James LaBrie interview with Kyo, 2011-07-11

[Elaitch]

Great interview Provided a lot of interesting information and food for thought!

I think JLB really fueles the thought that MP was really putting the lid on the others' influence. Him taking the limelight, being very keen on being much in command during the whole album making process, which includes being primarily involved with the arrangements, which is probably the reason to why songs on DTs most recent albums has been fluctuating a lot between sections; at one time being extremely mellow, at one time being extremely proggy, at one time being extremely metal etc., and not all that well balanced, which seems to have been remedied to great extent this time around. It seems to have been a major chip on the other band members' shoulders. And the thing about MP purportedly changing setlists overnight without really communicating... I honestly didn't think it was that bad.

[TheGreatPretender]

Great interview Provided a lot of interesting information and food for thought!

I think JLB really fueles the thought that MP was really putting the lid on the others' influence. Him taking the limelight, being very keen on being much in command during the whole album making process, which includes being primarily involved with the arrangements, which is probably the reason to why songs on DTs most recent albums has been fluctuating a lot between sections; at one time being extremely mellow, at one time being extremely proggy, at one time being extremely metal etc., and not all that well balanced, which seems to have been remedied to great extent this time around. It seems to have been a major chip on the other band members' shoulders. And the thing about MP purportedly changing setlists overnight without really communicating... I honestly didn't think it was that bad.

You know, people always shun the thought that "MP = DT", but that's what it was starting to become. And I noticed that, I just thought maybe I was blind to it all along, but no. It really was starting to become "Mike Portnoy and the Dream Theaters" so to speak. So it's good to see things back in balance.

[WildeSilas]

Obviously one if those situations where the individual screaming for change doesn't realize that objectively, they are the reason for that need. I think the other member's insistence that things were fine have rung hollow for a few years now because it was easy to tell from the outside that they simply were not.

[bosk1]

I dunno.  If you ask me, JMX looked kinda...spooky.

[metropofreak]

I dunno.  If you ask me, JMX looked kinda...spooky.

That is also true..... 

[TheGreatPretender]

I dunno.  If you ask me, JMX looked kinda...spooky.

Well, that's what Outcry is all about, isn't it? 

[peruvianskynewhampshire]

I dunno.  If you ask me, JMX looked kinda...spooky.

Like a bass playing ninja!!!! 

[Aniland]

JM looks like the girl from the Ring has he walks with his arms limp at his sides like that.

[Ben_Jamin]

JLB likes Eminem...cool.

[TheGreatPretender]

JLB likes Eminem...cool.

Yeah, I thought the same thing, hahahah.

[Ben_Jamin]

Pretty interesting interview. Loved his answers about the internet, and liking music people here despise.

[TheGreatPretender]

Pretty interesting interview. Loved his answers about the internet, and liking music people here despise.

Well, I remember Jordan Rudess in an interview saying that JLB also listens to Maroon 5, so him liking bands that might be crappy isn't something new.

[climberboy]

I really like how JM is much more involved now. And I think he is much happier:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfPSRb8btjA&feature=BFa&list=HL1310408669&index=135

Check out 12.48 when he gets a pat on the back from MM, its just kinda nice because i dont think I've seen that happen for a long time 

i agree with this, I mean I think JM looked well chuffed, which is awesome to see!

[skydivingninja]

Hey, the interview link 404'd.  Is there another one?

[Millais]

thanks for the interview - some great questions and thoroughly interesting. congrats! 

[TheGreatPretender]

Yeah, I was really glad to see a question about how LaBrie's involvement in the music aspect changed, and it was a pretty long and elaborate answer too. So yay.

[peruvianskynewhampshire]

Great interview,probably one of the best ive read.  JLB seemed so open to answer any question and brutally honest. Like some people here have said,it seems that it was time for MP to move on and the band just seems so energized and loose. Sept 13th cant come soon enough and I am pacing impatiently waiting to hear the us tour dates     anybody hear any scuttlebutt  of dates in the us?  

[The Silent Cody]

Impressive interview!!!! Bravo
Very honest and concrete answers and nice questions too. We know sth new about lyrics, about tour, about album length,,,One of the best interviews I was reading last time!!

