As the frontman for prominent avant garde rock acts Tool, A Perfect Circle, and PusciferMaynard James Keenan knows a thing or two about originality. In a new interview the reclusive vocalist says that music piracy is stifling creativity in the industry.

Whether he’s recording or touring with one of the three massively popular bands he fronts or running his Arizona winery — Maynard is always up to something. Currently he is touring with the newest of his three bands, Puscifer, while somewhere in the writing process for the follow-up to Tool’s 2006 album ’10,000 Days.’

In the time since the release of Tool’s last album, much has changed in the music industry and not for the better. “I think, just in general, our society has gotten to the point where just you click a button, you get what you want when you want it,” Maynard tells Oregon Rock Station 101.5 KFLY. “So until we get to a point where we realize you don’t necessarily always get what you want when you want it, we’re gonna have a problem.”

Earlier this week Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan made some harsh observations about the current lack of great new bands. As a fellow member of a band that rose to prominence in the early 90′s, Maynard assesses a similar diagnosis. “The current state of music, I’m sure there’s a lot of creative stuff going on out there, but there certainly isn’t,” he says. “Of course, I’m being nostalgic — but it doesn’t seem like there’s as much, creatively, going on, ’cause most people can’t afford to do it.”

Puscifer’s tour in support of their current release ‘The Conditions of My Parole’ wraps up with their March 18 show at the Califonia Center for the Arts in Escondido, Calif.

Maynard Talks Piracy and Creativity in Music

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