In 2000, A Perfect Circle — then a new supergroup spearheaded by TOOL's Maynard James Keenan and former TOOL guitar tech Billy Howerdel — released their momentous debut LP, Mer de Noms. The band's initial lineup was rounded out by bassist-violinist Paz Lenchantin, ex-Failure guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen and Primus drummer Tim Alexander, the last of whom was soon replaced by former Guns N' Roses/future Nine Inch Nails drummer Josh Freese. Alexander did play on one song on the album, however: opening cut "The Hollow."
When APC supported the album with an appearance as the musical guests on David Letterman that same year, it was "The Hollow" that they played — though with Freese, not Alexander, manning the kit. The performance was characteristically captivating, Maynard hunched and swaying, dressed in what appeared to be his plaid pajamas, while his bandmates conjured up the cut's layered, atmospheric instrumentation around him. Watch above.
