subconscious level."
	Ticket for the show are $20 in advance at all OK Tickets 
outlets or $22.50 on the day of the show. They also can be charged by 
phone at 948-6800.
-Holly Bailey

Posted to t.d.n: 02/06/01 22:14:34