There's so much more to Puscifer beyond that genitalia-styled name, as their April 10th concert proved. Over five albums, the project has morphed from the Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle) Outlet for Musical Crude Humor (trademark pending) into a proper band, something more sincere. They're not as melodramatic as A Perfect Circle or as drawn-out and distorted as Tool, but Puscifer sees Keenan at his Keenan-iest.

Regardless of how you feel about their music, Puscifer boasts a reputation for spectacular live presentations. Case in point: Sessanta, which was a 2024 tour based on Keenan's idea to group Puscifer with A Perfect Circle and Primus in one show for his 60th birthday. (I saw it. Incredible.)

On the 10th, Puscifer appeared alone, in support of their new record Normal Isn't. I've reviewed that here, and had the privilege of interviewing Puscifer member Carina Round for the site.

The thing is, saying you went to a Puscifer show is a bit like saying "I just went to a meeting of the Northeastern Chapter for Disaffected Virgins. The free pretzels were great."

On top of that, Puscifer performed at a Connecticut casino – Foxwoods Resort – and casinos make me depressed. Something about the sight of seniors in diapers slashing away at their savings, plus the absence of natural light and pervasive scent of smoke, doesn't get me in the mood for a wild time. I have been to Foxwoods for other shows, and I have always hated it.

That's two strikes... so how did Puscifer handle the third throw?

I missed the opener (comedian Dave Hill), and sat down in time for a lame scene-setter: the conversing of two women behind me, one of whom had a serious smoker's voice, on the merits of Disturbed. Yuck. Bro-y Tool fans were in steady supply, but this was a reasonably diverse crowd befitting a troupe founded on an "anything goes" philosophy.

Let me tell you: it was a pro's performance, with zero zaniness for much of the first leg. Puscifer's core trio, augmented by Josh Moreau (bass) and Gunnar Olsen (drums), delivered a rock-solid set. Like I said, all five were backlit pros. (So much backlighting; Puscifer put Khruangbin to shame.)

This write-up may be coming off a little cynical, but Puscifer hit a home run on their own terms. I laughed during the excellent tune "The Remedy," which featured Keenan and Round – one of the coolest women in music – waging a mock duel with pistols, a bow and arrow (Keenan), and machine gun (Round).

Post-intermission had a couple of standouts, like "Momma Sed," an early Puscifer cut, and "Seven One" from their recent album. The latter saw facts regarding the number seven flash behind the band as Moreau and Olsen admirably recreated the to-die-for rhythm section of Tony Levin and Danny Carey, which you hear on the studio version.

There was less humor, and risk-taking, than I expected. Keenan strutted about in satisfaction, not trying to prove anything, and why should he, at nearly 62 years of age? The odd chances taken with pushing the envelope (besides the duel) didn't land. A cooking show-themed interlude played on screen at one point, which had too much swearing for swearing's sake, and, during the song "Mantastic," Keenan jerked a shake weight. Meh.

But these ain't juvenile delinquents: Puscifer are in stately, disciplined, top shape. Catch them if you want some professional electro-rocking. Just... avoid casinos…