Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty

History

After leaving the United States Military Academy in 1984, Keenan enrolled in the Kendall College of Art and Design in Michigan to pursue an art career. While at Kendall in 1986, Keenan was in two musical groups, Tex A.N.S. and Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty. After the former musical group, in which Keenan played bass, disbanded he began working with Kevin Horning on Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty, producing several recordings. Keenan learned to program a drum machine and began writing songs.

Recordings

Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty first recorded a demo, an independent cassette called Fingernails in 1986, in Keenan's living room. While Horning played the guitar, Keenan sang, played bass and worked the drum machine. It is considered their "best-known recording."

One song on the cassette, "Burn About Out" is considered to be in part an early version of the Tool song "Sober". Although its tempo is faster when compared to "Sober" and it lacks the "anthemic chorus," the verse melody is the same and most of the lyrics are present.

The following year, they recorded a second EP called Dog. Tail, a cassette sought after due to scarcity in copies. The three other members from Tex A.N.S., Tom Geluso, Stan Henderson, and Todd Horning were recruited to support Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty after Keenan asked them to return. Filmed on stage at the Kendall College of Art & Design, Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty appeared on a Grand Rapids public access channel in April 1987 performing a few songs off of Fingernails, including "Burn Out About." The airing also featured an interview with Keenan.

Discography

Members