Contents:
_psychic distance_ and other stuff (spanker@cornell.edu)
Re: Magellan, Cathedral, and the inevitable comparisons(?!) (svanhooser@aol.com)
DiMeola (amg0033@v2.qub.ac.uk)
Re: touring? (ajm6@Lehigh.EDU (Tony Maglia))
Re:Influences? (stmpyjcat@aol.com)
Bootleg Co-Op (Michael Burstin <mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu>)
Progressive fanzines (stmpyjcat@aol.com)
dt article - finally (Tymoteusz Altman <altman@sfu.ca>)
James lies!!! (BERTAPELLE ADAM RAYE <bertapel@ucsu.Colorado.EDU>)
SHIRTS: Who's paid??? (Jason Hough <jason@jester.cts.com>)
unsuscribing (Brian Gilner <gilner@cs.tulane.edu>)
Re: touring? (Stone <stone@panix.com>)
Re: Simple question (Stone <stone@panix.com>)
if anyone mailed me - i'm back up... (Tymoteusz Altman <altman@sfu.ca>)
Inferno (SGA SENATOR/PRE-LAW SOCIETY/GUITARIST <LODGE_TIM@CCSUA.CTSTATEU.EDU>)
Re: Simple question ("Wessel Marquering" <W.A.Marquering@kub.nl>)
Lords of Sound (lerxst@Esy.COM (Brian V. Cox))
yet another new dt boot! (lerxst@Esy.COM (Brian V. Cox))
ALT.MUSIC.DREAM-THEATER (William T Bajzek <impaler+@CMU.EDU>)
(Eric Moegling <emoeglin@bigcat.missouri.edu>)
DT FAQL as it currently stands (Michael Bahr <garion@indirect.com>)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 1994 22:50:20 EDT
From: spanker@cornell.edu
Subject: _psychic distance_ and other stuff
first of all, to Jay from Inferno, thanks for the speedy delivery of the
tape. It's fucking cool.
second, i was wondering if anyone knows about Crimson Glory's first self-
titled album, the one before _transcendence_.
third, i would like to point out that al dimeola's "dinner music of the
gods" from 1980's _splendido hotel_ was probably a very big influence on
petrucci's playing and dt's writing.
fourth, all the fates cd's are supposed to be rereleased in the near future.
later
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 23 Apr 94 00:24:35 EDT
From: svanhooser@aol.com
Subject: Re: Magellan, Cathedral, and the inevitable comparisons(?!)
<<<<
Someone on here was wondering about Magellan. Well, I'm a fairly big fan of
theirs, and hope to do a phone interview with them this weekend. (Any
questions?) They have 2 albums out now, the second being Impending
Ascension.
This album has some great songs on it, especially Waterfront Wierdos, which
has
Duane Doane from Jethro Tull on drums. Unfortunately, it can only be gotten
as
an import, something that theyare trying to resolve for their next album.
Last time I talked with them, they were talking about a new album, but
nothing
set in stone. (Although they said that their label wanted them to do one
pronto!:)
>>>>
Please ask them about their British influences on Hour of Restoration. Are
they from Britain?
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 23 Apr 1994 12:03:48 EDT
From: amg0033@v2.qub.ac.uk
Subject: DiMeola
> third, i would like to point out that al dimeola's "dinner music of the
> gods" from 1980's _splendido hotel_ was probably a very big influence on
> petrucci's playing and dt's writing.
Dude, I`ve been trying to tell DT fans here, that insight for ages....
petrucci`s playing is very influenced, by DiMeola, which he admits to,
especially, the Elegant Gypsy, Casino, Splendido Hotel era... three
awesome jazz fusion guitar albums... IMHO of course....
Clive.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 23 Apr 1994 17:33:26 EDT
From: ajm6@Lehigh.EDU (Tony Maglia)
Subject: Re: touring?
I haven't really heard too much about DT touring, but I was talking to my
cousin who is into DT and she said that they're touring Europe right now.
She's not really sure when they're coming back to the US.
Tony
Tony Maglia
ajm6@lehigh.edu
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 23 Apr 94 19:07:53 EDT
From: stmpyjcat@aol.com
Subject: Re:Influences?
Andrew Cloninger <ancl@freenet3.scri.fsu.edu> wrote:
//i was SURE that "Tomorrow Never Knows" was the first "progressive rock"
song. IMHO it has that right "feel" that i have always associated with
what i have felt to be "progressive rock". Does anyeone else out there
share this same feeling about this song, as being the start of the music
that we have come to know and love? Or, was there something that came
earlier that could be sighted as more of an influence on progressive rock?
Just wondering,
Andrew//
I'd agree and take it a little further. I think that much of what the Beatles
did has George Martin's influences of classical stylings and did much to
influence progressive rock. So many of the bands that followed the Beatles
couldn't help being influenced by them in some way. I don't know if one could
point to any single influence that was the 'beginning' of prog but it seems
to me that most of the early proggers had a background of some classical
training (Emerson, Wakeman, etc.) Much of the chord progressions (sorry)
found in this kind of music have their roots in classical music. One of the
things that drew me to prog-rock was the fact that the best players were in
it. And generally these players have had more 'serious' training than your
run-of-the-mill band.
Dream On!
StmpyJCat
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 23 Apr 1994 21:00:44 -0500 (EDT)
From: Michael Burstin <mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu>
Subject: Bootleg Co-Op
Ok... I just talked to Saul about this entire bootleg co-op deal,
and his plans are different than what I had thought.
Here is the plan... what he wants to do is to have this set up as a
permanant thing... We will have CD order dates, and if your order is
recieved by then, the disc will be ordered. If it is not ordered by
then, it will be ordered during the next order date.
