YTSEJAM Digest 1214
Today's Topics:
1) Old Bridge reflections
by dneff@maaco.com (David Neff)
2) THE WINNER OF THE POSTER/SUBCON CD/TORI A CD
by market@clubmet.metrobbs.com
3) ytsejam
by Ernesto Schnack <ernie@mail.pananet.com>
4) Thank you all...
by market@clubmet.metrobbs.com
5) wfs- i think it's done!!!!
by WildKoba@aol.com
6) *-*Fat Bouncer!*-*Birch Hill*-*
by "George W. Rittenhouse Jr." <shyboy@microserve.net>
7) Re: Is this a rumor or what?!?!?!?!?!(WDADU)
by "R. Hailey" <pass@homer28.u.washington.edu>
8) Re: ytsejam 1211
by Skooc@aol.com
9) A Bad Pun Re: A Funny Thought.
by "R. Hailey" <pass@homer28.u.washington.edu>
10) An overview...
by "Trey (T-Stretch) Allen" <tallen@junix.ju.edu>
11) Read Everyone
by "Trey (T-Stretch) Allen" <tallen@junix.ju.edu>
12) WDADU: Sound quality, etc...
by randrews@post.smu.edu (Robert Paul Andrews)
13) Re: Is this a rumor or what?!?!?!?!?!(WDADU)
by kbibb@arastar.com (Ken Bibb)
14) Home For The Holidays!!
by Steve Borzilleri <magellan@u.washington.edu>
15) Home For The Holidays!!
by Steve Borzilleri <magellan@u.washington.edu>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 02 Jan 1996 19:32:34 -0500
From: dneff@maaco.com (David Neff)
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com ('on-line "Ytse-Jammers"')
Subject: Old Bridge reflections
Message-ID: <1996Jan02.192400.1059.2956@smtp.maaco.com>
Hey Jammers,
Belated season's greetings! Just thought I'd drop a line and say that it
was really great to meet everyone ... what an extraordinary group of
people you all are!! Special hellos to dinner pals Brian, Skads and Digital
Man, plus the gang back in the corner at Birch Hill. The only phallus-head
encountered all night was that manager at the Fantazia. Sheesh!
The people up here in the Northeast generally tend to be stand-off-ish to
strangers, but put YtseJam shirts on some of them - instant party! I highly
recommend to anyone who doesn't have one yet to get themselves a shirt next
time they're offered!
I must say that DT was in TOP Form on friday. That was the 4th time I saw
them, but the first time I really knew all the songs. They exceeded my
expectations tenfold. Awesome! James just killed! I even got to say hello
to Derrek, who was strolling around thru the crowd before the show. Too
cool!
Here's looking forward to the next tour, and this time I won't have the flu!
- Dave Neff (dneff@maaco.com)
P.S. Oh yeah, I WANT A TAPE OF THAT SHOW!!!!!
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 2 Jan 1996 22:13:06 -0500
From: market@clubmet.metrobbs.com
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: THE WINNER OF THE POSTER/SUBCON CD/TORI A CD
Message-ID: <TCPSMTP.16.1.2.-10.13.6.19681.16016@clubmet.metrobbs.com>
3RD pLACE - TORI A. CD is : ma@bigdog.engr.arizona.edu
Fernando M.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2ND pLACE - Subconscious CD : Christopher Fry
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 st PLACE ****************************************
[there were some lines here that I've replaced with a form feed--kbibb]
P. Mcloughun of the UK
Congratulations to P. Mcloughun, she won the SIGNED DREAM THEATER
POSTER!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Write me if you have any questions.
Thank you all for the orders..look for new contest soon.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 2 Jan 96 23:26:37 -0400 (EDT)
From: Ernesto Schnack <ernie@mail.pananet.com>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: ytsejam
Message-ID: 04263735001604@pananet.com
Hey there... I've started getting this list recently(actually I hooked up to
the internet recently... it's quite new down here in Panama) and I just
wanna say that it's really awesome to hear you talking about the shows and
all since DT will most probbably never pass by Panama (We only get one-hit
wonders on their way nothingness-like Vanilla Ice- something that DT will
never be!!) anyways just hearing about that they open with UaGM or that they
play aCoS gets chills up my spine... imagine if I were actually there?
