This month’s Fan Club Member of the Month is dodlbug. I had to do some genealogical testing to make sure she wasn’t related to OneBadBug (he’s bad), and determined that she is indeed not a spawn of his. dodlbug is from Iowa and has been a Queensryche fan for as long as I can remember. She earned her spot as FCMOTM by enduring a grueling “Standing Next To JetCity62” marathon. (I have had to commit to not making fun of Iowa in this interview. I hope that no one is disappointed. I promise to make it up to all of you Iowa Haters on the .com message boards).

UA: Once again we have another insect expert as our fan club member of the month. What exactly is a Dodl Bug and what type of sauce should I dip them in?

DB: It really depends on who you talk to. The doodlebug was a forerunner to the modern day motorcycle for some. For my dad, it was the nickname given to his younger daughter. My parents bought me personalized Iowa State University plates for my birthday one year with the seven letter moniker. I thought it fitting to choose that as my name on .com. And, as for you, Adam, you actually think it’s a bug (good luck finding one) so…as for the type of sauce…I suggest honey mustard, but not that Dijon crap.

UA: I promised that I wouldn’t make fun of Iowa in this interview, but I never said I would not make fun of Iowans. They are clearly easy to fool with simple word tricks like “I won’t make fun of Iowa”. The world wants to know how you people get along with no professional sports teams to get upset about?

DB: Just because we don’t have MAJOR LEAGUE teams, doesn’t mean we don’t have professional sports. There are the Iowa Cubs baseball and the Barnstormers arena football teams in Des Moines. As for the lack of major league teams, we’d rather pay attention to our college teams. Go Cyclones! [UA: FYI my high school mascot was a tornado. Midwesterners cheer on natural disasters as a way to improve our standard of living.]

UA: Quick Queensryche Question! Now that the new album has been released, what is your favorite song from it? What do you picture me wearing while you listen to it?

DB: I like the majority of the disc. Tough decision…tough decision. I know my opinion will be different than most people here, just because I’m not the typical Queensryche fan. I REALLY like Around the World! The message is there in the lyrics, the music reminds me of “Tear Drop” by Massive Attack in spots and Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” at times, then there is a hint of the Beatles. In my opinion this should have been released to mainstream radio. That way I wouldn’t be stuck only being able to hear Silent Lucidity played on my local radio station. As for the mental image…Adam, it’s bad enough I have to picture it in my head, I don’t need the guilt associated with the undoubted trauma suffered by the poor unsuspecting bystanders caused by sharing! I think that would be considered TMI. [UA: Sounds like she’s picturing me shirtless in chaps. Message received.]

UA: How many times have you seen Queensryche live? What was your favorite show and why? (I’m betting it wasn’t Indianola, Iowa 2011!)

DB: Yeeeeaaahhhh…Way to go, Adam! I ALMOST had that nightmare wiped from my memory. You just cost me another month’s worth of therapy. OK…break out the fingers and toes.

• 1995-Promised Land: Omaha
• 2005-A Night with Queensryche: West Des Moines
• 2006-OMC:I & II: Kansas City, St. Louis, Washington DC, Baltimore, Seattle (X3)
• 2007-Take Cover: Ft. Wayne, St. Charles
• 2008: Kansas City, Walker, MN
• 2009-American Soldier: Kansas City, Walker, MN, Ft. Wayne, St. Louis, Joliet
• 2010-Caberet: Kansas City
• 2011: (Indianola), St. Paul, El Paso (7/2)
• Misc Year: Kansas City Freaker’s Ball

I didn’t have the opportunity to actually see the Boyz perform in Indianola, but I did buy a ticket and I was there. I have the bruises to prove it. So…21 as I type this, 22 after this weekend. : ) [UA: Adam was there; it was awesome!]