Ok... some more details.
Lists of discs:
We will start out by ordering from the 2 bigger CD companies. These
are Kiss The Stone and Great Dane. KTS owns KTS, Big Music,
Cocomelos Records, and Nikko Records. I am not sure who else Great
Dane owns (if you have any Great Dane CDs, and they have a list of
companies owned, please let me know!!!). If this co-op works, we will
start ordering from more companies. Another source is a book called
_Hot Wacks_ from The Hot Wacks Press. This lists many bootlegs and
manufactures. (I have never seen this book, and am not sure where to
obtain a copy)
Prices:
This all depends on volume. If we have 200 orders, they will be much
cheaper than 20 orders. We are hoping to be able to purchase discs in
the $12 - $13 range.
International Orders:
Not sure about this... Thus will cause problems in having to mail out
again through customs. I am not sure about doing this.
Timing:
Because of my misunderstanding, I though that time would be an
important issue. If we are going to continuously order, then the
timing is not as important.
Catalogs:
Hopefully, there will be some way to distribute catalogs. I am not
sure though. A good way to find out about a bootleg is to post to the
digest for the band to ask about who the bootleg is made by.
More details, and loss of email access over the summer:
Here is another important detail... we WILL NOT be able to have the
first order by the end of some people's school year.
What we would like to do is to send a self addressed stamped envelope
to
P.O. Box 15440
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-0440
We will send you more info then. If you will continue to have email
access over the summer, they you will recieve info over email. I will
post more details, or send out one mailing to all people who have
already responded. Also, if you have already responded to me, please
let me know if you want summer mailings. I have all addresses saved.
Now, here is some of the bad news, depending on what mailing list you
are recieving this on.
Dream Theater CDs available: Dream Out Loud, Lords Of Sound (DoE and
Why Not Records are not available :( )
Van Halen: I am not sure who manufactures most VH discs. Please post
to the VH digest if you have info.
Rush: I am not sure. Please check either the FTP site
(syrinx.umd.edu) or gopher to : gopher syrinx.umd.edu 2112
There is a bootleg discog there. (Run From The Fans is on KTS)
Pearl Jam: Discs that I know are in the KTS group: 5 Alive,
Lollapalooza '92 (all other Lollapalooza 92 are also on KTS), Against,
Flashpoint, Brixton,
U2: too many to list
Metallica: Tearing Yourself Inside Out, Tower Of Strenth, All Hell
Breaks Loose, Totally Destroyed Canada
Others include: Black Crowes, AiC, GnR and many others...
I am sorry for such a long post, but I am posting to many mailing
lists at a time, as well as my own list...
Once more, for more details, please write me or Saul
(hockeypens@aol.com) Also, I am on all digest that this was posted
to, except for U2 (I am posting there for Saul). I will be able to
follow most discussions (except U2) and hopefully provide more
details.
-- +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | This world is spinning around me | | This world is spinning without me | | Every day sends future to past | | Every breath leaves me one less to my last | | Dream Theater Pull Me Under Images and Words | | Michael Burstin Brandeis University | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Let's Go Pens Let's Go Pens Lets Go Pens Let's Go Pens | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ For info about Dream Theater, finger mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu------------------------------
Date: Sat, 23 Apr 94 22:50:14 EDT From: stmpyjcat@aol.com Subject: Progressive fanzines
Greetings Prog-heads!
Could anyone please post or e-mail any subsciption info for any and all progressive mags/fanzines like I.E., Garden Party, etc.? Thanks, in advance for your help
StmpyJCat
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 24 Apr 1994 11:44:01 -0700 (PDT) From: Tymoteusz Altman <altman@sfu.ca> Subject: dt article - finally
OK, here is that article that I promissed.
METAL ON THE RISE Story by: DREW MASTERS from the August '92 issue of M.E.A.T
One of the quitest buzzes around the TO(RONTO) metal scene was the scoring by James (Kevin) LaBrie, former lead singer for Winter Rose, of the lead singing s pot in relatively unknown New York based art metallers Dream Theater. But, on Ju ly 7th, the mystery surrounding this gig unfolded with the release of Dream Thea ter's second album, and first on Atco/Warner, the to-be-a-masterpiece entitled I mages And Words.
In all positive senses of the term, James 'scored'. He landed into what may s urely be the most critically acclaimed and influential art metal band ever heard since Queensryche. Simply, this record floored me from first listen -- and I tr uly ain't saying this 'cause I know James. This is amazing; it may take some tim e, but this is one brilliand album that is sure to make Dream Theater huge!
James grew up in the Midland, Ontario region, and, in 1982, he moved to Toron to and joined a band called Trance, which he remained in until 1984. In the summ er of '85, he joined Coney Hatch, replacing the departed Carl Dixon. This stint lasted ten months into 1986, deciding to leave when he became restless at Coney' s lack of progress towards recording another record. In '87 he joined the stree rockish outfit Shock Candy, and later went on to The Hunger -- the latter was wh ere he met up with quitarist Rich Chycki. Together in April of '88 they began Wi nter Rose, and remained together until early '90, when, frustrated at scratching at the seams of a record deal, but unable to attain one, the band disintegrated
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 24 Apr 1994 23:17:43 -0600 (MDT) From: BERTAPELLE ADAM RAYE <bertapel@ucsu.Colorado.EDU> Subject: James lies!!!
When I saw DT last summer in San Francisco, James explained that while on the road for a while, they got a chance to write some new stuff, and they were going to run and new one by us. They played To Live Forever, and it was the first we had ever heard of it. Then I goin Unconciously Real, and was surprised that Charlie used to sing it back in 1989! Just kind of strange, that's all. -Adam
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 24 Apr 1994 14:39:47 -0700 (PDT) From: Jason Hough <jason@jester.cts.com> Subject: SHIRTS: Who's paid???
