What has gone before... (in more ways than one!)

[chaossystem]

Sorry about the mess I created before. So I'll ask again: of all the bands (mostly prog and metal) that have influenced Dream Theater, who do you think are the best?
Or the Worst?
What other kinds of music do you think has influenced them?
Which bands do you hear in which of their songs?
Example: "Genesis in Octavarium: Agree or disagree?"
Which bands do you NOT think they sound like, even if other people say they do?

[TheGreatPretender]

Well, Iron Maiden is my third favorite band, so that's definitely my favorite of DT's influences, but more for their own merits, than their influence on DT's sound, which I think isn't nearly as obvious as Rush.

I know DT covered a King Crimson song, but I'm surprised they never outright named King Crimson as one of their influences (that I've ever heard). When I first heard KC, the style of the riffs and the dissonant nature of the music immediately reminded me of DT.

[chaossystem]

Actually, Mike Portnoy has said in interviews and on their DVDs that King Crimson was one of their influences, as well as instrumental bands like the Dixie Dregs.

[TheGreatPretender]

Actually, Mike Portnoy has said in interviews and on their DVDs that King Crimson was one of their influences, as well as instrumental bands like the Dixie Dregs.

Must've forgotten about it. But yeah, I'm not surprised.

[Tomislav95]

I think Pink Floyd is another obvious influence in Octavarium.
Also, Al di Meola influenced Petrucci's style, I don't know about the others.

[chaossystem]

You're right about the Pink Floyd reference. For instance, the beginning of "The Answer Lies Within" sounds like the beginning of "High Hopes." But what I meant by the Genesis sounds is in the title track. You can't hear it as much in the "Score" version, but if you listen to some of the earlier, longer tracks by Genesis from the "Trespass" to "Lamb" period, and then go back and listen to the studio version of the title track, you'll know what I'm talking about.

[Tomislav95]

I think title track is influenced by Shine On You Crazy Diamond, at least that intro.

[hefdaddy42]

They've always listed the biggest influences on the "DT sound" as Yes, Iron Maiden, Rush, Pink Floyd, Metallica, and other bands to a lesser extent.

The Dixie Dregs (and Steve Morse in particular) are certainly an influence on JP, as he has stated in the past, but I'm not sure how much the other members were influenced by them (other than JR, who actually played with the Dregs).

[chaossystem]

I think title track is influenced by Shine On You Crazy Diamond, at least that intro.

I looked it up on Wikepedia last night, and you're right.

[chaossystem]

The Dixie Dregs (and Steve Morse in particular) are certainly an influence on JP, as he has stated in the past, but I'm not sure how much the other members were influenced by them (other than JR, who actually played with the Dregs).
[/quote]

Mike Portnoy has mentioned the Dregs as part of a long list of influential bands. Also, there was a period of time either right before or right after "Dream and Day" when they couldn't find the right singer, and almost decided to carry on as a purely instrumental band. The Dregs' sound and style may have been what made them lean in that direction.

[Mosh]

The outro to Innocence Faded is very Dregs. As is the guitar/keyboard unison in Metropolis. I'd say the influence was really there in the 90s and kinda faded away as the band started to get a bit heavier in the 00s. Although their entire approach to guitar/keyboard unisons in general could be considered Dregs influenced.

[SystematicThought]

The outro to Innocence Faded is very Dregs.

They need to do more of those, now that I think about it

[Mosh]

They really do. I love that outro, especially Petrucci's solo. His licks were so much more exciting back then. Not that I don't like his playing nowadays, cause I do, but he was really doing something different on those first few albums.

[RaiseTheKnife]

Metallica, and by association, Megadeth.

[puppyonacid]

Interesting that Queen seem to be a band that are respected by DT but I can't say you hear much of an influence.

They did Bo' Rap in the big medley and it creeps in somewhere inside Octavarium doesn't it? They covered Death on Two Legs as well. I know that Freddie is JLBs number one vocalist and MP is a Queen fan. Not sure if the other guys are that into them though. I only say this as probably the biggest Queen fan on this board

As far as other influences go, I never really listen to the obvious ones - Rush, Yes, Metallica, Genesis etc. I appreciate the impact they have/had but none of them really clicked with me.

[Skeever]

Found out about Yes from older guy I played guitar with that church. I love them and I think the influence on dream theater is pretty clear. All in all I don't think dream theater haven't done much or anything that Yes didn't do before. However yes have a lot more bad material and dream theater do.

I also really like iron maiden about as much as I like dream theater. I like iron maidens new stuff more than dream theater's new stuff but I like dream theater's old stuff more than iron maidens old stuff.

I enjoy Rush and Queen (Queen moreso) but I don't worship them.

I can't really listen to Metallica. They've always sounded very ugh to me.

[puppyonacid]

The Pink Floyd influence I can hear though - and they are a band I really like very much. I was already into them before I got into DT though.

[chaossystem]

Interesting that Queen seem to be a band that are respected by DT but I can't say you hear much of an influence.

They did Bo' Rap in the big medley and it creeps in somewhere inside Octavarium doesn't it?

The guitar in "Fatal Tragedy" sounds a lot like Brian May.

[Zydar]

Interesting that Queen seem to be a band that are respected by DT but I can't say you hear much of an influence.

They did Bo' Rap in the big medley and it creeps in somewhere inside Octavarium doesn't it?

