Dream Theater Finishes Smoking Barbecue!! - Album in Food Warmer!

[goo-goo]

I think the bottom half is the Facebook Q&A schedule.

[DTA]

I think the top right says something like "photo will be set up in the dining area of the studio". Maybe a photo shoot? It does say All Band.

[Nathan Explosion]

There's a clearer image on the Labrie fanclub FB page. Top part says "Sign certificates for merch. These will be setup in the dining area of the studio. Sign at your leisure. Please refer to the Test sample."

Other part is just the schedule and url link from the previous FB interview.

[Adami]

New concept album about signing merch confirned!!

[Freddy Jacobi]

Other part is just the schedule and url link from the previous FB interview.

Is it, though? Is it?

[Freddy Jacobi]

New concept album about signing merch confirned!!

Regardless of what I might be doing here, I would like to stress one thing. It's not a concept album.

[Nathan Explosion]

Other part is just the schedule and url link from the previous FB interview.

Is it, though? Is it?

Ah, somebody figured out the url when decoded went to Freddy's Twitter page.

[bosk1]

Methinks Freddy just got fingered.

[noxon]

Not a movie I like to be reminded of.

[bosk1]

  What movie?

[pg1067]

On a different note. How many tours have you seen? Since I&W, I've seen every tour except the TOT tour.  Both shows locally were on the weekend for that tour but in an odd twist, I had a weddington go to each time.

I&W (all three American legs)
Awake
ToT (the last leg where they opened for Yes)
Octavarium
SC (Chaos in Motion and Prog Nation '08)
BC&SL (prog Nation '09 and Final Frontier when they opened for Iron Maiden)
ADToE
DT12
I&W and Beyond

I cannot adequately explain how/why there is a near ten year gap.  I saw them in December 1994, and the next shows in my area were in November 1997 and May 1998.  Although I wasn't a fan of FII, I can think of no reason why I didn't attend those shows (I'm especially bummed that I missed the show with Ray Alder and Bruce Dickinson).

The next shows in my area were in February 2000, including the Los Angeles show that got shut down by the fire marshal.  I was in my second year of law school, so maybe my excuse was that I didn't have the money (although I can't imagine that tickets -- especially at the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana -- would have been all that expensive).  Same with the second leg of the SFAM tour in August 2000, which was right at the start of my last year of law school.

The only tour I can think of a legit reason for missing is 6DOIT.  They played in March and August 2002.  My son was born in May 2002, and I was busting my ass as a first year associate.  While I might have been able to get a pass for the show in March, there's no way I would have gotten one for the show in August.

The first leg of the ToT tour was right after my daughter was born, so I guess that's why I only saw the show where they opened for Yes.

[MirrorMask]

I've seen everything from the 1999 warmup tour onward.

Only exceptions: the time they played Scenes from a Memory in full (damn) and when they came with the Prog Nation package (didn't like the bill and figured they'd play little - I didn't go and they played a kickass setlist, damn).

[OpenYourEyes311]

On a different note. How many tours have you seen? Since I&W, I've seen every tour except the TOT tour.  Both shows locally were on the weekend for that tour but in an odd twist, I had a weddington go to each time.

FII Tour (opening for ELP and Deep Purple)*
ToT Tour (twice - An Evening With and a headlining show on an off-night for Yes)
Gigantour (co-headlining with Megadeth)
Octavarium/20th Anniversary (thrice - An Evening With in CT, Boston, NYC)
Systematic Chaos (five times - headlining shows in Buffalo, Boston, CT, NJ, Jones Beach)
Progressive Nation 2008
Progressive Nation 2009
Black Clouds tour (headlining show on an off-night for Iron Maiden)
A Dramatic Tour of Events (twice)
Dream Theater (Boston DVD shoot)
The Astonishing (twice)
Images, Words and Beyond

*was not a fan at the first show. It was actually my first time hearing them. Got into them a few years later. My first new album after becoming a fan was Train of Thought and I have not missed a show in MA since 2004.

[King Postwhore]

On a different note. How many tours have you seen? Since I&W, I've seen every tour except the TOT tour.  Both shows locally were on the weekend for that tour but in an odd twist, I had a weddington go to each time.

FII Tour (opening for ELP and Deep Purple)*
ToT Tour (twice - An Evening With and a headlining show on an off-night for Yes)
Gigantour (co-headlining with Megadeth)
Octavarium/20th Anniversary (thrice - An Evening With in CT, Boston, NYC)
Systematic Chaos (five times - headlining shows in Buffalo, Boston, CT, NJ, Jones Beach)
Progressive Nation 2008
Progressive Nation 2009
Black Clouds tour (headlining show on an off-night for Iron Maiden)
A Dramatic Tour of Events (twice)
Dream Theater (Boston DVD shoot)
The Astonishing (twice)
Images, Words and Beyond

*was not a fan at the first show. It was actually my first time hearing them. Got into them a few years later. My first new album after becoming a fan was Train of Thought and I have not missed a show in MA since 2004.

