In a recent appearance on Steve-O’s Wild Ride!, Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan reflected on his legacy and pushed back against the idea of being a classic rock icon, instead describing himself as an entrepreneur and storyteller.

Keenan was openly critical of his own catalog, admitting there are early Tool songs he avoids revisiting because they don’t hold up for him. He singled out “4°” from the band’s 1993 debut Undertow, calling it a “stupid song” with lyrics that “don’t even make sense.” While praising the musicianship, he was blunt about his own contribution, describing the lyrics as “dumb.”

He also addressed generational shifts within the fanbase, noting that younger listeners are increasingly drawn to Puscifer, while Tool is often viewed as a legacy act. With Tool now spanning three generations of fans, Keenan said comparisons to Rush are inevitable and simply part of getting older.

Rather than dwelling on the past, Keenan emphasized learning from mistakes and moving forward, pointing to his continued creative evolution across his various projects.