Here is the list of people I've got money from so far:
Krysten DeBroka Pat Daugherty Nathan Bradley Paul Poehler Paul Cashman Jeff Smith Tim Altman Michael Starr Jason Breitweg William Nottingham Cem Unsal
There's still A LOT of people who ordered shirts but have not sent me money. Please do so. :)
If you've sent a check sometime in the last 4 days or so, dont worry. Those of you who ordered shirts in e-mail, PLEASE SEND THE CHECK!!
Thanks to those above who paid me already, it helps a lot!!!!
-----------------------------) Jason Hough - jason@jester.cts.com Nextmail is fine "I'm ashes on the water now, somewhere far away..." -Marillion (-----------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 94 14:11:46 CDT From: Brian Gilner <gilner@cs.tulane.edu> Subject: unsuscribing
How do I unsubscribe from this mail group?
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 1994 15:14:36 -0400 (EDT) From: Stone <stone@panix.com> Subject: Re: touring?
>From what I hear Dream Theater will begin their tour in September, right around the release of the new album.
Stone
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 1994 15:21:17 -0400 (EDT) From: Stone <stone@panix.com> Subject: Re: Simple question
On Fri, 22 Apr 1994, Michael Bahr wrote:
> > > > What is the band up to now? Touring, recording, goofing off, what? I had > > They will begin recording in about a week... they have completed > writing and demoing their new album.... > > Mike/garion@indirect.com/belar@aol.com/king@citadel.gov.riva
to All: > The band is recording their new album with John Purdell and Duane Barron. I hear it's set for a Sept. release with a tour to follow.
Stone
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 1994 16:33:23 -0700 (PDT) From: Tymoteusz Altman <altman@sfu.ca> Subject: if anyone mailed me - i'm back up...
if anyone tried to send mail to me today, it probably returned, because they were cleaning out accounts over here this morning. please resend your mail.
now back to DT stuff...
i know that this has been discussed before, and there is something about this in the FAQ, but i have a different view. i'm talking about the song 'Another Day'. the FAQ says that it's about suicide, and trying to keep someone from taking their own life... but after watching the video, it seems to be about someone dying from a disease, and the family telling this person not to give up, and 'live another day', etc... perhaps the song IS about suicide, etc, and the song was interpreted differently for the video. anyways... that's all for now....
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 1994 21:24:54 -0400 (EDT) From: SGA SENATOR/PRE-LAW SOCIETY/GUITARIST <LODGE_TIM@CCSUA.CTSTATEU.EDU> Subject: Inferno
i know this is off the topic and all, but i just received the tape from INFERNO called Psychic Distance and I like it alot. One thing. the music is really good. the musicians are good. but the singer sounds out of place. No offense, but they would probably get signed with a guy who sounded like Labrie or Bruce Dickinson..hey even ray adler...that high voice sound.
just MHO.
Tim
------------------------------
Date: 25 Apr 94 11:31:14 MET From: "Wessel Marquering" <W.A.Marquering@kub.nl> Subject: Re: Simple question
>> >> What is the band up to now? Touring, recording, goofing off, what?
> They will begin recording in about a week... they have completed > writing and demoing their new album....
Yesterday I was watching MTV's 'headbangers ball'. After they played 'Take the Time' I heard some cool information. Dream Theater has started recording with the producers John Purdell and Duane Barron. These are the producers from Ozzie Osbourne's 'No More Tears'. The planned release date is September. There will be 10 songs on the new album. Further, DT are in a studio in L.A.
************************************************************ * Wessel Marquering w.a.marquering@kub.nl * * ecuqr@csv.warwick.ac.uk * ************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 94 1:44:50 CDT From: lerxst@Esy.COM (Brian V. Cox) Subject: Lords of Sound
Hi.
I just got done taking a long road trip down to school and back, to look for a place to live this summer (looks like it will be my car!) and i was listening to Lords of Sound in the car on the way down. I hadn't made it all the way through before, and i found something very disappointing. Learning to Live is missing a sizable (3-4 minute) chunk, in the middle. starts about at the "90's bring new..." part and comes back in after the clean guitar interlude. i have no idea why they did this, time definitely was no factor, the discs are only 45 and 50 minutes long. that should have tipped me off. almost all of dt's gig (except the dreambill of course) have been clocking in at right around 100 minutes. oh well besides that edit the discs sound excellent.
(listened to ACOS about 4 or 5 times on the way down, too :) )
if anyone is interested, there is an ad in Goldmine with the following for sale:
The Dance of Eternity 2cd $55 Consciously Unreal 2cd $55 Skyway of Nightmares 1cd $28
Or, the guy i order from can get all of these, for probably a few bucks less. probably more like $23-$24 and $43-$46, including tax and shipping.
here is his name and address:
"In the Groove Records" Donald King 1659 Alderbrook Rd. Atlanta, GA 30345 (404)972-0787
later... d
**************************************************************************** *Brian V. Cox *"You and I long to live like wind upon the water* *Texas A&M University * If we close our eyes, we'll maybe realize * *(214)553-9159 * There's more to life than what we have known * *lerxst@esy.com * And I can't believe I spent so long * *************************** Living lies I knew were wrong inside * * "What you believe is * I've just begun to see the light..." * * What you are...Therefore* -Queensryche "Anybody Listening?" * * I am nothing" -Brian * "Machines have no conscience..." -Qryche NM156 * ****************************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Apr 94 12:03:55 CDT From: lerxst@Esy.COM (Brian V. Cox) Subject: yet another new dt boot!
