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Queensryche Interview FULL
CIRCLE Queensr˙che starts over with history lesson called LIVE EVOLUTION
Sanctuary Records suggested to newly signed metal veterans, Queensr˙che
that they should make their first record a double live album that
would capture the bands 20 year history as well as their unique live
sound. An album that their life long fans would die for and new fans
would appreciate, an album that would showcase their best songs from
each of their eight albums and take the listener through the bands
20-year career in the metal spotlight. Queensr˙che, a Grammy-nominated
quintet who has sold over 20,000,000 albums worldwide and have been
hailed as one of the greatest progressive hard rock bands to come
out from the 80's agreed with their label and before they knew it
the project was in the works & The whole plan of this was all quickly
put together. Tells Queensr˙che front man/ singer Geoff Tate, At the
time I was in the studio working on a solo project and I really didn't
want to take out from that to do a live album, but Sanctuary really
thought it was important to do. They were right, from a fan standpoint
it was all really great. The album was to be recorded live for 2 nights
before 2 sold out crowds. With the departure of original guitarist
Chris DeGamo (who left the band in 1997) they knew it would be a challenge
for new guitarist, Kelly Gray to adjust to the older material and
that extra rehearsal time would be needed. Working with Kelly is really
frustrating because he's Copyright 2002, BallBuster, The Official Int'l Underground Hard Music Report |
gotta
learn all the songs and he's really not the kind of guy that learns
very easily. Explains Tate, Queensr˙che material is very challenging
to play. I figured it was best for my state of mind to just let them
put together the songs without me. Geoff Tate was the only member
of Queensr˙che who did not rehearse with the band prior to the recording
of this monumental album.I didn't want to sit in a practice studio
for a month rehearsing songs I already knew. With a moody front man
who didn't want to rehearse with his band and a guitarist still learning
the old tunes one could bet that there were more than a few butterflies
running rampant in the belly's of Sanctuary executives. Finally, on
July 27th 2001 in their hometown of Seattle Washington, at The Moore
Theatre the classic metal band known as Queensr˙che would take the
stage and display to the masses their evolution as a band and as people.
Tate's vocals were right on the money and Kelly Gray nailed all of
the guitar parts and the fans cheered on and sang along with their
rock heros. Sanctuary executives sighed a gasp of relief, wiped the
sweat from their brows and smiled for the band never sounded better.
Geoff Tate along with Kelly Gray, Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson and
Scott Rockenfield put on a great and unique show for their hometown
people and diehard fans from around the world. They Played all of
their greatest songs including The Lady Wore Black & Spreading The
Disease ,Silent Lucidity, and Hit The Black, and proved to everyone
that not only do they still got it, but that they're not going away
either. The band currently released a LIVE EVOLUTION DVD that features
the entire live performance from The Moore theatre along with bonus
tracks and exclusive animation. Queensr˙che began work on a brand
new album in January and Geoff Tate has wrapped up his first solo
album and is expected for release this year. What I tried to do throughout
my career is constantly change and evolve and most of the time I am
very pleased with the outcome. That's what you do as an artist, you
experiment with what you do, that's the way I've always done things.&
If you're looking for the best way to describe the evolution of Queensr˙che,
Tate says, just listen to the songs. 
