YTSEJAM Digest 1125 Today's Topics: 1) Re Jammers drinks by nga@software-ag.de (Neil Gallop) 2) Bafu for God by email_address_removed (Mike Olekshy) 3) Re: Kansas (NDTC!!!!) by email_address_removed 4) Angra, Savatage, ...other great new albums by email_address_removed (Carlo D'Angelo ) 5) i'm back by email_address_removed 6) Re: Help me, damn it by "Jonathan Byrne" 7) reading the jam by Rachel Goldenberg 8) Re: Lighten up!/You lighten up/Legal Substances by email_address_removed (Michael Coghlan ) 9) Re: name that tune silly thread by Corporate Community Relations 10) to all doubters, skeptics and questioners by Jarrod N Ramseylewis 11) Re: New Trivia Quiz by "Daniel James Temmesfeld" 12) DT Mistakes by Martin Hayter 13) Re: YTSEJAM digest 1124 by YtseJammer 14) DTFAQ - Release Notes by email_address_removed (jskewes) 15) DTFAQ Version 4.0 / Part 1 of 2 by email_address_removed (jskewes) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 12 Nov 95 16:30:19 +0100 From: nga@software-ag.de (Neil Gallop) To: email_address_removed Cc: donews!nga Subject: Re Jammers drinks Message-ID: Hi all In the Jam 1123 Mike Bahr asked what the Jammers favourite drinks are? Hmm, a hard question Mike. Well, obviously, my all-time favourite drink has to be the one that I don't pay for myself!! No, seriously, living in Germany, I have to be a beer man, but if I'm in the right mood, and especially if my girlfriend is with me (because she likes it too) there is nothing to beat a good mature single malt whisky. Real whisky, not that sticky sugar-water stuff that you guys drink in the states, but stuff with character. Another special that my girlfriend likes (she's also into DT, but even more into Gamma Ray and Blind Guardian) is Guiness and champagne 50/50: try it Mike, it tastes great and has got a kick like a mule. And now one for all the budding drummers on the jam who want to try and copy everything that Mike Portnoy does: OK so you don't like Jaegermeister? Then try mixing it with tonic water. I like it. Now for a minimal bit of DT content. So far no responses to my question: what song/track would you most like DT to cover? Think it over and let me know either via the jam or directly via e-mail. The ten best entries win some of my best cocktail mixtures!! stay safe and happy listening Neil Gallop (nga@software-ag.de) Currently playing: Lake of Tears - Headstones ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 12 Nov 1995 09:00:40 From: email_address_removed (Mike Olekshy) To: email_address_removed Subject: Bafu for God Message-ID: Yes sir, Bafu, you even fooled Mike Bahr. That's some kind of power you have ... use it wisely. MMO (Mike (you wont find it heeeeeyaaahhhh) Olekshy) Still trying to transcend the depth of winters' snow (-25 celcius) here in Calgary --- Systems Origin ---------------------------------------------------- Logical Solutions. Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (403)-299-9900. 36 Lines. Your T1 Link providing Graphical as well as Terminal Internet access. 40 GIG BBS System. All lines 14.4K+up. WWW/LYNX/FTP/TELNET/IRC/PPP. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 12 Nov 1995 13:37:52 -0500 From: email_address_removed To: email_address_removed Subject: Re: Kansas (NDTC!!!!) Message-ID: email_address_removed writes... >The first album and Song For America are probably the most >progressive, so check those out, too. I love Masque, their third, as well. >They just came out with a new album earlier this year, called Freaks >of Nature. It's really good, they even got a violin player back. I didn't really like this CD. My g/f bought it, and the only song that I kinda liked on it was the one that kerry livgren contributed. email_address_removed writes... >"Live at the Whiskey" might be hard to find, but you'll love it. I hate to blatantly disagree, but, that album blows chunks. Walsh's voice sounds like dick-on-rye, and some of the song arrangements are kinda blah, especially the VERY abbreviated SfA. If it helps to dissuade you from buying this CD, when I saw DT at the Chestnut Cabaret (2nd show) Mike told me he'd just picked up LatW. I told him, "It's not that good..." he said, "Oh, man, don't tell me that!" Well, next show, at the TLA, he said that he too thought that it wasn't all that great of an album, and that the other live album (Two For The Show) had mostly the same material on it, and done better. Besides, Greg Roberts (their "new" keyboardist) is as stiff as a board, (no pun intended) playing wise. I don't like him. David Rogers writes: >Leftoverture is generally considered their best album, and I won't >argue that point. Well, it's their most popular...their best? I must be the only person on the planet who doesn't think it's their very best. What is? I'm kinda hard-pressed to pick which one is. I own all of 'em, and love each one for different reasons. The thing about Kansas is that each album expressed something a little different. Yes, even the two albums without Walsh on vocals (Vinyl Confessions & Drastic Measures) are good in their own right. Drastic Measures, albeit a bit "pop" at times, probably shows Kerry's contempt for the record industry most lucidly. "Mainstream" especially, both lyrically & musically. It's an up-beat rock tune, until it hits this long, spacey keyboard oriented thing in the middle of it, which runs it up to over 6 minutes...thus making it unplayable as a pop song. =) Neat. =) No wonder Livgren bailed. >Truly, if you