man am i happy!
just got back from buying yet another new boot. god is this one awesome! finally one has surpassed the dance of eternity. this is a 2cd set called "lost in the sky". it is in a weird case, kinda looks like the old cd longboxes. about roughly the size of half of an album sleeve. both cd's fit in the middle part of a tri-gatefold. very very nice package. i have never seen anything like it. it is a TRUE SOUNDBOARD from Milan, Italy, 11/15/93. it even has a little "original soundboard recording" logo on it like alot of the italian boots. it is on metal crash/why not? records, number mecd2158/59. awesome sound. i am amazed. sounds better than the osaka soundboard (of course mine is high gen, though) here is the set list:
CD1:
Metropolis part 1 9:23 Mission: Impossible Theme/Afterlife 7:46 Under a Glass Moon 7:38 Wait for Sleep 3:02 Surrounded 6:01 Ytsejam 10:51 Pup/Take the Time 12:48
CD2:
To Live Forever/Barfbag 12:18 Another Day 5:19 Only a Matter of Time 8:25 Pull Me Under 8:49 Eve 5:00 Learning to Live 13:32
Total time is right at 111 minutes.
some notes:
mision impossible and pup are not listed. barfbag (or whatever it is!) is labeled /instrumental eve is labeled "instrumental"
everything is perfect, no mislabeled songs, no misspellings, the only thing i could find was there are individual pictures of the band, and john m.'s picture is there for him and for john p. the cover is great, it is roughly the size of 2 cd jewel boxes side by side, in landscape mode, and is a full shot of the stage, the inside and back are the other way, "portrait" orientation. it is easily the best sound/packaging yet. and, it only cost me $49. he did charge me an extra $5, he said that it is supposed to sell for $70, since it cost him $5 more than most 2cd's.
i will keep you posted if i notice anything else about it. seems like the last 3 boots that have come out, i have gotten them first from this one store here in dallas, i wonder why he gets them before everyone else?
later...
**************************************************************************** *Brian V. Cox *"You and I long to live like wind upon the water* *Texas A&M University * If we close our eyes, we'll maybe realize * *(214)553-9159 * There's more to life than what we have known * *lerxst@esy.com * And I can't believe I spent so long * *************************** Living lies I knew were wrong inside * * "What you believe is * I've just begun to see the light..." * * What you are...Therefore* -Queensryche "Anybody Listening?" * * I am nothing" -Brian * "Machines have no conscience..." -Qryche NM156 * ****************************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Apr 1994 16:23:03 -0400 (EDT) From: William T Bajzek <impaler+@CMU.EDU> Subject: ALT.MUSIC.DREAM-THEATER
HAHA! They thought legality would stop us! Bug your sysadmins and postmaster-generals for alt.music.dream-theater
-------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Bajzek impaler+@cmu.edu
"A spectre so violent.. in its views... lies impervious... altitude ...has a tendency... under pressure... to reveal its identity" - Skinny Puppy
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Apr 1994 01:25:20 -0500 (CDT) From: Eric Moegling <emoeglin@bigcat.missouri.edu> Subject:
subscribe Eric Moegling
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- According to the circle of fifths, and the pattern of sharps and flats: If the alphabet continued as notes progressed (Using Major Key Sig's) (i.e A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, etc.) eventually the key of Z Major would have 4 sharps.
emoeglin@bigcat.missouri.edu ERIC MOEGLING: emoeglin@freenet.scri.fsu.edu -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 27 Apr 1994 00:13:12 -40962758 (MST) From: Michael Bahr <garion@indirect.com> Subject: DT FAQL as it currently stands
Hello all! Just wanted to drop off a current copy of the DT FAQL. I am trying to get it set pretty much in concrete before the new album comes out, as far as the meanings of older songs and specifics regarding events that have already taken place. Once the new album comes out I will have more than enough to deal with. :)
As always, feel free to mail me if any of you think I messed up. Thanks to those of you who have mailed me recently.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ___ _ _ ___ _ ___ _ _ | \| >|_ /\ |\/| | |_||_ /\ | |_ | > _|_/| \|_/ \| | | | ||_/ \ | |_ | \ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FAQL: Dream Theater (Current to 4/30/94) Compiled by: Jason Hough & Mike Bahr (jhough@qualcomm.com) and (garion@indirect.com) Extensively "beta-tested" by Michael Burstin and Randy Haskin (address below) Thanks to Ken Higginson for the DT Ascii you see above. Welcome to the official, spiced with Vindaloo, Dream Theater FAQ, presented by us and the members of the Ytsejam mailing list!
This is the Birthday edition of the FAQ, revised and edited and changed all around, etc. I call it the Birthday edition not because the FAQ is that old, but because this revision is to be current to my 20th birthday. (didn't ya just KNOW it was something foolish like that! grin)
We're not perfect. But we're trying to be as accurate as we can. If you can help us to that end with this FAQL, we appreciate it.
NOTICE! There are a few separate files now. The old one was just too hard to manage all as one! Plus, a few issues of the band's connection to bootleg material came up, etc. The new files, which I will try to make available via FTP if we can find a home somewhere, are:
faql.dt = This FAQL discog.dt = Dream Theater discography [official releases only] bootlegs.dt = Dream Theater bootleg guide lyrics.dt = All known lyrics from both the studio and live/demo-only releases.
Michael Burstin (mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu) is now handling the bootlegs and the lyrics listings.
I'll start messing with the discog again as soon as something comes OUT! :)
There are also some other files I'd like to put with those if we find them a home, namely some interviews with the band members, etc.
