It’s been 12 months since Tool tribute band Third Eye last performed, but now they are back and with a new lead singer, to boot.
It will be the first time any of the band members have performed at the Corner Hotel and, according to guitarist and founding member Elliot Steele, the band have spent the last year developing their live show to bring fans the best possible experience.
“We’ve had plenty of time to look at the previous shows we’ve done and what people have come to expect and trying to throw some stuff in there that people won’t expect,” says Steele. “We’ve got a couple of new surprises in store and a few old favourites and we can’t wait to play at the Corner.”
It took a bit of time for Third Eye to find a new lead singer after the departure of their previous frontman. The band wanted to find someone that not only had vocal ability but could pull off the songs like Tool’s Maynard James Keenan. After a few rounds of auditions bringing little luck, three months ago the band found their man.
“We came across Cameron McKay and he’s just slotted in, it’s all just melded,” Steele says. “It’s not just a bandmate, it’s a roommate when you’re on tour and a band is a family, essentially. We’re all really comfortable and happy and he’s fit in like I can’t even explain, it’s amazing.”
Steele admits that learning to play with McKay feels like the band are returning to when they first began four years ago as they break down songs as a new unit.
“There has to be that musical chemistry and then chemistry outside of the rehearsal room, as well. It’s a tough thing, finding a singer in any band, let alone one that can pull off Maynard [James Keenan] with a band that people expect to sound exactly like Tool.”
As a tribute band, Third Eye put in a lot of effort to take their shows above and beyond. They never want to be simply a group of guys playing Tool covers, but rather give audiences the same experience they would get if they were seeing the actual band.
Third Eye have taken the time to devise visual cues, projections and lasers and have invested heavily in getting the right equipment. On top of that, the band play long sets where they can take the time to delve into Tool’s back catalogue of lengthier tracks, giving diehard fans the chance to see the songs they love that they mightn’t usually see performed live.
“We’re not trying to be anything we’re not, we’re just four guys that love Tool and we realise that everyone else in the crowd are just people that love Tool as well,” says Steele. “Music brings people together and Tool fans are very loyal.”
After the band get back into the groove of gigging again with their new lead singer, Third Eye hope to go on a national tour of the east coast and WA towards the end of the year, though nothing has been confirmed yet. The band set high goals and expectations for themselves, with talks of potentially going on a European tour in 18 months, which would be the first time the band would have toured internationally.
“I think there’s demand for it and I think we’re doing well enough to be able to do that, based on feedback we get,” says Steele. “So we’ll focus on these upcoming shows and the Australian tour and keep our fingers crossed and see how we go in 18 months time.”
Third Eye will perform at The Corner Hotel on Saturday July 27. Tickets are available via the venue’s website.