We've been to a lot of the same shows then.  I live in NH.

[Pettor]

Just stumbled upon the Mike Mangini audition again with the full DT jam Mike and DT made together. Holy hell! That makes me wonder why the last 2 albums haven't utilized this at all! I mean start at 21:30 and it's exactly what I would love to hear from DT on the new album and Mike's drums sounds fantastic!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tZ-go2CXqo

I really hope this is what the new way of working with the "organic sound" will partly accomplish.

[bosk1]

Just stumbled upon the Mike Mangini audition again with the full DT jam Mike and DT made together. Holy hell! That makes me wonder why the last 2 albums haven't utilized this at all! I mean start at 21:30 and it's exactly what I would love to hear from DT on the new album and Mike's drums sounds fantastic!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tZ-go2CXqo

I really hope this is what the new way of working with the "organic sound" will partly accomplish.

Oh, wow.  I had no idea that had been put out.  I begged JP for some of that footage too! 

[noxon]

It was on the usb stick for the box set for dt12

[bosk1]

Oh, that explains it then.  I never bought the box set.  (those kinds of things are too rich for my blood, and I generally have no use for vinyl and most of the other bonus stuff)

[gzarruk]

Just stumbled upon the Mike Mangini audition again with the full DT jam Mike and DT made together. Holy hell! That makes me wonder why the last 2 albums haven't utilized this at all! I mean start at 21:30 and it's exactly what I would love to hear from DT on the new album and Mike's drums sounds fantastic!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tZ-go2CXqo

I really hope this is what the new way of working with the "organic sound" will partly accomplish.

Oh, wow.  I had no idea that had been put out.  I begged JP for some of that footage too! 

I've watched it many times already, but I still feel weird looking at JP without his super long beard

[gzarruk]

Mike Mangini on facebook:

What a 3 year whirlwind for me and it hasn't slowed quite yet.  2 years of DT touring + 4 months with G3 and everything in between on and off the field. That's a lot of time traveling. I'm sure I'll do plenty of interviews to talk about all that, the non-drumming caused injuries I've somehow healed from and new heights with playing control and personal songwriting I never thought I'd attain and the band camaraderie and teamwork to write what we wrote. I'm sure our latest effort will satisfy the entire DT fan base, but that is for fans to determine.  On to the process after songwriting! But only after a short break for Independence Day here in the USA.  I'm a believer in praying for one's native country and the world - and I do daily, especially after enjoying every place I tour and all the people I meet.  The 2019 Tour will be AMAZING

Maybe I'm reading this the wrong way, but does the bolded part mean they're done with the writing?

[The Silent Cody]

Mike Mangini on facebook:

What a 3 year whirlwind for me and it hasn't slowed quite yet.  2 years of DT touring + 4 months with G3 and everything in between on and off the field. That's a lot of time traveling. I'm sure I'll do plenty of interviews to talk about all that, the non-drumming caused injuries I've somehow healed from and new heights with playing control and personal songwriting I never thought I'd attain and the band camaraderie and teamwork to write what we wrote. I'm sure our latest effort will satisfy the entire DT fan base, but that is for fans to determine.  On to the process after songwriting! But only after a short break for Independence Day here in the USA.  I'm a believer in praying for one's native country and the world - and I do daily, especially after enjoying every place I tour and all the people I meet.  The 2019 Tour will be AMAZING

Maybe I'm reading this the wrong way, but does the bolded part mean they're done with the writing?

That would be super fast writing process then

[Bertielee]

Mike Mangini on facebook:

What a 3 year whirlwind for me and it hasn't slowed quite yet.  2 years of DT touring + 4 months with G3 and everything in between on and off the field. That's a lot of time traveling. I'm sure I'll do plenty of interviews to talk about all that, the non-drumming caused injuries I've somehow healed from and new heights with playing control and personal songwriting I never thought I'd attain and the band camaraderie and teamwork to write what we wrote. I'm sure our latest effort will satisfy the entire DT fan base, but that is for fans to determine.  On to the process after songwriting! But only after a short break for Independence Day here in the USA.  I'm a believer in praying for one's native country and the world - and I do daily, especially after enjoying every place I tour and all the people I meet.  The 2019 Tour will be AMAZING

Maybe I'm reading this the wrong way, but does the bolded part mean they're done with the writing?

That would be super fast writing process then

One month working 11 to 12 hours a day. Fast but not super fast IMO.

B.Lee

[nikatapi]

Really hoping for a good album, and that's coming from someone who enjoyed TA.
After 3 albums, i really hope that sound quality (especially drums) is not compromised, and James sings in a more comfortable range. His I&W tour has been atrocious in terms of performance from what i've seen, and TA had some pretty obvious manipulation in his vocal performances.