Dream Theater has a mailinglist! It's called Ytsejam.
The Ytsejam mailing list can be joined by doing the following: Send email to ytsejam-request@bnf.com No subject! Text should read, exactly:
subscribe ytsejam firstname lastname (replace the names with your own.) You will be added automatically! To unsubscribe, please do the following:
Send email to ytsejam-request@bnf.com No Subject! Text should read, exactly:
unsubscribe ytsejam
It will take you off the list that very day. If you have any problems please email jhough@qualcomm.com (ytsejam-owner@bnf.com).
I've shortened the credits section because of all the people who have been a part of it, but I wish to slight nobody; you ALL have helped a hell of a lot and a lot of kudos go to the people listed below.
I probably forgot whole boatloads of you in this short credits section. Please forgive me; I'll try and get it right next time... Many thanks to the following for their additions and corrections: * Michael Burstin (mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu) * Brian Cox (lerxst@esy.com) * Randall Haskin (strega@stein.u.washington.edu) * Dave (dld30@quts.ccc.amdahl.com) * Todd Henson (thenson@mason1.gmu.edu) * Bill Buckley (buckley@powdml.enet.dec.com) * Jennifer Albert (cc p.terrell@genie.geis.com) * Lars "ORION" Karlsson () * Tim (space2@hardy.u.washington.edu) * Aaron (asilver@umiami.edu) * Jeremy A. Smith (js013b@uhura.cc.rochester.edu) Abbreviations you should know: ------------------------------ DT - Dream Theater... NOT DREAM THEATRE! Petrucci is very specific about it. WDADU - When Dream And Day Unite IAW - Images And Words LATM - Live At The Marquee LIT - Live in Tokyo (video) ACOS - A Change of Seasons YML - Ytsejam mailing list PMU - Pull Me Under TTT - Take The Time LTL - Learning To Live
CONTENTS -------- 0. New Questions/Frequently Changing Recent Information 1. Questions about the members of DT/DT History 2. Questions about DT performances/appearances/miscellany 3. Questions about the songs themselves
New Stuff --------- 0.1 What do we know about Dream Theater's new (third studio) album?
We know a few things. Here's what we've been able to glean from the band members:
* It's not yet titled. (soon as you hear info on this mail us FAST!) * The demos are done. The songs are written and rehearsed. The album will start recording tomorrow (as of this writing): May 1, 1994. There is a three week studio booking in. * Release date expected: August 15, 1994. Source: ATCO * (To Live) Forever and A Change of Seasons are NO LONGER being included. DT says they have over 60 minutes of new material they are happy with, so they may put the above into a special package at some time in the future. * All of the songs on it will be "Really Long". * There is one song that is part of a trilogy. * Portnoy says Metropolis part II is likely to appear on it. * They have two producers working on it. * Former producer David Prater was promoted. * It's still on the Atlantic label. * No other pre-LaBrie songs will be re-done or re-recorded. * Bombay Vindaloo is not slated for inclusion. * LaBrie will be the first DT vocalist with a hand in the songwriting process before production. * They will wait until the album is released to begin touring. This MAY NOT be the case. I just received word from a local radio station that DT is expected to play a show on 7/20/94 at the Mesa Amphitheater, Mesa, AZ. The new album is not expected until August. They toured early last time, though, so....
1. Questions about the members of DT ------------------------------------ 1.1 Who are the current members of Dream Theater? They are Kevin James LaBrie (vocals), John Petrucci (guitar), Michael Portnoy (drums), Kevin Moore (keyboards), and John Myung (bass). Petrucci, Moore, and Myung grew up together in New York. Portnoy joined them later when they caught him playing at a club. LaBrie joined them in late 1990. LaBrie beat out fellow throats John Arch, Steve Stone, John Hendricks, and Chris Cintron for the job. His audition, consisting of an acoustic version of To Live Forever, and a regular LTL and TTT, was fantastic. 1.2 Has anyone been a member of Dream Theater that is not in it now? Yes. Charlie Dominici was their vocalist from 1988 to 1989, approximately. He did the vocals on "When Dream And Day Unite" and on part of the bootleg "Consciously Unreal". Chris Collins was their vocalist before 1988 on the Majesty demos. 1.3 What are the Majesty demos? Before they were Dream Theater, they were Majesty. However, there was already a band called Majesty, so they could not release the demos. They wound up on bootlegs and evaluation tapes, and a list of known songs is in the extended discography in this file. ALSO! Between singers, Dream Theater did still more demos. These are referred to as the Dream Theater Demos due to the timeframe. Some of the songs DT has demoed include:
Another Won Your Majesty A Vision Two Far Vital Star March of the Tyrant A Late Summer Rain Schizophrenia Afterlife The Death of Spark Resurrection of Ernie Cry for Freedom Gates of Babylon Ytsejam The Killing Hand Mission: Impossible Golden Slumbers * O Holy Night Don't Look Past Me To Live Forever Metropolis A Change of Season Grab That Feel $ Creep With Tonality % Wanted Dead or Alive (sort of a joke)
* Also called The Golden Weight $ Later renamed Take The Time % Later renamed Learning to Live
1.4 Why did Charlie Dominici leave DT?
According to Mike Portnoy and John Petrucci, he was released because of several things, but most importantly because he didn't fit in with the band in a few important ways. He was far older than the rest of them, had a different idea of what DT should be, and lacked ability as a frontman when performing live. There were apparently a few personality conflicts at work. The band and Dominici are not currently in contact with each other.
