MP's Shattered Fortress Tour

[devieira73]

Maybe it would be interesting if they play some DT, but more B-side songs. In fact, DS era in DT is full of that and, realistic, with almost no rotation on setlists, it seems that DT will never play a B-side again in its shows.
I'm really hoping DS is involved on this and that this album will be kind of a sequel for FII, in terms of style. We don't see that kind of prog metal very often.

[cramx3]

Maybe if you have one record out and need a couple songs to fill out a setlist, play a couple DT covers.

I think that's fine too, but I agree that doing DT covers is not the best idea if they are trying to form a new true band.  But I also think they could cover other bands not related to the musician's past and fill up a set list as well.

[Samsara]

I hear ya all. I guess for me personally, I want any band with DS and MP in it to be an extension of DT -- enabling Mike in particular to play DT material still, and play it regularly. That's my hope for this new band. One that will embrace the DT catalog. Not rely on it, but have it be a part of the band's identity.

[hefdaddy42]

the Akerfeldt/Wilson project fell through

Strictly speaking, this isn't the case.  It went on just fine; it's just that, no matter how much MP wanted to be part of it, he wasn't.  And that was actually for the better of the final product.

I guess for me personally, I want any band with DS and MP in it to be an extension of DT -- enabling Mike in particular to play DT material still, and play it regularly. That's my hope for this new band. One that will embrace the DT catalog. Not rely on it, but have it be a part of the band's identity.

I know, opinions and all, but I don't get that at all, and I think this would be the worst possible thing this project could do.

They aren't going to do DT tunes better than DT does them.  They should stay away from them and move on from DT.  Just write and record some great stuff, and then perform it live, like every other band. 

[bosk1]

the Akerfeldt/Wilson project fell through

Strictly speaking, this isn't the case.  It went on just fine; it's just that, no matter how much MP wanted to be part of it, he wasn't.  And that was actually for the better of the final product.

Oh, I know.  I wasn't trying to imply that it didn't happen.  Probably poor wording on my part.  I meant that, as far as projects MP was to be involved with, it didn't turn into something that he was included on.  I.e., it fell through for him.  Sorry, I thought what I meant was clear from the context.

[Sycsa]

PSMS was, admittedly, a bit of a trainwreck. The guys talk about it in the Blu Ray of that tour.

Intriguing. Can you elaborate?

[hefdaddy42]

the Akerfeldt/Wilson project fell through

Strictly speaking, this isn't the case.  It went on just fine; it's just that, no matter how much MP wanted to be part of it, he wasn't.  And that was actually for the better of the final product.

Oh, I know.  I wasn't trying to imply that it didn't happen.  Probably poor wording on my part.  I meant that, as far as projects MP was to be involved with, it didn't turn into something that he was included on.  I.e., it fell through for him.  Sorry, I thought what I meant was clear from the context.

I don't think he was ever intended to be involved.  I think he was trying to involve himself into it lol

[bosk1]

Whether that is or isn't true, that's still not really relevant to what I was saying, so I'm not sure what you are arguing. 

[Mosh]

The interviews around Storm Corrosion suggest to me that whatever the Portnoy/Wilson/Akerfeldt project was (if it was ever an actual thing), it was unrelated. Storm Corrosion seemed much more spontaneous.

[RodrigoAltaf]

PSMS was, admittedly, a bit of a trainwreck. The guys talk about it in the Blu Ray of that tour.

Intriguing. Can you elaborate?

The project was meant as a one-off, but was hastily put together for a tour that had all kinds of technical issues on a bunch of dates. I like the album though.

[Samsara]

I know, opinions and all, but I don't get that at all, and I think this would be the worst possible thing this project could do.

They aren't going to do DT tunes better than DT does them.  They should stay away from them and move on from DT.  Just write and record some great stuff, and then perform it live, like every other band.

That's just it, hef. You don't need to "get it," ya know. We simply disagree my man. Not the first time, won't be the last. I agree they should write and record some great stuff and perform it. That's pretty much a given from where I am coming from. But I'd like to see MP and DS' past not be forgotten. Mike was instrumental in the creation of Dream Theater and the...evolution and creation of many of the songs. Those of importance to the two of them shouldn't be forgotten about if they have the ability to perform them with each other.