I also get a kick telling all those stories to the rest of my band (who are
also die-hard DT fans)
Oh well... for now I,ll have to live w/ my Live In Tokyo(sigh)
ps... it's cool to know that all you ytsejammers are such cool people...
later...
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 2 Jan 1996 22:16:36 -0500
From: market@clubmet.metrobbs.com
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Thank you all...
Message-ID: <TCPSMTP.16.1.2.-10.16.36.1099.15784@clubmet.metrobbs.com>
I just wanted everyone know that I thank you for the hat orders
and everything is in the mail! I hope you enjoy the DT embrodered hats,
let me know how you like em!!! If you haven't had a chance to order one
yet, there still is a few left.
There will also be a new DT sticker out in the next month or so.
Keep your eyes open!
Happy NEW YEAR to all!
See ya
Todd
market@clubmet.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
H T T P : / / W W W . D R E A M T . O R G
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 2 Jan 1996 23:56:13 -0500
From: WildKoba@aol.com
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Cc: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: wfs- i think it's done!!!!
Message-ID: <960102235612_30293286@mail02.mail.aol.com>
ladies and gentlemen- i would like to announce the completion of my
transcription of "wait for sleep" for piano.
however, i do have some issues that i must address before i take down orders.
first of all, the notes are about as accurate as humanly possible. i have run
the thing (finally) on my "encore" notation program hooked up to my keyboard
here, and it sounds fine. to those who know of this, i solved the problem of
the 4/8 measures going at double speed!!!! yipee!
however, some problems at hand.
the program was doing some trippy things with some markings i laid out (i.e.,
it wouldn't follow the pedal markings i listed, instead it would hold the
pedal down for many measures, which is very bad, in some instances, and in
one strange instance, it wouldn't do the ritardando at the end of the piece
like i directed it). but any half-brained keyboardist who picks this up
should not have any problems at all understanding what's written on the page
(at least i hope not).
i think i have decided against putting down dynamics because i would like to
leave that to you individually. i hope that doesn't cause any problems.
late into this project, i took a peak at the wfs transcription in the i&w
guitar book, and i noticed i had divided up the measures a little differently
(i.e., at the "in with the ashes...' part, the book stays at 6/8 while i go
to 4/4), but i just think it's better as i wrote it, and being that it would
be a pain to go back and rewrite it at 6/8, i think it'll stay.
lastly, how to cover costs on this. i don't want to give this out for free
because i think it would be a little unfair to print it out then send it and
all. i am suggesting a donation of $2, if that is fine with you all. i feel i
put in a lot of effort into this (i did this 3 years ago, lost the original
score that i wrote by hand, then from memory punched in notes on a computer)
and while i don't wish to rip anyone off, i don't want to get ripped either.
mind you, i met jp at the ngsw clinic he did last summer, and after his jam,
i got up and played wfs while he was packing, and he said it sounded very
accurate and appeared impressed, so this ain't no kid's stuff.
anyone of you guys and dolls who would like a copy of this score, please
email me, and then you will receive any further info and answers to any
questions you may or may not have.
thank you all-
and i want more folks who play keys to wake up and start transcribing as
well. ltl may be my next project- we shall see.
david, the magical kobayashi
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 1996 00:15:17 -0500
From: "George W. Rittenhouse Jr." <shyboy@microserve.net>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: *-*Fat Bouncer!*-*Birch Hill*-*
Message-ID: <199601030515.AAA25975@mail.microserve.net>
I was right there also and I have to say I wanted to pull the guy down
and just start kicking him. He did nothing, just let the guy with the build
go into the crow and take care of things. I think its amazing how people pay
good money to goto a concert and the people that work there treat you like
you're no damn good. All that aside I must say I was in heaven! I met some
Jammer's just in passing and all were cool! Trey I was the one back by the
bar when you were talking to DS. Also to the guy I met when I was geting my
coat back sorry I ran so fast wanted to stay and talk but I was going backstage
so I wanted to get over there. I dont know wat else to say that hasn't been
said already. Talk to you all Later.