like Monolith, you'll like all of their stuff. I have to agree. Although Monolith, IMO, is a phenomenal record, it's just about the farthest thing from "Point" that could've been recorded...and it strikes me as kinda funny - here, the band had just hit its peak of popularity - 1976 to 1978, with Leftoverture, Point, and Two for The Show...and then, when the record company was expecting another "Point," they gave 'em this, as kind of a big "UP YOURS!" =) It's probably their least commercially accessable record, IMO. But very cool. Chad Writes: >If all you have is _Monolith_ and you love it, then you're in for a treat, >because they have a lot of stuff that's better. I think I'm gonna have to go back and re-evaluate my outlook on music. I LOVE Monolith! What's so wrong with that album? Good lord, I love every song on that CD! >It's almost universally agreed that _Leftoverture_ is their best work. And one of their most commercially sucessful. You know what really wierds people out? Telling them how many records Kansas has done. Kansas, SfA, Masque, Leftoverture, Point, Two For..., Monolith, AudioVisions, Vinyl Confessions, Drastic Measures, "best" of, Power, In The Spirit..., LatW...and Freaks makes 15...and if you count this "Carry On" CBS-Special Products CD, and the box set, that's 17. Most people's reaction: "Really? Wow, I only thought they had like, 4..." The only reason to get "Carry On," really, is to have "Don't Ever Take Your Love Away" from "Drastic Measures" on CD. BTW, I've heard nothing at the store at all about release dates for those two Non-Walsh albums on CD. Anyone? >If you like Steve Morse, get the two albums for which he was in the band- >_Power_ and _In the Spirit of Things_. Even if you don't like Steve Morse, get those albums! I think one of the only problems with those two records was that they didn't give Morse enough say in what got done...he said this in Guitar FTP Musician, nicely, of course. =) As Morse put it, "it's really The Steve Walsh Show." > _Freaks of Nature_. Anyone who likes DT should LOVE this album!! Why? I like only one of the songs on it, and Walsh's voice continues to sound worse. Sigh...enough Walsh bashing for one day. =) Take it easy, -Hairball ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 12 Nov 1995 11:09:04 -0800 From: email_address_removed (Carlo D'Angelo ) To: email_address_removed Subject: Angra, Savatage, ...other great new albums Message-ID: Whats up Jammers, I just had a temporary lapse in sanity and blew $100 at my favorite Long Island import shop. But OHHH was it worth it!! :-) I bought Savatage: "Dead Winter Dead", Angra: "Angel's Cry", Yngwie Malmsteen: "Magnum Opus", Steve Morse: "The Introduction", Running Wild: "Masquerade", Watchtower: "Energetic Disassembly", and Richie Kotzen's first solo album. All of these albums are INCREDIBLE!!! While Watchtower is a little too progressive for my tastes, the musicianship is amazing. But, what I really wanted to do was recommend ANGRA and SAVATAGE!!!!! Since a lot of people were asking about these bands I wanted to check them out. "Angel's Cry" by ANGRA is DEFINITELY without question the BEST ALBUM for 1995!!!!!!!(hehe...Ben L. still got that arrow-proof vest around??) This band is able to combine progressive metal with classical music, awesome harmonies, VERY MELODIC!!! EVERY DT FAN MUST BUY THIS!!!! And the Savatage.....HOLY SHIT....words can't decribe the emotions this album evokes. Musicianship is top-notch. I thought they might lose some of their sound after going through all those changes...but its the best release since "Streets"....this album TOTALLY blew me away...especially Christmas Eve/Sarajevo(12/94)...AMAZING......yet another great album from a great band that gets no recognition!!! The US sucks......blechhh time to move to Europe or Japan...but then again, Long Island isn't too bad :-) Cheers, Carlo -- | [] | |] | ******* ** | [] | |] | "For one flickering moment, he seemed to catch | [| an image, one he found both exciting and disturbing: | [] | |] | an enormous tower constructed of dark and sooty ****** ** ** stone, standing in a field of red roses. Slit ** **** ** windows twisted up its sides in a brooding spiral." |] | | [| | [] | "Go then, there are other worlds than these." |] | ** *** *** ** --Stephen King ** **** **** (The Gunslinger: Dark Tower series) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 12 Nov 1995 14:29:07 -0500 From: email_address_removed To: email_address_removed Cc: email_address_removed Subject: i'm back Message-ID: ladies, gentlemen and fucking idiots: i have returned from home. i had fun. especially at giants stadium friday watching marching bands in 30 degree weather. that was fun. the record convention sucked ass. i did see mind contol, kick into a dream, and some other things, but hardly anything i wanted. i picked up live in tokyo and renaissance's live at carnegie hall. bafu: hello, my friend. i have plenty for you. my rendition of the visual music (which is driving me nuts), if you REALLY want to give it a title, was from frank zappa's be-bop tango from "roxy and elsewhere." i didn't really have a name in mind, but i listened to it for the 1st time in a while recently and it dawned on me. as to which of the 3 choices you are, i am assuming you are a crackhead, or if i may, a FUCKIN' crackhead. too bad y/j are deceased now. now i'm hoping for the jam to suck again so they can pay us a visit. speaking of dt, i finally got the