1.5 Why did Chris Collins leave Majesty/DT?
According to Petrucci, he just didn't have what it took. Apparently they had to record his vocals on the demos one sentence at a time and sometimes even less. Furthermore, he found he could not perform live adequately. Based on tapes of the Majesty shows from 1986, this is a fairly accurate assessment of Chris Collins' singing ability.
1.6 What was James LaBrie doing before he joined the band?
Kevin James LaBrie (they drop the Kevin because they would otherwise confuse him with Kevin Moore, and two Johns are already hard enough to deal with, says Petrucci) sang for a Canadian band by the name of Winter Rose. He was selected from among 20 auditions and over 200 tapes by DT during the making of IAW. Winter Rose was a... well... a poser band. With song titles like "White Trash", "Saved By Love", and "Never Fall In Love Again", you can guess what it was like without even hearing tapes of them firsthand. 1.7 Who inspired the band members the most? In an interview, Mike Portnoy cited Neil Peart of Rush as his greatest influence and favourite drummer. His other influences include Terry Bozzio and Vinnie Calauita, but Portnoy says Peart is his drum "God".
Petrucci has two groups of influences, he said in an interview. The Steves and the Als. The Steves are Steve Morse, Steve Howe, Steve Vai, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The Als are Alex Lifeson, Al Dimeola, and Alan Holdsworth.
John Myung's bass idols are Steve Harris and Geddy Lee. Kevin Moore's ivory inspiration comes from Rick Wakeman, Jens Johansen, and Michelle Camillo, among others.
As a band, they are influenced most (according to Portnoy) by Rush, Queensryche, Yes, Marillion, Genesis, and Kansas. Those groups make a few appearances here in this FAQ forasmuch as they relate to DT.
Petrucci individually likes Pantera. The whole band got on very well with the Galactic Cowboys. Much like their listeners, they have very broad and varied tastes. 1.8 Andrea Held Leone and Ralph R. Dominici Sr. are mentioned in the liner notes to WDADU as the dedicants. What relation to the band are they? Andrea is Portnoy's sister. Ralph is Charlie's father. 1.9 Marillion is thanked in the liners in IAW, whats the relation? Dream Theater opened for Marillion in New York (anyone have the exact date?). Mike Portnoy also said, "We're all really big fans. I really dig 'Misplaced Childhood'." 1.10 What is DT's address? Their mail address is PO BOX 166, Long Beach, NY, 11561. 1.11 What musical instrument sponsorships does DT have? Ibanez sponsors John Petrucci, and Tama Drums sponsors Mike Portnoy. His current drum kit was designed by Neil Peart in 1984 (see the Rush/Grace Under Pressure tourbook for more on this).
1.12 Is there a Dream Theater fan club?
Yes. Write to the address below: Dream Theater Fan Club Dept.A 11 Penn Plaza Suite 910 New York, NY 10001-2006
1.13 What does the "symbol" DT uses mean?
The "symbol" can be seen on the IAW disc, on the IAW cover on top of the bed, on the WDADU cover, etc. It is the letter "M" of "MAJESTY" in a stylized font, says Portnoy. It was once used by Mary Queen of Scots.
1.14 What does the burning heart symbolize?
According to Portnoy, it was Moore's idea and essentially a copy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The barbed wire represented obstacles and difficulties, the heart endurance and strength, and the fire their energy and passion.
1.15 Who thought up the name for the band?
Mike Portnoy's father Howard thought they should name it after the moviehouse near where they grew up. It was called The Dream Theater. Initially, they recorded a demo by that name, then named the band after it.
1.16 Where did DT go to school?
The Johns and Kevin Moore went to the Berklee (sic) school of music in Boston, MA, not Berkeley as has been erroneously mentioned on rec.music.progressive. Berklee is a music-dedicated school that has produced the likes of Steve Vai and Chris DeGarmo. 2. Questions about DT performances/appearances/miscellany --------------------------------------------------------- 2.1 Who has toured with Dream Theater? Psychotic Waltz, the Galactic Cowboys, Saigon Kick, Meanstreak (with guitarist Rena Sands, Petrucci's wife) and others among a slew of local acts the band likes to use for openers. 2.2 What producers has Dream Theater worked with? Terry Date produced WDADU. Terry Brown (Broon), the producer who took Rush through their first eleven albums, produced the promotional discs from WDADU. David Prater produced IAW. Prater was the ex-drummer/producer of Santana. Doug Oeberkircher produced and mixed Live At The Marquee.
2.3 What songs has Dream Theater made videos for? Pull Me Under, Take The Time, and Another Day. Another Day did not make MTV's playlist, even though DT felt it had the most MTV potential. Pull Me Under was shot live and has received the most airplay. Take The Time was shot as a video production, however the song had to be shortened a lot and many unexpected jumps in the song throw the video off pace. 2.4 What songs has Dream Theater played live? A better question would probably be which ones have they NOT played live, since they play just about all of them. Here are the songs that either don't get played live, or have never been recorded live at any known show. A Vision Two Far The Ones Who Help to Set The Sun (formerly "Death of Spock/Spark" in the Majesty demo era) (this will be added to when they release another album no doubt) Here are a few songs that have ONLY been performed live, and never recorded in any studio or demo (yet): Eve Bombay Vindaloo (which is actually an improv based off ACOS) Moon Bubbles Puppies on Acid Barfbag
2.5 Who plays the saxophone on "Another Day"? Jay Beckenstein of Spiro Gyra, who owned the studio where IAW was put to tape (Bear Trax).