========================================================================
<shyboy@microserve.net>
If life is like a bowl of cherries why do I keep getting the pit
========================================================================
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 2 Jan 1996 21:59:24 -0800 (PST)
From: "R. Hailey" <pass@homer28.u.washington.edu>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Cc: Multiple recipients of list <ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com>
Subject: Re: Is this a rumor or what?!?!?!?!?!(WDADU)
Message-ID: <Pine.A32.3.91j.960102214824.90218C-100000@homer28.u.washington.edu>
On Fri, 22 Dec 1995, Carlo D'Angelo expounded in such a manner:
> I just read in the Queensryche newsgroup that DT might re-record
> WDADU. Now honestly, I doubt this, BUT my mouth does begin to water
> when considering the possibilites (in regards to production, vocals).
<middle bits removed due to space considerations>
> Anyone know any
> truth to this or it just a reflection of my warped mind?????
as someone previously mentioned,
this could merely be a rumour caused by the worthy Mister Bahr's project;
I also noticed that the equally worthy Mister Bibb's New Releases List
lists a release date for WDADU of 2/27; after giving the matter some
thought, I have come to the conclusion that upon the aforementioned day,
WDADU will quite probably become a domestic disc,
rather than an imported one. Of course this is merely meant to be
conjecture, and could conceivably be entirely Wrong.
take care
chris
r.christopher hailey http://weber.u.washington.edu/~pass
pass@u.washington.edu 'new and improved sig with 50% more less'
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 1996 01:21:58 -0500
From: Skooc@aol.com
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Re: ytsejam 1211
Message-ID: <960103012155_30360687@emout06.mail.aol.com>
In ytsejam 1211, Patricia wrote:
> >havE A Merry merry chrisTmas and a Happy nEw yeAr
> >leT's hopE it's a good one without any feaR...
>> (From Queen's 'Thank God It's Christmas')
I'm sorry, but this is incorrect. That line is from Happy Christmas (War is
Over) by John Lennon (1940-1980).
Did anyone record the Christmas DT shows? If so, please email me privately
and hopefully we can work out something. I would have been there but a family
member was getting married and it was impossible for me to do both.
Scott Cook
They call me Mad The Swine - I've come to save you
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 2 Jan 1996 22:27:58 -0800 (PST)
From: "R. Hailey" <pass@homer28.u.washington.edu>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Cc: Multiple recipients of list <ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com>
Subject: A Bad Pun Re: A Funny Thought.
Message-ID: <Pine.A32.3.91j.960102221753.90218F-100000@homer28.u.washington.edu>
On Fri, 29 Dec 1995, John R. Kotzian expounded in such a manner:
> I just had this humorous thought run through my head and thought
> that at least one of you might enjoy it:
> For a John Petrucci collaboration project, I would like to see...
[trimmed]
> It could be called : PatitucciPetrucciPetruccianiSatrianiYanni
I think a better name could be 'Ccini' (pronounced cheenee)
or (get ready, the bad pun approaches) 'Nietzsche'
I sincerely apologize for this blatant waste of bandwidth,
and courageously vow never to let it happen again today.
chris
r.christopher hailey http://weber.u.washington.edu/~pass
pass@u.washington.edu 'new and improved sig with 50% more less'
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 96 01:40:14 -0500
From: "Trey (T-Stretch) Allen" <tallen@junix.ju.edu>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: An overview...
Message-ID: <9601030640.AA21594@junix.ju.edu>
Well Hello again everyone! I apologize for taking so long to get back on
the jam, but with being gone for a week I had a few things that I had to do
first. Well this past week has been the funnest of my life!
I left Jacksonville Fl with my best freind Brandon Ghioto on Teusday
around 3:00pm, met Paul Cashman in Charollette NC around 10:00, slept at a
Cricket Inn, left for Bethesda, Maryland the next morning where we picked up
Bafu Vai and eventually arrived in NY at about 10:00pm on Wed. Then Jeff
and Greg (his brother :) Chew met us at our hotel and we unsuccesfully tried
to find something to do that night. (Dont worry about it guys! :) The next
day we went to YtseCon II (which, BTW, was organized by this extremely cool
guy :) and had a blast meeting everyone. We had about 65 jammers attend the
Con and even though DT didn't show, everyone had a great time I feel. There
were a few complaints that DT didn't show, and I fully understand and
apologize, but remmeber that no one is as mad about it, as I am. You guys
out up $15. I lost way more than that beilive me! But overall it was still
good. It did have some people tell me it could have been longer, but then
again only 4 people where there exactly by 4:00 and no one stayed teh entire
2 hours. After my closing remarks and thanks and some pictures were taken
people seemed to leave...I didn't mean for that, we still had like 20 min,
but oh well... I know that not everyone who payed me showed up so I will
get your shirt to you later. Just mail me with an address to send it.