new aic and wil listen to it soon enough. i like how you added all those hate mails from disgruntled now ex-jammers re: y/j. very much in the spirit of robert fripp, if you have seen his crimson box set. nice touch. to those responding to my ttt/if thing. i guess it's just a matter of opinions. i mean ttt definitely has a lot of good stuff in it, but you know, sometimes, even sex can get boring. if has some of kevin's best melody stuff in it, and i wish it wasn't so underrated. even sex can be exciting, but it don't say that on my crucifix. re: jp is human. yet another fluff. in the ppv video, in voices, when he does the wes montgomery type octave things, it's funny to see him over-slide a note (right before "he pours his soul into the water", or whatever it is). jp sucks! hahahaha. thank god for sarcasm! re: drinks! a vibrating pussy?!?!?!?! mike, what on earth....?? sounds delicious though (no offense to the ladies or whatever). i used to like goldschlager until i drank half a bottle of it and almost died.so i guess i'm happier with lighter stuff such as skyy vodka. cute little moses/jesus joke. i am deeply offended. actually, i'm not. i liked it. even sister marian fdkjghdf or whatever would enjoy it, i bet. to those flaming the jokester, oh puh-leeze!!! i would be interested in volunteering my time to print out some y-jams. to whoever is in charge, email me personally, please. mike bahr: i didn't get my ad yet, you bigot!!! NO WAIT- KIDDING!!!! thank you again, and i think you know my opinion on the "B" question. i'm beginning to suspect that the operation revolution thing was about as successful as the attempt to get us to believe that kevin moore had testi cancer. on that subject, i had testicular distortion when i was 13. owwwwww!!!!! an artery gets bent so the blood doesn't go there.....that could have been really bad, but i was saved at the right time. to ktulu (or ben, or whatever): you wrote at the end of one of your "visual music seminars" "This is not reality" thank god!! more bafu stuff: about starting a list with ytse. i know you're not implying i'd take on the role of jam, yes? i used to think i was the one of the few and only kobayashi's extant, but now i have my doubts. and i know PLENTY of other fucking idiots, so you will be kept warm when you sleep at night. so that is it for now. love, david, the magical kobayashi ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 12 Nov 1995 11:49:23 -0500 (EST) From: "Jonathan Byrne" To: "YtseJam" Subject: Re: Help me, damn it Message-ID: On 11/12/95 at 04:33:49 Damon M. Fibraio said: > Here's the problem. I go to a music store in the central New Jersey area. >Looking for Rush, DT, Yes albums on CD and bootlegs on CD. No luck, except >for some Yes albums that I didn't have. Can't find the Lie single. And as far >as lesser known prog bands like Shadow Gallery and Magellan, forget it. For >all intents and purposes, they don't exist in Jersey. I want these CDs, but >can't find them. Where the hell do I go? I've checked all over the place from >chain stores like The Whiz to little shops that carry rare Doors and Beatles >shit but no prog. What is this world coming to? You might want to try mail order. Here in the great backwoods, that's about the only chioce I have. If you have a Web browser, go to the Prog Web site at http://prog.ari.net/prog. It has links to several on-line vendors, two of which, Noteworthy Music and RPM Records, I have used and recomend. There are also some others, but I cannot vouch for them. Also, for Shaddow Gallery and Magellan, you can order them direct from thier label, Magna Carta. Send $15.98 per CD to: Magna Carta, 208 E. 51st St., NY NY, 10022. Hope that helps! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- "And if we can still believe in tomorrow Jonathan Byrne Yesterday will disappear soon enough West Virginia University When it seems impossible to remember email_address_removed How the world could be so proud of itself." -Peter Nichols, "Corners", IQ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 12 Nov 1995 12:05:28 -0500 (EST) From: Rachel Goldenberg To: email_address_removed Subject: reading the jam Message-ID: I'll skip the intro, this is long enough: There was no time to web no energy for netscape the temptation for mudding slips away walking thru empty irc I stop and take a breath w/ confidence and self control I look at my mail and see no new jam I'm waiting to get my jam today I'm begging Bibb from the bottom of my heart ...please subscribe me I need to read the jam like some ppl always do so find me tour dates find me bootlegs find me DT content When blind Mellon brings me to my knees and I lay here sick inside show me Mike Bahr show me Bafu and Laussade The way you subscribe makes all the difference It's what decides if you'll succeed in pissing ppl. off. the way you subscribe makes all the difference so please do it right. Here before me is the jam I'm starting to read. I won't give up til I've no more to read Listening to the jammers whispering their stories I sit here reading quietly. This new jam brings new questions new opinions to be found. I read top 5 to be let down Once again we post to the jam. At times I lurk away when I don't want others finding out I have nothing important to say. Once you post you stand alone to face th bitter flames Once I reached for re: and now I reach for d... Another chance to read the jam, hear from cool jammers in other lands about our favorite band... it beats doing homework. I continue from where I left off and I see a new post I see kindness, bitterness, reality. The way the jam sounds maks all th diffrence it's what decides if you'll remain or if you'll unsubscribe. Here before you is the jam so forever keep the dream on the internet Through listserv's inflexible software I'm reading the jam. -Wisha (46 days until Malibu) :) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 12 Nov 1995 10:16:03 -0800 From: email_address_removed (Michael Coghlan ) To: email_address_removed Subject: Re: Lighten up!