I’ve been to so many concerts at which one thing or another has happened, it’s hard to pick a favorite. Although, I would have to say it would be Walker, Minnesota, May 3, 2009 during the American Soldier tour. This was my second time traveling to Walker to see the Boyz. It was also my birthday. I was riding the rail in my usual spot on Parker & Ed’s side of the stage. I had just attended the Kansas City show a couple of days prior. Jet City Woman started and, of course, Ed gives his pick away. I’ve wanted to get one of Ed’s picks for the three years prior. I had everyone else’s. In fact, I have three of Michael’s picks from the O:MC I & II tour. Anyway, the last three concerts I swear Ed would see me at the rail and give his pick to the woman to my right. He would skip over two or three guys and land up in the middle of the stage if he had to. He did the same thing that night. I totally busted out laughing. I had meet & greets afterward and I was going to ask if I had offended him in some way. : ) Anyway, the song goes on and Ed uses a second pick that he usually flings into the crowd. This time he looks at me to make sure I see what’s going on. He steps to the edge of the stage, I say “Please?” and he drops the second pick right into my hand. It was the best birthday present EVER! [UA: I was at this show too! ML was the woman immediately to your right]

UA: Speaking of me, you first met me at XFest here in Minnesota. I’m sure this was quite the experience for you. How would you compare me to your favorite super hero?

DB: Wow, you do have a short attention span, don’t you? You really don’t remember the first time we met, so I’ll just play along. I knew what I was getting into from being on the boards for a few years before our actual face to face. The experience was mind-blowing. (Read in deadpan monotone.) You were a lot more human than I figured you would be. Favorite super hero…do I have one? [UA: I read this as I am your favorite super hero. Thank you]

UA: I’m currently taking a finance class and since you’re a truck stop accountant I am forced to hate you based on principle. What is your favorite Queensryche album? Do you have any fond memories you can share with everyone?

DB: I’m an accountant for a fuel distributor. You think you hate me now, you don’t even want to know what I pay for a gallon of gasoline. : ) [UA: Iowa is all ethanol!]

I was introduced to Queensryche through Empire. Empire was the first album I listened to all the way through, loving every song. That album is very special to me for that very reason. There is one album that I hold higher than Empire. The sound of Promised Land is pure awesomeness, not unlike Adam. I have to be nice to you once. I’ve now filled my quota.

UA: I’M TALKING IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS AND IT FEELS GOOD!

DB: Drawing attention to yourself again, I see…There’s nothing to see here! MOVE ON!

UA: Who would win in the following competitions:

• Queensryche Vs. Menudo at Laser Tag: Which set of Menudo members? Never mind, it doesn’t matter. Queensryche hands down. They’ve been surviving attacks for years and coming out unscathed. : ) Love my Boyz!
• Queensryche Vs. Five For Fighting at Caber Tossing: Queensryche is the clear winner. One scrawny guy versus our group of five. There’s no question.
• Queensryche Vs. Huey Lewis And the News at Competitive Eating: Eight guys versus five…hardly fair. Why do they need two sax players, anyway? [UA: Awesomeness has no SAX limit]
• Queensryche Vs. Gumby and the Clayboys at Leg Wrestling: Gumby and his crew have an unfair advantage, I tell ya’!

UA: I promised I wouldn’t make fun of Iowa in this interview, so can you please share your favorite Iowa joke with everyone (and yes it can be about: stupid people, cows, farm land, bad drivers, or accounts)?

DB: Stupid people? It wouldn’t be nice to talk badly about you in public, Adam. Cows? Well, they do call Iowa State Moo U. Farm land? We don’t have farm land this year. Thanks to South Dakota we have acres and acres of pond! Bad drivers? The bad drivers are from Minnesota and Nebraska. We’re surrounded by them! Accounts? Accounts or accountants, Adam? Hold on! I’ve got one…Why is Iowa so windy? Because Illinois sucks and Nebraska blows. HA!

UA: What is your (Current) favorite Queensryche song?

DB: Wow, current song…I can only pick one? I thought favorite Queensryche songs were like Lay’s Potato Chips, you can’t only have just one. : ) I like almost the whole library. There are the tried and true, Walk In The Shadows, Jet City Woman, Take Hold of the Flame, etcetera. I go for the lower profile songs, the hidden gems. There are a few songs that I hit the back button for when they come up on rotation on my MP3 player. Dirty Lil’ Secrets is one of those. Other original material that is at the top of my list is Real World and Rhythm of Hope. As far as covers go, I like Gonna Get Close to You and Red Rain. I kept it to my top five. Sorry, can’t narrow it down anymore. [UA: At least she was able to limit herself to Queensryche songs]

UA: I understand you have strange dreams about the band, what are they wearing in these dreams? Am I wearing my shirt?

