Josh Freese is rejoining A Perfect Circle for the band’s upcoming run on the “Sessanta Tour.” The outing will mark the first time the drummer will tour with APC in 13 years.
The “Sessanta Tour” celebrates A Perfect Circle singer Maynard James Keenan’s 60th birthday, and will also feature another one of his bands, Puscifer, as well as Primus. The outing — which will see all three bands sharing the stage as they rotate between their various songs — kicks off April 2nd in Boston, with tickets available here.
Freese, who is now a member of Foo Fighters, will appear at all shows through April 20th at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. After that, he will jump off the tour due to his commitments with the Foos. Puscifer’s Gunnar Olsen will take over behind the kit for the rest of the jaunt, which wraps up May 4th in Queens, New York. Primus’ Tim Alexander, who actually briefly preceded Freese in A Perfect Circle back in the late ’90s, may fill in, as well.
In an Instagram post, Freese reported the news as follows:
“Happy to report that for the first time in 13 years I’ll be going out with A Perfect Circle on the upcoming ‘Sessanta’ tour. Due to my schedule with the Foo Fighters, I’ll be having to jump off after the Hollywood Bowl on April 20. Gunnar from Puscifer will be filling in on the remaining dates (maybe a little Tim Alexander too?) There’s a chance I’ll be able to show up to another gig or two after that if time allows but for now that’s the plan. A Perfect Circle has always been a very special band for me and I’m really looking forward to getting out and playing these songs again.”
Following a brief stint by Alexander, Freese was tapped as A Perfect Circle’s drummer in 1999, appearing on their first three albums: 2000’s Mer Der Noms. 2003’s Thirteenth Step, and 2004’s Emotive. After a long hiatus, APC re-formed in 2010, but Freese stopped touring with the band in 2011 as he was a member of Weezer at the time. He eventually announced his departure from APC in 2012.
Jeff Friedl had been drumming with APC since 2011, and appeared on the band’s 2018 comeback album Eat the Elephant.
Heading into the tour, it appears that A Perfect Circle’s lineup will consist of Keenan, Freese, Billy Howerdel (lead guitar), James Iha (rhythm guitar), and Matt McJunkins (bass). Original APC bassist Paz Lenchantin was recently let go from the Pixies, but there has been no word regarding her involvement in any capacity.
In addition to the tour, A Perfect Circle, Primus, and Puscifer are teaming up for the Sessanta E.P.P.P. featuring a new song from each band. The three-song release will arrive on March 29th.
