Who Dat? The Replacement Singers

Who Dat?

As the legendary bands age, members come and go. Some die, some get fired, some quit. But just because an original member isn't in the band anymore, is it still the same band? Should the band call it quits because the original bass player quit? Hell, should the band hang it up if the singer or guitarist quits? Gets fired? Dies? I got into a discussion with a good friend of mine a couple days ago, and we disagreed on the subject. He was saying that if the original lineup wasn't there, it was nothing more than a cover band. I maintained that it depends on the situation. Bands like Molly Hatchet, who have a lineup that features not one single original member are cover bands. Or, Bobby Blotzer, formerly of Ratt suing the original lineup for the name, where  he would be the only original  member. However, a band like Queensryche is still the band. 3/5 of the original lineup are still there. We're going to talk about several bands in this piece, and explore the fan's reaction to the new members. Since I've already mentioned Queensryhe, we'll start with them.

Queensryche's original lineup released their first 6 albums together. The first member to depart was guitarist, Chris DeGarmo, who left the band to pursue a career as an airline pilot. Many people considered the band to be dead when he left. Since his departure, they had 2 replacement guitarists, neither of who captured the essence of DeGarmo's playing. However, the third time is the charm in this case. Current guitarist, Parker Lundgren does the best job out of the three of them at matching the style of DeGarmo. And, he's been on more Queensryche albums than the other two guitarists, including the 2 released with replacement singer, Todd LaTorre. (Both albums charted in the top 30, which had not happened in a long time) LaTorre who replaced singer, Geoff Tate after his firing as mostly accepted by the fans, although you'd never know it if you look at social media, where supporters of Geoff Tate rattle off the same tired dribble like "No Tate, no Queensryche!" over and over again. Although they never seem to dispute the counter arguments that say that Tate can't even sing the songs anymore for some reason. The song writing is back to the style that the fans wanted, which is the classic power metal that made the band famous in the first place.

Todd LaTorre of Queensryche

Next, we'll take a look at a replacement singer who was hated by the fans. Blaze Bayley of Iron Maiden. And, before you start sending me messages and comments, Yes, I know that Bruce Dickinson was also a replacement singer. We aren't talking about Bruce. Not to mention, he's back in the band, and has been for a long time, so its a non issue. Blaze had a rough time as Maiden's singer. All that really needs to be said is that the fans hated him, and they hated the 2 albums that he sang on. But, finally, Bruce came back on 2000's Brave New World, and the fans rejoiced.

Blaze Bayley with Iron Maiden

Next, we're going to talk about another group of metal gods, who are none other than the Metal Gods themselves. Judas Priest. When Rob Halford left the band to pursue a solo career, the fans were angry. But, a few years later, the band found Tim 'Ripper' Owens, who sounded just like Halford.  His first album with Priest, Jugulator was released with a mix of criticism and praise. Most fans liked the album, but there were some detractors who complained that it was too heavy. I've always maintained that if you read the album credits in Jugulator, you will see Halford's name listed in about half the songs. Jugulator was going to be the next Priest album with or without Halford. But, the next album, Demolition, a lot the praise for Ripper had gone away. Although it was a great metal album, it didn't sound like Priest, and many fans believed that it was time for Ripper to go. And, he did, and has had a pretty successful career. 

Tim 'Ripper' Owens with Judas Priest

And last, but not least, we're going to talk about the most successful replacement singer of all time...well, recent time, anyway, since Brian Johnson of AC/DC, who is the most successful replacement singer of all time is not with them anymore. Plus, he's a lot like Bruce Dickinson. He is a replacement singer, but the band got gi-normous once he came in. No, we're going to talk about Arnel Pineda of Journey. You all know his story. Guitarist, Neal Schon found him on YouTube, a singer in the Philippines, playing in cover bands, in crappy bars. They had tried to bring other singers, but were unsuccessful. But, once Pineda came in, Journey found themselves selling out arenas and stadiums once again. Having a singer who launches himself through the air like a young David Lee Roth certainly doesn't hurt. But, while there are detractors and purists for all of these singers, Pineda, I would say has had the most success. Sure, there are people who would rather have Steve Perry back in Journey, but I'm not one of them...And, neither is Steve Perry!

Perry and Pineda. Respect.

