TOOL’s Surprise Club Performance Honors Justin Chancellor with a Legendary Set

TOOL stunned fans with an unexpected performance on January 23rd at the Bass Magazine Awards, held at The Observatory in Santa Ana, California. The special event honored bassist Justin Chancellor with a Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his unparalleled contributions to the band’s signature sound and the world of progressive metal.

Chancellor, widely regarded as one of the most innovative bass players in modern music, has been an integral part of TOOL since 1995. His distinctive playing style and ability to fuse intricate rhythms with hypnotic melodies have earned him immense respect in the music community. To commemorate his remarkable career, TOOL took the stage in an intimate, 1,200-capacity venue for a surprise two-song set that left the audience in awe.

The band opened their performance with “Schism,” a fan-favorite track from Lateralus that features what many consider to be the greatest metal bass line of all time. With its complex time signatures and Chancellor’s masterful bass work, the song showcased exactly why he was receiving such a prestigious honor. Following that, TOOL launched into “Jambi” from their 10,000 Days album, further solidifying the night as an unforgettable celebration of bass mastery.

The evening was not just about TOOL. The Bass Magazine Awards also paid tribute to other legendary bassists, including Thundercat, John Patitucci, and MonoNeon. One of the night’s standout moments featured an electrifying performance by MonoNeon alongside Primus’ Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, and more—making it a true celebration of the art of bass playing.

Although TOOL currently has no additional club performances planned for the near future, the band is set to headline their Live in the Sand destination festival in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from March 7th to 9th. The event will feature an impressive lineup, including Mastodon, Primus, Coheed and Cambria, Eagles of Death Metal, King’s X, Fishbone, and more.

For fans lucky enough to be in attendance at The Observatory, the night served as a once-in-a-lifetime experience—an intimate and powerful tribute to Justin Chancellor’s enduring impact on the world of music.

Become a Member and get access to shows, buy/sell tickets and network with fans & bands from across Canada. Sign-up for free!

Related Articles

The Day the Music Burned

It was the biggest disaster in the history of the music business — and almost nobody knew. This is the story of the 2008 Universal fire.
Chuck Berry, 1958.CreditCreditPhoto Illustration by Sean Freeman & Eve Steben for The New York Times. Source Photograph: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images.

Responses

Upcoming Events