A Perfect Circle's 'Mer de Noms' at 20: See Billy Howerdel Look Back

For the 20th anniversary of A Perfect Circle's debut album 'Mer de Noms,' Revolver catches up with founder, producer and guitarist Billy Howerdel to look back on the making of the album and discuss its legacy — plus he reveals a few things that even diehard fans probably don't know about it.

[crawdadds]

Billy is just your ordinary, average every day Rock God who is content with completing his civic duty of releasing everlasting musical gems to the World... No Big Deal

[Awprod]

Won't be much of a look back for me, because I still listen to them every day.

[ferghalmolloy]

Orestes - so happy to hear Billy has a special place for that tune. My favourite. Always return to it and become 15 again. Magic.

[imogensharma]

100% they made a record that has aged immaculately. I love it just as much now as I did when I was 14.

[melissarey]

It was the first album I bought with my own money. Musically and lyrically it still pokes the feels 20 years later.

[VatnikSlayer]

Great interview. Billy is a humble genius. Mer de Nom is a melodic masterpiece.

[melance]

Billy is just so awesome to hear in interviews. He's so nice, calm, and seem genuinely appreciative that people are interested in him and his work.

[ambers]

Props to this interviewer! She's professional and down to earth and I enjoyed all her questions. And Billy is such a strange, cool dude. He seems like some kind of celestial being who isn't 100% sure how humans usually act.

[ANGELSVEN]

One of my all time fav albums ever...up there with Zeppelin. Love The Hollow, Judith, Magdalena, Brena... When I listen to this album, I am taken out of the world for a little while.

[rodroller]

Got to see Perfect Circle live opening for NIN. Just before the love of my life left me in tatters. Mer de Noms became the soundtrack of my recovery. Thank you Billy, Maynard, Paz, Troy & Josh. Saved me from me.

[madnessbydesignVria]

20 years later, it doesn't hold up, it kicks the walls in and leaves you shellshocked. It's a brilliant collection of music brought into being by a brilliant collection of musicians... :)

[debutts]

One of the all-time great rock albums. Still love it.

[rhwIII]

One of the best. I’ll never get tired of listening to that album.

[michaelshannon]

Still one of the best albums I've ever listened to. Nothing like it, so eclectic, dark but still very tender. Damn where does the time go.

[cunningfolktattoo]

I am 45 years old now, still listen to this every day, I have created some amazing paintings over the years because of this band❤️my youngins grew up on this!

[mrpetrock]

Mer de Nom was the sound track at a time struggling with addiction
despite having a loving family I lived a BS selfish double life so in time this masterpiece became my anti depression fix and don't mind saying shed a tear or two cause o the guilt. then one day a life changing opportunity presented itself the criteria was simple continue down the road your on
Or turn your back on it for good
I chose the latter. and to this day i thank god how I am blessed So Mer de Nom reminds me of that time and if a life changing opportunity presented itself
Take it. "

[percy]

Among the most humble, honest and talented musicians in the industry today. I thank fate for whatever are the circumstances that bought one of the most underrated guitarists and one of the best, most complex vocalists/lyricists together to spawn this absolute monster of an alt-rock band. APC for life 🔥
Loved his Ashes Divide too. Surprises me how only a handful of people have heard of it.

[BrandonJ]

Billy should feel good about it. That album changed my life, and for the better. I fell in love, and still am in love with it

[jw]

Loved Judith right away. The rest of the album took me a while to figure out, but all of a sudden it clicked and it’s an absolute masterpiece! Listen to it all the time.

[mitchweezy]

Love the view and honesty of this interview thank you for sharing. I have been a fan since late 90s and definitely can hear the thought and care put into your music.