DB: Who told?!? Was it doctorbob? Eyeliner. No wait! Those were the photos in the Dedicated to Chaos liner.
It’s enough you talk about your moobs, I don’t need the emotional scarring attached to actually dreaming about them. So yes, Adam, you are wearing your shirt.

UA: You carry a beat up old camera with you to shows. Is there a story about that?

DB: I was in a car accident in 2004. I used part of the money I received from the insurance payment for the car on a digital camera. I carry that camera with me everywhere, literally. It’s usually in my purse. One never knows when or where something worth a photo will happen.

Anyway, in 2005 Ticketmaster sent me an email announcing Queensryche was performing in West Des Moines in September. Although I love Queensryche, due to one thing or another, I lost track of the Boyz after “Hear In The Now Frontier” and I was so excited to be able to see them perform! That concert was the start of the vast traveling I do to see the Boyz perform tour after tour since then. The majority of my entertainment dollars are spent in the name of Queensryche between merchandise and concert tickets/traveling expenses.
The camera is a little worse for wear after seven years. It has been dropped numerous times, once in Seattle when the shutter cover popped off. Yeah, panic! I was able to piece it back together, but it’s popped off a couple more times since then.

So, the camera goes with me to all the concerts, whether it makes it into the venue is another story. It’s going to El Paso and hopefully, to Mexico in November! : ) [UA: Translation from DB to English: Boyz = The Band]

UA: If you could buy one band member and Uncle Adam lunch, which band member would it be and where would you take us?

Bug: Although I would love to have the opportunity to take each of the Boyz to lunch, I would choose to take Geoff. In a recent radio interview Geoff had mentioned, in not so many words, the Mid-West didn’t have any original restaurants, only national chains such as Applebee’s, Chili’s, and the such…nothing with any creativity. My opinion is he just isn’t touring in the right towns.

I’m not exactly sure what Geoff would like to eat, but I’m sure he would be able to find something in a non-franchise establishment in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. I don’t think any of them serve kangaroo, but there are several other great options.

Feel like sushi? There’s Blue Sushi or Sushi Japan. Have a taste for Italian? Options include Caniglia’s Venice Inn, Sam’s Italian Villa, and Pasta Amore. There’s also the pizza option. I know it isn’t the same as New York or Chicago, but there is Lansky’s, Zio’s Pizza, or Pizza Counter. Just a quick sandwich? There’s the Dundee Dell. A steak you say? Let’s go to Warren Buffet’s favorite steak house, Gorat’s. No? Well, how about Jerico’s, Brother Sebastian’s, or Piccolo Pete’s? Feeling like bar-b-que? There’s McKenna’s Blues, Booze, & BBQ. How about going for something a little South of the border? Hector’s and Julio’s are great options. If you’re craving something from Germany there’s the Bohemian Café. Not in the mood for anything in particular? There are plenty of casual dining options such as Charlie’s on the Lake, Vivace, The Old Mattress Factory, and Goldberg’s. Next time a tour comes through Omaha, just let me know. : ) [RB: DB is an undercover agent for the Chamber of Commerce!]

Here, Geoff Tate speaks candidly about about Queensryche’s new album Dedicated to Chaos. How getting started on a new record can be so challenging and how the writing process has been completely different on this album as compared to previous releases. Expect Parts Two and Three to debut on June 21st and 28th respectively.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Queensryche has been a band for 30 years and we all have a great working relationship. I wouldn’t have it any other way. If I have my way, we will be making records and touring for years to come.

Dedicated to Chaos is the next chapter in the Queensryche world and I stand behind our effort 100%. There were no other songs that were scrapped or other directions turned down. We all got together and made music and Dedicated to Chaos was the result. It’s a hard rock collection that I believe really shows the bands diversity while still sticking to our Rock roots.

Thanks for all your support over the years for Queensryche and I hope to see everyone out on the road this summer.