Also, somehow I ended up 2 shirts short...I think I gave someone 2 extra
shirts, so if you have them, please let me know, I am going to have to have
those made over again if I can't get them back.
Then, as you know, the Roy Rogers which Digital Man picked out had
been closed down, but we went to plan B and all met at the Mcdonalds down
the road from it. Then on to THE concert. Since I came out somewhat in the
hole as far as money goes, i sold a bunch of the stickers that I had made
for the Con in the line of DT show go'ers. It helped a bit but will be
willing to sell more at 1$ a peice if people want them...their are just
clear decals with a red majesty symbol on them (Dereck liked them!) As you
know the show was great! I'll skip details on this, but met many people and
had a blast.
We then went on to Andrew Kegan's place where Brian Cox, Adam
Marshall, Ppirf and one other I think was staying, spent the night, then on
to the Old Bridge! This concert was by far the best one I have ever seen. I
was like front row with little resistance and the set was killer. Near the
end i threw Dereck a YtseCon shirt which he held up afterwards and showed
the entire audience (free Ytsejam promos!). That also got me and Brandon
and Bafu backstage when I saw him at the bar getting a drink. He said he
liked it and the rest of the band wants one. So I went out to the car and
got the rest of themand gave to to thier manager who in return gave me a
backstage pass and a DT shirt. BAckstage was killer. I talkked to Dereck
for like 10 minutes along with others. I got his birthday BTW which is
8-25-66 (a day before mine) and several other questions. The rest of the
guys were cool too, but he was by far the coolest, IMHO.Afterwards we ate
breakfast at a diner (one "n" not 2! :-) and arrived home like 20 hours
later! Wow that was a long drive!
I had the best time meeting and hanging out with everyone; Paul C,
Bafu, Jeff Chew, his freinds, Greg Chew, Mike Bahr, Jai, Mike Bradley, His
freinds, Ross, Thrak, Digital Man, Big Man, Skadz, Brian Wherry, Brian Cox,
Andrew Keagan, Adam Marshall, Ppirf, Itzchk (sp?), WildKoba, that super fly
chick, Anne Maria (I think) who was freinds with Jeff and Greg Chew, and
many others!
I also want to thank, espesially D-Man, Mike Bradley, Mike Bahr,
Jaison, Andrew Keegan, Jeff Chew, Babs, Bafu, Brandon, Paul C, all of you
for making this happen and DT for making this possible...without them, I
wouldn't even be here now!
BTW - If any of you guys ever are going to be in the car w/ Paul Cashman, be
prepared to drive slow and careful. He is skilled at the art of annoying
backseat driver! :) Just kidding Paul! No offense!
Later!
=============================================================
"If I started at the top and worked my way down, then there would be no
reason to live forever..." -Dream Theater-
Trey Allen (T-Stretch) -tallen@junix.ju.edu-
http://www.ju.edu/UsrWebPages/tallen/home.html
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 96 01:41:24 -0500
From: "Trey (T-Stretch) Allen" <tallen@junix.ju.edu>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Read Everyone
Message-ID: <9601030641.AA28482@junix.ju.edu>
------READ EVERYONE------
Since everyone seemed to like the YtseCon shirts AND I am going to have to
have more made anyway, I am going to alter them and make some Ytsejam
shirts. The front will be like the back of the YtseCon shirts with a huge
correct Majestly symbol and the Dream Theater logo above it in white ink.
On the back, written across the shoulder blades will read:
--Ytsejam--
Dream Theater's Internet Mailing List
ytsejam@arastar.com
(small majesty symbol centered here)
I will have prices tommorow probably and they will be availiably in any size
or color! BTW the colored YtseCon shirts looked VERY good! Maroon, Purple,
and Blue were printed. As for those of you who still need a YtseCon shirt,
you will get one of these if its okay. I can also do sweat shirts if you
want and I will check on the price of those.
