Over the last few days, my wife and I were talking about the possibility of Queensryche reuniting with Geoff Tate and Chris DeGarmo. Now,
before everyone says "it'll never happen," let me say I think it is extremely unlikely. But I thought I'd throw the speculation out there a little bit for discussion.
Tate is booking tiny places, saying things in the media that the differences in Queensryche can be "worked out," etc. He also interestingly posted (or someone posted for him) a message on FB that he's making some "changes" in his life recently. All this is sorta expected, at least by me. His "Operation: Mindcrime" project is not taking off, he didn't tour to support his second record under that name, and I think it's debatable if he'll tour on the third, if it ever gets released. In a nutshell, he's touring around doing acoustic Queensryche songs in bars, and seeing (I think) the writing on the wall -- he's just not in demand outside of Queensryche.
Queensryche isn't nearly in the same position, but they are also getting smaller bookings and playing smaller places. QR's records with La Torre have been well received by fans, but I don't see any uptick in where they are playing, which is an indicator that their status level with booking agents really hasn't gone up at all. And that affects the bottom line, given how many bands are out their touring these days -- they likely have to accept less money to play.
Age-wise, and interest wise, there are just two years that make any sense for a full-fledged reunion of Queensryche's original lineup: 2018 and 2020.
2018 is the 30th Anniversary of Operation: Mindcrime. In the lawsuit settlement between Tate and Queensryche, Tate received the rights to PERFORM Operation: Mindcrime in its entirety. Queensryche cannot do so. They can play songs from it, but they can't play more than a few songs in a row.
Then consider this: Tate is going to be 59 in 2018, and the rest of the band are all in their late 50s as well. The end is very much in-sight, if you think about it.
2020 is the 30th Anniversary of Empire -- the band's best-selling record. If there are two records QR is known for, and that attract people, it is Mindcrime and Empire. And time is running out to capitalize on either (it could have already, depending on the promoters).
Now the reality -- Tate can say anything he wants. if the guys currently in Queensryche are happy, and there is no indication that they aren't, then yeah, why bother? But money DOES talk, and time help heal wounds. We've seen it in a ton of bands. If there was a deal on the table that was too big to resist, it could spark this:
A
temporary reunion of the original lineup to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Operation: Mindcrime. The wildcard is DeGarmo. But if this was a TEMPORARY reunion, for North American and European tour legs, and the money was right, it could be do-able. DeGarmo tried getting together with QR twice in the last 15 years -- Tribe (where he wrote songs with them), and then according to Jason Slater (who produced QR for a number of years) after Mindcrime II, when the bigger management teams started sniffing around (note: this was when he completed the song "Justified," which was meant for Tribe but unfinished, and finally released in 2007 -- a year after MC II). DeGarmo has never closed the door. But he has kept a distance over the years (smartly). Some sort of 2018-2020 timeframe would be the last (most likely) plausible time for him to connect with his former bandmates in any sort of reunion.
The key thing is exposure and money. If promoters feel a temporary-reunited original lineup Queensryche playing Operation: Mindcrime and Empire tunes (think Building Empires tour) in celebration of the 30th anniversary of both albums is something that would be a big draw, it could open doors. The whole "temporary" thing is not unheard of -- Fates Warning has done it to celebrate Awaken the Guardian and Parallels in recent years. This idea would be Queensryche doing it on a bigger scale.
Here are the positives of this temporary reunion and anniversary idea:
- Fans get to see the original lineup of the band do its most popular records live (whether it is just Mindcrime and the hits, or both albums together, whatever).
- Queensryche maintains its current lineup (if they are concerned with that).
- Tate would increase his stature, improve his legacy, and set himself up a little better going into his 60s.
- DeGarmo gets to play live again with all the guys he had huge success with, giving a proper cap-off to his musical career with Queensryche.
- Everyone makes more money and plays on bigger stages.
- If recorded and released, the show could be a financial help in the future with sales.
I think the perspective of folks here, who aren't necessarily hardcores, but still fans, is key -- is an idea like this for a temporary reunion something you'd be into? Why or why not? Would you make a show like this a priority in a summer amphitheater tour, particularly if another well respected band was opening?
Again, I think given the history of Queensryche, this is highly unlikely. However, it IS possible, and feasible. And as I said, temporary reunions are not unheard of, and give the original members flexibility to move forward with current lineups in the future.
For me, obviously, this would be a great highlight. Tate would have to work really hard to get his voice into shape, and I wouldn't expect Tate from 1988-1992. But I think with work, he'd be able to get his voice into good enough shape for Queensryche to put on a high quality show. But then again, I'm a hardcore fan of the original band's lineup and music. The key is most of you all -- the fans of the band that aren't diehards. Would this idea be something you'd be into if it happened?