Undertow Tour
From local jams to Lollapalooza: Tool's raw ascent in the shadow of grunge.
The Undertow era began after the band's 1992 EP Opiate. This period, spanning from late 1993 through 1994, saw the band navigating a shifting landscape where grunge and alternative rock dominated. The tour was characterized by high-energy performances that introduced the quartet—Maynard James Keenan, Adam Jones, Danny Carey, and Paul D'Amour—to diverse audiences across major festivals and clubs.
Lore & Background
The tour saw Tool integrated into the Lollapalooza festival, where they played the second stage for the entire 1993 tour and were not moved to the main stage. The single 'Sober' won the 1994 MTV Video Music Award for Best Video by a New Artist, thanks to its groundbreaking stop-motion animation.
Reader's Guide
The setlists relied heavily on the 'slam and bang' heavy sound of Undertow, distinct from the heavier material they had withheld for their EP Opiate. Key milestones included winning Billboard's 'Best Video by a New Artist' award in March 1994 for the stop-motion 'Sober' video. By late 1993, the tour had generated enough 'buzz' to be summarized by Janiss Garza of RIP Magazine as a strong start.
Did You Know?
- Tool was booked to play the Garden Pavilion in Hollywood but pulled out at the last minute on learning that the venue belonged to the Church of Scientology.
- At the last Lollapalooza concert, in Tool's home town of Los Angeles, the comedian Bill Hicks introduced the band.
- The 'Hush' music video featured band members naked with duct tape over their mouths and their genitalia covered by black bars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Undertow Tour?
This tour was Tool's pivotal live campaign in the early 1990s designed to promote their second studio album, Undertow.
Who played bass guitar during this era?
Paul D'Amour, the founding bassist, played bass in this period; Justin Chancellor replaced him in 1995.
When did the Undertow Tour take place?
The tour occurred throughout the early 1990s immediately following the release of the album it was named after.
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