by John Kudlicka

A Tool tribute band will play in Somerville for the first time Feb. 16 at Assembly Square’s Good Time Emporium.

“We really love that venue,” lead singer of the band Triad, John “Bo” Boroyan, said.

‚ÄúIt‚Äôs really big and professional, and it‚Äôs a great outlet for performing Tool‚Äôs music, and hopefully bringing some visual elements into it for the first time.‚Äù  Bo said he hopes Somerville becomes a regular stop for the band‚Äôs performances.

Bo said the difference between a cover band and a tribute band is that tribute bands play only one band’s music. “A cover band’s job is to sell beer and keep people on the dance floor.”

Fronted by Bo and founded by Armenian bassist Mano Khach, Triad maintains that they only care about bringing the power of Tool‚Äôs music to their fans, he said.  Triad is the only Boston-based tribute band modeled after the iconic and mysterious metal band Tool, said Bo.

“We are not trying to be or duplicate Tool as a band. That’s what separates us from other tribute bands that try to dress and act like the bands they’re modeled after. We represent the power of Tool and our aim is to promote their music,” said Bo.

Triad also features members Dave Nichols on guitar, and Scott Perkins on drums, he said.

Bo said one of Triad‚Äôs goals is to promote original bands in Boston.  He never plays a show with another tribute or cover band, he said. ‚ÄúWe want to help showcase Boston bands that might not have as easy a time getting booked as we have had, we want to give back to Boston with original Boston music.‚Äù

Recently, the band posted an ad on Craigslist, calling for the help of female Tool fans. The band had unexpectedly gained so much momentum through word of mouth they were booking more shows than they could promote themselves,
Bo said.

“I posted that ad because we really need help with promotions, handing out fliers and getting word on the street before the shows. I was open for any help at all, but specifically requested females because guys tend to want to just drink and party and enjoy the show, whereas I’ve experienced a more professional drive from female fans,” he said.

Dave Nichols, the band’s guitarist, said he agreed. “People are much more likely to sign up on the e-mail list when a cute girl approaches them as opposed to some big dude that smells like beer.”

Triad’s popularity has grown rapidly since they started playing shows in December, he said.

“Most bands have to play a month of Mondays or Wednesdays before even getting booked for a Thursday night show. We don’t have to do that, we are already getting booked for Friday and Saturday nights,” he said.

After they played their first show in December at Pub 30 in Tyngsborough, they started getting offers to play at bars most bands have to tour for months to even get considered for, said Bo.

‚ÄúWe broke the ice out there, and all of a sudden the shit took off like wildfire,‚Äù he said.  Three days after that first show, Triad received a call to play at Bill‚Äôs Bar near Fenway Park, and after they played there, they received a call to play at Reflections in Chelmsford, he said. ‚ÄúEach time we played a show, we got a call to play elsewhere. The progression was overwhelming.‚Äù

By the time the band booked a gig at the Bulfinch Yacht Club in Boston, WBCN started announcing the event on the air, mentioning it at least four times before the show, Bo said.

“We’re just glad to please the fan-base Tool has and promote the music we love so much,” Bo said.

“We’re not approaching this with an ego, we just want to provide the fans with the experience of hearing Tool’s music live, since they only tour once every four years, the fans are hungering for a live Tool experience,” Khach said.

Khach said the band is named after the Tool song, “Triad,” an instrumental song that the tribute band begins every show with. “Triad also refers to the connection during shows between us, the fans, and Tool’s music,” Khach said.