Petrucci and Geddy Lee on season premiere of VH1's "That Metal Show" on Feb. 21

[Madman Shepherd]

Gotta agree with those who thought the show was fine - I think some people are a bit nit-picky about how those guys interact on the show. The way I look at it is as if it were 3 buddies chatting about music. At times you're bound to cut each other off when one of them says something that you strongly disagree with.

Okay, but if you have guests, it's common courtesy to not interrupt them, no?

Except if you notice in interviews, hosts have a way of cutting people off in order to keep the conversation flowing.  The trick is to do it in a way that people don't even notice and it just seems like a well flowing conversation. 

TMS guys obviously have not mastered that

[cramx3]

The problem is just that ET is not the best "host" IMO.  He comes off as very awkward on TV and hence during the interview was more notable on his cut offs, which I don't believe was him being rude, they just need to move the show along.

However, just a JP and GL spot chatting would have been way better.

[TAC]

TMS's biggest problem has always been the editing for the dialogue. Lots of awkward cuts. I'm glad it's an hour. the half hour show was so painful because the format was such a tease.

[Mosh]

Wow. That was even more brutal than the last time.

They should have just had John do the interview.

I'm sure it's mostly Viacom's fault because Trunk's radio show isn't quite as annoying when taken in small doses.

I think Trunk's cohosts are much more annoying than him. They don't add much to the show imo. I really like Trunk though, sure he's a bit annoying sometimes but I like his dedication to music. He has lots of interesting things to say on his radio show too.

[hefdaddy42]

The cohosts are basically comedians, and ET is just a big geek (and I mean that in the best way possible).  None of them are really journalists. They aren't really cut out for serious questions.

They are doing the best they can with what they have, I suppose.

[Rodni Demental]

Yes, that's true. 

Interestingly enough, it is beginning to sound more and more like DT will only be doing the summer European festival circuit this year.  That is kind of interesting news.  That means that they may not have an artificially imposed deadline to finish the new album - they will write/record for a few months, then get ready for the live shows, play them, and then they could come back and finish up the album.

While that is possible ... I think it's unlikely. I don't know, just doesn't strike me as DT to write the album, but then sit on it for months. I think they just expect to have all the writing/tracking done before they go to Europe, and the rest can probably be dealt with on the road.

Agreed, it's probably not all too likely but certainly possible. Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like what they did for Six Degrees album? They sat on the album for about half a year then went on to finish it. I'm not sure if the first 'part' of the album got any refinement when they went in for the second round of sessions (that became the Six Degrees track) but it would seem it's not completely unusual for them at least. Ah well, suppose we can only speculate at this point anyway.

[theseoafs]

Watched the episode on VH1's website the other day.  It was fine -- I don't think the episode was nearly as lame or offensive as some people here are suggesting.  While the hosts of TMS aren't journalists by any means, the show was still suitably interesting, and they touched on some unique stuff that probably hasn't been treated anywhere else as of yet.  Geddy's ranking of the albums through Signals was a cool thing to witness, and while the "All the World's a Stage vs. Exit Stage Left" conversation was kind of silly, it was still interesting to hear JP's and Geddy's takes on the two albums as well.  The lightning round of questioning was neat.  The only real problem I had with it was that they spent a little too long dwelling on questions that have already been answered in the media ("is this Rush's last tour?", etc.), but there's no getting around that in interviews like this.  Also the entire episode basically ignored all Rush albums after 1982 but we all knew that was coming anyway.

I would have loved to hear more questions from JP to Geddy, though, since his question in the after show about writing melodies in light of Neil's being the lyricist was hands-down the most interesting exchange in the entire hour.

[Stadler]

Watched the episode on VH1's website the other day.  It was fine -- I don't think the episode was nearly as lame or offensive as some people here are suggesting.  While the hosts of TMS aren't journalists by any means, the show was still suitably interesting, and they touched on some unique stuff that probably hasn't been treated anywhere else as of yet.  Geddy's ranking of the albums through Signals was a cool thing to witness, and while the "All the World's a Stage vs. Exit Stage Left" conversation was kind of silly, it was still interesting to hear JP's and Geddy's takes on the two albums as well.  The lightning round of questioning was neat.  The only real problem I had with it was that they spent a little too long dwelling on questions that have already been answered in the media ("is this Rush's last tour?", etc.), but there's no getting around that in interviews like this.  Also the entire episode basically ignored all Rush albums after 1982 but we all knew that was coming anyway.

