GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

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GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by icecab21 » Mon Sep 03, 2012 1:57 am

Singer Geoff Tate (QUEENSRŸCHE) revealed last month that he will support ALICE COOPER on a Canadian tour in November, and will embark on a QUEENSRŸCHE "anniversary tour" in 2013 backed by an "all-star lineup" of musicians.

Tate's personal web site, GeoffTate.com, was upgraded with a new banner that reads "Geoff Tate: The Voice Of QUEENSRŸCHE." In addition, he is billed on the web site for booking agency Monterey International as "QUEENSRŸCHE Starring Geoff Tate: The Original Voice."

In a new post on the Queensryche.com web site, which the singer still controls, Geoff has revealed the lineup of his version of QUEENSRŸCHE. It is as follows:

* Geoff Tate - Vocals
* Rudy Sarzo (ANIMETAL USA, WHITESNAKE, QUIET RIOT, DIO, OZZY OSBOURNE) - Bass
* Bobby Blotzer (RATT) - Drums
* Glen Drover (MEGADETH, KING DIAMOND) - Guitar
* Kelly Gray (QUEENSRŸCHE) - Guitar
* Randy Gane – Keyboards

Says Blotzer: "Geoff and QUEENSRŸCHE and RATT have a long history of touring together and I am very excited about this new project with Geoff and the guys."

Adds Drover: "[QUEENSRŸCHE] is a band that I grew up with and have always respected a great deal. [It] will also be great to play with the other musicians involved that I have never played with before. really looking forward to to this!"

Comments Geoff: "I'm sure the last few months have been very frustrating for you. I know they have been for me. There are so many questions and so few answers.

"It is said that adversity makes one stronger. Well, I'm definitely in a better place now than I've ever been before. I feel very positive and excited.

"The challenge, when you're in a creative environment, is keeping things fresh and invigorating, and after working with the same people for thirty years, it gets very difficult. You walk into the room, and everybody knows what everyone is going to do. There's no spark, the chemistry is very tried and true and you just keep coming up with the same ways of expressing yourself.

"Today is a new day and I am thrilled to announce the new QUEENSRŸCHE.

"Together we shall embark on a new musical journey that will be a greater extension of where QUEENSRŸCHE has ever been.

"With this new project, with these new people, it's a whole new scene. There are new ideas, different musical backgrounds and a whole new set of parameters. Everyone has ideas you haven't heard before, and everyone is throwing them against the wall and suddenly … the music has a whole new life.

"I look forward to this new life and I hope to see you on tour as all of us come together and begin this new era."

Guitarist Michael Wilton, drummer Scott Rockenfield, bassist Eddie Jackson and Parker Lundgren (guitar) announced on June 20 that they were parting ways with Geoff Tate and recruiting Todd La Torre of CRIMSON GLORY as his replacement.

Wilton, Jackson and Rockenfield defeated Tate's motion for a preliminary injunction on July 13 that would have kept them from touring and operating under the band name,

Tate and his wife, Susan, QUEENSRŸCHE's former manager, filed a lawsuit against Geoff's ex-bandmates on June 22 in King County Superior Court over whether he should be awarded the QUEENSRŸCHE name after being dismissed from the group in June. Their complaint states Rockenfield, Wilton and Jackson wrongfully fired the singer and are tarnishing the group's brand by attempting to move forward without him.

If the case goes to trial, the date is set for November 18, 2013.

Tate taped a guest appearance on VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" last month for an episode which premiered on August 25.

Asked about the cirumstances that led to the split with his QUEENSRŸCHE bandmates after nearly 30 years of working together, Tate said, "Well, really, it's kind of difficult to explain, 'cause I'm not in their heads. I can only speculate, really. It came out of the blue for me. We've never had any kind of creative differences, or any kind of a situation where we are at odds with each other. It just happened. And I can only speculate that we're in a really tough recession right now all over the world, and I think that when we have economic times like this, it kind of makes people do strange things. That's really the only speculation I can give — that it's a money thing. We have a company together and [now that] they kicked me out, they can split my 25 percent."

On the topic of whether he is planning on fighting to keep the name QUEENSRŸCHE for himself, Tate replied, "It's something that I've worked all my adult life to take care of and build and protect, and I feel like, yes, it's mine." He continued, "[Right now] we both have the name. The judge [who denied Tate's motion for a preliminary injunction that would have kept his former bandmates from touring and operating under the band name. — Ed.] said something very interesting. My lawyer wanted to say, 'Look, we think that nobody should use the name until we have our court date.' And the judge says, 'I don't see anything different about QUEENSRŸCHE or the FOUR TOPS. It's the same situation.' The FOUR TOPS… [laughs] But, basically, there's two QUEENSRŸCHEs now. Or [at least we have] the ability to have two QUEENSRŸCHEs."

