"Tool's Maynard James Keenan's early music success traced back to a popular 90's comedy tune, famously beginning with the phrase 'not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin'"
Maynard James Keenan, the renowned rock star known for his work with Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer, had an interesting start in the music industry. Before becoming a household name, Keenan was a member of the comedy-punk pranksters Green Jello, a novelty/rap rock band known for their song "Three Little Pigs" and their unique video-only style.
Green Jello was founded by Bill Manspeaker in 1981. Keenan joined the band around the same time that Tool was formed in 1990, alongside Adam Jones, Danny Carey, and Paul D'Amour. Manspeaker managed to secure $60,000 from the label for Green Jello, which was used to produce their long-form video album Cereal Killer.
Cereal Killer was released on VHS in October 1992 and featured 11 tracks, including a twisted version of the nursery rhyme Three Little Pigs. The video for this track was notable for featuring the voices of Primus' Les Claypool, comedian Pauly Shore, and Keenan himself as the pigs.
Keenan lived with Manspeaker at the Jello Loft, an apartment-come-HQ on Hollywood Boulevard. During his time there, he sold lizards for a living. Cereal Killer was a success, and the track "Three Little Pigs" was released as an audio album in March 1993, gaining significant radio play. It reached the US Top 20 and Number 5 in the UK, making it Keenan's first hit song.
Prior to forming Tool, Keenan played bass and sang in local Michigan bands texANS and Children Of The Anachronistic Dynasty. Danny Carey, who would later join Tool as the drummer, played drums on Cereal Killer, credited as Danny Longlegs.
Green Jello and Tool both signed with Zoo Records in 1991. Around the same time, Tool's debut EP, Opiate, was released in March 1992. It is unclear how Keenan balanced his time between the two bands, but his contributions to Green Jello were significant, helping to shape their unique sound.
Manspeaker described Puscifer, another one of Keenan's projects, as "Maynard James Keenan's Green Jelly," suggesting a similar sense of humor in both projects. While Green Jello disbanded in 1995, Keenan's career with Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer continues to thrive, leaving a lasting impact on the rock music industry.
- Maynard James Keenan, the acclaimed frontman known for his work with various bands, started in the music scene as a member of Green Jello, a comedy-punk band famous for their song "Three Little Pigs."
- Green Jello's founder, Bill Manspeaker, secured a $60,000 fund from the label, which was utilized to produce the band's long-form video album Cereal Killer in 1992.
- The album Cereal Killer was released on VHS and featured the twisted version of the nursery rhyme "Three Little Pigs," with Primus' Les Claypool, comedian Pauly Shore, and Keenan himself providing voices.
- Prior to his time with Green Jello, Keenan played bass and provided vocals in local Michigan bands called texANS and Children Of The Anachronistic Dynasty.
- Danny Carey, who later became Tool's drummer, contributed to Green Jello's success by playing drums on Cereal Killer, credited as Danny Longlegs.
- Both Green Jello and Tool signed with Zoo Records in 1991, around the same time Tool released their debut EP, Opiate, in March 1992.
- The unique sound of Green Jello was partly shaped by Keenan's significant contributions, despite the ambiguity surrounding how he managed to balance his time between the two bands.
- Maynard James Keenan's project Puscifer was described by Manspeaker as "Maynard James Keenan's Green Jelly," suggesting a similar comedic element present in both.
- Despite Green Jello disbanding in 1995, Maynard James Keenan's career with Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer has continued to flourish, contributing significantly to the rock music entertainment landscape.