So, in conclusion, you simply aren't going to be able to please everyone. I don't think that just because an original singer goes away for whatever reason that the band simply becomes a cover band, or a 'Fake-Ryche' or 'Mock Up Priest,' or 'Iron Rip-Off' or whatever creative name that the detractors came up with. The band members want to continue to tour, and make albums, and the fans still want to see them. So, why should they quit? If you ask me, they shouldn't.

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Arnel Pineda with journey

However, Bobby Blotzer needs to give it up! 

There Can Be Only One!! (Queensryche)

I've detailed the entire Queensryche controversy in the early days of  this blog, and now that its over, it seems only fitting that I go over the conclusion here too. Yep! Its over. The band with Todd LaTorre, Parker Lundgren, Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, and Scott Rockenfield is Queensryche! Geoff Tate will have to call his band something else. Its official! The dust is still settling, but the paths for each party have been laid out, and it was done by agreement, rather than a nasty court trial. Both sides are apparently happy with the settlement.

Also, from this point on, when I mention 'Queensryche,' I will be referring to Queensryche, and not Geoff Tate and his band. (I always did mean that, but I just had to clarify.)

There can be only ONE!!!

But honestly, the proof was in the print. Queensryche's self titled album shattered Tate's Frequency Unknown in sales. It sold more in the first month than Frequency Unknown did to DATE. It has also outsold the American Soldier  and Dedicated to Chaos albums to date. Also, Queensryche's self titled album (QRST?) received rave reviews constantly, (here is mine) while not one person seemed to have anything nice to say about Frequency Unknown. I sure didn't. But, that fact is once again backed up by the record sales. It all boiled down to the fact that the band was listening to what the loyal fans were saying, and decided to go back to making the music that put Queensryche on the map in the first place. Tate was wanting to make some 'weird electronic progressive rock band thing', and the fans weren't having it. Hence the sales of Dedicated to Chaos. A line in the sand was drawn, and both sides agreed that there could be only ONE Queensryche, and ultimately, there is one, the only one Queensryche until kingdom come, who claimed the prize!

This was the best performance of Mindcrime, and the
only one I need to see.

Basically, the stipulations are this: Queensryche gets the name, and the rights to perform all the songs from all the albums, however, Geoff Tate is allowed to perform Operation: Mindcrime I&II in their entirety for such performances. That has confused lots of fans, and it will be clarified when the band makes its press conference in a few days. What it means is that while the band can preform any song they want from the Mindcrime albums,  they cannot do a tour playing the album(s) in their entirety. If they want to play all the songs on Mindcrime except for say...the short song intros to other songs, and Suite Sister Mary, they can do that. Its a lot like the settlement between Pink Floyd and Roger Waters. Personally, I am okay with this. Geoff Tate has ran Mindcrime into the ground over the past 2 years with his merry band of misfit performers. I really don't want to see it performed in its entirety. Besides, I saw it performed to perfection on the Empire tour with all 5 original members in one of the most amazing concerts I've ever seen. That's something you really only need to see once in a lifetime in my opinion. Plus, I own Operation: Livecrime. Also, Geoff Tate gets to do a farewell tour under the Queensryche banner this summer. I would imagine that it will be billed as Geoff Tate's Queensryche, but after that, he will have to call his band something else.

I have no earthly idea!

Now, as I eagerly wait for the next Queensryche album, there are a few things that I'm wondering. One, What will happen to Frequency Unknown? Will future copies of that album still bear the Queensryche name? It shouldn't really matter though. Its not like that album is having to be reprinted or anything. I'm just wondering if I should buy another copy in case it becomes a collectors item sometime in the future. (I trashed the copy that I reviewed)  Two, After Geoff Tate's farewell tour, what will he be playing live? His solo albums including Frequency Unknown? (He didn't like playing things off that album to begin with...and I don't blame him. lol)  Three, Since Queensryche has the rights to perform the songs from the Tateryche albums (Hear in the Now Frontier, Tribe, Q2K, OMII, American Soldier, and Dedicated to Chaos) will they allow Tate to perform those? I seriously doubt they will be performing any songs from those albums. Also, I gotta admit that I was slightly intrigued with Tate's performance of Lola on that morning news show in Seattle, with Vaudeville. If he was to tour doing that, I MIGHT go see it, as long as it isn't called Queensryche. It was interesting, and the blonde on the left was ridiculously smoking hot.