=============================================================
"If I started at the top and worked my way down, then there would be no
reason to live forever..." -Dream Theater-
Trey Allen (T-Stretch) -tallen@junix.ju.edu-
http://www.ju.edu/UsrWebPages/tallen/home.html
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 1996 00:51:55 -0600 (CST)
From: randrews@post.smu.edu (Robert Paul Andrews)
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: WDADU: Sound quality, etc...
Message-ID: <m0tXN3D-000FfqC@post.cis.smu.edu>
I just recently purchased WDADU from a Best Buy. Well for DT's first disc
I thought it was alright but was not that impressed with it. I saw that it
was also recorded in ADD. Does anyone know if there newer stuff i.e. Awake
and I&W is in DDD? Cause it sure sounds a helluva a lot better. I just see
a big change from WDADU to I&W. What happened? (other than the change in
singers) Thanks.
Happy new year to all.....
Rob
"When in darkness or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.:
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 1996 00:43:46 +0800
From: kbibb@arastar.com (Ken Bibb)
To: ytsejam
Subject: Re: Is this a rumor or what?!?!?!?!?!(WDADU)
Message-ID: <9601030843.AA16096@anthor.arastar.com>
> I also noticed that the equally worthy Mister Bibb's New Releases List
> lists a release date for WDADU of 2/27; after giving the matter some
> thought, I have come to the conclusion that upon the aforementioned day,
> WDADU will quite probably become a domestic disc,
Actually, it appears to be a reissue on the "One Way" label. (It was
formerly available domestically on Mechanic records.) I highly doubt
that the vocals have been redone (since I suspect that at least one of
the band members would have said something).
-- Ken Bibb kbibb@arastar.com------------------------------
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 1996 00:17:43 -0800 (PST) From: Steve Borzilleri <magellan@u.washington.edu> To: Dream Thespians <ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com> Subject: Home For The Holidays!! Message-ID: <Pine.A32.3.91j.960103001305.37637B-100000@homer23.u.washington.edu>
(part I of II)
Hello, hello! Yes, I am alive, and yes, I was at the Ytsecon, Malibu, and Birch Hill. I would have been at the pre-Malibu Roy Rogers meeting if the Roy Rogers hadn't been torn down. And I would have been at the pre-Birch Hill meeting at the Fantazia Diner if the manager hadn't kicked everyone out while I was in the bafu. Oh yeah, when I asked what had happened when I got outside, I was told, "We were kicked out while you were in the bafu, Bafu."
Anyway, I thought some of you might be interested in what I learned backstage after the Birch Hill show. (Elliott, D-Man, Skadz: yous owe me one, jerkies!)
Derek Sherinian.
Fifteen minutes after the show, he could be seen leaning against the bar near the back of the club, beer in hand, talking to the fans. I didn't catch what everyone was saying, but after most of them had asked their questions, I leaned in and shook his hand, saying, "This really means a lot, man, you hanging around out here like this, being so casual about everything. I mean, word spreads fast, people are gonna know how cool you are about this stuff." He thanked me, and I let D-Man get a word in.
Then as we slowly congregated backstage, which ended up being just about every Ytsejammer in the place (!) I ran into Derek again. He walked over and sat against a railing and fielded a series of questions. He immediately recognized Jaison from a previous night, and I think he even remembered Jaison's name.
When asked, "Do you mind pictures? Like when you're up there playing? Does the flash bother you?" He looked away in disgust and replied, with a grimace, squint, and wave of his hand, "Oh, who the fuck cares?!" Then, adding a few seconds later, "Like I even notice with those spotlights in my face for two hours!"
When asked as to why the band didn't play anything from When Dream And Day Unite, he replied, "Well, it's...it's like, "Hey, remember...that girl you were going out with eight years ago? Why don't you get back together with her?" You know? These guys wrote those songs, like...eight YEARS ago, and they're moving so fast. You understand what I mean?" I thought it was a great analogy. Then Jaison blurted out, "But it's just for one night!" and I chimed in, "Yeah, what's a musical one-night stand every now and then?" Derek cracked up, as did the rest of us.