The guitar in "Fatal Tragedy" sounds a lot like Brian May.

And MP did a harmony vocal thing in Prophets Of War that sounds like Queen's trademark layered vocals.

[hefdaddy42]

Interesting that Queen seem to be a band that are respected by DT but I can't say you hear much of an influence.

They did Bo' Rap in the big medley and it creeps in somewhere inside Octavarium doesn't it?

The guitar in "Fatal Tragedy" sounds a lot like Brian May.

The tone or the actual playing?

[RoeDent]

Interesting that Queen seem to be a band that are respected by DT but I can't say you hear much of an influence.

They did Bo' Rap in the big medley and it creeps in somewhere inside Octavarium doesn't it?

The guitar in "Fatal Tragedy" sounds a lot like Brian May.

Only for a brief moment, in the brief instrumental bridge between the first chorus and the 2nd verse section.

Also, while I'm here. OP, why do you make your thread titles so obscure?

[chaossystem]

Well, partially it's meant to be an attention-getter, but I also thought it would appeal to people's imaginations, especially Dream Theater fans. Also, the title of this one refers to the problems that resulted from "my" FIRST "influences" thread.

[chaossystem]

Interesting that Queen seem to be a band that are respected by DT but I can't say you hear much of an influenc

The tone or the actual playing?

I would pretty much say both.

[hefdaddy42]

What are you doing wrong on your quotes?

[chaossystem]

I'm still learning. But what do you mean specifically?

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Your comment seems to be attributed to hefdaddy.

Just make sure when you quote, what you type is beneath all of the quote coding.

i.e., if you see something like this:

quote author=chaossystem link=topic=42093.msg1844221#msg1844221 date=1407438593]
quote author=hefdaddy42 link=topic=42093.msg1844199#msg1844199 date=1407435186]
quote author=chaossystem link=topic=42093.msg1844160#msg1844160 date=1407431802]
quote author=puppyonacid link=topic=42093.msg1844009#msg1844009 date=1407400894]
Interesting that Queen seem to be a band that are respected by DT but I can't say you hear much of an influenc
[/quote]The tone or the actual playing?
[/quote]

I would pretty much say both.
[/quote]



You want your comment to be below the last [/quote], like so.

[chaossystem]

Your comment seems to be attributed to hefdaddy.

Just make sure when you quote, what you type is beneath all of the quote coding.

i.e., if you see something like this:

quote author=chaossystem link=topic=42093.msg1844221#msg1844221 date=1407438593]
quote author=hefdaddy42 link=topic=42093.msg1844199#msg1844199 date=1407435186]
quote author=chaossystem link=topic=42093.msg1844160#msg1844160 date=1407431802]
quote author=puppyonacid link=topic=42093.msg1844009#msg1844009 date=1407400894]
Interesting that Queen seem to be a band that are respected by DT but I can't say you hear much of an influenc

The tone or the actual playing?
[/quote]

I would pretty much say both.
[/quote]



You want your comment to be below the last [/quote], like so.
[/quote]

Like I said: I'm still learning. Trial and error. Thanks for the tip.

[TheGreatPretender]

Interesting that Queen seem to be a band that are respected by DT but I can't say you hear much of an influence.

They did Bo' Rap in the big medley and it creeps in somewhere inside Octavarium doesn't it?

The guitar in "Fatal Tragedy" sounds a lot like Brian May.

Forge that. What about the guitar solo in Wither? That's straight out of May's book.

[puppyonacid]

Yea I'd agree with that. Until the shreddy bit at the end it is quite reminiscent of Bo Rap. As far as I know though, JP has never cited Brian May as a direct influence.

[chaossystem]

Listen to the VOC on the LSFNY DVD.

[Another_Won]

Your comment seems to be attributed to hefdaddy.

Just make sure when you quote, what you type is beneath all of the quote coding.

i.e., if you see something like this:

quote author=chaossystem link=topic=42093.msg1844221#msg1844221 date=1407438593]
quote author=hefdaddy42 link=topic=42093.msg1844199#msg1844199 date=1407435186]
quote author=chaossystem link=topic=42093.msg1844160#msg1844160 date=1407431802]
quote author=puppyonacid link=topic=42093.msg1844009#msg1844009 date=1407400894]
Interesting that Queen seem to be a band that are respected by DT but I can't say you hear much of an influenc

The tone or the actual playing?


I would pretty much say both.




You want your comment to be below the last, like so.


Like I said: I'm still learning. Trial and error. Thanks for the tip.

I definitely had this problem when I first joined too.  What helped me was using the "Preview" instead of just "Post".  I would just keep doing preview until I got it right.  You'll get it.

[chaossystem]

I think what I've been doing wrong is saving the "quote" part from the bottom, not the top.

[hefdaddy42]

Why are you saving anything?

[TheGreatPretender]

So umm... How about that topic, guys?

What about DT's more recent influences? I was watching the Progressive Metal episode of Metal Evolution yesterday, and hearing the way JP talked about bands like Meshuggah, Tool and Dillinger Escape Plan, it seems pretty obvious that he's listened to a good share of those bands. And not saying that they're an 'influence' on him at all, but he was obviously impressed with what they were doing. I wonder if it in any way reflected on his harsher, more rhythm driven riffs in the past few years.

[Scorpion]

I'm not very familiar with Tool, but I don't really hear anything that sounds even mildly DEP or Meshuggah-influenced in any of DT's recent music.