Queensryche: Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Todd LaTorre,
Parker Lundgren, Scott Rockenfield. Its OFFICIAL!

Anyway, in closing, I just want to say congratulations to the one and only Queensryche, and I am looking forward to the future of this great band. I have high hopes because the band has said in interviews that the new songs they are writing are HEAVY! That is the word that every fan has been dying to hear 'spoken' from the band for years. The future of Queensryche is bright in the hands of Todd LaTorre, Eddie Jackson, Michael Wilton, Scott Rockenfield, and Parker Lundgren. The self titled album was great. Now, its time for the masterpiece.

Now that its all over, I think of the band I grew up with, and.......

....I remember now.

Album Review: Geoff Tate's Queensryche: Frequency Unknown

A couple weeks ago, I made a post about the state of Queensryche, and how there are 2 of them. Its old news, and it was then when I made that post...but I had only found out about it about a month before that. 

I heard the original lineup with Todd LaTorre on vocals, and their first release, Redemption and was blown away by it. While I was (and still am) clearly in the original lineup's camp, I was curious to hear the offering that Tate and his band would release. They released the track Cold. I liked it better than anything I had heard post 'Promised Land.' With the exception of Redemption of course.

I posted a link to 'Redemption' in the other blog post, so in fairness, here is Cold.

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It is a very good song. I was excited to have the possibility of 2 different sounding bands. One, the classic yet revamped sounding original lineup, and Geoff Tate's version with a more modern sound, with his crew of hired guns.

The new 'Frequency Unknown' album was released. I bought it, and gave it the ol' car stereo test.

Tate's band is: Geoff Tate on vocals, Rudy Sarzo on bass, Robert Sarzo and Kelly Gray on guitar, Randy Gane on keyboards, and Simon Wright on drums. Just the Sarzo brothers and are enough to take notice, as they are both very good musicians...Rudy is a metal god! You would think that they would not only release an album with great songs like Cold, as well as come up with really great remakes of Queensryche classics: I Don't Believe in Love, Jet City Woman, Empire, and Silent Lucidity.

Think again. More like Frequency Unbearable.

I'll start with what I know. The remakes. One of the immediate things you notice is that Tate even in the studio recordings of these songs is just a little bit flat. You'd think that a producer would have made him fix that. I could overlook that, but the next thing you notice is that the bass is almost non existent, and the guitar sound is very dry and dull. Take the thundering bass line in the original recording of I Don't Believe in Love for example. It led you through the song. In the remake, its just there. Not really doing anything, just there. That's unheard of for Rudy Sarzo. 

In the last segment of the guitar solo, where the music stops, but the 2 guitars finish it out, and the next line is 'No chance for contact, There's no raison detre' the 2 guitars are literally almost a half step out of tune with each other. No, it isn't harmony guitar. They are out of tune.

But the worst of it is the backup vocals. Where did they go? Queensryche was always known for strong and powerful backup vocals among many other things. The backups in I Don't Believe in Love are too horrible for words. In Empire, the booming "EMPIRE" in the chorus has been replaced with a couple people just saying the word, or so it seems. And the backups in Jet City Woman actually sound like they got a bunch of kids to sing them. 

I guess I have only this to say about the remakes: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I kid you not about the dryness and blandness of the guitar, bass, and the pathetic backup vocals. I honestly thought it sounded like Tate decided to save some money on recording the classic songs, and just brought a karaoke CD into the studio and sang over it. That's how bad the remakes are.

Now, onto the new songs...Cold is the best song on the album. There are a couple others that are good, but overall, lackluster. The whole album is poorly mixed, and some of the songs, you can barely hear Geoff's vocals. It makes you really wonder what the thought process was behind the writing and recording. I listened to the album twice today, and I don't plan on listening to it again. But the only song I can really remember is Cold. 

Just because I can't remember the songs doesn't mean that they didn't make an impression. There is one weird song that sounds like they were trying to go the Guns N Roses route. Another one that kind of reminded me of Iron Maiden's song Seventh Son of a Seventh Son during the middle of it. There was another one that was kind of slow, and they keep repeating a chorus, over a VERY loud continuous guitar solo. There was another one that makes me think that this guy on YouTube wasn't very far off with his assessment.  (that is a joke) But the real song, Life Without You now that I think about it is pretty good. It sounds like it could have been released in between Empire and Promised Land. But, the ironic thing is that Tate proves that it IS possible to stammer while singing. What's ironic about that? He does it in the beginning of a song where he repeatedly asks "How do you like me so far?" 