But in general, yes, new music, perform it!

[ReaperKK]

other than hoping Billy Sheehan and Mr. Morse stay out of it. (all respect to them, but kind of

I agree with you on this point. I'm also interested in what singer they get. I know a lot of people like Casey on Flying Colors but I really think his vocals stake away from the music.

[Stadler]

I know, opinions and all, but I don't get that at all, and I think this would be the worst possible thing this project could do.

They aren't going to do DT tunes better than DT does them.  They should stay away from them and move on from DT.  Just write and record some great stuff, and then perform it live, like every other band.

That's just it, hef. You don't need to "get it," ya know. We simply disagree my man. Not the first time, won't be the last. I agree they should write and record some great stuff and perform it. That's pretty much a given from where I am coming from. But I'd like to see MP and DS' past not be forgotten. Mike was instrumental in the creation of Dream Theater and the...evolution and creation of many of the songs. Those of importance to the two of them shouldn't be forgotten about if they have the ability to perform them with each other.

But in general, yes, new music, perform it!

Haha, looks like you won our "argument" there!  Mike seems to agree, and I'm happy you might get your wish.  Depending on the singer, I'm looking forward to this too.

[rumborak]

I can only chime in with Hef, in the sense of, I guess we shall agree to disagree, but man, this desire to relive the past is IMHO one of the causes why we haven't gotten anything truly interesting from MP. With PSMS he knew he could just roll the classics and people would show up. And if he sees enough "as long as he plays some DT, I'll go" online, he'll come to the same conclusion for this next project.

[MinistroRaven]

And if he sees enough "as long as he plays some DT, I'll go" online, he'll come to the same conclusion for this next project.

This statement is really comical.

[KevShmev]

Regarding Eric Gillette, while something like this could improve his profile, I hope he doesn't do it.  Portnoy is already doing him no favors by calling him "John Petrucci Junior," a label I am seeing stuck on him in a lot of places now, but playing in a band with DT's ex-drummer and ex-keyboard player will just reinforce the belief some have that he is nothing more than a John Petrucci clone/wannabe.  I'd rather see Gillette forge his own path outside of the Neal Morse Band, rather than playing in what would basically be a DT clone band.

[ReaperKK]

When did MP call jim JP Junior.

That would suck being called that.

[jakepriest]

Well his Petrucci-like stage presence and style (you can easily tell he is very influenced by Petrucci when you listen to his playing) isn't doing him any favours either in this regard. I've seen him called mini-Petrucci on some of his videos even before he did this.

[Mosh]

Maybe that's what he wants. He definitely hasn't done anything to distinguish himself yet.

[DragonAttack]

When did MP call jim JP Junior.

That would suck being called that.

During the band intros, if I'm not mistaken.

[ReaperKK]

Maybe that's what he wants. He definitely hasn't done anything to distinguish himself yet.

True, I guess I'm just saying if it was me I wouldn't like it.

[Mosh]

I definitely wouldn't either, but you can go on youtube and find a lot of similar Petrucci clones so it's something people strive for.

[Elite]

When did MP call jim JP Junior.

Here's one instance: https://youtu.be/2hxtUs3qS70?t=3m43s
on the Cruise to the Edge. The 'Shattered Fortress' gig.

Yeah, I wouldn't be happy if I were labeled 'JP Junior' either

[Samsara]

I can only chime in with Hef, in the sense of, I guess we shall agree to disagree, but man, this desire to relive the past is IMHO one of the causes why we haven't gotten anything truly interesting from MP. With PSMS he knew he could just roll the classics and people would show up. And if he sees enough "as long as he plays some DT, I'll go" online, he'll come to the same conclusion for this next project.

Good. Because that's exactly what I'd like to see -- a headline show consisting of 9 or 10 new songs, and five or six Dream Theater songs the band loves.

[rumborak]

I definitely wouldn't either, but you can go on youtube and find a lot of similar Petrucci clones so it's something people strive for.

