Serenity Now!! First Time Hearing Tool - Hooker with Pen*s (Reaction!!) 

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I was on a road trip for a wedding in upstate New York when this album came out. We stopped into a record store and bought this CD in Ridgefield, CT. When this song came on, we looked at each other and said "did he just say that?" Some memories will never be forgotten. Love this song.

All I'm going to say is that when you get to Parabol and Parabola.....do not mess it up by not listening to them together. You only get one opportunity to hear something for the first time. Hell....I might have to do a donation just so I make sure you read those requirements. 😅 ❤️

I got into tool when I transferred to an all white school and some of the dudes I made friends with turned me into tool. 24 years later, tool encapsulates my soul and vocalized that angsty anger. Its my go to running / work out music. It gets you into a headscape I haven't been able to replicate with any other band

The one passage in this song sums up what it's about quite succinctly... "All you know about me is what I sold you, Dumbf*ck. I sold out long before you'd ever even heard my name. I sold my soul to make a record, Dipsh*t. Then you bought one." In concert at the time, Maynard introduced this song with "This song is about all our new merchandise." Pretty accurate, actually. I think "Schism" should be next.

Polo: "I really hope this isn't going to be good..." Everyone: We told you there is no bad TOOL song, just levels of greatness.

Your reaction to your son humming along to the Descending is pretty close to why we like watching music reactions. We love the music and it just makes us super happy to see people experiencing it for the first time like we did so long ago.

Every time I have ever seen Tool live they have played this song. The last time I did, I realized Maynard was singing a song about selling out to a sold out show to an audience who all paid good money to be there, and were wearing merchandise that says "Tool" as if it were a label, while he was belting out the lyric "Fuck you buddy" and we all happily sung along. Well played. Love it.

On being sellouts, the band asked the label if they could have more artistic freedom. The label agreed. Then Tool doubled down and said if we take even less money from the label can we have complete artistic control. That does make Maynard, Danny, Justin, and Adam THE MAN, in control of their own work and quite the opposite of sellouts.

Check out Puscifer: The Humbling River Man Overboard Conditions of my parole

Tool possibly at their most “punk”. And not because the lyrics mock the whole idea around the idea of “punk rock guilt”, but Danny is in rare form laying back in the pocket, these drums would be at home in most Vandals tunes. Simple, crushing riffs too. I really love that this low-key jam sits in the middle of their very progy album that yearns for enlightenment. It’s cool that these dudes can deliver such simple, strong statements too.

In the 80’s there was a movement called “alternative music” that was really only defined by the fact that it was not mainstream but retained a significant following. It was not distinct to a region, style, instrumentation, or philosophical ideal but certain bands were uniquely... alternative. Fans tended to pride themselves on their “ownership” of this fandom trumpeting counter culture as a virtue. Of course, any artist will want a broad audience and as time went on... some of these little known gems broke through. At a certain point (I’d say 1992) record labels recognized that using “alternative” as a marketing brand gave subversive new credence to the same old formulas. Thereafter everything was alternative even if a band made their debut in the top ten. Beer and tacos were marketed as alternative. While the word didn’t really have any cohesive meaning to begin with it now no longer even differentiated between popular music and the obscure. Hipsters had trouble with it. Tool arrived before this transition and developed a cult following but in the race to tap the market, MTV and radio aired ‘sober’ and it was widely accepted by audiences (high school football players and cheerleaders and the like) that wouldn’t likely have heard or cared for the style before the paradigm shift. Since alt rock hipsters felt the music no longer “belonged” to them and could not empathize with audiences outside their circles, they accused tool of selling out.

It’s official! Welcome to the Tool Army! Yes, we’re watching with pride like you felt w your son. This band can change your life - once you find and open your third eye, which by the way would be the natural progression from HWAP. 👏 🤘💥

I think you're ready for Right In Two. Top 3 Tool song

This is such a great song. I was happy to hear them play it live last year on their tour.

