Dream Theater Signing, April 19, 2014 (Any Questions You Want Answered?)

[Lark the Starless]

So DT will be at a signing at Fingerprints (music store) in Long Beach, CA tomorrow for Record Store Day, before the concert at the Orpheum later that night.

I already preordered the 12" picture disc version of IT that they are releasing for that day and I will have an opportunity to have the guys sign some of my albums and to briefly talk to them.

In order to not look completely starstruck (since it'll be my first time "meeting" the guys), do you guys have any questions you would like answered?

Can't wait for tomorrow: signing and a concert?! My body is ready.

[Madman Shepherd]

What vegetables do they most resemble?

[rumborak]

What happened to the lava lamps.

This NEEDS to be asked, ASAP.

[Lark the Starless]

Check. And check.

[ReaPsTA]

DID THEY EVER SEE THE RED LIGHT?

[Lucien]

Thoughts on anything to do with a new album? (Yes, I know there probably won't be any answers here)

[Lark the Starless]

You guys suck 

Screw it, I'll come up with questions, you'll see...

[Onno]

Do they already have some ideas in mind regarding the setlists for the upcoming summer shows? Any songs that definitely will be switched out, or any songs that will probably be played?

[DebraKadabra]

Are there plans for a second NA leg, and will they play in markets that were not chosen for the first leg? (aka DT COEM TO TEH TESSASS )

Have a great time tomorrow!!!

[rumborak]

Ask each of them what they consider to be DT's start date.

[TAC]

Ask each of them what they consider to be DT's start date.

Nice!

[Invisible]

Ask each of them what they consider to be DT's start date.

[DebraKadabra]

Well played, rumby

[?]

What are their favorite tracks 4 and 5 from the Rudess era albums?

[Sycsa]

What vegetables do they most resemble?

Ask each of them what they consider to be DT's start date.

What are their favorite tracks 4 and 5 from the Rudess era albums?

Wow, the forum was indeed terrible lately.

[Infinite Cactus]

What happened to the lava lamps

DID THEY EVER SEE THE RED LIGHT?

Ask JP the red light question, pause until there is awkward silence. As soon as he begins to talk, scream "ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR" in his face.

[hefdaddy42]

If someone doesn't find out what Mangini's favorite brand of cigar is I'm gonna lose my mind.  I've been attempting to get that answered since the Q&A they did for us.

[Sacul]

Is anything certain in life?

[nikatapi]

Are they aware of the production quality criticisms, and are they going to change the mixing - mastering staff?

[Zook]

What brand of hair straightener does Mangini use?

[mikemangioy]

Do you go to the bathroom during Mangini's solo?

[YtseJamittaja]

What are their favorite tracks 4 and 5 from the Rudess era albums?

Could this be the end?

[Invisible]

To JP: aren't you suposed to be dead today and resurrect tomorrow?

[Kotowboy]

To Mangini : How does he compare Steve Vai and John Petrucci with regards to technique etc ?

[RaiseTheKnife]

Fingerprints Record Signing:

I asked if it would be too much to do two meet and greets in one day, and DTF responded with "Of course NOT!"  Event had a great turnout, and always a pleasure to chat with fellow fans in line.   If Lark doesn't object, I'll post my questions and answers with the band here.  DT's replies are in bold:   


James Labrie

•   I assume that people outside of the DT community call you Kevin.  Do other band members call you Kevin, or do they call you James?  He said that his wife and anyone who knew him before his time in the band still call him Kevin.  But professionally, everyone calls him James (I think this means the band too).  He added that it simply would not be appropriate for anyone within the DT world, such as the fans, to call him Kevin.  And since James is his middle name anyway, he's fine with the DT community knowing him as James.

Jordan Rudess

•   Is there a song in the DT catalog you really would like to play, but have not – or is there a song that you don't look forward to learning? (JP peeked over to hear his answer) He replied that, of course, he looks forward to the songs from the new album that have not been played yet. As far as any other song in the DT archive, he is happy to learn whatever songs are called upon.

John Petrucci

•   Has Kevin Moore made any comment regarding the live performance of Space Dye Vest?  "No.  None."

•   With the successful reaction to Space Dye Vest in the setlist, I think slower tempo songs like Anna Lee and Wither add so much depth and breathing room to a setlist.  "I agree! I agree!"

Mike Mangini

•   There are still two extra bass drums in your kit.  Are these being used as triggers for sound effects during this tour? [btw, I asked this on behalf of a DTF member here]:  Yes.  He told me he uses the triggers on (1) Trial of Tears (I believe I noticed it as the opening wind chimes and the wasteland thunderclap) and (2) Enigma Machine (MM plays the melody during drum solo, and emphasizes this by pointing down at the pedal when hitting the note with his foot)

[rumborak]

Great questions, RTK!

Except maybe the JR question. Never ask a "which do you like least" question, you never get an answer on those, for obvious reasons.

[RaiseTheKnife]

yeah, in retrospect that would have been a better question for Mangini anyway.  I mean, Jordan has already played almost the entire catalog.

[rumborak]

I'm saying in general, you'll never get more than a "I love 'em all" answer. No seasoned artist will badmouth a song that might be some people's favorite.

[Madman Shepherd]

I learned more from those questions you have asked than I have from the last 20 DT interviews I have read/listened to. 

BTW, when James LaBrie first got a facebook he was Kevin LaBrie.  Of course being an older dude that doesn't understand technology his facebook was completely open and added whoever sent him a friends request.  After seeing a handful of people post on his wall "Thanks for accepting my request, I'm a big fan!"  I thought to myself, well, I guess I'll be a creeper too.  He only had a few hundred friends by that point and accepted my request.  Some woman, I'm assuming a childhood friend of his, posted a picture of them together at some bar and commented, "Kevin, it was so good to see you and Karen!" 

Last year he finally deleted it because it was ridiculous.  Thousands of fans posting stuff on his wall on a daily basis.  Tagging him in pictures of themselves that have nothing to do with anything.  So now he only has his fan page.

[RaiseTheKnife]

Thanks, Madman. The question I was most curious to ask was regarding if Kevin Moore had expressed a reaction to the live playing of SDV.  I'm sure he is aware they are playing it, as it is likely he's getting checks in the mail for each performance (assuming  DT is paying ASCAP a performance royalty (ASCAP is the administrator for the publishing rights for SDV (yes, I verified this))).

When James first  joined FB I added him as Kevin too, which probably planted that question in my mind.  But mostly I was wondering if his attitude was "Jeesh guys, I changed my name because of Kevin Moore and its been 15 years since he left, can we just call me Kevin now?"  Understandably, turns out to be totally the opposite.