When Adam Jones of Tool Came to the Rescue: The Night He Saved a Russian Circles Show!
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7 months ago
Beatbounty
The Night Tool’s Adam Jones Became a Lifesaver for Russian Circles
The music scene is rife with tales of headliners mistreating their opening acts, frequently enough leaving them in dire situations with no soundcheck or malfunctioning equipment. However, there are moments when the headliner steps up to save the day.
A Moment of Crisis at Brixton academy
Mike Sullivan, guitarist for russian Circles, experienced such a moment during a 2007 performance at London’s Brixton Academy, where they were opening for the legendary band Tool. As the Chicago-based instrumental group was promoting their debut album, Enter, Sullivan found himself grappling with anxiety over his guitar amp, which was spiraling out of control.
At that time, Russian Circles were relatively new to the touring circuit, and the opportunity to support Tool was monumental. It was also Sullivan’s first experience using rented gear, and he struggled to produce a satisfactory sound during soundcheck.
“I was wholly unfamiliar with the rental equipment, and for some reason, I couldn’t get any sound out of the amps during soundcheck,” Sullivan recalled. “With the venue’s strict rules,I was prohibited from making noise after a certain hour,but I could still adjust the controls without sound. I left the stage feeling utterly unprepared and lacking confidence.”
Enter Adam Jones
As Sullivan wrestled with his nerves in the dressing room, he was unaware that Tool’s guitarist, Adam Jones, had caught wind of his predicament. just as the clock ticked closer to showtime, a knock at the door interrupted his anxious thoughts.
“When we opened the door, there was Adam standing there,” Sullivan shared. ”He introduced himself and asked about the amp situation.” Little did Sullivan know, Jones was there to alleviate his worries.
A Gesture of Kindness
“He offered to have his guitar tech set up his backup amp rig behind mine,” Sullivan recalled. “This was one of the most thoughtful gestures I’ve ever experienced.Ultimately, my last-minute adjustments to the rental gear worked out, but knowing that Adam’s amps were there as a safety net calmed my nerves substantially.”
Mike Sullivan transitioned to Hiwatt amps in 2021 after a similar rescue from a touring crisis. (Image credit: Mel Castro)
A Lasting Impact
For Sullivan, Jones was already a musical idol, but this experience deepened his admiration. He decided to share this story to celebrate Jones’ birthday on January 15. “I’ll always remember Adam’s kindness,” he reflected. “My bandmates and I now use his humility and generosity as a benchmark for our own actions. Knowing that he is as compassionate as he is talented makes me appreciate him even more.”
For musicians who may feel disheartened by the harsh realities of the industry-be it mistreatment by headliners or the relentless grind of touring-Sullivan’s story serves as a beacon of hope.
More Acts of Kindness
This isn’t the first time Russian Circles have experienced the goodwill of others. In 2021, while preparing to open for System of a Down, the band faced a significant setback when their gear was stolen, including guitars and essential equipment. Instead of panicking, Sullivan reached out for help, requesting “anything with humbuckers.” The response was overwhelming, with Chelsea Wolfe’s band lending gear and Hiwatt stepping in to provide a backline.
“They reached out and said,’sorry to hear about your loss-how can we assist? do you need to borrow some gear for the upcoming shows?’” Sullivan recounted in a 2022 interview with Guitar World. “I usually decline such offers, but this time, I had no choice. so I thought, ‘Let’s give this a shot.’”
“They connected me with a local rental company that had Hiwatt gear, and I was blown away. The moment I plugged into those amps, I was experimenting with gain pedals like never before. I probably wouldn’t have discovered my love for Hiwatt if it weren’t for that experience.”
When Adam Jones of Tool Came to the Rescue: The Night He Saved a Russian Circles Show!
When Adam Jones of Tool Came to the Rescue: The Night He Saved a Russian Circles show!