The thing that I really do not understand is how did a producer let this out of the studio? The whole thing sounds more like a demo than a produced work of art. I have heard very low budget local band recordings that sound better than this, and to hear Tate's voice coming in flat on a studio recording really does not make me want to go see them live. 

EDIT: This video I posted below proves it. I don't want to see this live. Its Tate's Queensryche doing the Operation: Mindcrime album live. Tate is horrible, but listen to the music. They are off key, off beat, and all over the place. This sounds like a bad Queensryche cover band. I expect more from a metal god like Rudy Sarzo...not to mention Geoff Tate. I don't know what to say. You would think that legends like the Sarzo brothers would be able to nail whatever they play, regardless of what band's music they were playing. I guess I was wrong. Or maybe Tate and Cleopatra Records didn't give them rehearsal time before they recorded the album, and went on tour. Who knows. One thing that annoyed me is that Robert Sarzo is wearing a hat similar to the hat that Chris DeGarmo wore in the Mindcrime videos. Robert isn't worthy of even HOLDING Chris DeGarmo's hat after watching this show. And the woman in Suite Sister Mary is NO Pamela Moore. Watch it with caution. 

I heard a rumor that Tate was planning to re-release FU in the future. I suspect it will be under a different name after he loses the court case for the rights to the name 'Queenseyche.' If this is true, I understand. The album is very hard to listen to. So, if Tate does re-release it, he will need to do everyone a favor...Re-record the vocals. All of the vocals, and have someone produce and master the recording. Still, I ask again, why was this draft even released in the first place?

My advice? Wait for the original lineup to release their album. They say good things come to those who wait. And it shows when you put this entire album up against one single very well performed, mixed and produced  track off the unreleased original Queensryche's album. No, Geoff...FU!

......Is there anybody listening? 

A Tale of Two Queensryches; A Fan's Point of View

TWO Queensryches???? What the hell???

It is true, and here is my take on it.

First, a history of my Queensryche fanhood...It is necessary to get this out in the open because I feel I speak for MANY Queensryche fans. Then, a history of the band, and what went wrong.

I was exposed to them after 'Rage for Order' came out, and was blown away by it. I was even more blown away when 'Operation: Mindcrime' came out. I missed them in concert for those 2 tours. However, when Empire came out, I was ecstatic. But, in my opinion, Empire was good, but did not stand up to 'The Warning,' 'Rage,' and 'Mindcrime.' It was good, and I loved listening to it, but it was not their best album by far. I first saw Queensryche in concert on the 'Empire' tour, when they performed 'Mindcrime' in its entirety. I saw them at the Orlando Arena. It was amazing. When 'Operation: Livecrime' was released, I HAD to have that box set. The county fair was in town, and I worked all night as a local walk in to tear down a Flyin' Bobs ride to get the extra money to go the next day to get the box set. I wore out both the cassette and video tape over the years. Then, 'Promised Land' came out. It took some getting used to, but I eventually welcomed it. It was the next step in an evolution of the band. I saw Queensryche in concert on that tour as well, in Tampa. They were great, once again.

But then, 'Hear in the Now Frontier' came out. I did not like that album at all. I found myself thinking 'Will someone please let me know how we spun out of control....' about the whole direction of the album. It was good music, but it was NOT Queensryche. To add insult to injury, Chris DeGarmo, the driving force at the time behind the music left. The next album, Q2K was released. No DeGarmo. This was the first Queensryche album that I did not buy. However, I did go to see them in concert on that tour. I saw them at the House of Blues in Orlando. The music was NOT the same without DeGarmo there. To add insult to injury, Geoff Tate after the two opening songs said something along the lines of "I hope you guys like OLD Queensryche because we are going to be doing alot of that tonight!" I was pumped, and quickly let down. The oldest songs they played were off of 'Mindcrime.' After the show, as the crowd left, I overheard many people talking about how disgusted they were after Tate said that they were going to play "Old Queensryche." but no 'Take Hold of the Flame," etc. I was venting the same sentiment.