I would have loved to hear more questions from JP to Geddy, though, since his question in the after show about writing melodies in light of Neil's being the lyricist was hands-down the most interesting exchange in the entire hour.

I agree with all of this (and would only note that it was nice to see the humbleness of JP's approach to Geddy).  I'm not sure you can find two more soft-spoken - yet clearly iron-willed - musicians. 

[Setlist Scotty]

Yes, that's true. 

Interestingly enough, it is beginning to sound more and more like DT will only be doing the summer European festival circuit this year.  That is kind of interesting news.  That means that they may not have an artificially imposed deadline to finish the new album - they will write/record for a few months, then get ready for the live shows, play them, and then they could come back and finish up the album.

While that is possible ... I think it's unlikely. I don't know, just doesn't strike me as DT to write the album, but then sit on it for months. I think they just expect to have all the writing/tracking done before they go to Europe, and the rest can probably be dealt with on the road.

Agreed, it's probably not all too likely but certainly possible. Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like what they did for Six Degrees album? They sat on the album for about half a year then went on to finish it. I'm not sure if the first 'part' of the album got any refinement when they went in for the second round of sessions (that became the Six Degrees track) but it would seem it's not completely unusual for them at least. Ah well, suppose we can only speculate at this point anyway.

Rodni, you're pretty much correct. Actually, this happened not once, but twice. In 2001, the band was working on what became SDoIT. They took a break so that JP and MP could join the G3 tour and in the process, write lyrics for the album. Then they returned to the studio to do another song, which as you noted became the title track.

But this also happened in 2003 - the band had written and recorded what became ToT, but then they took a break and went out on tour with Queensryche and King's X, giving them time to work on the lyrics and vocal melodies. Big difference is that they didn't record any new songs after the tour finished - they just did the vocals and whatever else was needed to finish off the songs they already did.

Either way, I'd expect that this is probably what will happen again. They're working on the music now, plan to have most of it, if not all of it, recorded by the time they're to go out on the road. And then while they're on the road, write lyrics and vocal melodies, to be recorded after they return to the studio. The only question is if they were to record any new songs they came up with while on the road. My gut feeling is no, but we won't know for certain until that time comes.

edit: And one further thing - I cannot imagine them previewing any new material on this run of summer shows. Not with the way the internet is these days. They didn't do it in 2003, which would've been the perfect opportunity, so they won't do it now. Remember, JP was always the one against bootlegs and MP was for them. So if even MP felt it was unwise to premiere new music in the live setting before it was released, you can bet JP feels even more that way.

[dream416]

We don't get the show in Canada, but for what everyone is saying maybe thats a good thing ?
But I did get to see the after show vid of John asking Geddy about how they construct songs.
Man it would be great to see GL & JP banter back & forth for an hour. Thinking that
would be a great show...

[Setlist Scotty]

We don't get the show in Canada, but for what everyone is saying maybe thats a good thing ?
But I did get to see the after show vid of John asking Geddy about how they construct songs.
Man it would be great to see GL & JP banter back & forth for an hour. Thinking that
would be a great show...

Nah man - do a little digging and you can find it on the net. The show is worth seeing if you're a Rush fan. Don't let the negative comments posted here make you think otherwise.

[Prog Snob]

We don't get the show in Canada, but for what everyone is saying maybe thats a good thing ?
But I did get to see the after show vid of John asking Geddy about how they construct songs.
Man it would be great to see GL & JP banter back & forth for an hour. Thinking that
would be a great show...

I strongly dislike Eddie Trunk, mainly because he whines a lot, especially when he doesn't get his way, but it's still worth the watch.  One because it's Geddy Lee, two because it's John Petrucci, and three because it's funny watching Jim and Don get on Eddie's case.

[bosk1]

But this also happened in 2003 - the band had written and recorded what became ToT, but then they took a break and went out on tour with Queensryche and King's X, giving them time to work on the lyrics and vocal melodies. Big difference is that they didn't record any new songs after the tour finished - they just did the vocals and whatever else was needed to finish off the songs they already did.

Close.  But the 2003 "escape from the studio" tour was actually Queensryche and Fates Warning.  King's X was the opener for the previous summer tour when they co-headlined with Satriani.

