YTSEJAM Digest 482
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Re: Ask Dream Theater
by Penderwynd@aol.com
2) Rush Montage Order Deluge!
by Michael Bahr <garion@indirect.com>
3) DT on the Japanese radio program
by =?ISO-2022-JP?B?GyRAPi5OUyEhNzAbKEo=?= <GCH06672@niftyserve.or.jp>
4) New DT FAQ revision.
by Michael Bahr <garion@indirect.com>
5) Re: YTSEJAM digest 481
by WarmWetOs@aol.com
6) Kevin is leaving?!?!?!?!
by hartman larry <lhartm1@gl.umbc.edu>
7) Kevin leaving DT
by Michael Burstin <mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu>
8) Re:Dream Theater gets new keyboardist
by =?ISO-2022-JP?B?GyRAPi5OUyEhNzAbKEo=?= <GCH06672@niftyserve.or.jp>
9) Smaller versions of Lie at FTP site
by Michael Burstin <mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu>
10) Lie...
by JWEST@MHZ.COM
11) New FAQ revision: current to TODAY
by Michael Bahr <garion@indirect.com>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Topic No. 1
Date: Fri, 05 Aug 94 14:10:57 EDT
From: Penderwynd@aol.com
To: ytsejam@bnf.com
Subject: Re: Ask Dream Theater
Message-ID: <9408051410.tn679345@aol.com>
>> I have heard rumors that the new album will be released on the same day as
a
>> new Queensryche album and that Dream Theater and Queensryche will tour
>> together. I have also heard that this isn't true. So could you guys shed
>> some light on the subject.
Oh, WOW, that would be incredible! If anyone knows anything about this,
would the tour be stopping in southern New England or in Wisconsin?
mic donnelly
------------------------------
Topic No. 2
Date: Tue, 9 Aug 1994 00:21:15 -0700 (MST)
From: Michael Bahr <garion@indirect.com>
To: ytsejam@bnf.com
Subject: Rush Montage Order Deluge!
Message-ID: <199408090721.AAA07233@id1.indirect.com>
Wow!!!!
In the first four days of mail checking, I have received THREE DOZEN
orders for the Rush Video Montage! I cannot say enough how happy I am to
have so many Ytsejam readers interested in this. I've already sent out
all the orders I received the first day: please, if you get your copy,
POST your opinions of it and commentary so others know what to expect.
If you have NOT sent me mail for it yet, hang on to that check just now!
Wait about a week or two before you send it, so there will be no huge
delay in your getting your tape. I'm running a three day turnaround rate
now, but that's with an easy work schedule this week, and that will not
necessarily continue next week, though I'm hoping for the best.
Thanks ALL for your interest, and I hope you'll enjoy this collection!
Mike/garion@indirect.com/belar@aol.com
------------------------------
Topic No. 3
Date: Tue, 9 Aug 1994 07:42:00 JST
From: =?ISO-2022-JP?B?GyRAPi5OUyEhNzAbKEo=?= <GCH06672@niftyserve.or.jp>
To: ytsejam@bnf.com
Subject: DT on the Japanese radio program
Message-ID: <199408082301.IAA11444@inetnif.niftyserve.or.jp>
FROM:kaoru kobayashi
SUB:DT on the Japanese radio program
Hello! My name is Kaoru Kobayashi access from Japan.
I'm Japanese, and not good at English. So I'm afraid that you won't
understand what I want to say....But I have some information about
AWAKE, the new-album of Dream Theater, and I want let you know about
it. Though it's very hard to me, I'll try it.
Yesterday(Aug.6th at Japan) I listened to the radio program
and there were DT's interview! DT is really loved by Japanese, and
there is a famous D.J. into DT in Japan. He was the first person who
listened to completed AWAKE. In Japan, some compositions of AWAKE will
on the radio perhaps 1 or 2 weeks later. And it will be first on the
air in the world!
The interview of the radio program was about lyrics of AWAKE.
