1991.XX.XX - Hollywood, CA, USA @ Grandmaster Studios
Tool - Opiate / Undertow Session Outtakes AKA “The BMG 1991-1993 Cassette Tape”

Source: “ “ - BMG Representative circa 1990-1994
Source: TDK Professional Sound Master Series SM10 - Master Cassette Tape
Transfer: Cassette Master > TDK Professional Sound Master Series SM10 Tape > Pioneer CT-W205R > ESI US24XL (digital transfer sound card) > Goldwave @ 48KHZ by CU.ORG 2020

Notes 2024: Where to start to explain this? Stick to the facts and maybe something good about the Pandemic of 2020 was the folks went through stuff they put off for decades? I know I did. . A very resourceful friend procured this particular cassette tape consisting of three songs: The Gaping Lotus Experience (alternate), Maynard;s Dick (alternate) and No Quarter (Salival version) from a very kind individual who once worked for the label and had what she had. What is interesting about this is The Gaping Lotus Experience and Maynard’s Dick were from the Opiate era whereas their fabulous Led Zeppelin cover of No Quarter was recorded circa 1994. Unsure about how these tracks made it onto a cassette which was then mailed to me for transfer. Prior to receiving this, I swear, I had no idea that an alternate version of TGLE existed. I was aware of the alternate Maynard’s Dick as it was actually on the first version/s of the demo tape (you can cross reference that, I’m writing this on a plane from Detroit, MI to Fort Lauderdale, FL to see Tool two nights in a row at The Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL two nights (Jan 18 and 19, 2024). I will go into some depth of each of these tracks which circulated on what I refer to as The BMG 1992-93 Session Tape. As a note, the entries for each song will appear independently from each other on the CU.ORG listing as there is not really a clean way to organize this otherwise.

01)
Gaping Lotus Experience
Recorded: 1991

Highlights:
* Alternate recording - lyrics, guitar, drum, bass
* Tape cuts off @ 10 min mark
* It is like they are sitting around an amp just riffing
* Sylvia Massey, Producer, is called out right before the tape ends.

Notes: What a great song. As a young lad in 1992 when Opiate came out I loved everything about particularly the live recordings on the EP. But when I discovered The Gaping Lotus Experience after Opiate on the CD, well, I was done. Tool was my band I love everything about that song. Thus when I learned that this particular source existed my mind was blown. This non-Opiate version is a veritable treasure. It is however lyrically fucked up which is not out of character for a Tool recording – this is why I transcribed the song. One of my favorite lines: "On Saturday morning, we smoked marijuana because the police are watching us. On Monday evening, we alllllllllllll... Saaataaan" (quietly) and also "sometimes we are rock stars, sometimes we eat trix cereal and sometimes we hit our neighbors in the head with bottles... Satan, enter my brain through shower water."

Transcribed:

On Thursday morning, we wash the dishes, thats the way it is in our commune over
On Tuesday morning, we get crystal enemas, it keeps us centered the whole week long
On Friday evening, we airpop hot popcorn, no salt please, I’m on a diet
On Saturday morning, we smoke marijuana, freak out because the police are watching us
On Monday evening, we allllllllllllllllllllll
SATAAAAAAAAAN
On Wednesday evening, we go to Gordons, happy hour takes place between 6 and 8 PM
We drink some SoBe, a brewski and think about our A & R Representative
Sometimes were rock stars, sometimes we eat Trix cereal and sometimes we hit our neighbors in the head with bottles
Satan! Enter my brain through shower water, help me to do rude things to my neighbors
Someday Ill have me a station wagon, Ill sit across from the 7-11.
Ill watch the children drinking Slurpies after school, masturbate with the air condition on on high
some say I’m evil, some say I’m crazy, I just know people from Kansas
Satan, Satan, SATAN, SATAN, SATAAAAAN
Bring it back, bring it back, bring it back
Sitting here, her name is Sylvia, can’t see how she can tolerate our activities, she has a friend here, his name is Jeffry
(tape ends)

02)
”Maynard's Dick”
Recorded: 1991

Notes: Did Tool fans deserve not one but two Maynard’s Dicks? Yes. You better fucking believe it. This is not the same version on Salival. No acoustic guitar, same lyrics but vocals are compressed and this absolutely seems to be an alternate take. I have a theory that all versions of Maynard’s Dick were recorded live at either The Loft or in Studio with Massey. Or maybe the somewhat ambient clap at the end was added on. To me, this sounds live and this take solidifies such an opinion.

The different burping and yelling at ending of the song:
* MJK: <burps>
* Clapping by people @ The Loft.
* MJK: "Beautiful"
* Person: "Phone's ringing"
* MJK: "Again?”