This whole album is what changed my whole world in the late 90s. As a lil teenage hiphopper, this was world shattering. Not sure if u have reacted to Eulogy, H, and Jimmy yet. If not check em out. 🔥

On Maynard's voice, my take is that he's adding extra distortion in production to add to the image of what you're buying is not real. It also makes him sound mad AF, so that's pretty dope too. I know Polo doesn't go in blind, so it was great seeing you/him reacting to the delivery and emotion of the lyrics. Puts a whole different punctuation on the song. There IS NO WRONG ANSWER TO "THE BEST TOOL SONG." Another scream not to miss is Eulogy. Beautiful track + Angry Maynard = Tool 🔥

This whole album rocks. Try Hush from Tool. They love it in the parking lot at work😂

Probably one of my most favorite Tool songs. It's such an incredible middle finger to folks that cry "sell out." On a humorous note, I saw Tool at SDSU Stadium for Halloween (the costumes were epic), and one guy dressed up in a tiny halter top, wig and miniskirt with a stuffed pen!s hanging out that went past his knee. Best concert, best costume. Hands. Down.

There isn't a bad Tool album!! They are all amazing in their own way!!

Sorry to not disappoint you. Hooker With a Penis is a killer track. Tool never sold out - several of their best, and most progressive songs are off their latest, Fear Inoculum. A few more great ones worth mentioning: Eulogy, Third Eye, 46 and 2, Disgustipated...almost anything. :)

LoL yeah. Everything by tool is awesome. A perfect circle as well.

Saw them play in May and they played this song. Absolutely epic to witness live, especially the drums. A brilliant "diss track"

I love watching these reaction videos because it takes me back to junior high when I was listening to it for the first time. Reminds me of the magic. Keep the Tool Flowing please! Check out more from Undertow!

Some of the biggies you haven't done yet = "Jambi" "Schism" "Parabol and Parabola" "Eulogy"

I think the entire concept of selling out is ridiculous Everybody who's ever been in a band want to be successful want people to like their music Frequently you hear that a band sold out on their second album because they're not as angry Of course they're not as angry their first album was successful and now they get to live their dream how can you be angry about that I've been suggesting this video since the beginning next to 46 and 2 and eulogy Magdalena and 3 libras from a perfect circle as well I know you'll get around to them eventually and I'm glad to be here to witness when you finally do You keep being awesome brother and I'll keep watching

Can't wait until you dive into their sophomore album "Undertow"

You feeling this means you’ll probably like Opiate and Undertow more than I probably would’ve guessed It’s all good but some of that stuff is a tad heavier. I say that while also thinking that Descending is a 15 on a 10 scale

Undertow is the album he’s referring to their first studio album, they made an EP in 92 hence “OGT 92 from the first EP” and switched up their sound which was a lot darker and more grunge sounding yet still amazing, and the people that were the OG Tool fans took this as selling out because the album went crazy in the charts and was all over MTV with singles like (Sober, Prison Sex) and this album took an even different direction, which is more psychedelic but also heavy and angry at the same time, every Tool album sounds different then the last one, that’s why they fall under the “progressive” genre because they always evolve their sound and some elitist weirdo fans consider that selling out lol

Total banger of a song. So wonderfully crunchy and bizarre. Perfect message delivered brilliantly

This might be the most straightforward TOOL song that you'll hear. A shallow fan is acting shallow and Maynard calls him out on it. No more, no less.

Absolutely agree that this is one of their best. This has been one of my favorite Tool songs since the album came out

I don’t know that they ever sold out. Wasn’t till recently you could download their music digitally. They didn’t much of their music be used in TV or movies and all their songs are so long the radio doesn’t want to play most of them. Great reaction, still need to check out Jambi and Adam on the Talkbox mid song, maybe some Eulogy after.

5:50... U consider this scream insane? The Grudge. Nuff said.

Heard this one live… it was awesome…. The 15000 people sang every word..

Love this!! Hope you’ll react to Jambi by Tool next. That one and Parabol-Parabola are among my favorites for sure. 👍

This is the best TOOL album.

