‘Blood Into Wine’ A Monday morning is perhaps the most dreaded part of any person’s week. There are few moments more frustrating than being shocked into consciousness in order to face a 40-hour block of work or school, with Carly Rae Jepsen’s diabolical infection known as ‘Call Me Maybe’ creeping out through your alarm clock. Thankfully, musical mastermind Maynard James Keenan ( Tool , A Perfect Circle , Puscifer ) is here to save you from the mundane, with yet another introspective article from Phoenix New Times.  Last month, we reported that Keenan was to write a bi-weekly column for the publication, seemingly being given carte blanche concerning the many subjects of his writings. This morning (Oct. 8) the beloved musician posted ‘What is Puscifer?,’ acting as somewhat of a manifesto for the experimental act. For those who have seen Puscifer live, Maynard’s latest column may seem familiar, but if you’ve never experienced the musical collective in concert, allow Maynard Keenan to explain the foundation of Puscifer. “At some point in human history we became aware of our own mortality,” begins Keenan. “When confronted with the death of a companion, we had the epiphany that this was simply no longer just a pile of inanimate meat and bone. This was our companion and whatever energy made them who they were is no longer present. And then reality sinks in: Someday I will no longer be here. And for the first time we asked the question. Why? Why are they no longer here? What can I do to prevent that from happening to me? Or at the very least, ‘What can I do to put off the inevitable?’” The singer continues, “We were now aware that our very survival was directly connected to and contingent upon how creative we could be. Our instincts to Fight or Run were not enough. We weren’t as fast or strong as our larger and ferocious opponents. Instead, we needed to use every fiber of our imagination, every spark of our creative energy to stay ahead of these daily threats on our lives.” So how does Puscifer act as an extension to this notion? Keenan offers three explanations: 1. “An attempt to reconnect with that seemingly lost balance between the Artistic and Utilitarian.” 2. “An attempt to reawaken our inner storyteller, and our ability to Observe, Interpret, and Report all the fun stuff we’ve witnessed.” 3. “An attempt to remind us all to dance before the inevitable End of the World. (Make checks and money orders payable to Chicken Little ?…etc.)” Keenan concludes, “Because we at Puscifer feel that Life is too short not to create something with every breath we draw.” Check out Maynard James Keenan’s newest article at  Phoenix New Times , and give your Monday morning a welcome jolt. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/maynard-james-keenan-advice-for-apocalypse-new-editorial-column/” title=”Previous Maynard Keenan Column: ‘These Are the ‘End of Days'” align=”center”]