A Primfect Pusicle

Sessanta V 2.0 comes to Dirty Jerz

May 23, 2025May 24, 2025 Ron Hart 0 Comments A Perfect Circle, Les Claypool, Maynard James Keenan, New Jersey, Primus, Puscifer, Sessanta V 2.0, Tool

Sessanta V 2.0 tour poster (Image: eBay)

Maynard James Keenan asked the audience packed into Holmdel, NJ’s PNC Bank Arts Center for a simple request before starting the show on Saturday, May 17: Be present.

As hammered home by the deluge of signs and stickers on the backs of each seat in the Pavillion, cameras and camera phones were strictly prohibited during the second annual Sessanta festival featuring Keenan’s two bands outside of Tool — Puscifer and A Perfect Circle — and their buddies in Primus — now with new drummer John Hoffman.

Any sign of a phone elicited an instant reprimand from concert security. And you know what, in looking around me I noticed that most people complied with Keenan’s kind request. It was the first time in at least 15 years (or whenever smartphones hit the market) I didn’t see a sea of LCD screens caking the stands. In fact, it was like the last time I saw A Perfect Circle opening for Nine Inch Nails at MSG in 2000 — virtually screen-free save for the giant ones up on the lighted stage. It was refreshing.

And all three bands, who do-si-do’d onstage like some kind of art metal Stax Soul Revue, had a grand old time giving their people in Dirty Jerz what they wanted — especially those of us who missed Sessanta last year at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, which celebrated Keenan’s 60th birthday.

VIDEO: Sessanta V 2.0 ad

Said to be the project symbolizing Keenan’s creative subconscious, Puscifer was absolutely spellbinding live, converting any critics in the audience of the group into full-tilt fans. English alt-rocker Carina Round, now in a permanent role in the group, plays the quintessential foil to Maynard’s dark baritone as the band pulsated through such favorites as “Indigo Children” from their 2007 debut “V” is for Vagina and “The Remedy” from 2015’s Money Shot interspersed with deeper cuts, like “The Algorithm” from the American Psycho comic book series soundtrack, along with previously unreleased songs that could appear on the forthcoming Puscifer album due out this fall, like “No Angel.”

Superstar drummer Josh Freese might have gotten fired from his gig behind the kit for the Foo Fighters this month. But based on the fun he was having playing with A Perfect Circle, it’s clear he’s not letting it get him down. He was an absolute monster supporting Keenan, guitarist Billy Howerdel and company as the group mesmerized the crowd with a performance heavy on 2003’s Thirteenth Step and 2018’s Eat the Elephant, including concert opener “Blue” and “The Contrarian,” which saw Ms. Round return to the stage for co-lead vocals. Only one tune from the group’s auspicious 2000 debut Mer De Noms, made the cut — Maynard’s inspirational ode to his mom “Judith” — which elicited one of the biggest crowd pops of the night, and rightly so.

VIDEO: John Hoffman Primus audition

Then there was Primus, who were on their first tour with Hoffman, re-emerging from uncertainty with the vitality of a band half their age. Having seen this trio evolve in concert over the last 34 years (I originally saw them in 1991 opening for Anthrax and Public Enemy), observing this current iteration of the band during my 11th or 12th time seeing them in concert was just as exciting as witnessing them that first time when I was a senior in high school. It was because of Hoffman, who beat out 6100 other would-be replacements for the abruptly retired Tim “Herb” Alexander to join Les and Ler onstage. And while I’ve seen better sets from Primus in the past, the way by which Hoffman proved himself to be the righteous successor to that sacred stool through masterful versions of such classic fare as “Groundhog Day,” “My Name Is Mud” and “Too Many Puppies.”

Freese and Puscifer drummer Gunner Olsen joined Hoffman for the concert’s penultimate number, an expansive and heady jam on “Southbound Pachyderm” off 1995’s Tales From the Punchbowl, no doubt the most underrated Primus LP whose 30th anniversary deserves to be recognized with a deluxe edition or something, man.

As we left to make the long trek back to the car, all three bands came together to bash out the Puscifer track “Grand Canyon.” But as cool as that was, sha, heading onto the Garden State Parkway northbound towards home before the crowds was worth making it our exit music.

But not before we managed to get one photo in for the memory book.

Peace to Brian Ives.