/You lighten up/Legal Substances Message-ID: You wrote: > > To Michael C. > > Are you this negative all the time? EVery post I see, (I mean hear) from >you is coming down on something. And I thought I was a depressed person. To Damian: You must not read everything I write. You must focus on the negative and discount the positive. Try Prozac for that depession. And yes I think TTT does have a commercial sound and was produced for radio airplay. No illegal substances here. Michael C. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 12 Nov 95 15:08:03 EST From: Corporate Community Relations To: email_address_removed Subject: Re: name that tune silly thread Message-ID: >if wishes were horses... >then dreamers would ride Why, that's by the John Butcher Axis! Next... /Buck ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 12 Nov 1995 12:23:57 -0700 (PDT) From: Jarrod N Ramseylewis To: Dream Theater Subject: to all doubters, skeptics and questioners Message-ID: IT's been a while since I have posted, so I am a bit rusty, please bare with me. At school, me and a buddy have a radio show. It's alot of fun, and yes we do play our share of DT. Anyway, a few years ago, I did not like Queensryche, or Rush. I know, I know, it's bad, but that is just the way it was. Today I am a huge QR and Rush fan, but it is only because I was always a DT fan. For the year or so, that I have been around on this jam I have seen the bands Echylon and King Crimson get alot of attention. I had never heard their material before, and was hessitant to go out and "blow" my money on something that could potentially be a flop. Fortunatly our radio station has some Echylon and King Crimson cds that I have been playing alot. I am now really hot to get ahold of some cds by these bands. My point is that for all of you out there who are hessitant to try out some of these bands, my advice is go for it. It's been my experience that most of the yjammers know where it is at when it comes to music. Go out on a limb and take some of their suggestions and try some of these cds. Of course this is old news to some of the more "seasoned" yjammers, but take heart, we all have to start somewhere. Jarrod Ramsey-Lewis University of Portland ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 12 Nov 1995 15:24:00 -500 (EST) From: "Daniel James Temmesfeld" To: email_address_removed Subject: Re: New Trivia Quiz Message-ID: >Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to think of bands >that meet the three following criteria: >1) They must have at least five recordings (EPs count), released on >a wide scale from major labels (so, like, old demos and stuff don't >count) >2) They must still be an actively recording or touring band >3) Their personnel lineup must be exactly the same on every single >release. Sounds like fun... Here's the only ones that I can think of... -King's X -Queensryche <----I'm not positive, I don't have any pre-Rage... -Tesla -U2 <----once again, I'm not *positive*... Dan Temmesfeld email_address_removed ------------------------------ Date: 12 Nov 95 15:54:02 EST From: Martin Hayter To: ytsejam Subject: DT Mistakes Message-ID: A few people seem to have picked up on the thread about DT mistakes - I'd love to hear the TTT screw up on Majestic Harmonies. It just occurred to me - Mike Bahr, could some of the choicest ones go on Antiquities, or is the material for this already finalised? Or would people object to having blatant mistakes on a CD? Some of you may be interested in the best mistake I ever saw at a gig (stand up Alex Lifeson). At Wembley Arena (UK) the intro to 2112 started fine, then Alex lost his way, resulting in him punching in the wrong chords at the wrong time for about a third of the intro (apart from that it was perfect) - in the end he gave up. It may have been something to do with the fact I was in the third row wearing a rabbit suit (but that's another story completely). The following night he stood back by the drum kit taking cues from Neil, and punched the air when he got it right, to the bemusement of people who weren't there the previous night. .......not that I take any pleasure from seeing brilliant musicians screw up. Has anyone heard Steve Vai miss a note? Martin Hayter ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 12 Nov 1995 16:16:48 -0500 (EST) From: YtseJammer To: email_address_removed Subject: Re: YTSEJAM digest 1124 Message-ID: Fudge-a-licious! DAmnit! Someone give me six more arms and the brains of a God and i'll be JP! anyone know any way to make your fingers longer, or did he just have spiders grafted to his wrists? <--disregard his ranting, he needs his guitar now!--> ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 12 Nov 1995 21:23:35 GMT From: email_address_removed (jskewes) To: email_address_removed Subject: DTFAQ - Release Notes Message-ID: Here's the new version of the FAQ. I need to say thanks to all those you have corrected and helped me out with info. KEN BIBB (BIG thanks!!!) Mike Bahr Ryan Skadberg Jen Albert Mike Burstin Jeff Chew And I'm sure I've forgotten people. Address any e-mail concerning corrections to me. If you need this document e-mailed in whole as an attachment (for WWW pages, etc.) just let me know. I have a WWW version available at: http://www.why.nwt/users/jskewes/dtfaq.txt Later! Jason ************************************************************* email_address_removed | 'beneath the dust of our days Fort Worth, Texas | hides the key to our emotions' | Fates Warning / life in still water ************************************************************* http://www.why.net/users/jskewes ************************************************************* ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 12 Nov 1995 21:23:46 GMT From: email_address_removed (jskewes) To: email_address_removed Subject: DTFAQ Version 4.0 / Part 1 of 2 Message-ID: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ vvvvv vvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvv vvvv v vvvv vv v v v v v vv v v v v v v v v v vv v vv v v vv v v v v v v v vv vvvv v v v vvvv vvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvv vvvvv ___ _ __ ___ _ ___ _ _ | \| >|_ /\ |\/| | |_||_ /\ | |_ | > _|_/| \|_/ \| | | | ||_/ \ | |_ | \ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FAQ: Dream Theater - Version 4.0 Compiled by: Jason Skewes - Current FAQ Maintainer (email_address_removed) Mike Bahr - FAQ Maintainer Emeritus (email_address_removed) Ken Bibb - Ytsejam list Manager (email_address_removed) Jason Hough - Ytsejam List Manager (email_address_removed) Revised and Handled by Jason Skewes (Address as above) Proofreading above-and-beyond the call of duty: Jennifer Albert Thanks to Ken Higginson for the DT Ascii you see above. Welcome to the official, spiced-with-Vindaloo Dream Theater FAQ, presented by us, the Ytsejam Mailing List, and, thanks to a bit of great fortune and kindness on their part, by Dream Theater themselves! With this release, I am beginning version numbering for the FAQ. In honor of Dream Theater's fourth major-label release, this is DTFAQ version 4.0. With this release, you will see new sections added to the FAQ to better categorize the questions and answers. There is a new section concerning the sources for the samples used in Dream Theater songs. This section will continue to grow, but I want to emphasize that the transcriptions of the samples will be handled in the Dream Theater Songbook. The FAQ will only address questions concerning the sources of the samples. I am also working to establish ONE document to maintain all of the WWW and other internet addresses that have resources relating to DT (separate from this FAQ). More to follow! I'm not perfect, but I'm trying to be as accurate as I can. If you can help me to that end with this FAQ, I appreciate it. --------------------------------------- DREAM THEATER RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET --------------------------------------- NOTICE! There are a few separate files now. The old one was just too hard to manage all as one! Plus, a few issues of the band's connection to bootleg material came up, etc. The new files, which are available via FTP, are: dt????.faq = This FAQL, where ???? is the date i.e. 0329 discog.dt = Dream Theater discography [official releases only] bootlegs.dt = Dream Theater bootleg guide lyrics.dt = All known lyrics from both the studio and live/demo-only releases. For all this, anon-FTP to ftp.netcom.com and look under /pub/dr/drkhoe/dt/*. Dream Theater Archives: site manager: email_address_removed ftp.netcom.com /pub/dr/drkhoe/dt WWW: "ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/dr/drkhoe/www/dthome.html" You can also get these files from the following sites: WWW: "http://www.cs.brandeis.edu/~mikeb/dt.html" - menu of DT files WWW: "http://www.cs.brandeis.edu/~mikeb/dt/faq.txt" - this FAQ WWW: "http://www.why.net/users/jskewes/dtfaq.txt" - My page for the FAQ The Dream Theater Discography is handled by Michael Backof (email_address_removed). The Dream Theater bootleg list is handled by Michael Burstin (email_address_removed). The Dream Theater Songbook (lyrics) is handled by Michael Kizer (email_address_removed). ------ LYRICS ------ Lyric listings are maintained by Michael Kizer. This "Unofficial" Dream Theater Song Book is available at: WWW: http://www.indirect.com/www/mkizer/dt/dt.htm FTP: www.indirect.com/www/mkizer/dt/dt_sb11.txt Or by e-mail from the Ytsejam Mailing List Archive by sending: get ytsejam dt_sb11.txt Address it to: ytsejam-request@arastar.com with a subject of "asdf". -------------------- YTSEJAM MAILING LIST -------------------- Dream Theater has a mailing list! It's called Ytsejam. The Ytsejam mailing list can be joined by doing the following: To subscribe to ytsejam, please email: subscribe ytsejam your name (replace "your name" with your own name) to ytsejam-request@arastar.com with a subject of "asdf". You will be added automatically! The default is for the digest form of the mailing list - so if you would rather receive each individual post - then email: set ytsejam mail ack to ytsejam-request@arastar.com with a subject line of "asdf". NOTE: Do NOT send this request until you have received a confirmation stating that you have been added to the list! To post to Ytsejam - address your e-mail to: ytsejam@arastar.com To unsubscribe, email: unsubscribe ytsejam to ytsejam-request@arastar.com with a subject line of "asdf". This will take you off the list within two hours. If you have any problems please e-mail ytsejam-owner@arastar.com and a human will help you. For other information on the Ytsejam mailing list (such as how to get tour dates, this FAQ and other DT files via e-mail), please do the following: Email: info ytsejam to ytsejam-request@arastar.com with a subject of "asdf". You should receive the information file within two hours. ------------------- OTHER MAILING LISTS ------------------- There are internet mailing lists for other progressive bands such as: Rush, Marrilion, etc. Directions for subscribing to them are included in the List of Music Mailing Lists which can be retrieved by one of the following: * Send "gimme" to email_address_removed with a subject of "lomml" (some sites will ignore the reply since it's 130k in size. If you have problems, try one of the alternate methods of retrieval). * Send: get lomml lomml-3.2-part1 get lomml lomml-3.2-part2 get lomml lomml-3.2-part3 to email_address_removed with a subject of "hjkl". * ftp from ftp://ftp.wwa.com/pub/dattier/lomml/3.2-951103.gz or ftp://server.berkeley.edu/pub/music/lomml-3.2 * WWW http://server.berkeley.edu/~ayukawa/lomml.html --- IRC --- Eric Moegling (email_address_removed) has now set up a Dream Theater IRC channel for Dream Theater fans to get together and chat. The channel is - #YTSEJAM ------- CREDITS ------- Many thanks to the following for their additions and corrections: * Jens Johansson (email_address_removed) * C-Man (email_address_removed) - King's X management * Michael Burstin (email_address_removed) * Brian Cox (email_address_removed) * Ken Bibb (email_address_removed) * Jennifer Albert (email_address_removed) * Randall Haskin (email_address_removed) * Pete "Ender" Walsh (email_address_removed) * Dave (email_address_removed) * Todd Henson (email_address_removed) * Bill Buckley (email_address_removed) * Lars "ORION" Karlsson () * Tim Lodge (email_address_removed) * Aaron (email_address_removed) * Jeremy A. Smith (email_address_removed) * Bret Linford (email_address_removed) * Ryan Skadberg (email_address_removed) * Zack Gemmill (email_address_removed) * Hairball (email_address_removed) * Jeff Chew (email_address_removed) * Steve Borzilleri (email_address_removed) Plus Jason Hartman, Tony Zimmerman, and many wonderful flavors of beer! Send gripes, complaints, comment, kudos, beer and suggestions for this FAQ to: email_address_removed If you're ever in the D/FW area - look me up. I'm always up for trading and meeting other Ytsejammers! ------------------------------ Abbreviations you should know: ------------------------------ DT - Dream Theater... NOT DREAM THEATRE! Petrucci is very specific about it. WDADU - When Dream And Day Unite IAW - Images And Words LATM - Live At The Marquee LIT - Live in Tokyo (video) ACOS - A Change of Seasons YML - Ytsejam mailing list PMU - Pull Me Under AD - Another Day TTT - Take The Time LTL - Learning To Live LSOAD - Lifting Shadows Off A Dream CIAW - Caught In A Web AMBI - A Mind Beside Itself LiTS - Lost In the Sky (bootleg) DoE - Dance of Eternity (bootleg) CU - Consciously Unreal (bootleg) DoL - Dream Out Loud (bootleg) LiLI - Live In Long Island (bootleg) AD - Acoustic Dreams (bootleg) WDATU - When Dream And Today Unite (bootleg) ------------------------------------- Non-DT abbreviations you should know: ------------------------------------- IMHO - In My Humble Opinion ------------------------------- Current Dream Theater Personnel ------------------------------- James LaBrie - Vocals Born May 5, 1963 John Myung - Bass Guitar Born January 24, 1967 John Petrucci - Guitar Born July 12, 1967 Mike Portnoy - Drums/Percussion Born April 20, 1967 Derek Sherinian - Keyboards Born August 25, 19?? ------------------------------ Former Dream Theater Personnel ------------------------------ Kevin Moore - Keyboards Born May 26, 1967 Charlie Dominici - Vocals (???) -------- CONTENTS -------- 0. New Questions/Frequently Changing Information 1. A Brief History of Dream Theater 2. Questions about Dream Theater history 3. Questions about specific members of Dream Theater 4. Questions about DT performances/appearances 5. Questions about the songs themselves 6. Questions concerning samples used in the songs 7. Miscellaneous ** - indicates that info has been revised/added in this edition ------------------------------------------------ 0. New Questions/Frequently Changing Information ------------------------------------------------ ** 0.1 What is Dream Theater up to currently? Dream Theater released 'A Change Of Seasons' on September 19th (in the US). John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy have recently been doing guitar and drum clinics throughout the US. John is also scheduled to release a guitar instructional video later in the year. The band played a three dates in Japan this past October, and in they have three dates scheduled for December in the Northeastern US. There are also rumors flying around that the Ronnie Scott's show will be released on video in December. Tentatively, Dream Theater is scheduled to release a new album in July of 1996. ** 0.2 Is Dream Theater changing management? Well... Yes and No. Dream Theater had retained Round Table Entertainment for their management. Round Table was founded by Jim Pitulski and Rob Shore. Jim has now decided to leave the company and to also take