Addressing the accusations by his former bandmates that he was controlling QUEENSRŸCHE's musical direction for much of the last couple of decades, Tate said, "Well, I don't know how I would do that. I have one vote. We do everything by voting. 'I think we should do this, I think we should do this…' That's how we do it. So I don't have the power to dictate where we go in that regard."

When "That Metal Show" co-host Don Jamieson brought up the fact that QUEENSRŸCHE's latest album, 2011's "Dedicated To Chaos", was a huge departure from the metallic sounds of the band's early efforts, Tate said, "[It's] redefining what metal is? Thank you. That's what we've always tried to do — we've always tried to not be somebody else's version of what metal is. We've always tried to forge our own path. And how people take that, you never know. You have to just, kind of, write what's in your heart, you know?!"

Asked what he hopes will happen in his ongoing legal battle with his former bandmates, Tate said, "I'd like to sit in a room with those gentlemen and have them tell me face to face what the situation is. Explain their actions. I'd like to know, and actually understand, their point of view. I'd like to see them talk to me face to face rather than through the Internet. . . Communication is a big part of any kind of relationship — you've gotta have it. And if nobody's talking, then nothing's getting settled. And that's where we're at right now — nobody's talking."

Tate recently completed work on his sophomore solo album, "Kings And Thieves", for an October release via InsideOut Music.

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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by brought2ubyletterC » Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:08 pm

This is the "all-star" band that Geoff was hinting at? Really?

Sounds like a cavalcade of washed-up losers, if you ask me. :lol:

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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by adrian9 » Mon Sep 03, 2012 11:45 pm

Rudy Sarzo a loser==?? I wanna lose like that...
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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by icecab21 » Mon Sep 03, 2012 11:54 pm

going to have to ask why you think those are losers?
playing with the top metal bands in the world does not make someone a loser in my book.

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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by AAAAAAAAAA » Tue Sep 04, 2012 1:27 am

icecab21 wrote:going to have to ask why you think those are losers?
playing with the top metal bands in the world does not make someone a loser in my book.
You are writing a book too? Loneliness of 1000 queers??

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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by icecab21 » Tue Sep 04, 2012 2:07 am

i wont steal your book title

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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by brought2ubyletterC » Tue Sep 04, 2012 5:45 am

I wasn't referring to Rudy Sarzo; that's the best Geoff's got going in this band. In fact, I forgot to mention that in my last post that out of all his "all-stars", Rudy's the only real "star". He's the only member of Geoff's band where I was like, "wow, this might be interesting!". In a good way.

But former members of Ratt, for God's sake? I'm sorry, but that doesn't impress me, especially for someone who has always claimed to be so "above" metal. :eyes If you're gonna recruit former members of metal bands, there are plenty of guys out there who are more talented and could use the gig. I guess Geoff could only hire guys who work for beer? Knowing his wife-ager, I wouldn't be surprised that they're too cheap to pay them a salary and that's why you have what we've got here.

I'm not a fan of Megadeth or King Diamond so I can't say I exactly jumped up and down to discover one of their former bandmembers is part of this band too.

And Kelly Gray? Why does Geoff insist on sticking to this guy like glue? I saw the guy perform when he replaced Chris DeGarmo; the guy can't play for sh*t and if you want to hear how he butchered beloved Queensryche classics, just listen to his "version" of "Eyes of a Stranger" from the Live Evolution CD/DVD. It's common knowledge that when he joined Queensryche, he hadn't played guitar in over 10 years. And this is the person you pick to replace one half of one of the best twin-guitar attacks on the metal scene? OK, if you say so... :lol:

So yeah, for the most part, this band is full of guys that sucked in the bands they were in, and will probably not do much better here.

Sigh...I wish both sides would have heeded the advice of those who wished that they both would drop the Queensryche name and push on as something entirely new, rather than bastardize their legacy.

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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by Mormegil » Tue Sep 04, 2012 7:07 am

Rudy Sarzo elevates my interest towards this project from non-existent to minimal.

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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by adrian9 » Tue Sep 04, 2012 4:24 pm

Mormegil wrote:Rudy Sarzo elevates my interest towards this project from non-existent to minimal.
exactly but you add the likesof glen drover with tate and this have a chance to be cool
just sayin'
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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by brought2ubyletterC » Wed Sep 05, 2012 8:13 pm

Rudy Sarzo elevates my interest towards this project from non-existent to minimal.
^This.

