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SR:
We were so pleased that everyone loved the QR show in Greece...We had an
incredible time there!...In regards to the idea of a second encore, we
just felt that the setlist was long enough for us to perform...don't
worry though, as QR will definitely return to Greece soon, and play all
sorts of other songs...hey, it leaves the fans with more surprises for
later...(laughs).....!!!! Now,
let's get to "Tribe". It seems that the band is experiencing a
new era of inspiration. What helped you to compose such a good piece of
work - I feel really sorry that because of the timing of your live here
we didn’t’t
have the opportunity to listen to more songs out of it. SR:
It was inspired by social issues that
are arising in the world today. Kind of a social commentary/observation
by us.... How
do you feel now about Tribe, after it's completion and after you
presenting part of it to your fans in your gigs? SR:
We are very pleased with the new TRIBE record...!!!
it was an extremely gratifying record for us to compose...We will
definitely be playing it as the tour unfolds... Is
it a tradition to produce quite different albums than what you have done
in the past? Is it a natural process, or sth that you pursue?? SR:
We are constantly trying to push
ourselves in different and new directions. New paths of inspiration... Would
you like to tell us a few words about the meaning of the title? Which is
this Tribe you are talking about? SR:
Well we have been noticing that the world is somewhat forming into
modern day TRIBES...After the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York city,
we started to recognize that there we social desires to unite around the
world. for example, the euro nations have all decided on one type of
currency, which is a form of tribalism in itself....We found this tribe
theme to be interesting for us to write about... For
good or bad, most of your fans didn't like the approach of
"Hear..." and"Q2K". Did this work as a burden for
you when composing "Tribe". Did you think, "Shit, we have
to produce sth that will satisfy our fans"? SR:
We do not think about what the fans
will think about our works. We write for what we feel, and to us it is
just an art form. If people accept what we produce then that is cool. If
not, then we just move onto the next one... Did
Chris' presence help you? How did it feel working with him again? SR:
Chris co-wrote three songs with us, and it was very gratifying.... One
of the things that make Queensryche such a unique band is that you have
solid opinions about politics and society, which you highlight in your
records. It was a nice surprise to listen to Geoff altering the lyrics
of «Spreading
the Disease" into "...while we pay for wars in the Middle
East". How do you feel about US policies, especially now that it
becomes clear that the evidence for WMD in Iraq were a fraud? SR: Politics
are a whole new dimension....hahaha.... Your
way of playing the drums has evolved as years went by. Your rhythms are
less "rock" (I don't even discuss about metal) and tend to
minimalism. And I think that your latter approach is affecting the whole
sound of the band. What do you think of that? Was it a change that came
with maturity? SR:
As is said earlier, we are artists that paint pictures with our
instruments. What you get is what we are "painting" at that
time.... However, I do feel that this new record is full of heavy ROCK
drums !!!!! i suppose it is
all personal opinion.... How
did the tour with Dream Theater and Fates Warning turn out??? We are
really jealous here in Europe, you know! Any good story from touring
with them? SR:
It has been a wonderful tour...The fans are really enjoying this
package...We are in the talks about future possibilities of taking the
tour outside of the USA...We will keep everyone posted... In
a recent interview Goeff said that you are already working on new
material. Has is progressed yet? Any hint of how it might sound? SR:
Yes, Geoff and I have started works on the next record.....cant' tell
you any more than that...it's a secret!!...hahaha... Queensryche
is supposed to be a band ahead of its time (in the respect that some of
your records have been appreciated long after their release). Is this
the way of success you had in mind when starting the band??? SR:
When we first started making music together, our goals was to just have
fun writing music and enjoying what we did. Our success is based upon
our internal happiness in doing that... Just
a couple of “weird
questions”to
relax somehow! Imagine that your wife is selling your whole
album-collection just to buy for her an expensive, good ring. How would
you react? SR:
Funny enough, I don't have a collection to sell...(laughs!!) If
you were living in Middle Earth which character would you choose to be and why? SR:
I would probably be Gandalf!!! Always wanted to be a wizard!! Is
there anything you would like to mention, but I didn't ask you??? SR:
I would just like to say thanx to all of our fans in Greece for enjoying
Queensryche for so many years. You are wonderful people...!! That
was it. Hope it won't take you another 20 years before you visit us
by Alex Savatianos & Thanos Aggelakis |
