A Perfect Circle’s Billy Howerdel Drops Haunting Debut Solo Single ‘Poison Flowers’

A Perfect Circle founder Billy Howerdel has branched out in the past with the band Ashes Divide, but the musician is stepping out with his official solo debut today (March 4) with the new song "Poison Flowers."

Like some of the material with each of other bands, Howerdel paints a haunting visual with a dark palette. It's the first piece of music from his still-untitled solo album that is currently in the works and will eventually be released by Alchemy Recordings/BMG.

“’Poison Flowers’ began with the bass guitar part and all of the pieces flowed from there. It’s a rare feeling when the process of writing blocks out all distractions,” explains Howerdel, who handled all vocal and instrumentation for the song with the exception of Josh Freese's drum work.

“The upcoming songs reflect back to my earliest influences and ‘Poison Flowers’ leads well into the rest of the album,” teases the musician of what's to come.

Howerdel made his solo live debut last week appearing at #Happens Las Vegas playing an industry showcase. Onstage the musician was joined by several familiar faces with Freese, Nine Inch Nails' Danny Lohner, M83's Kaela Sinclair and Fake Shark's Kevin Maher rounding out the live lineup.

Get a closer look at the lyrics and listen to the song in the player below. If you like what you hear, the track is available via multiple platforms here.

Billy Howerdel, "Poison Flowers" Lyrics

I tend to rescue
It’s just the part I play
allure of the train wreck
can’t look away
breath taken, eyes closed
Prepared to submerge
Crafting excuses once more
To clear the path for your return

I was the engine and you drove me recklessly
The glass on the asphalt is all that is left me
I was the instrument you already knew how to play
Continually surprised it always ends this way

I’m redirecting my energy from these
These poison flowers
And back to things and those who truly matter

I must confess my sisters and brothers
our demons play nice with each other
The glorious allure, the pleasure and the shame

These were the Angels I cast out before I knew
Painted as killers and whores from stories untrue
Pouched from the sideline slide into this circus in vain
Hooked on the drama they whisper like cocaine
Facts have been shredded, it’s too hard to find the truth
Search for those Angels I cast out before I knew

I’m redirecting my energy from these
These poison flowers
And back to things and those who truly matter

These were the Angels I cast out before I knew
Painted as killers and whores from stories untrue
Pouched from the sideline slide into this circus in vain
Hooked on the drama they whisper like cocaine

Billy Howerdel, "Poison Flowers"