Jen Keenan, wife of Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan, recently commented on the issue of vinyl bootleggers profiting from the band’s catalog. She shared her perspective on The Vinyl Guide Podcast.
When asked if she finds it frustrating to see bootleggers make money off Tool’s music, Keenan emphasized that the real issue isn’t just lost revenue. It’s about control over how the art is shared with fans.
“Well, I mean, it is because it’s like, guys, just get sh*t your together and you could be making that money,” she said. “But it’s even not even that. It’s just that people want this in their collection. So, like just do that and then the fringe benefit is you’re making money off of it, too. But like share it.”
Keenan argued that by not releasing official versions, the band is missing an opportunity to connect with collectors. They could also maintain quality standards in the process.
“I don’t know if you think you’re keeping it safe and pristine by not putting it out there, but it’s really the opposite to me,” she continued. “Like, you’re losing the opportunity to actually share it, you know?”
She also pointed out that bootleggers typically don’t prioritize quality. This means fans end up with inferior copies rather than the pristine versions the band might want to preserve.
“They’re probably not the greatest copy [or] the greatest quality. So if you’re concerned about pristine quality and art, then the bootleggers aren’t the ones that were worried about that. So yeah, your stuff’s getting out there [and] not in a way that you want it.”
Jen Keenan’s comments highlight a longstanding frustration within Tool’s fanbase and the band itself. This issue stems from a significant gap in Tool’s official vinyl catalog, which has left collectors searching for alternatives to complete their collections.
Tool’s official vinyl releases are relatively limited. According to Tool’s official resources, some albums like “Undertow” and early pressings have never been reissued officially on vinyl. The band’s original pressings from the 1990s were associated with labels like Zoo and BMG. These are considered authentic and valuable by collectors, but many are now out of print and difficult to find.
This scarcity has created a thriving bootleg market. Bootleggers issue vinyl versions of Tool albums and live bootlegs to meet collector demand where official vinyl is unavailable or out of print. Tool’s official forums reveal that releases like “Aenima” and other rare albums are particularly sought after. These bootlegs sometimes include live covers or tracks not officially released on vinyl, making them attractive to dedicated fans despite their unofficial status.
Tool’s fanbase is acutely aware of this dynamic. Discussions on Tool’s community forums show that fans often acknowledge these bootlegs to hear the music in vinyl format. However, they recognize that “the band won’t get the profit” from such releases. This awareness underscores the tension between fan desire for the music and the band’s lost revenue opportunities.
Keenan’s call for the band to take action reflects a broader industry trend. Artists are increasingly recognizing that official releases—even limited ones—can satisfy collector demand while maintaining artistic control and quality standards. By filling the gap themselves, Tool could reclaim the market that bootleggers have dominated for years. This would ensure fans get the pristine quality they deserve while the band benefits from their own catalog.
