Queensryche excavates its past

BY DAWN E. SCIRE CORRESPONDENT

Today's music scene is significantly far removed from that of 23 years ago -- or is it?

With some acts that have circulated more than twice that time span still performing, and others stretching "farewell tours" into permanent gigs, it's not unusual that groups such as Social Distortion, Motorhead, Sonic Youth, Def Leppard, Pat Benatar and even Deep Purple are coming to a venue near you straight out of 1982.

What is more unusual are those who attempted continuity through the decades, like progressive, hard-rock high-fliers Queensryche, whose first album dropped in 1982. The band performs in Tampa on Wednesday, opening for Judas Priest, which first recorded in 1974.

Far from silent and clearly lucid, The 'Ryche (as it's affectionately called), is one of few groups from back in the day that continually puts out new material and tours on a recurring schedule; not like others who "retired" and then returned much later to rake up on fans' nostalgic memories.

The band's repertoire will consist of songs strictly from the first four albums, "The Warning," "Rage For Order," "Operation: Mindcrime" and "Empire."

"We have over 120 songs, you know," Tate said in a phone interview. "We're trying them back on, seeing if they still fit, or if they need any alterations."

It's the band's excavation of the past before moving ahead.

Queensryche morphed from its methodically complex and overtly theatrical "hair"-metal sounds that sported operatic falsetto singing to more melodic and progressively-based musicianship.

It still bore Geoff Tate's exceptional tenor reaches, albeit more resoundingly and carrying the themes of social and human injustice.

What didn't change was the solid bond existing within the group's original 1981 formation of Tate, guitarists Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton, drummer Scott Rockenfield and bassist Eddie Jackson.

That is, until 1998, when DeGarmo left, just after the band's record label, EMI, dissolved during its eighth CD release, dooming it to poor sales.

When it added friend Kelly Gray as a replacement, he aided the creative process for "Q2K" -- until 2002, when DeGarmo revisited long enough to record "Tribe" but then returned to a busy side project and new career in piloting. So guitarist Michael Stone became the latest and still-present guitar slinger.

Present concerts notwithstanding, the band's big news is its follow-up to 1988's complex concept album "Operation: Mindcrime," tentatively called "Operation: Mindcrime II," and set for a January release.

The original story ended with the main character, Nikki, in prison for murdering prominent political and religious figures. Sister Mary, a reformed prostitute and Nikki's confidant/lover, died, and the evil Dr. X, coordinator of Nikki's druggings and subliminal suggestions, was unaccounted for.

In the new version, set 18 years later, Nikki has festered until the present.

"It's a study in revenge and the cause and effects of that," said Tate, who talked about how much will have changed for Nikki in the time he's been away, especially technologically (for example, cell phones and digital and satellite weaponry).

He also revealed that the story will be "done opera-style," with an orchestra from Prague and original "Sister Mary" singer/actress Pamela Moore, who is "returning from the dead" to reprise her role.

In addition, they "have another lead vocalist" as Dr. X, whom Tate said he couldn't reveal, "because the contracts haven't been signed yet."

And in case you missed the original "Operation: Mindcrime" or "Operation: Livecrime" recordings and videos, where the outfit performed the live re-enactment with actual actors and orchestra on tour, the band will perform it live once again.

Following the Priest stint, the 'Ryche has a short time off, then proceeds on its own headlining excursion at theater-type venues.

Asked if the concert tours have become stale after so long, Tate said, "Everything in moderation." They typically only go out for six weeks at a time now, he added.

But still, it allows him a certain lifestyle. After riding his motorcycle in New Hampshire's mountains for hours on the glorious 85-degree day, he said, "It beats being a janitor!"

SOURCE:
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050617/FEATURES/506170737/1015