Tool's company: Why the Knights are a progressive rock band from California

The connection between music and rugby league is a simple one: a pleasure for the senses.

During a period avoiding live commentary, I began listening to albums while watching games. It was an enjoyable period of time, reacquainting myself with different artists.

Putting on a sommelier’s disposition, I thought hard about which artists and genres would match well with the upcoming games.

Over the months of the NRL/music marriage, links began developing between bands and teams. Their histories and achievements, or their fans and values, resonated with each other in some distinct ways.

Most dramatically obvious was the connection between the Newcastle Knights and the progressive metal band Tool.

1990-1993
The Knights did an OK job, making their finals debut. They built a small amount of support, but nothing to really celebrate. They received mild reviews by fans and critics by finishing fourth, and having players like Paul Harragon play for the Kangaroos.

Universally the league was happy they were there, but no one was too troubled either way about them outside of their fans.

Tool did an ok job releasing Undertoe. They built a small amount of support, but nothing to really celebrate. They received mild reviews by fans and critics, enough to keep the boys motivated. Universally people were happy they were there, but no one was too troubled either way about them outside of their fans.

1996-1999
The Knights had key players Andrew Johns, Mathew Johns and Paul Harragon signed and playing well. The group could feel something building. 1997 saw the culmination of all their hard work in the form of a premiership. They saw a huge amount of critical acclaim, with seven Dally M medals awarded to the club. It was a golden time for the team, and a promise of more success to come.

Tool had key band members Maynard Keenan and Adam Jones playing well. The group could feel something building. 1996 saw the culmination of all their hard work in the form of the album AEnima. They saw a huge amount of critical acclaim, with a Grammy being awarded to the group. It was a golden time for the band, and a promise of more success to come.

Andrew Johns (AAP Image/Action Photographics/Grant Trouville)

2000-2002
The Knights playing group was gelling together again, and success was in the air. The club ended 2000 on a high, finishing the season third on the table and Andrew Johns collecting the Provan-Summons Medal. 2001 saw them working at their peak once more, resulting in a second premiership.

Newcastle had a record five Australian, three State of Origin and six CRL representatives in the one year. It rained success. It appeared nothing was going to stop them for the next decade.

Danny Buderus was in the Knights but was not in Tool. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Renee McKay)

Tool’s band members were gelling together again, and success was in the air. The band ended 2000 on a high, having completed most of their new album Lateralus. 2001 saw them working at their peak once more, resulting in the release of their third studio album.

Tool was awarded another Grammy, as they saw their second record go Gold and Platinum across the world. It rained success. It appeared nothing was going to stop them for the next decade.

2004-5
Nothing. A quiet fall from success, as money and administration got in the way of progress.

2006-2019
This was a turbulent time for the Knights. Although they experienced success in 2006, coming fourth, they could not replicate the same success they had generated before.

Their fans celebrated the small wins over that time, ending the period with some important wins and a few rays of hope.

This was a turbulent time for Tool. Although they experienced success in 2006, releasing the album 10,000 days, they could not replicate the same success they had generated before. Their fans celebrated the release of Fear Inoculum, ending the period with some important wins and a few rays of hope.

Presently
They are known across the world for having extremely loyal fans. Deep-down, any fan of football or metal, has a deep love and respect for what these two have achieved.

Some other music and football links are Broncos and Foo Fighters, Roosters and One Direction, Warriors and Beck, and the Dragons and Dean Martin. There must be more, as the connection is so easy: a pleasure for the senses.