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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by Shurik » Sat Sep 08, 2012 3:14 pm

Glenn Drover was pretty good in Megadeth, I've seen him live with them in 2007. He was also in King Diamond, meaning he's a very competent guitar player ...
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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by brought2ubyletterC » Sun Sep 09, 2012 6:07 am

Thanks for the info, Shurik. Also glad to see you around! How are you doing? Image

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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by hiro23 » Tue Sep 11, 2012 5:29 am

I'll listen to the album when it comes out, I'll save my opinion for that date.
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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by brought2ubyletterC » Tue Sep 11, 2012 5:38 am

The solo album was already in the works; I hope it's better than his first solo album. It wasn't bad, just a little too "lite rock" for my taste.

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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by Shurik » Tue Sep 11, 2012 9:51 am

brought2ubyletterC wrote:Thanks for the info, Shurik. Also glad to see you around! How are you doing? Image
As usual - studying most of the time, doing a Ph.D ...
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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by hiro23 » Wed Sep 12, 2012 5:09 am

Here's the thing whether we like to admit it or not, all of the people in the new band are successful in one way or another.

We may not have liked the bands some of them were in however it doesn't change the fact that they were indeed in successful bands.

Also as I have learned studying music there is no such thing as good and bad in music, there is only what you like and what you don't like. Music is subjective.
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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by brought2ubyletterC » Thu Sep 13, 2012 5:26 am

As usual - studying most of the time, doing a Ph.D ...
Awesome! Keep up the good work!
Here's the thing whether we like to admit it or not, all of the people in the new band are successful in one way or another.
I think "successful" is also subjective. When Geoff Tate says he is announcing an "all-star" band, I don't necessarily expect a mainstream supergroup; but all of these names are only known within the metal community. So they are only successful to a certain demographic. If you were to approach an average person and say the names "Bobby Blotzer" or "Kelly Gray", most would have no idea who you are talking about. Only a handful of names in the metal community have managed to cross over into that kind of success to where they are household names even to people who don't listen to this music; and none of the names on his roster are it. (Someone who says "guy from Ratt" does not count!) Even Rudy Sarzo, as awesome as he may be, is not a name that the average person would recognize or know right away (now whether or not they *should* know that name is another story entirely!). Sad but true.

Granted, Geoff is trying to appeal to a metal audience, but I just think it's a bit of false advertisement when you announce you have an "all-star" band, and then give us this lineup. Now, if he were to say "a band consisting of well-known names in the metal world", that would have hit closer to the mark and most people would not have been disappointed by what was announced.

And Kelly Gray is hardly "successful"; just because he was a member of Queensryche at one time does not make him successful. He was not part of the band's lineup during their heyday and he never contributed to any of their classic songs that we all know and love. Many people would say---subjectively---that the only thing he contributed to was the beginning of the band's downward spiral. The only real success he's ever had---as far as "fame/fortune" success goes---was producing the first Candlebox record, which sold quite nicely. But I don't know how much money he made from doing that job.

I'm sorry, but a guy who joins (at the risk of using the word again) a successful band and has not picked up a guitar in 10 years, that is not "successful" to me, and if anything, it shows that he's not very dedicated. Whether I like the music he does has nothing to do with it. I think most people would agree that a true musician, or one that is dedicated to their craft, is someone who plays their instrument regularly so as to stay creative and not get rusty. If you want to refrain from playing for 10 years, fine, but to do so and then up and join a band who has experienced success and whose fans come to expect a certain standard from, I just don't feel that is the sign of a "successful" musician.

I'd like to hope that Kelly's standards have improved since then, but when I see him in the lineup, I have to say it deflates my balloon of enthusiasm quite considerably. :cry:

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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by hiro23 » Thu Sep 13, 2012 5:53 am

You make a good point however Queensryche isn't what you would call a mainstream band either. Even at the height of their success you'd be hard pressed to find people who could name each and every musician in Queensryche.

More often then not whenever I ask about Queensryche most people say to me "do you mean Queen?"
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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by icecab21 » Thu Sep 13, 2012 7:23 am

we could have higher named people, bb king on guitar, randy jackson on bass, dave grohl on drums, malmsteen on guitar.