[Global Laziness]

Hey, the interview link 404'd.  Is there another one?

I read the interview (fantastic, by the way!), closed the window, and then tried to reopen it and had the same problem. Did the site crash?

EDIT: Oh yeah, and here's a thought I had about Beneath the Surface...based on James' description of it, it kinda sounds like it might be a SDV-type closing song.

[TheGreatPretender]

Hey, the interview link 404'd.  Is there another one?

I read the interview (fantastic, by the way!), closed the window, and then tried to reopen it and had the same problem. Did the site crash?

I think the interview is so awesome that the internet collapsed under the sheer awesome of it.

[RaiseTheKnife]

Fantastic interview, Michael.

1) In an interview JLB did in 97 he said his favorite song to sing is "Scarred."  Interesting that it still is.

2) No rare gems  +  no rotating setlists =     I'll be less likely to see 2 or 3 shows this tour if the set is not going to be a mixed up or include a song I've never seen before.  DT, you will make less money on this tour because of this decision.  Well oiled machines are repetitive and predictable.

[unklejman]

The links are broken, is this somewhere else?

[The Silent Cody]

Fantastic interview, Michael.

1) In an interview JLB did in 97 he said his favorite song to sing is "Scarred."  Interesting that it still is.

2) No rare gems  +  no rotating setlists =     I'll be less likely to see 2 or 3 shows this tour if the set is not going to be a mixed up or include a song I've never seen before.  DT, you will make less money on this tour because of this decision.  Well oiled machines are repetitive and predictable.

Well, this is quite sad and true...it has bad and good sides...

[KevShmev]

2) No rare gems  +  no rotating setlists =     I'll be less likely to see 2 or 3 shows this tour if the set is not going to be a mixed up or include a song I've never seen before.  DT, you will make less money on this tour because of this decision.  Well oiled machines are repetitive and predictable.

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=24602.0

[EasterDavy]

Hey, the interview link 404'd.  Is there another one?

The links are broken, is this somewhere else?

[bosk1]

2) No rare gems  +  no rotating setlists =      I'll be less likely to see 2 or 3 shows this tour if the set is not going to be a mixed up or include a song I've never seen before.  DT, you will make less money on this tour because of this decision.  Well oiled machines are repetitive and predictable.

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=24602.0

I approve of this message.

[TheGreatPretender]

2) No rare gems  +  no rotating setlists =     I'll be less likely to see 2 or 3 shows this tour if the set is not going to be a mixed up or include a song I've never seen before.  DT, you will make less money on this tour because of this decision.  Well oiled machines are repetitive and predictable.

That's not true. Maybe this way, people who aren't necessarily able to buy the tickets the minute they go on sale, will be able to buy tickets and enjoy the show. Whereas if every fan like you went to every show in a tour, imagine how many people are missing out.

[j]

Excellent interview man, really great questions.

-J

[jsem]

Excellent interview man, really great questions.

-J

[emindead]

Great interview, Kyo!

So basically you get the vibe that the stumbling block in DT was the last member to leave.

[DoctorAction]

Great stuff. Good work and thanks, Kyo! (Remember you from the Beard board. Was davepain there. Hey!  )

[ich bin besser]

Hallo Dave, remember me, too?

[Rafael Guerra]

One of the best JLB interviews I remember reading. Great questions and great answers! Thanks!

[TAC]

I really like how JM is much more involved now. And I think he is much happier:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfPSRb8btjA&feature=BFa&list=HL1310408669&index=135

Check out 12.48 when he gets a pat on the back from MM, its just kinda nice because i dont think I've seen that happen for a long time 

i agree with this, I mean I think JM looked well chuffed, which is awesome to see!

That's a cool shot of JM, especially when he gestures towards MM.

[sfam2112]

Fantastic interview, Michael.

1) In an interview JLB did in 97 he said his favorite song to sing is "Scarred."  Interesting that it still is.

In a chat on the Gigantour '05 site, he also said that "New Millenium" was his least favorite. Interesting that it still is.