2.6 Will DT ever release production versions of the old Majesty demos?
In some cases, they did just that (see the discog). Mike Portnoy was asked about this, and said that while they might be fun to play live, it really wouldn't get the band anywhere to release new recordings of them. Since DT is concerned with moving forward, he said, it will likely not happen any more than it already has. Half the first album was production from the demos, but the remaining demos are "just too old." 3. Questions about the songs themselves --------------------------------------- 3.1 Who sings on the satiric "Wanted Dead or Alive" demo? We aren't sure. It sounds like John Arch of Fates Warning. Since the demo and the vocalist auditions took place in the same timeframe, it's possible. The higher voice, probably augmented by a helium balloon, has to be a "real singer", and could be Arch, Cintron, or LaBrie.
The stupid Beavis/Butthead voices... "This song Sucks!" seem to be augmented by the same helium helping, but as they are not sung, they could just as well be Portnoy and Moore: in other words we have no idea.
3.2 What is "A Fortune In Lies" about?
According to Mike, it was about a friend of theirs who was busted for stealing, and the experience he gleaned from it. 3.3 Where is the sampled voice in "A Fortune In Lies" from?
Mike Portnoy recorded it off a television documentary about the prison system.
3.4 What does "The Ytse' Jam" mean? YTSEJAM is MAJESTY written backwards, and it probably refers to their original band name in that ambiguous way instrumentals refer to things. 3.5 What is "The Killing Hand" about? John does not comment on it often, but Mike Portnoy opened up in an interview about why it was written and what he "thinks" it's about. In the interview Portnoy is very careful to remind the reader that he Could be all wrong, but that it's not likely. Petrucci wrote it as a sort of "Twilight Zone" story about war, in which he witnesses all these atrocities, and sees the names of the dead on a wall, and then realizes it's been him this whole time causing all the atrocities... then he sees his name on the wall, very Rod Serling-type of stuff. 3.6 Is "Afterlife" a Christian song? Is "Eve"? While the band admits Afterlife has Christian overtones, it is not a religious tune in the same spirit as the music of King's X or Parallax. Eve, the piano/guitar intro sequence used live for both Pull Me Under and Learning To Live at different times, includes a lot of voice samples including "Guide us on to our Lord Jesus, guide us home." Kevin Moore and John Myung are the more religious members of the band (compared to the secular Portnoy) and Moore wrote it, so while it is certainly not a Stryper-style preach jam, it can be classified as a Christian song. Mike indicated in an interview that Kevin Moore was aiming at that, but that (like in the Killing Hand case) he didn't write it himself so he couldn't guarantee the meaning was exactly right. 3.7 What is "Pull Me Under" about? The current explanation goes that it was inspired by Shakespeare's "Hamlet". Prince Hamlet swore vengeance on King Claudius for murdering his father, the former King, and then marrying his mother, still Queen. Hamlet's famous Soliloquy was the passage in which the conflict in Hamlet's mind is detailed, and the second verse of "Pull Me Under" coincides pretty thoroughly with it. The very end of the song James can be heard singing this line from Hamlet: "Oh that this too, too solid flesh would melt."
Furthermore, after seeing the video, in an interview, Portnoy said "Who the hell was that wolfman guy in the video anyway? We had written it based on something else entirely." Portnoy noted that while Moore did not write PMU about Hamlet specifically, he DID write PMU about what Hamlet was ABOUT. Same themes, ideas, etc.
Here's the no-brainer explanation: Here's a post from YTSEJAM #42 that shows the Pull Me Under/Hamlet connection. Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1993 05:47:59 -0400 (EDT) From: ender@uunet.uu.net (Pete "Ender" Walsh) Subject: Pull Me Under / Hamlet
PULL ME UNDER Images: Dream Theater Words: Moore
Lost in the sky Clouds roll by and I roll with them
KING CLAUDIUS [to Hamlet] How is it that the clouds still hang on you?
Arrows fly Seas increase and then fall again
HAMLET To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep; [and so on...]
This world is spinning around me This world is spinning without me Every day sends future to past Every breath leaves one less to my last
Watch the sparrow falling Gives new meaning to it all If not today nor yet tomorrow then some other day
HAMLET Not a whit, we defy augury: there's a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all: since no man has aught of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes?
I'll take seven lives for one
There are seven deaths in Hamlet.
And then my only father's son As sure as I did ever love him I am not afraid
Ghost I am thy father's spirit, Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night, And for the day confined to fast in fires, Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature Are burnt and purged away. But that I am forbid [etc...] But this eternal blazon must not be To ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O, list! If thou didst ever thy dear father love--
HAMLET O God!
Ghost Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.
HAMLET Murder!
Ghost Murder most foul, as in the best it is; But this most foul, strange and unnatural.
HAMLET Haste me to know't, that I, with wings as swift As meditation or the thoughts of love, May sweep to my revenge. - AND - HAMLET Ay, so, God be wi' ye; [Exeunt ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN] Now I am alone. [...etc, etc...] O, vengeance! Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave, That I, the son of a dear father murder'd, [...etc, etc...]
This world is spinning around me The whole world keeps spinning around me All life is future to past Every breath leaves me one less to my last
Pull me under Pull me under Pull me under I'm not afraid All that I feel in honor and spite All I can do is set it right
HAMLET Rest, rest, perturbed spirit!
[They swear]
So, gentlemen, With all my love I do commend me to you: [etc.] The time is out of joint: O cursed spite, That ever I was born to set it right!
- AND - HAMLET [...] When honour's at the stake. How stand I then, That have a father kill'd, a mother stain'd, Excitements of my reason and my blood, [etc.]
Dust fills my eyes Clouds roll by and I roll with them Centuries cry Orders fly and I fall again
This world is spinning inside me The whole world is spinning inside of me Every day sends future to past Every step brings me closer to my last
Pull me under Pull me under Pull me under I'm not afraid Living my life too much in in the sun Only until your will is done
HAMLET Not so, my lord; I am too much i' the sun. [in response to Claudius's comment on clouds, above.]
