Maynard James Keenan on Alex Honnold’s Tool Playlist: “Actually Depressing”
Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan has expressed a surprising sentiment regarding Alex Honnold’s choice of music during his historic free solo climb of the Taipei 101 skyscraper: he finds the attention it’s received “depressing.” Honnold’s playlist, heavily featuring Tool alongside artists like Linkin Park and The Used, went viral after his record-breaking ascent was broadcast live on Netflix last month.
Honnold’s Record-Breaking Climb
Alex Honnold completed the ascent of the 101-floor, 1,667-foot Taipei 101 building in one hour and 31 minutes, setting a new record for the tallest urban free solo climb in history . The climb was undertaken without ropes or a safety net and was documented for a Netflix special that has garnered widespread praise.
The Playlist and Its Impact
Honnold revealed to Variety that his playlist, created months prior while driving, was instrumental in pacing his climb. “It was mostly Tool […] I just know how long the songs are. So it gives you a sense of if you’re going fast or slow,” he explained . The playlist included eight Tool songs, including “Forty Six & 2” and “Schism,” as well as tracks from Chevelle, The Offspring, and The Used .
Keenan’s Reaction
In a recent interview with NME, Keenan shared his thoughts on the playlist’s prominence. “It’s actually depressing that what gets the attention is not the fact that this idiot is climbing that building, which is still impressive, it’s the playlist,” he stated . He acknowledged Honnold’s bravery, saying, “My God, man. The balls to do what he did.” However, he too expressed frustration that Honnold’s achievement was being overshadowed by the musical selection .
Keenan added, “For him, all his accomplishments get overshadowed by a rock band that can’t put out records in a very timely fashion. That’s pretty weird.”
Puscifer’s New Album
Keenan also discussed Puscifer’s new album, ‘Normal Isn’t,’ the follow-up to 2020’s ‘Existential Reckoning,’ with NME. He emphasized the band’s commitment to challenging themselves creatively . Puscifer will be touring the US later this month.