There were James, Kevin, and John Myung(he is very loved by Japanese)'s
interview. James talked about "Caught In A Web" written by himself.
Kevin talked about "6:00" and very painfully song "Spce Dye Vest".
John's short comment was about "Lifting Shadows of a Dream". (Is this
title wrong? Which is right "... of a Dream" or "... off a Dream"??)
I made a tape recording of this interview. But It's too hard
to write down it in English to me... What shall I do ?
Plese perdon me for grammatical mistakes! I really glad to join
YTSEJAM. Thank you.
***********************************************************************
* " If spirit's a sign, then it's only a matter of time. " *
* kaoru kobayashi gch06672@niftyserve.or.jp (from Japan) *
***********************************************************************
------------------------------
Topic No. 4
Date: Mon, 8 Aug 1994 01:55:57 -0700 (MST)
From: Michael Bahr <garion@indirect.com>
To: ytsejam@bnf.com
Cc: mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu, BVC8995@tamsun.tamu.edu, drkhoe@netcom.com
Subject: New DT FAQ revision.
Message-ID: <199408080855.BAA15198@id1.indirect.com>
To all of you who might not know this, Jens Johansen has appeared in YTSE JAM
before! I had a feeling that something was going on at this time but didn't
want to start any rumors! In the meantime I wish Kevin all the best, he is an
incredible musician and he will be missed! Jens is also an incredible
keyboardist! If you want to check out his work, buy Yngwie's first 5 albums
(including the live one) and also check him out on some of the live Yngwie
videos, ouch!!!! This guy really smokes, I believe he also appears with
Ronnie James Dio as well doing guest solo work on other guitar players
albums! Jens, welcome to Dream Theater and Kevin I hope that we hear
something new from you soon! Take care everyone! Tony K :{)}
------------------------------
Topic No. 5
Date: Wed, 10 Aug 94 02:23:35 EDT
From: WarmWetOs@aol.com
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Re: YTSEJAM digest 481
Message-ID: <9408100223.tn884419@aol.com>
Please tell me this is a huge, sick, f*cking joke!!!!
Kevin CAN NOT leave DT!!!
Has anyone else heard this? Is there any truth to it?!?!
PLEASE SAY NO!!!! I couldn't live with DT without Kev!!!!
**************************************************************************
* Jason Hartman "I am the Killing Hand!" lhartm1@gl.umbc.edu *
* *
* You're fighting the weight of the world, *
* and no one can save you this time. *
* Close your eyes - you can find all you need in your mind. *
* *
* "Take the Time" - Dream Theater *
**************************************************************************
------------------------------
Topic No. 6
Date: Tue, 9 Aug 1994 23:12:53 -0500 (EDT)
From: hartman larry <lhartm1@gl.umbc.edu>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Kevin is leaving?!?!?!?!
Message-ID: <199408100312.XAA06282@umbc9.umbc.edu>
Please tell me this is a huge, sick, f*cking joke!!!!
Kevin CAN NOT leave DT!!!
Has anyone else heard this? Is there any truth to it?!?!
PLEASE SAY NO!!!! I couldn't live with DT without Kev!!!!
**************************************************************************
* Jason Hartman "I am the Killing Hand!" lhartm1@gl.umbc.edu *
* *
* You're fighting the weight of the world, *
* and no one can save you this time. *
* Close your eyes - you can find all you need in your mind. *
* *
* "Take the Time" - Dream Theater *
**************************************************************************
------------------------------
Topic No. 7
Date: Tue, 9 Aug 1994 23:48:58 -0500 (EDT)
From: Michael Burstin <mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Kevin leaving DT
Message-ID: <199408100348.XAA15798@rasp.cs.brandeis.edu>
Well... I just don't relly know what to say... I mean... first off,
Jens... welcome to the band... (I assume you will still be a
subscriber to our fine digest) Also... best wishes to Kevin...
