Away Team

March 27th, 2012- While the band name Flying Colors might be unfamiliar to you, the members of this rock supergroup have individually sold millions of records and strong fan base around the world. Flying Colors’  self-titled  debut album is released today through Music Theories/Mascot Label Group/MRI.

The members of Flying Colors are drummer Michael Portnoy (Dream Theater,) guitarist Steve Morse (Deep Purple,) vocalist Casey McPherson (Alpha Rev,) Neal Morse (keyboards,) and Dave LaRue (bass.) Flying Colors marks Portnoy’s first project since he departed Dream Theater.

The seeds of Flying Colors’ formation were sown in 2008, when executive producer Bill Evans brought the idea to each of the musicians as well as to producer Peter Collins. Intrigued by the idea of working together, the four musicians wrote and recorded this album in just nine days.

Portnoy says “This album has bits and pieces of what you’d expect from each of us. The sum of all it’s parts led to brand new, uncharted territory for everyone involved.”

Dave LaRue says “It was quite an experience. The band moved at a fast pace, ideas flying around the room at all times. Sections of tunes were arranged, then rearranged. Ideas were tried every which way until we made them work, or in some cases, discarded them altogether. Just keeping track of everything was a challenge! It’s been an inspiring challenge melding folk, prog, pop and metal all into one big recording.”

Flying Colors Track Listing

1. Blue Ocean 

2. Shoulda Coulda Woulda  

3. Kayla   

4. The Storm  

5. Forever in a Daze  

6. Love Is What I’m Waiting For   

7. Everything Changes  

8. Better Than Walking Away  

9. All Falls  Down  

10. Fool in My Heart  

11. Infinite Fire

For More Info on FLYING COLORS visit the band’s official website here.

Click here to purchase the album.

Queensryche
30th Anniversary Tour
Tuesday 8NOV11
Lincoln Theatre
Raleigh, NC



I think I’ve said on here once or twice that I am a huge Queensryche fan. If not, here ya go. That being said, I have tried to like their newer albums. American Soldier actually was a good album, their best since Promised Land, but the rest just fall a little flat for me.

I have listened to Queensryche since I first heard the EP in 1984. I first saw them in 1988 when the opened for Metallica on the Damaged Justice Tour in San Francisco. Loved the music but thought they were lost on stage in an arena (I was really high that night too, so it could have just been me).

I wouldn’t have the chance to see them again until Building Empires Tour in 1992 where they blew me away by performing Mindcrime in its entirety! They filled the arena and performed like they deserved to be there too.

Many years have gone by and Queensryche has released several albums that the fans (me included) have debated whether they were Ryche worthy or not. But one thing Queensryche has always done well (at least since 92 for me) is perform well live.

They have made sure that they always have a reason for you to come see their show, whether it’s performing suites (large sections of albums) or albums in their entirety, they always give you a reason to see their next tour (besides being a tremendous live band now).

For their 30th Anniversary Tour they have actually reverted back to the old fashioned tour dogma of playing a little something from everything. And I do believe every album was represented (other than their recent covers album) in the set they performed here in Raleigh.

The band in their infinite wisdom didn’t just come out and perform ‘The Lady Wore Black’ and run through their hits chronologically, they mixed it up, Starting the set with the latest ‘Get Started’ and moved on to a brilliant version of ‘Damaged’. The sole representation of Promised Land was a real treat for me and live was great and no small feat to pull off in my opinion!

‘Desert Dance’ off of Tribe was actually a great tune live. And maybe that’s what their latest studio albums need to bring them to life or more favor to their fans, to be performed live. You can always tell the newer tunes (anything after Promised Land in my opinion is the ‘newer’ stuff) when they’re performed because they just seem to be a little less… connected maybe? It is very difficult for me to describe, but my girlfriend was with me at the show (her third Queensryche show thanks to me) and she would even turn to me during the newer stuff and remark that it must be a newer song because it was missing something. It wasn’t as ‘rich’ as the other tunes and this is from someone who only hears them when I play them and live she can even tell the difference between pre-Promised Land and post-Promised Land material.

The highlight of the night for me had to be ‘The Real World’. I have never seen it performed live and never thought I would considering it was a cast off from the soundtrack to Last Action Hero. And I wasn’t sure they could pull it live considering the heavy string arrangement by the late Michael Kamen (RIP Sir) but it sounded fantastic and had half the crowd shaking their head wondering where the song was from and the other half drooling over it.