The Setting: Brixton Academy, 2007
In the heart of London, the iconic Brixton Academy has hosted countless legendary performances. On one fateful night in 2007, the venue was buzzing wiht excitement as Russian Circles, a rising instrumental band from Chicago, prepared to open for the renowned progressive metal band, tool. This was a notable milestone for the band,as they were touring in support of their debut album,Enter,released just the previous year.
The Challenge: Equipment Troubles
As the show approached, Russian Circles’ guitarist, Mike Sullivan, faced a daunting challenge. He was using rented gear for the first time, and during soundcheck, he struggled to get any sound from the amplifiers. The pressure mounted as the clock ticked closer to showtime, and the venue’s strict union rules prohibited any noise after a certain hour.
Soundcheck Issues: Unable to produce sound from the rented amps.
Time Constraints: Limited time to resolve the issue before the show.
Venue Rules: Strict regulations against noise after a specific time.
Enter Adam Jones: The Unexpected Hero
As Sullivan wrestled with his anxiety in the dressing room, he was unaware that Adam Jones, the guitarist of Tool, had learned about his predicament. Just as Sullivan was stewing in his worries, a knock at the door revealed Jones standing there, ready to lend a helping hand.
Jones’ Generous Offer
“He introduced himself and asked about the amp situation,” Sullivan recalled. “Little did I know, he was there to save the show.” Jones offered to have his guitar tech set up his backup amp rig behind Sullivan’s, providing a safety net that calmed Sullivan’s nerves considerably.
The Impact of Kindness in the Music Industry
This act of kindness from a headliner to an opening act is a rare and heartwarming story in the frequently enough cutthroat music industry. It highlights the importance of camaraderie and support among musicians, nonetheless of their status. Sullivan reflected on this experiance, stating:
“To this day, my bandmates and I use Adam’s humility and generosity as a yardstick for our own behavior.”
Benefits of Kindness in the Music Community
Acts of kindness like Jones’ not only help individual musicians but also foster a supportive community. Here are some benefits:
Building Relationships: Kindness can lead to lasting friendships and collaborations.
Creating a Positive Environment: A supportive atmosphere encourages creativity and innovation.
Encouraging New Talent: Helping emerging artists can lead to a more diverse and vibrant music scene.
case Study: The Ripple Effect of Kindness
In 2021, Russian Circles faced another challenge when their gear was stolen while preparing to open for system of a Down. Instead of panicking, Sullivan reached out for help, demonstrating the power of community support.
How the Music Community Came Together
After the theft, Sullivan put out a call for any available gear, specifically requesting “anything with humbuckers.” The response was overwhelming:
supporter
Contribution
Chelsea Wolfe’s Band
Loaned guitar cabinets and a Dunable Gnarwhal guitar.
Hiwatt
Provided a backline of amplifiers.
Sullivan expressed gratitude for the support, stating, ”They reached out and said, ‘How can we assist? Do you need to borrow some gear for the upcoming shows?’” This experience not only helped Russian Circles perform but also changed Sullivan’s rig for good.
First-Hand Experience: Mike Sullivan’s Reflection
Reflecting on the kindness he received, Sullivan noted:
“The minute I plugged into those amps with my pedalboard, I was blown away. I probably wouldn’t have discovered my love for Hiwatt if it weren’t for that experience.”
Practical Tips for Musicians
Here are some practical tips for musicians to foster kindness and support within the music community:
Be Open to Collaboration: Always be willing to help fellow musicians, whether it’s lending gear or offering advice.
Network Actively: Attend shows and events to build relationships with other artists.
Share Your Experiences: Use social media to highlight acts of kindness you’ve experienced or witnessed.
Join the Beatbounty Community
As a musician, you can also benefit from being part of a supportive community. Consider creating an account at Beatbounty and submit an ad to connect with other artists and industry professionals. Sharing your experiences and seeking help can lead to new opportunities and collaborations.
Conclusion
Adam Jones’ act of kindness towards Mike Sullivan during a critical moment exemplifies the spirit of support that can exist in the music industry. By fostering a culture of generosity and collaboration, musicians can create a more vibrant and inclusive community.
