Puscifer's original name was Umlaut, "a premiere improvisational hardcore band". The name "Puscifer" was first publicized as a fictional band in the first episode of Mr. Show, including Keenan and Adam Jones as members. Jones is not associated with Puscifer otherwise, although artwork by Jones has been featured on Puscifer apparel (the "Your Mom's a Bitch" shirt, specifically). Keenan describes Puscifer as "simply a playground for the various voices in my head, [...] a space with no clear or discernible goals, [...] where my Id, Ego, and Anima all come together to exchange cookie recipes." Keenan also worked on short films with Ford Englerth and Jeffrey Brooks from Red Rock Entertainment Development; these shorts were done in a similar manner to that of Mr. Show and Tom Waits' Big Time.
Puscifer is "as much a clothing line as it is a band", with the clothing items produced in limited numbers. Keenan collaborated on a leather jacket with Paul Frank. On September 16, 2008, Keenan updated the puscifer.com blog, revealing that the first ever Puscifer store would be opening "hopefully" by October 1 in Jerome, Arizona. Occupying a small space above a tattoo parlor, the store opened on October 3, 2008. In addition to the merchandise available on the band's online store, Keenan has also made available locally roasted coffee, art, and an ever-changing list of limited edition collectibles.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puscifer
Studio albums
"V" is for Vagina (2007)
Conditions of My Parole (2011)
Money Shot (2015)
Existential Reckoning (2020)
Smoke and Mirrors
Puscifer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But when your moment came, to shed that skin
You just slithered away
You just slithered away
Crystal clear to us all, when you say "We all want the same thing"
That you don't, you want the bigger piece and the praise
There are those who have seen, and those soon to beware
Just a trail of bones, atop a lemming's hill
All fallen prey
All fallen prey
All fallen prey
To the liar, not a saint, not a martyr
Just a snake, and a liar
We used to believe, when you'd say "Were all in this together"
Mo more, we all see
Now the mirror is broken, we all know what your spell was concealing
Just hollow eyes, a stolen crown but
Not a king
No, not a king
No, not a king
Just the liar, not a saint, not a martyr
Just a snake, and a liar
In "Smoke and Mirrors," Puscifer takes aim at someone who has proven themselves to be a snake, a deceiver, and a liar. Although this person may have briefly hinted at confessing or changing their ways, they ultimately slither away from the opportunity to do so. The deceiving individual tries to manipulate people by claiming to want the same thing as everyone else, but in reality, they only want more of it and the praise that comes with having it. This person's actions are further shrouded in a cloak of smoke and mirrors, which hides the bones of those they have taken advantage of. Despite fooling some people in the past, their false pretenses and lack of character are becoming apparent to everyone.
The song confronts the deceiver head on, calling out their grandiose statements as falsehoods with an exposed confidence ("Now the mirror is broken, we all know what your spell was concealing"). Puscifer's lyrics are accentuated by powerful, crashing instruments that mirror the anger and severity of the situation. "Smoke and Mirrors" is a bold statement about looking past the masks people wear and confronting the truth.
Line by Line Meaning
You confessed one day to have been a snake and deceiver
You admitted one day that in the past you were deceptive and untrustworthy like a snake
But when your moment came, to shed that skin
When the opportunity arrived to change your ways, you didn't take it
You just slithered away
You avoided responsibility and ran from the situation
Crystal clear to us all, when you say "We all want the same thing"
It's obvious to everyone that you're not being truthful when you claim that everyone has the same goals
That you don't, you want the bigger piece and the praise
However, you actually desire more recognition and rewards than the others
There are those who have seen, and those soon to beware
Some people already know your true nature, while others will learn to be cautious of you
What your smoke is concealing
Your charm and deception are hiding deceitful motives
Just a trail of bones, atop a lemming's hill
Your path of destruction is like a pile of skeletons on a hill where lemmings follow blindly
All fallen prey
All the unsuspecting victims have become your prey
To the liar, not a saint, not a martyr
You are nothing more than a liar, not someone worthy of admiration or sacrifice
We used to believe, when you'd say "We're all in this together"
We used to trust your words when you stated that everyone was on the same team
No more, we all see
Now, we all understand the truth and no longer have faith in your words
Now the mirror is broken, we all know what your spell was concealing
The deception is revealed, and we all see the truth behind your lies
Just hollow eyes, a stolen crown but
You have an empty heart, and your supposed power and success are not earned
Not a king
You may have pretended to be a ruler, but you hold no true power or respect
Just the liar, not a saint, not a martyr
You are only a dishonest person, not someone worth venerating or commemorating
Just a snake, and a liar
You are like a treacherous snake, always lying and deceiving others
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Mat Mitchell, Maynard James Keenan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sheryl Paz DA
We used to believe, when you'd say "Were all in this together"
Mo more, we all see
Now the mirror is broken, we all know what your spell was concealing
Just hollow eyes, a stolen crown but
Not a king
No, not a king
No, not a king
Just the liar, not a saint, not a martyr
Just a snake, and a liar...
Angelofwar 92
Beautiful song, Maynard does it again.. everything he touches turns to gold... 2022 anyone
Christopher Burr
This is one of my weekly listens, a must.
Joshua H
2022 checking in
Baxxter101
Sure, late 2022 checking in.
Iron Phoenix
That's how philosophical stones operate: Purification. The idea of evolutionary ascension is a new concept in the persistent thread of alchemy. It used to all be about ascension through purification.
EndingEchoes93
This song is deeper than a freaking black hole
Buddha At The Bus Stop
this song cuts deep into me. I think we usually project this song on some evil person we don't like. But I think it is a deeper exploration of the deceptive natures of all, and I do mean ALL our psyches, and the destructive nature of that deception.
There is my own shadow this song can point to. My blaring flaws, my secret demons. Skeletons in the closet. Don't we all have them? And don't we all hide them?
Stop projecting this song onto others, I think. Consider, perhaps, your own darkness, your own shadow, your own lack of innocence.
Because the Light will show it all anyway, eventually, in my opinion.
Amusive - اميوسف
Exactly!
Andy Fields
word
THE HASHISHIN
Its about me. Maynard is upset, because I brought love, but as soon as I did, I become a martyr every time. Its redundant. So I left, and he is talking shit, to bring me back. Haha. Its about the false throne. I'm back now, but my words fall on deaf ears. You know, typical human behavior.