Queensryche‘s run from NM 156 to Screaming In Digital was a stroke of brilliance and I’ve often wondered why they haven’t done it before. Geoff Tate’s voice hasn’t lost a step over the years, he may not be able to hold the higher notes as long as he used to, but he still puts on a hell of a show and sings his ass off and does himself and the band proud. In the age of all these 80’s bands trying to sing their old stuff after 30 years of vocal abuse and simple age and mangling their legacy doing so (see Joe Elliot of Def Leppard, Stephen Pearcy of Ratt, Joey Belladonna of Anthrax, etc, etc, etc) it is great to see someone able to still sing their material correctly and not just that, but very well done!

The Ryche may not be headlining arenas anymore but based on their live shows they should be. The theaters we’re seeing them in today makes for an intimate setting but the sound that the band generates should be filling arenas around the world. A live Queensryche show is always something to behold and they always come up with a new reason to go see them, and see them you should. The band has been around for 30 years for a reason, and their live show says everything you need to know about them. Michael Wilton is a great guitarist and Parker Lundgren holds his own with Michael and the band. Eddie Jackson has always been a beast at the bass and there may only be one or two people better on the drums that Scott Rockenfield. The man can certainly go step for step with Mike Portnoy and Neil Peart. And as I’ve already stated, the showmanship and vocals of Geoff Tate are nothing short of spectacular 30 years on!

For more QUEENSRYCHE click here.

On October 18, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Dream Theater Live At Budokan, the band’s first ever Blu-ray release.

Filmed in high-definition in 2004, Live At Budokan captures the dean of progressive modern rock bands in support of its Train Of Thought album. The 18-song concert– captured in DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound–reprises most of that album, as well as a generous portion of the band’s most cherished material, including their 1992 breakthrough single “Pull Me Under.” Over four hours long, Live At Budokan will be cause for celebration amongst the band’s rabid international fanbase. The release follows the new Dream Theater studio album A Dramatic Turn Of Events, out September 13 (Roadrunner Records).

Over and above the concert are an hour+ of bonus features: Riding The Train Of Thought Documentary / John Petrucci Guitar World / Jordan Rudess Keyboard World / Mike Portnoy Drum Solo / Dream Theater Chronicles 2004 Tour Opening Video / Instrumedley Multiangle.

The legendary Japanese venue, Budokan, in the heart of Tokyo, has been the host for so many great rock ‘n’ roll bands. Built for the 1964 Summer Olympics, its first rock concert, only months later, was The Beatles. Since then, Cheap Trick, Bob Dylan, Deep Purple, Quincy Jones, Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest and so many others have played this hallowed hall. The 2004 Dream Theater line-up that played this most classic venue consisted of James LaBrie (vocals, percussion); John Myung (bass, stick); John Petrucci (guitar, vocals); Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals); Jordan Rudess (keyboards).

DREAM THEATER: Live At Budokan tracklisting:
As I Am
This Dying Soul
Beyond This Life
Hollow Years
War Inside My Head
The Test That Stumped Them All
Endless Sacrifice
Instrumedley
Trial Of Tears
New Millennium
Keyboard Solo
Only A Matter Of Time
Goodnight Kiss
Solitary Shell
Stream Of Consciousness
Disappear
Pull Me Under
In The Name Of God









For more DREAM THEATER click here.
To purchase DREAM THEATER Live At Budokan click here.

The first press release to cross my desk today:
AVENGED SEVENFOLD frontman M. Shadows told The Pulse Of Radio that the band was not happy about the public way in which drummer Mike Portnoy‘s split with his former group DREAM THEATER was played out, which may have soured Portnoy‘s relationship with AVENGED, ultimately causing his departure from the band. “We were actually a little more shocked,” M. Shadows said. “We felt that maybe both parties could have handled it a little more internally without being so press release-happy about what had happened between them. Because we’re a band that, really, when it comes to news all over web sites or this or that about bands, you know, we don’t tweet much, we don’t try to put ourselves out that much, and all the drama and controversy wasn’t something that we wanted at all.”

