US MAPLE versus TOOL

I already see you jump up in anger – or rather scratch your head in disbelief. How man of you know both bands: US Maple and Tool. (Okay, a lot more people know Tool according to sales figures, but as far as understanding goes, I am not so sure.) But the important question is: what do these two bands have in common? Why do I pack them into one article? Well, that’s what I am here to tell you.

 1. Systemism / Structuralism

Comparing these two bands is a fine practice in structuralism and system-theory. Bands are never independent entities floating in their own artistic universe. There are people in these bands, there are manifestations like records and concerts, there is a record company, there is the music press and, last but not least, there are the fans. Moreover, there is the music press, who forms and formulates opinions and reflections (of various quality) on bands and, of course, everyone listing to the music has his / her own opinion. This, lets call it the Status, is one side. It is where the band is located on the chessboard

Another side is, how the band behaves inside this very complex network of relationships and requirements. This is their creative or artistic output as well as their marketing. Of course, with every new song a band writes, plays or records, it has to re-situate itself somewhere, either trying to keep their style or making a (voluntary or subconscious) effort to produce something different. It is the moves the band makes on the chessboards.

On a third side, there are all the other bands subsumed under the general music-scene, trends, hypes and whatever you’d call popular at the time (or not). From Top of the Pops to the undermost underground, everything can be counted into these calculation. It is all the other bands on the chessboard.

My theory now is, in short, that, even though US Maple and Tool are obviously very different bands, who are really far from each other on the chessboard, their constellation towards those surrounding them and their moves are actually quite similar. I guess, I have to expand on that.

 2. Status

Tool as well as US Maple are outsider-bands. Critics like them, only few people (critics included) understand them or even try to. US Maple are one of the weirdest bands in Noiserock-History (I am talking about their music). Don’t let anybody tell you different. Compare them to the God Bullies or the Royal Trux and you know what I mean. Tool are one of the weirdest bands ever mentioned in heavy-metal-magazines. Compare them to Motorhead or Sepultura and you know what I mean.

Both bands cloud themselves in obscurity and rumours, but still keep on releasing records, even if in somewhat irregularly. And every new record is greeted with big applause by some people. With Tool, rumours were spread that after the success of Maynard James Keenan with A Perfect circle, there won’t ever be a new Tool-record. With US Maple, rumours were spread that after the “success” of Alan Stephan Johnson’s drug-addiction, there won’t ever be US Maple again. Proven wrong both times.

Some people like things they don’t grasp in their entirety but they still know, that they have something big, new and important in front of them. They like the experience, the artistic discovery as well as the knowledge of being one of the first to know. These people make up the biggest part of the audiences of both bands, because only people who like to challenge themselves can ever come to the forefront.

And both bands satisfy in this aspect. “Lateralus” is progressive metal in the best sense of the word. The average metal-fan will not understand or be able to like this. “Acme” by US Maple might be their straightest and most accessible record to date, but that is still pretty far out. No, the average alternative-fan won’t have a lot of fun with it.

(On a side note: the average US Maple fan wouldn’t be able to like Tool and vice versa – which makes the comparison even more complex and interesting.)

 3. Strategy

It is safe to say, that neither Tool nor US Maple want to reach the average fan. They don’t want to make average music. They abhor mediocrity. Both have an artistic vision – as different as they might be – that makes them explore the outermost territories of their genres. They try to use their instruments in completely new and different ways, but always within certain boundaries. Of course, the metal-genre puts more and heavier restraints on Tool than the alternative-genre (name says it) on US Maple. But US Maple refrain from using computers or even lots of effect pedals, and even though they made up these restrictions for themselves, they are still bound by them.

Regarding the strictness of their genres, Tool might even be the more daring and progressive band of the two. It is like, being a punker in Afghanistan is more dangerous than being a punker Los Angeles. Are you still with me?

This exploration of the outskirts of their musical genres is not (only) an end in itself, but a conscious decision by the bands. Both bands. Moreover, believe it or not, both bands consist of exceptionally talented musicians. Not only are they able to remember the most complex structures of songs, strange combinations and harmonies, but they are also daring and brave enough to always incorporate new ideas into their music. Without betraying what they have done before, I should add.

Do I have to add, that both bands but a lot of effort and importance on record-covers and packaging?

 4. Summary

Two very different but very good bands with a slew of good records, who have more in common than you might have suspected (even though all the differences you might have expected are still there). Don’t be sad or proud or whatever, if you can’t enjoy both bands – chances are good you won’t like both, actually – accept it the way it is. Can’t be helped anyway. But if you want to push some boundaries, especially those within yourself, you could at least try.