I don't know what else to say... from what I hear... Kevin's ideas
had been far from those of the rest of the bands... I just don't know
exactly where his tastes are going... I know he is a Tori Amos fan...
but I also see that he did the lyrics for Lie... something very
different from the small amount of Tori songs that I have heard...
I know the news sure came as a shock to me when I read it...
Good luck Kevin, and the rest of the guys...
-- +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Caught In A Web | | Numb from the world | | Hanging on by a thread | | Scared of the life that fights in my head | | Dream Theater Caught In A Web Awake | | release date for Dream Theater's Awake: October 4, 1994 | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Michael Burstin Brandeis University | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ For info about Dream Theater, finger mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu------------------------------
Topic No. 8
Date: Wed, 10 Aug 1994 13:06:00 JST From: =?ISO-2022-JP?B?GyRAPi5OUyEhNzAbKEo=?= <GCH06672@niftyserve.or.jp> To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com Subject: Re:Dream Theater gets new keyboardist Message-ID: <199408100410.NAA16674@inetnif.niftyserve.or.jp>
FROM:Kaoru Kobayashi gch06672@niftyserve.or.jp SUB:Re:Dream Theater gets new keyboardist
I can't believe such a news, so I made a phone call to East West Japan, which releases Dream Theater records in Japan, and asked for it. They told me that is groundless and Kevin still in the band. And DT is ready to new video shooting now. He mustn't out. Which news are true?? I live in Japan, and can't get many news.... I'm waiting for REAL information. I'm very confused now.... If Kevin really left Dream Theater, I will not be able to recover.... Dream Theater are James, Kevin, John, John, and Mike. That's all .... *********************************************************************** * " If spirit's a sign, then it's only a matter of time. " * * kaoru kobayashi gch06672@niftyserve.or.jp (from Japan) * ***********************************************************************
------------------------------
Topic No. 9
Date: Wed, 10 Aug 1994 00:23:58 -0500 (EDT) From: Michael Burstin <mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu> To: bvc8995@tamsun.tamu.edu (Brian V. Cox), garion@indirect.com (Michael Bahr), Subject: Smaller versions of Lie at FTP site Message-ID: <199408100423.AAA15992@rasp.cs.brandeis.edu>
I jsut wanted to let you all know that there are smaller versions of Lie now available at ftp.music.net /pub/music/dt
Lower sound quality, but much more reasonable... -- +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Caught In A Web | | Numb from the world | | Hanging on by a thread | | Scared of the life that fights in my head | | Dream Theater Caught In A Web Awake | | release date for Dream Theater's Awake: October 4, 1994 | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Michael Burstin Brandeis University | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ For info about Dream Theater, finger mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu
------------------------------
Topic No. 10
Date: Wed, 10 Aug 1994 01:53:44 -0700 From: JWEST@MHZ.COM To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com Subject: Lie... Message-ID: <se483333.037@MHZ.COM>
I'm slightly new to the internet, so I apologize if I sound like a complete bumbling fool, but here goes.
I was just wondering if it would be possible to send the Lie wave out with the digest, or just to specific people that wanted it. I noticed a few days back that a .GIF file was included with the digest, wouldn't it be possible to do the same with the .WAV file? I'd love to hear it, and I don't have FTP access, just mail.
------------------------------
Topic No. 11
Date: Wed, 10 Aug 1994 01:30:29 -0700 (MST) From: Michael Bahr <garion@indirect.com> To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com Cc: garion@indirect.com, mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu, BVC8995@tamsun.tamu.edu, Subject: New FAQ revision: current to TODAY Message-ID: <199408100830.BAA25748@id1.indirect.com>
With the recent explosion of important news, I think this is warranted... the first heavy FAQ revision in a while.
I'd like to thank C-Man for a heavy update.