A more general comment here, I feel the pejorative "JP clone" gets thrown around a lot whenever somebody is what I would call "modern metal guitar player". There was the thread about whether JP has a distinct style or not, and I thought it actually had a point, in the sense that JP is himself a modern metal guitarist, just incredibly skilled. He has very few idiosyncrasies. So, just because somebody strives to be a well-rounded guitarist who can both play melodic and shred solos, doesn't mean he's a JP clone.

Gillette of course is indeed a JP clone, no question.

[MinistroRaven]

Eric Gillette is doing a Questions and Answers over FB right now, and it will be on it for the next 24 hours. 

I went ahead and asked him about the JP comparisons

[KevShmev]

Props to Gillette for giving the classy, PC answer.

I see he was also asked who his favorite three classic and modern bands are, and he didn't mention Dream Theater for current (he said Haken, Devin Townsend and King's X); that surprised me.  Also, for his his favorite five albums ever, he mentioned two Metallica albums (MoP and Black Album), and there was the Devin Townsend nod, so he is clearly much more of a metal guy than I realized.

[devieira73]

Just out of curiosity, is there anybody here, that thinks Eric is just a JP clone, listened to his solo album the great unknown?
If somebody listen to that allbum, I can't believe that will continue to have this opinion.

[Elite]

I haven't eard that record, no, but I'll put it on my list. I've been interested in checking his stuff out lately, so I'll do that!

[ariich]

I see he was also asked who his favorite three classic and modern bands are, and he didn't mention Dream Theater for current (he said Haken, Devin Townsend and King's X); that surprised me.  Also, for his his favorite five albums ever, he mentioned two Metallica albums (MoP and Black Album), and there was the Devin Townsend nod, so he is clearly much more of a metal guy than I realized.

Raises an interesting follow-up question... are DT a modern band? Or are they now a classic band? They've been around for approaching 30 years so I personally don't think "modern" is appropriate.

[Elite]

Well, yeah, they are the go-to band within the progressive metal genre. The band even people that might not have much with the genre will know at least by name. The band that every single progressive metal band will inevitably be compared with. I don't think Dream Theater can be considered 'modern' anymore, especially since they're seen as the architects of an entire genre that came to fruition in the 90s.

[KevShmev]

I see he was also asked who his favorite three classic and modern bands are, and he didn't mention Dream Theater for current (he said Haken, Devin Townsend and King's X); that surprised me.  Also, for his his favorite five albums ever, he mentioned two Metallica albums (MoP and Black Album), and there was the Devin Townsend nod, so he is clearly much more of a metal guy than I realized.

Raises an interesting follow-up question... are DT a modern band? Or are they now a classic band? They've been around for approaching 30 years so I personally don't think "modern" is appropriate.

Well, he did mention King's X in his modern bands, and they've been around longer than DT.

But to answer your question, I think the 80s have always been the dividing line for classic and modern prog.  The late 60s and 70s (and what little spilled over into the early 80s) make up the classic era, most of the 80s were a wasteland for prog, and then the 90s began the modern era.  Prog bands in the last 10 years or so really aren't doing anything new, so it's hard to separate them too much from the prog of the 90s and early 00s; they all blend together, especially since some of the major modern prog acts are having much more longevity than the classic acts did (from a doing "prog music" standpoint). 

[devieira73]

I haven't eard that record, no, but I'll put it on my list. I've been interested in checking his stuff out lately, so I'll do that!

It's really a good album and it's very cheap on googleplay. 

[devieira73]

By the way, an interesting information on MP forum, given by himself:

""Lee123: I'm wondering if Mike is going to have the same creative control like he did with DT?"
 
For the 1st time since 2010, YES!!
It was made very clear and understood before we even started...
 
With TWD, FC, NMB, TA, MA all being more of a "democracy", the ONLY way i could take on another band (without going insane!) is if I was to have the same level of overall creative control I had in DT"

From that, I'm believing now, if the fans will embrace it, maybe this project will become the main MP band and not only a side project.

[KevShmev]

That roughly translates to, "I can't wait to boss people around again."