When asked how he had heard of DT before the audition, he admitted that he hadn't known much about them. "I had heard Pull Me Under on the radio, and that was about it. I didn't have any of their albums... But they had a reputation...as being a group of...really tight, accomplished players. That was what really got me interested."
When asked, "What's it like being the new guy, you know, is there any hostility towards you? I mean, a lot of people still haven't adjusted to Kevin being gone." He replied, "Oh yeah, I understand completely. Of COURSE I'm the new guy, of COURSE I have to prove myself. I mean, I remember when David Lee Roth...left Van Halen. I was torn! Then they got this new guy, Sammy Hagar, you know, it's like "Who the hell?" Then I heard him sing, and I... (snickering in a low voice) sold out." Meaning, he had given Sammy a chance and liked him. We all laughed.
This next part is a bit fuzzy, because I'm not familiar with Yes' lineup, but he said a name similar to, "Like in Yes, before Steve Howe there was someone else in his spot..." Here Jaison observed, "And about nine since!" Derek looked at him and shouted, giggling, "Yeah!!" Everyone chortled except for the non-Yes fans (me).
Derek continued, "I'm just glad to be here, now, at this moment. 'Cause these guys are going to be making a LOT more records in the future, I just feel really lucky to have gotten in this early."
Then he signed a bunch of stuff, using the Holiday Inn pen I had brought for such purposes. After signing my shirt, I was chided by someone behind me with, "Now you can't wash it!" I replied, "WASH it? This is going on my wall! Hanger. Nail. Boom." After Derek had used my pen a few times, I informed him, "See, now I'm going to get a dusting kit and get your prints to show up. Then I can mount THAT on my wall. The Derek Pen."
Someone came up with a camera and asked for a picture. Derek stood up and moved onto a somewhat raised dance floor, and tripped as he did so. But get this: he caught his balance, and without missing a beat, went into a frenzy of tap-dancing moves to play it off, ending with a loud stomp of his right foot! Hilarious! "Feet of fury!" I shouted, and someone else blurted out, "Someone call Star Search!" The person took the picture, and I asked if he could take one of Derek and I. Then I asked Derek how he managed to put up with all of this. To He Who Took The Picture: please e-mail me if it turns out. It was coincidentally the last one on the roll, so that probably means it won't turn out.
After finding out that the rest of band was over near one of the bars in the back area, I left Derek to see what I could see. I swear, talking to that guy, you'd never think he was in a band. He acted so humble and outgoing, it was really surprising.
John Myung.
I had almost walked past him when I noticed it was actually him. He was standing against a wall, a bodyguard on his right, and talking to one, count 'em, ONE person. Not knowing much of Myung or bassarchy, I didn't have much to ask him. "I know as soon as I get into the car, I'll think of a thousand and one questions to ask you. But I can't get a clear one right now, so are there any deep, dark secrets you'd like to tell me?"
He smiled and sort of murmured, "No, not really." So I promptly added, "Oh, you're still feeling kinda spooky? Ok..." I don't know if he was aware that I was quoting him or not, but he kindly (and quietly) signed my Ytsecon shirt and backstage pass.
I was tempted to ask him why he had switched to Doc Martens and where his big boots had gone. Then I thought that would be sort of silly. There were two people behind me, and I really had nothing to ask him, so I continued onward.
Mike Portnoy.
Mike was surrounded by about ten people in a semi-circle around the bar. He did not have a bodyguard anywhere nearby. But best of all, he was wearing a "Tyson vs. Holyfield" hooded sweatshirt, complete with a picture of the two. I pointed at the shirt and said, "You got a lotta balls wearing something with Tyson's picture on it! Too bad I'm a fan!"
Portnoy's eyes lit up and he exclaimed, "Oh, I KNOW! We did a show in Indianapolis, and I had these "Free Mike Tyson" banners on my drumkit, over the kicks, and all these people came up to me after the show and were like (voice-change to a high-pitched, nasally whine) "You shouldn't talk about Mike Tyson, we don't like him around here!" and I was just like, "Whoah!" You know? "Sorry I like something other than drumming!" "
I could only say, "Well, Iron Mike, you wouldn't happen to have those banners handy, wouldya?" And with that I shook his hand and asked him to sign my shirt and pass. He was then asked about a Rush tribute, and said he had just finished recording it, along with Billy Sheehan and a few others.