Good luck, Kevin, and welcome, Jens!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ vvvvv vvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvv vvvv v vvvv vv v v v v v vv v v v v v v v v v vv v vv v v vv v v v v v v v vv vvvv v v v vvvv vvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvv vvvvv ___ _ _ ___ _ ___ _ _ | \| >|_ /\ |\/| | |_||_ /\ | |_ | > _|_/| \|_/ \| | | | ||_/ \ | |_ | \ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FAQL: Dream Theater (Current to 8/9/94) Compiled by: Jason Hough (Ytsejam List Owner) & Mike Bahr (Ordinary Person) (jhough@qualcomm.com) and (garion@indirect.com) Revised and Handled by Mike Bahr (address as above) Extensively "beta-tested" by Michael Burstin, Randy Haskin, and Brian Cox Thanks to Ken Higginson for the DT Ascii you see above. Thanks to C-Man and Jens for the updated DT information "from the office"! Welcome to the official, spiced with Vindaloo, Dream Theater FAQ, presented by us, the Ytsejam Mailing List, and, thanks to a bit of great fortune and kindness on their part, by Dream Theater themselves!
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 are available via FTP, 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.
For all this, anon-FTP to ftp.netcom.com and look under /pub/drkhoe/dt/*. Dream Theater Archives: site manager: drkhoe@netcom.com
ftp.netcom.com /pub/drkhoe/dt WWW: "ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/drkhoe/www/dthome.html"
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 more stuff from Awake becomes known, and/or material related to it shows up. I think as soon as it is released, I'll upload a complete revision.
Dream Theater has a mailinglist! It's called Ytsejam. Send submissions to ytsejam@arastar.com or ytsejam@bnf.com (old address)
The Ytsejam mailing list can be joined by doing the following: Send email to ytsejam-request@arastar.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 kbibb@arastar.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: * Jens Johanssen (keyboards) (address withheld to prevent mail flooding) * C-Man (the buffalo) * Michael Burstin (mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu) * Brian Cox (bvc8995@tamsun.tamu.edu) * Ken Bibb (kbibb@arastar.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 Lodge (space2@hardy.u.washington.edu) * Aaron (asilver@umiami.edu) * Jeremy A. Smith (js013b@uhura.cc.rochester.edu)
Plus Jason Hartman, Tony Zimmerman, and Kypler's Sparkling Alcoholic Malt! 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 LSIAD - Lifting Shadows Off A Dream CIAW - Caught In A Web AMBI - A Mind Beside Itself LiTS - Lost In the Sky (bootleg) DoE - Dance of Eternity (bootleg) CU - Consciously Unreal (bootleg) DoL - Dream Out Loud (bootleg) LiLI - Live In Long Island (bootleg)
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 Is Kevin Moore really out of Dream Theater?
Yes. He left over musical differences, and the split was amicable, so there is no bad blood brewing. Good luck to Kevin in his future efforts. Jens Johanssen (Malmsteen) is taking Kevin's place on the keys.
0.2 What do we know about Dream Theater's new (third studio) album?
It is in post-production. Here's the track listing.
Dream Theater "Awake" (~74:30)
1. 6:00 2. Caught In A Web 3. Innocence Faded A Mind Beside Itself 4. Erotomania 5. Voices 6. The Silent Man 7. The Mirror 8. Lie 9. Lifting Shadows Off A Dream 10. Scarred 11. Space Dye Vest
Produced by DT, Duane Baron, and John Purdell. Tentative release date October 4, 1994.
"Lie" has already been released by Dream Theater's management to the internet only, 3 weeks before it will hit radio! FTP it from:
ftp.music.net /pub/music/dt/lie1.wav
That version of "Lie" is 20 megs and sounds GREAT. Smaller, not-as-good sounding versions also reside there. MANY thanks to the C-Man for giving us on Ytsejam this treat!
"Caught In A Web - Demo Version" has been aired live already from KWIZ-FM in California, but Mike Portnoy says they have made many changes to it.
"Puppies On Acid/Kittens On Crack" from the Images And Words tour will appear on this album under a different name.
