A Perfect Circle brings “Eat the Elephant” to CFE Arena
A Perfect Circle’s “Eat the Elephant,” which dropped in April, represents the fourth studio record from the ethereal metal band since their debut in 2000. APC (as they are called) will perform at UCF’s CFE Arena on Oct. 30 (7:30 p.m., 12777 Gemini Blvd., Orlando, $47 and up, cfearena.com).
Created by former guitar technician Billy Howerdel, the band has been a magnet for talent over the years, with a constant presence from Howerdel and Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan. The current iteration also features Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha and former Eagles of Death Metal touring bassist Matt McJunkins.
Howerdel and Keenan operate as the songwriting arm of the band, with Howerdel handling the music and Keenan on lyrics. On the phone, Howerdel discussed their working relationship, the creation of the sound for this album and how he reaches his audience. Questions and answers have been edited for clarity.
Question: This was your first album in 14 years. How did your approach to it differ from previous efforts?
Answer: I go back and forth on that one. We kind of let the music dictate where it’s going to go. Once you get a collection of three or four songs, it starts to let you know where the whole body’s
going to go. And then, in waves, you catch maybe you’re missing one piece. Maybe there’s another sketch that’s going to fill this void.
Q: With the political focus of the songs, they felt less personal and inward than on previous albums. Was that something you were going for?
A: It’s not something I get involved in. I hand [Keenan] my musical ideas and then he starts to shape what he hears. He starts to communicate with words. I have the blank page and all the ability to present the ideas that I want. He’s listening, reacting and going from there. Then I try to work within his framework.
Q: What do you want to say to middle-aged people with your music?
A: This music was written where we are today. I’m 48. Maynard’s 54. I wasn’t approaching it from the idea of being that age. But I am writing it from the approach of my life experience of coming to this moment and informing the music. It’s not chasing youth; it’s not chasing the idea of being older. It’s just naturally and hopefully organically informing where the notes lie with all these experiences we’ve had.