My absolute favorite song from them. So much aggression! They drew a lot of inspiration off of Kyuss in this track

HWAP is 🔥🔥🔥 and if you want to hear a Tool song that sounds exactly like the title, listen to Maynard’s Dick off Salival EP !🤣🤣😅 It a troll song but it still kinda low key rocks.

One of my favorite Tool moments is them playing this song live. Because right before Maynard said something along the lines of "Buy our new album so I can afford to buy more waffles".

What’s happening everyone?!

Young Maynard’s voice was a force to be reckoned with!

Seeing this live on their 2022 tour was insane

Jambi is a great song 🎵 Jambi by " Tool" Jambi

One of my personal favorites. You're reactions are so genuine and you're starting to learn that Tool doesn't have a bad song, just good songs, better songs, and the best songs. Now trust me when I say check out Passenger by The Deftones featuring Maynard James Keenan. I'm going to keep spamming your comments until you do that song.

He said "I sold out long before you ever even heard my name, I sold my soul to make a record, and then you bought one."

Speaking of OGT (Original Gangster Tool) from back in '92, on the first EP.... It is titled "Opiate", has 6 tracks and? a hidden track sort of. Anyways, don't skip it. Some tracks were recorded live, it's very raw, very early Tool, so not quite as polished but you can hear the untapped talent. Features their first bass player : Paul D'amour. They are all solid tracks, Jerk-Off, and Cold and Ugly are my favorites.

I think you're right about pride, I think that's exactly it! I don't listen to much reactions as well, but Tool is my favorite band and I'm so proud when someone new falls in HARD for this band! I was so proud when both my kids first listened to Tool in their rooms ... without me!! Edit: And Aenima is the best Tool album. Period. Fight me!

Can't wait for Third Eye

Hooker with pens? Oh, that's an apostrophe! Hooker with Pen's? Pen's what? Wait, is this about Teler?

What a great song! So angry! On a separate wavelength, I would like to see you react to Tool's Fear Inoculum. Something tells me that if you love Descending like you do, you will also take to Fear Inoculum!

Always loved this song. If you like this you will like "Jerk Off" from the Opiate EP. Another one with a very powerful and angry Maynard.

There's a great live performance of this song on RU-vid; it's from 1996. Check it out.

TOOL - Crawl Away He called them sellouts for the Sober music video.

Best. Album. Ever.

Hell yeah brother. I was really hoping you did this one. Gotta love a Tool "Diss Track".

Yeah buddy! Your son humming to Tool at 6 is awesome! It's good for his mental development ;)

Lol this is one of my favorite Tool songs. Watch out for the song Maynard’s Dick. Also Prison Sex is wild.

The album in question is Undertow but it didn't "not go over well with the fans". It's still beloved by Tool fans. You have to keep in mind metal fans are the worst. Simply having a song hit radio or crack MTV rotation can be denounced as proof of corruption among the most extreme corners of this genre. *Seriously, metal fans are the worst.* Why the hell else do you think we're gone extinct over the past 25 years? We sabotage ourselves.

The lyric OGT refers to Original Gangsta Tool. Fans who were around since the Opiate EP. I guess some idiot told Maynard that Undertow was a sell out album because they had a lot of commercial success with Sober and they became a hit on MTV because of their claymation videos. Have to be a real knob to call Tool a sell out though. They’ve always done their own thing, put out ten minute songs that don’t get radio play, with song names like Stinkfist, Prison Sex and Hooker with a Penis. They are anti pop.

Gotta react to No Quarter by Led Zeppelin…then Tools version!

This song is very fire in its energy and indignation. But, it isn't as creative, at leas IMO. The beauty of Tool, they put out so much that is so great in so many different ways.

"I sold my soul to sell a record" The only thing Maynard has ever said is to draw your own conclusions. Having said that, the irony of a kid with new tattoos and trendy clothes calling a hard working band a sell out is palpable to say the least.

You reminded me of when I was listening to Lateralus in the car with my son who was 8 at the time. He was physically rocking back and forth to the beat and when it was over he begged me to play it again. I was so proud of his ability to express himself and know what good music is.