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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by hiro23 » Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:14 am

It's funny that's exactly what I was thinking, though I would have had Jimi Hendrix on guitar.
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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by Rebel » Fri Sep 14, 2012 7:51 am

rule of thumb for metal "Supergroups". To dedicated fans of the genre, the members should be recognizable by name, not by band. If Jens Johansson joined a supergroup, the metal community would know who that was without having to see the tag (Yngwie Malmsteen, Dio, Stratovarius)

What I can mostly tell from this lineup, is that he found musicians from successful bands, rather than successful musicians, because I can't really see any of these members holding something up on their own talent.

Fact is though, with Tate at the helm, it doesn't matter how good they are, because Queensryche had a damn talented lineup, and Tate's tyranny managed to squander it on wine promotion and absolutely awful music. We COULD have BB King, Malmsteen, Jackson and Grohl. Hell, you could put Gavin Harrison on drums, John Petrucci on guitar, and Tony Levin on bass, and as long as Geoff Tate had creative control, the band would fail.

EDIT: OK, so Gavin Harrison isn't capable of failure, he'd walk out. But he's the most recognizable talent for Progressive Metal drumming aside from Mike Portnoy, and while a Portnoy/Tate collaboration would be a bit sadistically funny, it doesn't get the oint across.
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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by adrian9 » Fri Sep 14, 2012 8:40 pm

Rebel wrote:rule of thumb for metal "Supergroups". To dedicated fans of the genre, the members should be recognizable by name, not by band. If Jens Johansson joined a supergroup, the metal community would know who that was without having to see the tag (Yngwie Malmsteen, Dio, Stratovarius)

What I can mostly tell from this lineup, is that he found musicians from successful bands, rather than successful musicians, because I can't really see any of these members holding something up on their own talent.

Fact is though, with Tate at the helm, it doesn't matter how good they are, because Queensryche had a damn talented lineup, and Tate's tyranny managed to squander it on wine promotion and absolutely awful music. We COULD have BB King, Malmsteen, Jackson and Grohl. Hell, you could put Gavin Harrison on drums, John Petrucci on guitar, and Tony Levin on bass, and as long as Geoff Tate had creative control, the band would fail.

EDIT: OK, so Gavin Harrison isn't capable of failure, he'd walk out. But he's the most recognizable talent for Progressive Metal drumming aside from Mike Portnoy, and while a Portnoy/Tate collaboration would be a bit sadistically funny, it doesn't get the oint across.
may heaved forbid that Portnoy/Tate Collab for happening.
that would surely hurt.
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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by hiro23 » Sat Sep 15, 2012 6:39 am

Isn't that still speculation at the end of the day though?
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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by brought2ubyletterC » Wed Sep 19, 2012 9:30 am

Fact is though, with Tate at the helm, it doesn't matter how good they are, because Queensryche had a damn talented lineup, and Tate's tyranny managed to squander it on wine promotion and absolutely awful music. We COULD have BB King, Malmsteen, Jackson and Grohl. Hell, you could put Gavin Harrison on drums, John Petrucci on guitar, and Tony Levin on bass, and as long as Geoff Tate had creative control, the band would fail.
^This!!!

So yeah, I guess I really shouldn't have been shocked that the names in Tate's band weren't as high-caliber as some might have expected. I really didn't know who I expected. I thought maybe because he had collaborated with some of the guys from Dream Theater (not Mike Portnoy) on his solo album, that he would have more bandmembers in the prog-metal vein, or something along those lines (not necessarily bandmembers from DT). But as already pointed out, it doesn't matter, as this is *his* band, he's gonna lead everyone straight off a cliff, so maybe it's better that his bandmembers don't consist of people I admire as musicians or have any interest in musically. (Again, minus Rudy Sarzo, as he is so well-respected in the metal world that it really wouldn't make much of a difference if he was in a band that failed or didn't go very far. He would bounce right back and keep on rockin'.)

Do I want to hear it? Call it morbid curiosity, but yes, I do. :lol:

I don't think Tate was ever gonna collaborate with Portnoy; MP hates his guts after Tate pretty much badmouthed him in public (I believe Portnoy referred to Tate as a "two-faced douchebag"). And those two are both loose cannons and could probably not be in the same room for more than 5 minutes without killing each other. The music probably would have been awesome, but it would have imploded *really* fast.

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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by hiro23 » Thu Sep 20, 2012 5:53 am

I don't know how it is going to turn out, I too personally am curious to hear what it will sound like.

I'm also curious as to what the other version of queensryche is going to sound like without Tate.
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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by GAGAGO » Thu Sep 20, 2012 8:13 am

:lol: You do not say.

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Re: GEOFF TATE Unveils His Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE

Post by brought2ubyletterC » Sat Sep 22, 2012 7:45 am

Apparently sound clips of Geoff's new solo album are up on Amazon.

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