Awesome JP interview on myglobalmind.com: all about the fans

[rickhawk80]

Just came across this awesome interview with JP from a couple weeks ago -- I searched here first to make sure it had not already been posted and didn't see it, so I thought I'd share.

In particular, I love this one part where he's asked about pre-show rituals and he talks about how all the band members talk together before the show:

"If someone is feeling out of sorts or detached it’s a great time to bring them in and restate why we are here and what we are trying to do. Many times we talk about the people that have come to enjoy the show. They went through a lot to get here, whatever they needed to work out in their lives; they got babysitters, they traveled, and purchased the tickets. So it’s up to us to deliver the goods! We’re always in that head space about the audience and less about us at that moment."

I thought it was a pretty cool comment -- how many major acts still have a discussion like this about the fans before a show???  I know I've been to some shows in smaller venues or non-major cities and the band has cut songs from the set or looked dissatisfied with the size of the crowd.  This comment made me think, "That's not something JP is gonna do."   

Anyway, here's the full interview for your reading pleasure:  https://myglobalmind.com/2013/12/09/exclusive-interview-guitar-virtuoso-john-petrucci-guitars-dream-theater/

[bl5150]

Good read - thanks.

Pretty funny comment below by pablo too.

[Kotowboy]

The comedian Stewart Lee does deliberately difficult and impenetrable stand up which is f--ing hilarious if you understand why he's doing it.

However - he has said in an interview that he feels sorry for the people who come to see him who have no idea about his style who have paid for travel and

babysitters to be there tonight and that their evening out may have been ruined.



...so the total opposite of Axl Rose then who deliberately ruins people's evenings and don't even give a fuck about it.

[CodyWanKenobi]

The comedian Stewart Lee does deliberately difficult and impenetrable stand up which is f--ing hilarious if you understand why he's doing it.

However - he has said in an interview that he feels sorry for the people who come to see him who have no idea about his style who have paid for travel and

babysitters to be there tonight and that their evening out may have been ruined.



...so the total opposite of Axl Rose then who deliberately ruins people's evenings and don't even give a fuck about it.

I hate Axl Rose so much.

[rickhawk80]

Axl is the essence of a musician who never gives a second thought to his fans.  The one and only time I saw him live was when G n' R were an opening act waaaaaaay back in the day.  They were mad, bad ass, reckless and amazing back then, but I've chosen not to give him my hard-earned money at any point in his headlining years because I don't want to enable the little prima donna with his fickle behavior about when he goes onstage, how long he plays, etc. 

On the other hand, I saw Slash with Myles Kennedy and his solo band live last year and they were fantastic!!

[Vipmetal]

Axl has been gaining some weight in recent years. Was a quite big shock to see...

[mikeyd23]

On the other hand, I saw Slash with Myles Kennedy and his solo band live last year and they were fantastic!!

Haven't had the chance to see Slash w/ Myles Kennedy yet, but Myles is one of my favorite musicians on the planet! Alter Bridge is a fantastic band and Myles is an amazing talent. Hopefully they will come near me on tour in the future so I get the chance to see them live!

Anyways... Back on topic, its great to see JP reveal that the band does think about and consider what lengths their fans went through to attend their shows and the fact that they use that to help focus themselves on delivering the best performance. Doesn't surprise me though, JP seems like a great, considerate guy who would consider these things, but it is always still nice to hear anyways. 

[rickhawk80]

Not sure where you are, Mikey, but Alter Bridge has released a few US dates already.  I'm going to try to catch them in Kansas City on May 2.  I still haven't picked up "Fortress" -- I assume you endorse it wholeheartedly?

[mikeyd23]

Not sure where you are, Mikey, but Alter Bridge has released a few US dates already.  I'm going to try to catch them in Kansas City on May 2.  I still haven't picked up "Fortress" -- I assume you endorse it wholeheartedly?

I live near Pittsburgh, PA and so far there are no Alter Bridge dates close to me at all, I'm hoping they release some more soon.  I have seen AB live twice, what I meant in my post was that I haven't seen Slash w/Myles yet though.  AB's live show is awesome you won't be disappointed at all!

And yes, I wholeheartedly do endorse "Fortress" at this point, I consider it their best work, even better than the "Blackbird" album, which is one of my favorite albums ever!