the name (Round Table) with him. For now, the day to day operations for Dream Theater are being handled by Rob Shore. An official statement should be released soon. Jim has stated that he may still work with DT in the future on selected projects. ** 0.3 What is Kevin Moore up to? Kevin has recently moved to Los Angeles, CA and shaved his head! He is continuing work on his new songs in the hope of securing a record deal. Recently he has been working with Mark Zonder (Drummer for Fates Warning) to complete several new demos. Kevin is still with Dream Theater's former manager, Jim Pitulski (Round Table Entertainment). Kevin's first demos ('Music Meant To Be Heard') are available through many members of the Ytsejam mailing list. Just ask! -------------------------------------- ** 1. A Brief History of Dream Theater -------------------------------------- Dream Theater first came to be in September 1985 when Berklee friends John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy got together and decided there was some music to be played. They enlisted an old school friend, Kevin Moore, for the keys, and "Majesty" came to exist. Their first efforts at getting material down on tape were called the Majesty Demos. Ineffective singer Chris Collins did the vocals on eight very progressive-sounding tracks. In March 1986 the Majesty demos were finished. 1000 copies sold within six months. Bootleg CDs of the Majesty demos continue to sell even today. That November, Chris left the band, as he was a mismatch all along. A year went by without a singer and without a record deal, and more demos were cut. Instrumental versions of the songs we now know as Afterlife, Ytse Jam, and The Killing Hand were among them. In November of 1987 vocalist Charlie Dominici joined the band and a record was finally cut on the Mechanic label. This is when the issue of the name nearly stopped Dream Theater before they started. A Las Vegas band called Majesty forced a name change, and DT considered several different possibilities. Glasser, Mi and Magus, and the like were tossed about and rejected. Mike Portnoy's father Howard suggested they use the name of a California movie theater, and the name Dream Theater was chosen. DT quickly found out that Mechanic could not effectively promote their record or finance the tour they needed in order to promote it on their own, so they left the label. Charlie was fired because he didn't have DT's progressive plans on his agenda, and he had always been weak in a live setting. Time went by... a LOT of time. Finally, in late 1991, Kevin James LaBrie of Winter Rose beat out fellow throats John Arch, Steve Stone, Chris Cintron, and John Hendricks for the vocalist spot. His audition was fantastic and an apt indicator of the future potential of DT, as he sang his way through an acoustic To Live Forever, and demo tapes of Learning to Live and Take The Time. EastWest records, then ATCO Atlantic, signed DT and they cut the record Images And Words. Radio picked up on the opening track, Pull Me Under, and IAW slowly started accumulating sales. DT began to field an obsessive and musically-inclined fan base who had been disappointed by late-80's and early-90's glam and grunge, and had held onto their Rush, Yes, and Floyd records, hoping for the day when another such band would come about. They cut a video for Pull Me Under and it actually got rotation on MTV... a small miracle in itself. Two more videos were cut, Another Day and Take The Time, and the former got marginal airplay. By halfway through the Music In Progress Tour '93, IAW was selling lots of copies and several cuts from it were gaining heavy airplay, as well as kindling a deep-seeded fan interest in unreleased recordings and bootlegs. Import shipments of When Dream And Day Unite sold quickly. Dream Theater cut a live EP in April 1993 called Live at the Marquee. Later that year, a live video called Live in Tokyo (sometimes titled 'Music in Progress') was released. Still, the fans of DT needed more. Throughout the spring and summer of 1994, there was a veritable explosion of available bootlegs and rarities. IAW went gold in January of 1995. DT took their own time, so to speak, in writing and recording Awake, their third studio album. It was recorded between May and July 1994 and was released on October 4, 1994. It was during this time that the sky itself fell on Dream Theater. On August 1st, 1994 Kevin Moore decided to leave the band to pursue his own musical interests. On August 8th, 1994 the split was made final by a press release issued from Dream Theater's management. Several possible replacements were tossed about. Jens Johansson auditioned for the spot. Jordan Rudess played a gig with them but then left to play for the Dixie Dregs. Derek Sherinian, formerly of Kiss and Alice Cooper, stepped in and played with the band on the Awake tour. Derek was announced as an 'official' member during the last few shows of Dream Theater's 1995 European tour. Dream Theater reunited with IAW producer David Prater and entered the studio in April of 1995 to record their 23-minute epic "A Change Of Seasons". Several tracks from the Ronnie Scott's 'Uncovered' Gig were also included in the release. The EP, entitled "A Change of Seasons", was released on September 19, 1995. Dream Theater is scheduled to begin work on their next studio album after the first of the year. Their record label has tentatively scheduled the release of this album for July of 1996. ----------------------------------------- 2. Questions about Dream Theater the band ----------------------------------------- 2.1 Is there a Dream Theater fan club? Yes. Send S.A.S.E or I.R.C to: Dream Theater International Fan Club Midtown Station PO Box 1188 New York, NY 10018 Editor's note: You are on your own with the fan club. Many people on the Ytsejam mailing list have reported that they have never received anything after writing to and/or sending money to the fan club. Take this at your own discretion. 