Minor issue that doesn't take away from your overall point at all, but just wanted to point that out. 

[cramx3]

Yes, that's true. 

Interestingly enough, it is beginning to sound more and more like DT will only be doing the summer European festival circuit this year.  That is kind of interesting news.  That means that they may not have an artificially imposed deadline to finish the new album - they will write/record for a few months, then get ready for the live shows, play them, and then they could come back and finish up the album.

While that is possible ... I think it's unlikely. I don't know, just doesn't strike me as DT to write the album, but then sit on it for months. I think they just expect to have all the writing/tracking done before they go to Europe, and the rest can probably be dealt with on the road.

Agreed, it's probably not all too likely but certainly possible. Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like what they did for Six Degrees album? They sat on the album for about half a year then went on to finish it. I'm not sure if the first 'part' of the album got any refinement when they went in for the second round of sessions (that became the Six Degrees track) but it would seem it's not completely unusual for them at least. Ah well, suppose we can only speculate at this point anyway.

Rodni, you're pretty much correct. Actually, this happened not once, but twice. In 2001, the band was working on what became SDoIT. They took a break so that JP and MP could join the G3 tour and in the process, write lyrics for the album. Then they returned to the studio to do another song, which as you noted became the title track.

But this also happened in 2003 - the band had written and recorded what became ToT, but then they took a break and went out on tour with Queensryche and King's X, giving them time to work on the lyrics and vocal melodies. Big difference is that they didn't record any new songs after the tour finished - they just did the vocals and whatever else was needed to finish off the songs they already did.

Either way, I'd expect that this is probably what will happen again. They're working on the music now, plan to have most of it, if not all of it, recorded by the time they're to go out on the road. And then while they're on the road, write lyrics and vocal melodies, to be recorded after they return to the studio. The only question is if they were to record any new songs they came up with while on the road. My gut feeling is no, but we won't know for certain until that time comes.

edit: And one further thing - I cannot imagine them previewing any new material on this run of summer shows. Not with the way the internet is these days. They didn't do it in 2003, which would've been the perfect opportunity, so they won't do it now. Remember, JP was always the one against bootlegs and MP was for them. So if even MP felt it was unwise to premiere new music in the live setting before it was released, you can bet JP feels even more that way.

but Wacken is advertising new DT tunes to be played!

[bosk1]

The Wacken promoter is not the band.  They got several other things wrong in their press release.

[cramx3]

The Wacken promoter is not the band.  They got several other things wrong in their press release.

I know, I got called out in the other thread for pointing out how would wacken know what DT performs.  I can still see it happening, just not sure why they would advertise that without knowing was my point.

[bosk1]

Lots of reasons, potentially.  Could be that the promoter was overzealous.  Could be that the promoter got wrong information.  Could be that the promoter simply was not careful in doing his research, or that he mixed up information about another band.  Any number of reasons.  This is no different than advertisements for festivals or shows where they have a band picture from a decade earlier with the wrong band members.  Could it end up being correct?  Sure.  But unless it comes directly from the band, don't assume that it is true.

[Setlist Scotty]

But this also happened in 2003 - the band had written and recorded what became ToT, but then they took a break and went out on tour with Queensryche and King's X, giving them time to work on the lyrics and vocal melodies. Big difference is that they didn't record any new songs after the tour finished - they just did the vocals and whatever else was needed to finish off the songs they already did.

Close.  But the 2003 "escape from the studio" tour was actually Queensryche and Fates Warning.  King's X was the opener for the previous summer tour when they co-headlined with Satriani.

Minor issue that doesn't take away from your overall point at all, but just wanted to point that out.

Good call - I must be get old-timers disease seeing as I'll be 43 soon...   

[sneakyblueberry]

But this also happened in 2003 - the band had written and recorded what became ToT, but then they took a break and went out on tour with Queensryche and King's X, giving them time to work on the lyrics and vocal melodies. Big difference is that they didn't record any new songs after the tour finished - they just did the vocals and whatever else was needed to finish off the songs they already did.

Close.  But the 2003 "escape from the studio" tour was actually Queensryche and Fates Warning.  King's X was the opener for the previous summer tour when they co-headlined with Satriani.

Minor issue that doesn't take away from your overall point at all, but just wanted to point that out.

Good call - I must be get old-timers disease seeing as I'll be 43 soon...   

Close.  But you're actually turning 44 soon.  43 was last year.

Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like what they did for Six Degrees album? They sat on the album for about half a year then went on to finish it. I'm not sure if the first 'part' of the album got any refinement when they went in for the second round of sessions (that became the Six Degrees track) but it would seem it's not completely unusual for them at least. Ah well, suppose we can only speculate at this point anyway.

I hope they take a moment to breathe and let the album soak in before they release it.  I think that would be extremely beneficial for all involved.

[bosk1]

I haven't been to as many shows as you have, so it is easier to keep the tours that I have seen straight in my head.    I saw them on both of those tours, and both made strong impressions (for different reasons), so it is pretty clear in my mind.

[King Postwhore]

I have a hard time remembering to take out the garbage when the wife asks.  No way I'm making fun of anyone's memory.

I do remember loving King's X (I saw them many times before that tour) and being so disappointed with Satch.

[bosk1]

Yeah, I was bored to tears during his set.

[King Postwhore]

My friends and I walked around.  I never do that at a show but like you said, he bored me big time.  I feel the same about listening to Chickenfoot so maybe it's a Satch thing for me.

[Dublagent66]

Gotta agree with those who thought the show was fine - I think some people are a bit nit-picky about how those guys interact on the show. The way I look at it is as if it were 3 buddies chatting about music. At times you're bound to cut each other off when one of them says something that you strongly disagree with.

Okay, but if you have guests, it's common courtesy to not interrupt them, no?

Definitely a common courtesy, but depending on the relationship they might still do so. For instance, on each of the 3 occasions where I interviewed MP, there were times when he interrupted me and vice-versa, and neither of us thought anything of it.

In this case, perhaps there was a lack of courtesy, but then again, as I said before, I wouldn't be surprised if to a degree there had been some editing done so that it looks like the guys might be cutting off one another or Geddy, when in reality that wasn't the case. As someone else said, ET's radio show isn't quite like this, and that's not edited. Of course, Jim and Don aren't on it either, so that could be a factor, but I'd still bet that some of it was due to editing.

Yes, editing was very evident in that episode.  It definitely affected the flow of the Q&A.  That's what happens when you have 3 clowns asking questions instead of just one. 

[Prog Snob]

My friends and I walked around.  I never do that at a show but like you said, he bored me big time.  I feel the same about listening to Chickenfoot so maybe it's a Satch thing for me.

I saw Satch once when Petrucci did the G3 tour the first time.  While I love Satch, I feel like unless you know the songs ahead of time and can get into them, it won't hold your interest.  Vai on the other hand was fucking amazing during that show. Even not knowing a handful of the songs he did, he's such a showman that he make it really interesting and worth watching.

[bl5150]

I've always loved Satch and at the time I saw G3 (Satch/Vai/Petrucci) I was pretty much over the newer Vai material (just getting too weird) and of course I love JP.............and so I went along expecting to focus on Satch and JP but in all honesty Vai blew both of them off the stage in terms of playing and stage presence.

[Anguyen92]

Lots of reasons, potentially.  Could be that the promoter was overzealous.  Could be that the promoter got wrong information.  Could be that the promoter simply was not careful in doing his research, or that he mixed up information about another band.  Any number of reasons.  This is no different than advertisements for festivals or shows where they have a band picture from a decade earlier with the wrong band members.  Could it end up being correct?  Sure.  But unless it comes directly from the band, don't assume that it is true.

Is it kinda similar to something WWE/UFC/Boxing cards where they said stuff like "Card subject to change?" where they mean that the fighter, even though the event was announced months ahead, could not make it to the event? 

[bosk1]

Lots of reasons, potentially.  Could be that the promoter was overzealous.  Could be that the promoter got wrong information.  Could be that the promoter simply was not careful in doing his research, or that he mixed up information about another band.  Any number of reasons.  This is no different than advertisements for festivals or shows where they have a band picture from a decade earlier with the wrong band members.  Could it end up being correct?  Sure.  But unless it comes directly from the band, don't assume that it is true.

Is it kinda similar to something WWE/UFC/Boxing cards where they said stuff like "Card subject to change?" where they mean that the fighter, even though the event was announced months ahead, could not make it to the event? 

Not exactly.  Boxing promoters know the industry and the fighters involved, for the most part.  I think that is just due to the fact that they plan, but there are a lot of things that can derail a fight right up to the event. 

