The second artist I ever interviewed was Queensryche guitarist Michael Wilton back when the band was touring in support of Empire (which featured the huge hit “Silent Lucidity”). If nothing else, Queensryche has been pretty consistent with releasing new material, 2011’s Dedicated to Chaos was the band’s 12th full-length album since 1984’s The Warning. But even the most dedicated Queensryche fans will admit that the band’s material has been inconsistent since guitarist Chris DeGarmo left the band in ’97.
In mid-May, singer Geoff Tate reportedly threatened his bandmates with a knife before a show in Brazil. And now, following the band’s performance at Rocklahoma last week where Tate told the audience they sucked (“I’m serious”), it sounds like Queensryche is ready to move on with a new singer and using a different name since Tate probably owns the rights.
On June 8 and June 9, Rising West – featuring Queensryche members Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield, and Parker Lundgren – will performing Queensryche classics from the first five albums with singer Todd La Torre (Crimson Glory) at the Hard Rock Cafe in Seattle. Based on his YouTube demo reel, sounds like La Torre will do just find handling Tate’s vocals.
Supposedly Rising West will hit the studio later this year to record an album’s worth of material. Stay tuned to the drama, it should get interesting once Tate has something to say about the whole thing.