Oh that this too Too solid flesh Would melt
[Direct quote]
HAMLET O, that this too too solid flesh would melt Thaw and resolve itself into a dew! 3.6 What is "Another Day" about? Suicide is the most obvious meaning. Pretty much every verse supports the theme of a person trying to talk someone out of killing themself.
3.8 What is Take The Time about?
The band wrote this as a joint effort just before LaBrie joined them, so the meanings are many and esoteric. However, in an interview, Portnoy has said it is just what it implies. You'll find all you need in your mind if you take the time.
One of the YML subscribers had a very good correlation going on with part of TTT and J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Since those parts of the song are heavy in the relation and the rest are not, it is safe to assume that only one of the four used a Tolkien influence in penning their part of the lyrics. The middle passage (Unbroken spirit, obscured and disquiet... must turn to hope) was the clincher. Mike Portnoy indicated that TTT is definitely NOT a concept song in the way that Pull Me Under is about what Hamlet is about (which is obvious) or Learning to Live is about AIDS (also rather clear), but that it has a spectrum of influence and that since Petrucci wrote the section in question, the influence could very well have been conceptual. Nobody has asked Mike if LotR is in there, though.
3.9 What is being said in Italian in "Take the Time" and where is it from?
It's Italian for "Now that I'm blind, I can see much clearer." It was from the film "Cinema Paradiso" as the following: "Adesso che ho perso la vista, ci vedo meglio e di piu" It's Not a coincidence that LaBrie sings "I can see much clearer now I'm blind" right before the sample.
3.10 What was the original title of "Surrounded"?
Promotional cassettes for Images And Words had Surrounded labeled as "The Longest Night" on the sleeve. 3.11 What is "Surrounded" about? During the IAW tour they dedicated the song to Arthur Ashe, the tennis player who died of AIDS. However, the song seems more about enlightenment (in several forms) than death. The fact that Ashe was the first African-American tennis player to succeed in the sport supports this hypothesis. 3.12 What story is "Metropolis part I: The Miracle and the Sleeper" based on? It is based on the story of two twins from the Iliad (? or is it the Odyssey?) who are telepathically linked. It has no relation to the movie "Metropolis". Petrucci wrote it as a sort of fantasy epic, inspired by the likes of, you guessed it, Yes and Rush. The story itself is original (the twins are named Miracle and Sleeper and do not appear in literature) but the story type was Homeric. 3.13 What is "Wait For Sleep" about? Who is the girl/woman in "Wait For Sleep"? Kevin Moore has said she was a friend of his who had a spiritual void and a hard time filling it, reaching for something to believe in. It dealt with her fears about belief and her grief over a loved one's death. His explanation is longer, but that about says it.
3.14 What is "Learning to Live" about? This has been the bigger topic of discussion on the YML because Myung has commented briefly on it and Portnoy has, while not wanting to confirm it, indicated that the premise is correct in an interview. Learning to Live was inspired by the AIDS epidemic. Patricularly, the "From a common fear ... reach for life" passage, but the rest fits very snugly with the AIDS theme. 3.15 What is a "Vindaloo"? A Bombay Vindaloo is a hot spicy herb/pepper served on Indian food, usually chicken. It is also taken after drinks. My guess is DT got blasted in Asia or Europe and got to try this most interesting spice. :)
3.16 What is unique about the song "A Change of Seasons"?
Several things.
First of all, it's the first lyric work Mike Portnoy has done. (of course, it is not the only vocal work Mike has done... Mike had the dubious priviledge of singing the end of "Surrounded" after James walked off the stage at one of the England shows)
Second of all, it's the longest DT song at 20:42. It barely misses matching the longest Rush song on CD (2112, which is 20:47) and the longest Rush song on LP (2112, which was 21:12). This is a distinction because it's very rare to find bands comfortable with lengthy formats.
Third of all, it's the only song that had LaBrie singing in it that has ONLY been recorded live, as in, not for any album. The other four songs that hold the live distinction are instrumentals.
3.17 Has anybody noticed the re-usable riff phenomenon?
Yes. Pull Me Under and Take The Time share a melody, which is not quite a riff but is identical if juxtapositioned on a corresponding major/minor scale, and Wait For Sleep and Learning to Live also share a main riff. Thematically, none of the songs interconnect. Mike Portnoy has said that the music is written out before the lyrics are written and set to melody. It is possible (any interviews mention this?) that they were intended to be counterparts and that the relation was either scrapped or made more subtle. The PMU-TTT connection is not as direct as the WFS-LTL connection. The melody from PMU's "This World is spinning around me, this world is spinning without me" in a minor scale sung by LaBrie is reproduced at 4:18 of the TTT instrumental section in a major scale played by Petrucci. Thus, the remaining question is whether or not 16-note melodies are reproduced completely in coincidence on the same album by the same band.
3.18 Has anybody noticed the Another Song phenomenon?
Yes. DT has a knack, it would seem, for Another Song titles. Another Won (from the Majesty demos), Another Day (from Images And Words) and Another Hand (prologue to The Killing Hand live and on LATM) are the factors of this phenomenon. At this rate, the leadoff track from DT's next album will be called "Another Try" or something like that. Another Hand is mainly just a bridge intro to "The Killing Hand" but it's a titled segment just the same.
3.19 Who wrote "(To Live) Forever"?
John Petrucci.
3.20 Did the demos "Death of Spock" and "Cry For Freedom" ever go anywhere?
Yes. They became "The Ones Who Help to Set the Sun" and the leeward end of "A Change of Seasons".
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