Mike Sullivan, guitarist for Chicago instrumental post-metal outfit Russian Circles, has shared a heartfelt story about Tool guitarist Adam Jones, recalling how Jones personally stepped in to help save what could have been a disastrous live set early in the band's career.
In a post shared on Instagram roughly a week ago, Sullivan reflected on Russian Circles' 2007 UK tour supporting Tool, which included a high-profile stop at London's Brixton Academy. The show marked Sullivan's first time using rented amplifiers overseas and things did not go smoothly.
According to Sullivan, he struggled to get any sound from the rented gear during soundcheck. Complicating matters further, the union-run venue prohibited noise after a certain cutoff time, leaving him able to tweak knobs and switches silently but without any way to confirm whether the amps were actually working.
"I twisted some controls and switches but ultimately left the stage with zero confidence the amps were working at all," Sullivan wrote, admitting he returned backstage feeling deflated and anxious about the performance.
Moments later, there was a knock at the band's green room door. "We answer the door to see Adam standing there," Sullivan recalled. Jones politely introduced himself and asked about the amplifier issues. Upon hearing what had happened, Jones offered an immediate solution: he would have his guitar tech set up Tool's backup amp rig behind Sullivan's setup, just in case things went wrong onstage.
Sullivan described the gesture as one of the most meaningful moments of his career. "This gesture was one of the most kind and thoughtful experiences of my life," he said.
As it turned out, Sullivan's last-minute adjustments to the rented amps had worked, and he was able to play the set using his own gear. Still, knowing Jones' amps were sitting behind him as a safety net made all the difference. "Taking the stage, knowing Adam's amps were there as a safety net, completely calmed my nerves," Sullivan wrote.
The experience left a lasting impression. Sullivan noted that he and his bandmates still use Jones' humility and generosity as a benchmark for how they aim to conduct themselves. "I already looked up to Adam as an artist and player, but to know he is equally kind as he is talented makes me value him even more," he added.