Undertow is the album that "sold out" reference would be referring to. Do the title track. ✌️

Eulogy

Maynard is a master Troll. So, even when he talks about the meaning of a song, take it with a grain of salt. He had people around the looking for a book that never existed at one time.

Yeah, Tool doesn't have a lot of clunkers. They start at "great" and just go up from there.

Just wait until you get to Ticks and Leeches. They go even harder.

On Opiate i suggest you listen to their version of Led Zepplin's No Quarter

The breakdown in this song is definitely Tools most heavy riff imo, love it

I haven't listened to this song in years, but I still love it. I remember when it came out. There are always a lot of know-it-all fans who think they know more than everybody else.

Maynard is vocally at his best when he's pissed off.

You're ready for the patient and ticks and leeches

I'm patiently waiting for you to do; The Patient

I don’t know why either - but I absolutely love videos of people discovering TOOL ! Greatest band ever

you have to do passenger from deftones and maynard. top song!!!

Not much better than angry Maynard!!

Listen to Cold and Ugly from their Opiate EP

This is the most straight forward songs made by tool. No there was no "Sell out" album that any fan would think esp before 96

Not a bad song on this entire album, I look forward to continuing your journey into Tool!!

Dude the part you rewind at 11:48 is my favourite piece of music in Tool's discography. The chord progression is so damn good.

I've never found it again, but one old live video I watched them perform this, Maynard opened by saying, A friend of mine was down on some street looking for some live for sale, he got more than he bargained for. Not the exact quote of course but I laughed for quite a while at that one. When they did this song at the show I went to last year, it got the biggest crowd pop of the night.

“THIRD EYE “

This is one of their best. It's transcendent.

To be fair, Maynard can't do Ticks & Leeches anymore because of how the screams in that one wrecked his larynx. Still amazing what he can still do without that.

this is one of my favorites, it just goes so hard. also the drums are unreal, even by Danny's standard. Tool's first EP, Opiate, was more raw than their later albums, which had more atmospheric and progressive elements, so this song is saying they can still go heavy af when they want. Hush or Part of Me are good examples off Opiate.

Need to react to Eulogy by them.

How could you not understand why we enjoy reaction channels, you're doing it. We watch them to see others find great music, typically our favorite stuff. Maybe you're too young for this but when I was young, one of us(friends) would buy a tape or cd, pull out the lyrics(most albums had song lyrics included) and then sit together and listen to the entire thing. Reaction channels mimic that time in our lives.

I'm always surprised that this isn't more of a favorite of others, but I love it. Sometimes I miss their unbridled rage.

Just call it HWAP Maynard once said something like...it means whatever it means to you...when asked about a song's meaning. Believe it was Prison Sex if I remember correctly. 🤔 This is only their 2nd album (3rd if you count the EP), so it would have to be Undertow 🤷‍♂️

Biggest diss song of all time 🤘🏽

You know you’re a Tool fan when you can bring it back to Bob Ross. Facts.

This is probably my favorite track off of this album, though I know more are more 'mainstream' and better liked. This one just seems so raw and in your face about Maynard's feelings, especially given fans and how little they understand about the music industry and how brutal it can be.

One of my favorites from Tool

Third Eye...Third Eye....Third Eye

Right in Two is definitely next on the Tool rabbit hole. Magnificent song and lyrics

"He was humming to it, and I felt so proud." That reminds me, 8 or 9 years ago I had my niece in the car. She was 5 or 6, and I had some poppier songs on the iPod for when she was riding with me. I don't remember what was playing, but I had it on shuffle. t.A.T.u. came on, which she really liked, but she asked me to skip it, so I went on to the next one. It was a Dresden Dolls song that she normally liked, but she asked me to skip it again. Then a song from Korn's Unplugged album came on, and that's what she had me leave on. I thought: that's my girl!

tbf when you've heard this fifty times his lyrics are clear as day.

I love this song. Its a nice change easy to pick up the idea behind it, easy to follow. I'm probably in the minority but Opiate, Undertow, and Ænema are my favorite tool albums.