Concert promoters do not necessary know all the bands and may have no idea.  And some are just sloppy and don't do their research. 

[cramx3]

My friends and I walked around.  I never do that at a show but like you said, he bored me big time.  I feel the same about listening to Chickenfoot so maybe it's a Satch thing for me.

I saw Satch once when Petrucci did the G3 tour the first time.  While I love Satch, I feel like unless you know the songs ahead of time and can get into them, it won't hold your interest.  Vai on the other hand was fucking amazing during that show. Even not knowing a handful of the songs he did, he's such a showman that he make it really interesting and worth watching.

I watched the G3 DVD with Satch/Vai/JP and had never listened to Satch or Vai solo before and Vai blew my mind while I couldn't even watch Satch's set.  I thought I might have been a minority on that.

[Prog Snob]

My friends and I walked around.  I never do that at a show but like you said, he bored me big time.  I feel the same about listening to Chickenfoot so maybe it's a Satch thing for me.

I saw Satch once when Petrucci did the G3 tour the first time.  While I love Satch, I feel like unless you know the songs ahead of time and can get into them, it won't hold your interest.  Vai on the other hand was fucking amazing during that show. Even not knowing a handful of the songs he did, he's such a showman that he make it really interesting and worth watching.

I watched the G3 DVD with Satch/Vai/JP and had never listened to Satch or Vai solo before and Vai blew my mind while I couldn't even watch Satch's set.  I thought I might have been a minority on that.

Vai is just amazing and if you appreciate good musicians and performers, you will love seeing him live, irregardless of whether or not  you ever heard his music before.  Petrucci is my favorite guitar player without a doubt, but neither he nor Satch can come close to what Vai can do.  Someone said it earlier Vai just blows everyone else off the stage.

[sneakyblueberry]

My friends and I walked around.  I never do that at a show but like you said, he bored me big time.  I feel the same about listening to Chickenfoot so maybe it's a Satch thing for me.

I saw Satch once when Petrucci did the G3 tour the first time.  While I love Satch, I feel like unless you know the songs ahead of time and can get into them, it won't hold your interest.  Vai on the other hand was fucking amazing during that show. Even not knowing a handful of the songs he did, he's such a showman that he make it really interesting and worth watching.

I watched the G3 DVD with Satch/Vai/JP and had never listened to Satch or Vai solo before and Vai blew my mind while I couldn't even watch Satch's set.  I thought I might have been a minority on that.

Naw, I don't think you're a minority.  I think the main problem is that anyone playing alongside Vai pales in comparison in terms of ability.  That leaves Satch with only his songs to keep the crowds attention, and there are only a handful I could sing back that are memorable in terms of sheer songwriting.  I just don't think he can compete on either level once Vai is onstage.

In saying that, I can think of a thousand things I'd rather be doing than sitting through an ENTIRE Vai concert.  I mean, I appreciate the virtuosity, but a whole 2 hours of it would be a bit much.  Sitting through a Vai concert is a distant 1000th on my list of best things to do, right behind root canals and colonoscopies

[bosk1]

I don't think I would say that either Petrucci or Satriani are behind Vai in terms of ability.  And if so, not by much.  I think it is more, as already stated, that neither of them can match Vai in terms of stage presence and showmanship.  Add to that, in terms of instrumentals, I think Vai's are much more creative and interesting than Satriani's by far.  Satch can play like few others.  But that doesn't mean watching him play is interesting. 

[chaossystem]

To follow up-if I may-on some things that were said earlier:

I think Petrucci is as good a musical guest as they could ever have had on That Metal Show, but in My opinion at least, he is INFINITELY better with the band than on his own.

They seem to be a PERFECT FIT for each other.

As for Geddy's reactions to John's performances, I would have to say that his face was pretty much unreadable, so who KNOWS what he was thinking?

[Mladen]

He has that face on all the time. 

[cramx3]

I don't think I would say that either Petrucci or Satriani are behind Vai in terms of ability.  And if so, not by much.  I think it is more, as already stated, that neither of them can match Vai in terms of stage presence and showmanship.  Add to that, in terms of instrumentals, I think Vai's are much more creative and interesting than Satriani's by far.  Satch can play like few others.  But that doesn't mean watching him play is interesting.

Im only judging by the G3 DVD so I may be offbase here, but Vai's band also had a few other performers who really added to his set (Macalpine and Sheehan).