Petrucci, LaBrie, and more up next.
Bafu Vai
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Date: Wed, 3 Jan 1996 00:34:08 -0800 (PST) From: Steve Borzilleri <magellan@u.washington.edu> To: Dream Thespians <ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com> Subject: Home For The Holidays!! Message-ID: <Pine.A32.3.91j.960103001746.37637C-100000@homer23.u.washington.edu>
(part II of II)
John Petrucci.
And now an interesting question that I know a lot of you have wondered about, taken straight to the man himself. (I know, I know, "Loosely based on the apocalypse," but I wanted more.)
Q: "Can you divulge any information..." at this point Petrucci's eyebrows raised as if he was expecting some deep insider-question. I continued, "as to the meaning of...Under A Glass Moon?" His eyes narrowed as he focused his thoughts, letting out a slow "Ahhmmm..."
Worried I might not get an answer, I capped with "Any insights? Or is that something you'd rather not discuss? I heard it was loosely based on the apocalypse?" Then he nodded and proceeded to answer.
"Yeah, the apocalypse. Well, there's no single...meaning behind the song. When I wrote...um, Under A Glass Moon...it was...late at night, and I needed to write some lyrics, so I went out to my car...and this thunderstorm started up. So the song was written while I was in my car in the middle of this huge thunderstorm, and the way the water was...um...the water..." Here I interjected, "The droplets? Running down the windshield?" and I did a little motion with my fingers. His eyes narrowed again and he smiled at me as if an understanding had been reached between the two of us. "Yeah," he said, nodding. Now, if I had a list of Life's Greatest Moments...
He continued, "Yeah, with the water, and the lightning and everything, it was just...it reminded me a little bit of the apocalypse, so the lyrics to the song had to do with that whole event." So it is safe to assume that the lyrics are a reflection of the thunderstorm, which was so intense it reminded Petrucci of the end of the world.
Afterwards I thought of a few lines and realized how they may have been inspired by someone sitting inside a car during a thunderstorm. Nervous flashlights scan my dreams = headlights of oncoming cars shining into the car as he's thinking up lyrics. Chasing water from the sky = rain, obviously. I argue with the clouds, stealing beauty from my eyes = the natural color of the sky is removed by the dark cloud cover. Beneath a blackened summer sky = the darkness of the sky during the storm. Bathing your soul in silver tears = raindrops. Glass moon = windshield? Maybe the streelight outside his car? I've always thought it was a reference to a spotlight, and the song itself was about performing live.
His children, twins, are named Reny and Samantha.
Lastly I asked him, "Do you think you'll ever release any of the songs from your clinics on a cd?" To which he replied, "Probably not, that's a lot of stuff to record."
James LaBrie.
I arrived as he was finishing another answer. "Well, yeah! Without you guys, there wouldn't be a show. I know, it sounds corny, but it's true. Without you guys there would be no show."
Then someone asked him if he had read what people wrote about him on (ulp!) the Ytsejams. (YES, FOLKS, JAMES LABRIE HAS NET ACCESS AND HE USES IT.) He started shaking his head, and someone was heard to mutter, "Uh-oh." Before he even began, I said, "Hey, I'm one of the good guys. I love your singing, I'm on your side." We could all tell he had fire and brimstone ready to unleash.
LaBrie: "The negative remarks? Yeah, I've read what they say. You know, these people write this shit, and... I just gotta wonder...who are they to..." At this point he started nodding his head back and forth, searching for the next words, when in my usual manner, I interjected with, "No one ever erected a statue to a critic, man." For a brief moment he stopped, focused on me, pointed, and said, "Yeah." Once again, if I had a list of...
Then two of the guys who were standing near him suddenly left, so I added, "Go ahead, man, whatever you say to me's gonna be echoed out to the entire list." This was a beneficial remark, because it caused James to come down off of the steps he had been standing on and down to the floor where I was. Obviously, he had something to say.
