Biography
Multi-instrumentalist Billy Howerdel built his reputation as a founding member, guitarist, producer, and main songwriter behind A Perfect Circle, among the most acclaimed alternative rock groups to emerge in the early 21st century. He also led Ashes Divide, whose lone album appeared in 2008, before issuing his first solo record, What Normal Was, in 2022.
Born in 1970 and raised in the small community of West Milford, New Jersey, Howerdel developed an early passion for music. New wave and post-punk bands such as the Cult, Adam & the Ants, the Cure, Echo & the Bunnymen, Missing Persons, and Elvis Costello left a strong impression, and a live Pink Floyd concert convinced him to pursue music professionally. While in high school he joined an after-school audio club that sparked his interest in production work. He began as a sound engineer for acts on the local Jersey circuit, then advanced to guitar technician roles with high-profile rock outfits including Faith No More, Guns N' Roses, the Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, and Tool. Throughout this period he continued developing his own material in private. Tool singer Maynard James Keenan heard the demos and volunteered to handle vocals should Howerdel assemble a band, giving rise to A Perfect Circle. Keenan's stature secured an immediate contract with Virgin, and the group released its debut album, Mer de Noms, in 2000 to broad critical and commercial success. Thirteenth Step arrived in 2003, followed by the covers album Emotive in 2004, on which Howerdel supplied some vocals while Keenan split his attention between projects. Howerdel produced all three records, and his atmospheric, emotive, vulnerable songwriting connected with listeners by offering a clear contrast to the more forceful and cerebral style of Keenan's other band. A Perfect Circle entered hiatus in 2005.
With Keenan occupied by Tool, Howerdel developed the solo project Ashes Divide, whose sound remained close to his earlier work. He performed most instruments, produced, and sang on Keep Telling Myself It's Alright, released by Island in 2008; the album enjoyed modest success relative to A Perfect Circle. He assembled a touring band and supported the record on the road. A Perfect Circle reunited in 2010 for occasional performances yet waited until 2018 to release Eat the Elephant through BMG. Keenan then rejoined Tool for the launch and tour of Fear Inoculum. Howerdel started work on a second Ashes Divide album, but the material shifted toward a subdued, electronics-driven collection directly shaped by his early new wave and post-punk influences. He ultimately issued the album under his own name as What Normal Was, which appeared in 2022 on Alchemy, Rise Records, and BMG.
Born in 1970 and raised in the small community of West Milford, New Jersey, Howerdel developed an early passion for music. New wave and post-punk bands such as the Cult, Adam & the Ants, the Cure, Echo & the Bunnymen, Missing Persons, and Elvis Costello left a strong impression, and a live Pink Floyd concert convinced him to pursue music professionally. While in high school he joined an after-school audio club that sparked his interest in production work. He began as a sound engineer for acts on the local Jersey circuit, then advanced to guitar technician roles with high-profile rock outfits including Faith No More, Guns N' Roses, the Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, and Tool. Throughout this period he continued developing his own material in private. Tool singer Maynard James Keenan heard the demos and volunteered to handle vocals should Howerdel assemble a band, giving rise to A Perfect Circle. Keenan's stature secured an immediate contract with Virgin, and the group released its debut album, Mer de Noms, in 2000 to broad critical and commercial success. Thirteenth Step arrived in 2003, followed by the covers album Emotive in 2004, on which Howerdel supplied some vocals while Keenan split his attention between projects. Howerdel produced all three records, and his atmospheric, emotive, vulnerable songwriting connected with listeners by offering a clear contrast to the more forceful and cerebral style of Keenan's other band. A Perfect Circle entered hiatus in 2005.
With Keenan occupied by Tool, Howerdel developed the solo project Ashes Divide, whose sound remained close to his earlier work. He performed most instruments, produced, and sang on Keep Telling Myself It's Alright, released by Island in 2008; the album enjoyed modest success relative to A Perfect Circle. He assembled a touring band and supported the record on the road. A Perfect Circle reunited in 2010 for occasional performances yet waited until 2018 to release Eat the Elephant through BMG. Keenan then rejoined Tool for the launch and tour of Fear Inoculum. Howerdel started work on a second Ashes Divide album, but the material shifted toward a subdued, electronics-driven collection directly shaped by his early new wave and post-punk influences. He ultimately issued the album under his own name as What Normal Was, which appeared in 2022 on Alchemy, Rise Records, and BMG.
Albums
Singles