You saw it right: "To Live Forever" and "A Change of Seasons" are absent. And of course, the awesome improvs "Moon Bubbles", "Eve", and "Barfbag" are also not to be included on Awake.
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), Jens Johanssen (keyboards), and John Myung (bass). Petrucci 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. Kevin Moore was the original keyboardist from 1986 until October 8, 1994, when he left the band, and Jens Johanssen is the current keyboardist. 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. As before, Kevin Moore used to play the keys until just after "Awake" was finished. 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. 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. This sentence is censored. ;) 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 Calauata, but Portnoy says Peart is his drum "God". And since I've been mailed no less than 4 different "correct" spellings of Vinnie's last name, don't mail me with a correction please!
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.
Say, Jens, who were your influences?
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. Portnoy is a regular concertgoer, and has been met at Rush and King's X concerts by people on the Ytsejam list. 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'." Whether Dream Theater and Phish are familiar with each other is not certain. 1.10 What is DT's address?
Dream TheaterFan Club Midtown Station PO Box 1188 New York, NY 10018
1.11 What musical instrument sponsorships does DT have?
Mike Portnoy--Mapex Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Drum Workshop Pedals & Hi-hats, Latin Percussion, Remo Heads and Hot Sticks.
John Petrucci--Ibanez guitars, Mesa Boogie Amps, Dimarzio Pick-ups, Dunlop Picks, Wah Pedals.
John Myung--Tung Bases, Mesa Boogie Amps, D'Addario Strings
Jens Johanssen--?
1.12 Is there a Dream Theater fan club?
Yes. Send S.A.S.E or I.R.C to: Dream Theater International Fan Club Midtown Station PO Box 1188 New York, NY 10018
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 original keyboardist Kevin 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 Portnoy 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. Kevin Moore went to SUNY-Fredonia, as has been confirmed. Anyone know if Labrie did college? For that matter, how about Johanssen?
1.17 Now that Kevin Moore left, and the whole reason LaBrie used "James" was to sidestep the confusion, will he go back to "Kevin LaBrie"?
Good question. :) 2. Questions about DT performances/appearances/miscellany --------------------------------------------------------- 2.1 Who has toured with Dream Theater? Psychotic Waltz, the Galactic Cowboys, Saigon Kick, Damn The Machine, 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. Duane Barron and John Purdell produced Awake.
2.3 What songs has Dream Theater made videos for?
Pull Me Under Take The Time 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 (this will be added to when they tour for Awake 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 Moon Bubbles Barfbag That "mystery solo" from mid-tour
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." They did play an instrumental "March of the Tyrant" at Palasesto in Milano, Italy in November 1993. 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.
Some sources say it's Kevin Moore with a pitch shifter. Others contend (with pretty good explanation) that it was a roommate of Moore or Portnoy, and personally, I think it's Geddy Lee. :) Who knows!!
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?
There are two schools of thought on the subject.
Suicide is the most obvious meaning. Pretty much every verse supports the theme of a person trying to talk someone out of killing themself. "so die another day... better to save the mystery"
Another equally valid point of view is that of mental illness, and trying to cope with it as the sufferer and/or family. "they took pictures of our dreams... etc"
People on Ytsejam have dug up gobs of evidence to support both meanings, so pick and choose whichever one you feel is right, or find your own. After all, this is music, not math. :)
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.
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. The album "Awake" seems to have escaped this trap of nomenclature.
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 part of several instrumental improvisations. (listen to Bombay Vindaloo, Moon Bubbles, and Barfbag... it's in there.)
3.21 What is "Caught In A Web" about?
Anyone? Anyone? ....Bueller?
3.22 What is "Lie" about?
Clearly, it's about malt liquor. ;)
END OF FAQ
Again, for any corrections, information, or if you just need a snide comment to liven up your day, mail me at garion@indirect.com and be prepared to explain why you woke me up. :) -=-
------------------------------
End of YTSEJAM Digest 482 *************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Thu Apr 01 2004 - 17:54:33 EST