"People who write that stuff are just amusing themselves. You know? All I have to say is this:" At this point he was right in my face, pointing at my chest. "Howabout you come up here, and you SHOW ME how to do this? You know?" I was appalled and impressed at the same time. "Kick ass!" I shouted and put my hand out to shake his. He firmly shook my hand, and continued, "Until then, they're just amusing themselves. You tell them that." What can I say, all of a sudden I was James LaBrie's Internet Representative.
He was called over by a fellow with a ponytail who I believe was their tour manager, but stopped after a few steps, looked back at me and added, pointing, "Tell them that they can keep RIGHT ON AMUSING THEMSELVES."
So, from the man himself, all ye skeptics have an open invitation to teach him how to sing. Oh, and you can all keep right on amusing yourselves.
Derek Sherinian, Part II.
As I moved away from James, I saw Derek walking towards the small crowd of people who were clustered around the other four members. He was alone, and had a beer in one hand. It was a sad sight. The keyboardist for DREAM THEATER had no one to talk to. As he approached, I smiled at him and looked around, saying, "How come you're not being flocked?!" He remembered me from before and laughed, looking down at the floor. I had seen him floating around the bar that was a mere twenty feet away twice before, alone, while his bandmates got all the attention. I patted him on the shoulder and added, "Don't worry, man, there's about 2000 souls on the Internet who wish they were standing next to you right now." He laughed again and looked at me for a second. I think I'm going to make a list...
Mike Portnoy, Part II.
As Mike was exiting, he was slinking along the bar-rail, saying goodbyes one by one to each of us. As he got to me, I shook his hand once again and said, "Which 'jams do you need?" Again his eyes lit up as he realized I was a 'jammer. "Ooh, um...I'm not sure..." So I simply saluted him and said, "Just remember: Bafu Vai loves you!" He laughed and said, "Ok!" I don't think he knew what I was talking about. Maybe someday he will, but otherwise I don't really mind if he thought I was crazy. Everyone else is doing it, why can't he? ;>
He had to keep walking as the place was closing down and security was getting ancy. However, there were two sides to the bar, so as he got around the long end, he had to walk back towards us to get to the exit. As three of us started talking at once, Mike raised his eyebrows and nodded his head around, pointing at all of us, as if to say, "Which of you? Which of you?" So I piped up, "Will photography be allowed at the next show?" "Yes," he said. But not specific enough, no no no. I added, "FLASH photography?" "I'm not sure, I think so," he said. That pretty much cemented my decision to not go to the fourth show as my camera had an extremely bright flash capable of illuminating a pitch-black room, and I wasn't about to do timed exposures in the middle of a ravenous crowd of DT fans!
Otherwise, I caught up with 'em again outside the venue as they loaded into their minivan. It was about 2am or some other crazy hour. I walked over from Trey's car, which was about fifty feet away, and could see three shadowy long-haired figures sitting in the middle and back of the dark van, with two well-illuminated short-haired figures sitting in the front seats. One was the driver, the other was Derek. I held up one finger to The Silent Van, meaning "1," then pointed to my camera, which meant "picture." Derek was nice enough to get out of the van and oblige my request. "You want someone to take it?" he said, meaning, "Do you want to be in the picture with me?" I replied, "No, I don't wanna keep you out in the cold any longer than necessary." Click. Flash. And so it was.
I motioned to the other members and asked him, "Those guys?" He shook his head no, kind of shutting one eye as if to say, "Aaah, you better not." "Camera shy?" I asked, to which Derek simply shrugged his shoulders.
Then Portnoy came out, and was immediately approached by three fans who had him sign some things. He was still wearing his Tyson vs. Holyfield sweatshirt, so I asked him, "Can I get the gloves up? Protect yourself at all times!" (a phrase even more common to boxing than "let's get ready to rumble!") He whirled around and held up his hands in a boxing-pose. Click. Flash. And so it was.
And this was good.
Guess I should mention the highlights/lowlights of the shows, or at least my relative position in the ravenous throng of concertgoers. :) Or maybe a word on who I met and what my impressions were. Nah, another time. Right now the above is more than enough to keep one occupied.
Bafu Vai
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End of YTSEJAM Digest 1214 **************************
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