Songwriting seems to have happened quickly, really hoping to see everyone involved and Mike bringing his crazy mind into the process.

[erwinrafael]

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk2BKH6HohN/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=d405fomkrvhr

Yeah, something like that, Mike.

Why is that when you watch Mike he seems not to be doing much but the sound tells you something different. 

[danidogma]

Really hoping for a good album, and that's coming from someone who enjoyed TA.
After 3 albums, i really hope that sound quality (especially drums) is not compromised, and James sings in a more comfortable range. His I&W tour has been atrocious in terms of performance from what i've seen, and TA had some pretty obvious manipulation in his vocal performances.

Songwriting seems to have happened quickly, really hoping to see everyone involved and Mike bringing his crazy mind into the process.

I totally agree with everything. I also hope that what I heard from John in his recent interview with FB, where he was betting on a more natural guitar tone, will come true. The sound of "The Astonishing" does not do justice to the equipment he used to record it.

[Bertielee]

Really hoping for a good album, and that's coming from someone who enjoyed TA.
After 3 albums, i really hope that sound quality (especially drums) is not compromised, and James sings in a more comfortable range. His I&W tour has been atrocious in terms of performance from what i've seen, and TA had some pretty obvious manipulation in his vocal performances.

Songwriting seems to have happened quickly, really hoping to see everyone involved and Mike bringing his crazy mind into the process.

I totally agree with everything. I also hope that what I heard from John in his recent interview with FB, where he was betting on a more natural guitar tone, will come true. The sound of "The Astonishing" does not do justice to the equipment he used to record it.

Tbh, it's not the guitar sound I'm worried about : give me a more natural, less processed drum sound so we can hear everything MM does.

B.Lee

[Dream Team]

Yes, after 3 great albums with MM I feel the major issue they need to nail down is the sound of the records. Come on man, it shouldn't be THAT hard.

That was some fast writing, inspiration must have been abundant.

[mikeyd23]

^ Yeah, I really feel like it would benefit the band to move on from Rich and have a different engineer/mixer this time around. Get some fresh ears in there.

[noxon]

Well...

[nikatapi]

Really hoping for a good album, and that's coming from someone who enjoyed TA.
After 3 albums, i really hope that sound quality (especially drums) is not compromised, and James sings in a more comfortable range. His I&W tour has been atrocious in terms of performance from what i've seen, and TA had some pretty obvious manipulation in his vocal performances.

Songwriting seems to have happened quickly, really hoping to see everyone involved and Mike bringing his crazy mind into the process.

I totally agree with everything. I also hope that what I heard from John in his recent interview with FB, where he was betting on a more natural guitar tone, will come true. The sound of "The Astonishing" does not do justice to the equipment he used to record it.

Tbh, it's not the guitar sound I'm worried about : give me a more natural, less processed drum sound so we can hear everything MM does.

B.Lee

Definitely. I feel like there are so many great parts from MM hidden behind the mix, especially cymbal-wise.
Seeing some clinic videos with Mike playing LNF for example, uncovers so many hidden details in his playing.

[mikeyd23]

Well...

Don't tease me! 

Definitely. I feel like there are so many great parts from MM hidden behind the mix, especially cymbal-wise.
Seeing some clinic videos with Mike playing LNF for example, uncovers so many hidden details in his playing.

One thing that has really stood out to me listening to the MM records vs. the MP records - the lack of cymbals in the mix for MM. MP's records always had the cymbals very clear and present, that is still missing from a lot of the records MM has done with DT thus far.

[Anxiety35]

I felt that even MP's crash and china cymbals were too low in the mix. His hi-hat, ride and stacks were up front. I listened to Systematic Chaos yesterday in the car and man, his kick drums are too loud in the mix.

This morning I stumbled across Primus' "Tales From The Punchbowl" while driving. Hadn't listened to it in years. The drums sound great. Very natural sounding and mixed well. A drum mix like that would be a great improvement for a DT record.

Are they finished writing the album?

[gzarruk]

Well...

There's hope!

[danidogma]

Really hoping for a good album, and that's coming from someone who enjoyed TA.
After 3 albums, i really hope that sound quality (especially drums) is not compromised, and James sings in a more comfortable range. His I&W tour has been atrocious in terms of performance from what i've seen, and TA had some pretty obvious manipulation in his vocal performances.

Songwriting seems to have happened quickly, really hoping to see everyone involved and Mike bringing his crazy mind into the process.

I totally agree with everything. I also hope that what I heard from John in his recent interview with FB, where he was betting on a more natural guitar tone, will come true. The sound of "The Astonishing" does not do justice to the equipment he used to record it.

Tbh, it's not the guitar sound I'm worried about : give me a more natural, less processed drum sound so we can hear everything MM does.

B.Lee

+1 too

[CodyWanKenobi]

Well...

There's hope!

Wasn't it already confirmed that Rich isn't going to be their engineer this time around?