Maynard James Keenan, the frontman of Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer, has a lot of interests beyond music, including winemaking and jiujitsu. His latest album with Puscifer, titled *Normal Isn’t*, features songs that incorporate train-related language. Tracks like the title song and “Bad Wolf” highlight this theme. Fans might remember that the previous Puscifer album, *Existential Reckoning*, included a song called “Bullet Train to Iowa.”
In a recent interview, Keenan explained that trains symbolize movement but can also represent being stuck in certain patterns. He noted, “There’s the idea of derailment,” adding that trains carry many metaphors. They can signify feelings of isolation and loneliness, yet they also connect people. “There are so many layers to the metaphor of trains and train tracks,” he said.
Keenan believes his fascination with train imagery comes from his childhood. Growing up near train tracks, he often observed them and used those experiences to express bigger ideas. “You report what you see, and you use the metaphors of what you know,” he explained.
Puscifer is currently on tour promoting *Normal Isn’t*, although they’re likely not traveling by train. The tour will continue through mid-May, giving fans a chance to experience their new music live.