Then, 'Tribe' came out, featuring the return of Chris DeGarmo. I was PUMPED! But, a friend bought the album and played me a few songs. It was as lackluster as 'Hear in the Now.' And, DeGarmo left the band once again because of differences with Geoff Tate. I didn't buy this album either. Had Tate seized control of the band?

Yes.

The next album to be released was 'Operation: Mindcrime 2.' I bought it, and was VERY disappointed. I listened to it twice, and the songs actually seemed forced and rushed. Every song on the original 'Operation: Mindcrime' could have been a hit. They were amazing, but this seemed like a blatant attempt to cash in. The first track of the album is a continuation of the prison scene in 'OM.' A prison guard says "Ok convict, you're a free man!" and Nikki walks. Hello? He killed a priest! How does he just walk? The best song of the album is the duet with the late, great Ronnie James Dio, called 'The Chase.' Tate plays Nikki, Dio plays Dr. X. The problem? Tate and Dio both sing in the same key, making it difficult to distinguish who is who. I could not believe that they released this album as a sequel to the masterpiece that is 'Operation: Mindcrime.'

The next 3 albums released, I didn't even bother with. I heard one song off of 'American Soldier' and 'Dedicated to Chaos,' and they sounded like more weird stuff, on the musical scale of 'Mindcrime 2.' Funny thing is that I didn't even know they had released an album called 'Take Cover' until writing this blog and looking up the discography for continuity's sake. "Take Cover!" That could have been a warning to Queensryche fans about what else was coming.

I really hate to bash one of my favorite bands like this, but I am being real.

Now, fast forward...Everyone knows the story...The band no longer liked Tate's family running everything, so they fired them, and Geoff Tate right before a show. Tate, in retaliation spits in drummer, Scott Rockenfield's face, on stage. Could they have shown a little more respect when firing him, as in maybe waiting until after the show? Sure. But, spitting in someone's face is unforgivable.

So, Geoff Tate and the original members of Queensryche went to court for the band name. Its still in litigation as to who gets the rights to the name. Tate quickly put together a new lineup with Rudy Sarzo on bass, his brother, Robert on guitar, along with long time buddy, Kelly Gray who replaced Chris DeGarmo in Queensryche, and Bobby Blotzer (RATT) on drums. The original lineup, Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, and Scott Rockenfield brought on guitar wizard, Parker Lundgren, and singer, Todd LaTorre, formerly a singer for Crimson Glory, a legendary metal band from Florida.

I honestly think Geoff Tate will have to relinquish the Queensryche name. He after all is NOT an original member of Queensryche. He JOINED the already existing band! I heard an interview with Don Dokken about this, and Dokken said that Tate should have just called his band 'Geoff Tate.' He also said that he has a hard time picturing Queensryche with Bobby Blotzer as a member. I agree with both points.

Tate's band is releasing an album later this month called 'Frequency Unknown' with this album cover:

Notice the FU on the fist. I wonder what they were thinking when they designed that album cover!!! Sour grapes, anyone?

Now, back to the original lineup with a new guitarist and singer...They have been touring and recording. Their album will be released in June. For those of you who haven't heard it, they have released a song from THEIR new album. The song is called 'Redemption' and it is AMAZING! It sounds like the next evolutionary step from 'Promised Land.'

Now, I have yet to see this band, but I am excited, and will when they tour for the new album. If you go to YouTube, you will find many live recordings of this lineup. Todd LaTorre NAILS it. They OPEN with Queen of the Ryche. When was the last time Queensryche did that? Hell, when was the last time Tate did that song, and it sounded good?  One common theme I see in all the live clips of their shows is happiness. These guys are the real deal, and according to the original band members, they are having fun for the first time in years. 

I am a singer, and Geoff Tate will always be an influence to me, but he lost his way at some point. I've never understood why certain band members think they will be more successful without the band members who got them there in the first place. 

I stand in support of the original lineup of Queensryche. They have a new singer and guitarist, but they are picking up at the fork in the road where the band lost their way, and are now going down the right path, and are kicking the crap out of the unbelievers while making the real Queensryche fans proud.

I only dream in infrared, but from a haze came a rage of thunder, and QUEENSRYCHE IS BACK!!!!