The second press release to cross my desk today:
AJ Maddah, who is responsible for organizing Australia’s Soundwave festival, has slammed AVENGED SEVENFOLD for allegedly refusing to play during the day or clash with festival headliners IRON MAIDEN, despite being billed in tenth place on the lineup poster.
In a series of comments posted on Twitter, Maddah said, “AVENGED have decided, despite having originally confirmed a mid-afternoon spot, that they are now unwilling to play unless it is night time. At the same time, they are refusing to play at the same time as MAIDEN… In other words, they want MAIDEN to play in the afternoon!
While AVENGED are a massive band, having sold around 8,000 copies of their new album nationally, I won’t be able to move MAIDEN‘s time slot. I have now reached the point where I can no longer mess around 70 other bands and 180,000 ticket holders to appease this band’s nonsense. I have every expectation that they will go back on their agreement and cancel.”

The third press release to cross my desk today:
AVENGED SEVENFOLD has pulled out of the 2011 edition of Australia’s Soundwave festival, set to take place in late February/early March.

The band’s official statement on the matter reads as follows:
“AVENGED SEVENFOLD regretfully announce they will not be performing at the upcoming Soundwave in Australia. After much effort, the band decided that they could not offer fans the live experience they have come to expect and didn’t want to disappoint them. AVENGED SEVENFOLD will return to Australia soon to headline their own tour.”

Way to not air dirty laundry in the press. To be fair, the promoter is the one who came out via Twitter and said that he cannot appease them, and is tired of trying to jump through their hoops. But, For a band who ‘stays private’ and out of the press as much as possible, it will be interesting to see what the fourth press release to cross my desk today reads like from AX7.
And… as an aside… why are you in the press saying that you think Mike Portnoy and DREAM THEATER handled their split wrong if you keep your dirty laundry out of the press? Isn’t that in fact airing out your own dirty laundry? Mike stepped up and said nothing but mad respect for you and your band… and you step up and call him a whiney little bitch? Really?

And to think just yesterday I put your album in my top ten list of 2010. Not that this takes away what was accomplished on that album, but I’m betting your next album sans MP will not be as strong.

DREAM THEATER have issued the following statement regarding Mike Portnoy‘s announcement yesterday that he was leaving the band:

“To all of our loyal fans and friends: It is with profound sadness – regret – we announce that Mike Portnoy, our lifelong drummer and friend, has decided to leave Dream Theater. Mike‘s stature in the band has meant the world to all of us professionally, musically, and personally over the years. There is no dispute: Mike has been a major force within this band.

While it is true that Mike is choosing to pursue other ventures and challenges, we can assure you that Dream Theater will continue to move forward with the same intensity, and in the same musical tradition, that you have all helped make so successful, and which is truly gratifying to us. Fans and friends: File this episode under ‘Black Clouds and Silver Linings.’

As planned, we begin recording our newest album in January 2011, and we’ll follow that with a full-on world tour. ‘The Spirit Carries On.’

All of us in Dream Theater wholeheartedly wish Mike the best on his musical journey. We have had a long and meaningful career together. It is our true hope that he finds all he is looking for, and that he achieves the happiness he deserves. He will be missed.”

Read Mike Portnoy‘s announcement here.

For more DREAM THEATER click here.

Drummer Mike Portnoy of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER has released the following statement:

“I am about to write something I never imagined I’d ever write.
“After 25 years, I have decided to leave DREAM THEATER… the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century.
“To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision…it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so….
“After having had such amazing experiences playing with HAIL!, TRANSATLANTIC and AVENGED SEVENFOLD this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in DREAM THEATER.
“Please don’t misinterpret me, I love the DREAM THEATER guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them… it’s just that I think we are in serious need of a little break.
“DREAM THEATER was always my baby…and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985… 24/7, 365… never taking time off from DREAM THEATER‘s never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was ‘off’ between cycles)… working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band.
“But I’ve come to the conclusion that the DREAM THEATER machine was starting to burn me out…and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my DREAM THEATER spirit hungry and inspired.
“We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here and there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a ‘hiatus’ to recharge our batteries and ‘save me from ourselves’…
“Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather… I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be…
“While it truly hurts for me to even think of a DREAM THEATER without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way…so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes.
“Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of DREAM THEATER and I talked about ‘always following your heart and being true to yourself’… Sadly, I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with DREAM THEATER…and I would simply be ‘going through the motions,’ and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed.
“I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come… I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played….
“I’m sorry to all the disappointed DREAM THEATER fans around the world… I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work… I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)… but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within.
“You DREAM THEATER fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my future musical journey, wherever it may lead me…. (and as you all know my work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future Mike Portnoy projects!)”

Read it all right here at MIKE PORTNOY‘s own forum and website.