2.2 Who thought up the name for the band? Mike Portnoy's father, Howard, thought they should name it after the moviehouse near where Mike's father lived. It was called The Dream Theater. Initially, they recorded a demo by that name, then named the band after it. The theater itself is in Monterey, California. The address is: 701 Prescott (at the corner of Lighthouse Ave and Prescott). Several subscribers to Ytsejam have seen the theater and plan to upload photos of it soon. Keep checking the Dream Theater archive! 2.3 What does the "symbol" DT uses mean? The "symbol" can be seen on the IAW disc, on the IAW cover on top of the bed, on the WDADU cover, etc. It is the letter "M" of "MAJESTY" in a stylized font, says Portnoy. It was once used by Mary Queen of Scots. 2.4 What does the burning heart symbolize? According to Portnoy, it was original keyboardist Kevin Moore's idea and essentially a copy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The barbed wire represented obstacles and difficulties, the heart endurance and strength, and the fire their energy and passion. ** 2.5 What is the pepper-like symbol in the "Live At The Marquee" booklet? It's called "Alceringa," which means "dream time." It was used by another culture to describe what they believed was the "other" state of being. They were baffled by what happened when one fell asleep, what we today refer to as dreaming. So, they gave a name to this other world that one entered during a slumber - Alceringa, the Dream Time. ** 2.6 Who has toured with Dream Theater? Psychotic Waltz, the Galactic Cowboys, Saigon Kick, Damn The Machine, Meanstreak, I Mother Earth, Fates Warning, Push Monkey, Echolyn, and others among a slew of local acts the band likes to use for openers. Meanstreak deserves an extra mention. The band's guitarist was Rena Sands, wife of John Petrucci and the band's bass player was Marlene (last name anyone), who is married to Mike Portnoy. They played metal in the vein of Iron Maiden, etc. ---------------------------------------------------- 3. Questions about specific members of Dream Theater ---------------------------------------------------- 3.1 Who are the current members of Dream Theater? They are Kevin James LaBrie (vocals), John Petrucci (guitar), Michael Portnoy (drums), John Myung (bass) and Derek Sherinian (keyboards). 3.2 Why did Charlie Dominici leave DT? According to Mike Portnoy and John Petrucci, he was released because of several things, but most importantly because he didn't fit in with the band in a few important ways. He was far older than the rest of them, had a different idea of what DT should be, and lacked ability as a frontman when performing live. There were apparently a few personality conflicts at work. Dt is still in contact with Charlie. He sang at Mike Portnoy's wedding in 1994 and he was spotted at a few of the Awake tour shows. 3.3 Why did Kevin Moore leave DT? Kevin's musical tastes have changed over the years, and he grew increasingly unhappy with the musical direction that the band had taken. He felt that the differences had become so great that he could not continue in the band. "...in some ways it's a shock to us and in some ways, it isn't, you know. I mean, the way that they [the fans] consider us a 'family unit,' in a lot of ways, it's true because, I grew up with Kevin, like, since we were little kids and this has been our band since... whenever. We were 17, out of high school, you know, the first year in college, so it is kind of weird, not having him in the band, it's definitely strange. The only thing I can say to the fans is, you know, so far as worrying and whatnot, this is something that was going on with Kevin like, or, the way he explained it to us, for a couple of years, so he was slowly sort of stepping out of his position, and even with the writing on "Awake", it's not as much of his trademark and his sound and his writing. So if they're into this album, maybe that's a good sign because it was something that was written a lot without his enthusiasm or without his input for the most part, so, it's sort of a... step to the new whatever's going to happen next. So if they like it, that's a good sign..." "...he didn't tell us slowly, it was unexpected for us too. But it's just that he was thinking about it for awhile, we didn't even know that, you know? We sensed that he was a little bit distant, that maybe he was unhappy, but we never thought he would leave the band, 'cause like I said, this has been something we've been into since we were little kids or whatever. He told us right towards the end of the recording session for _Awake_, which was about mid-July, and that was really strange because, you know, we weren't finished recording and he told us this, so... I mean, obviously we finished up the recording of the record, but it was... I guess no time is a good time, but it seemed like a strange sort of time and we were all really shocked, you know, we were like, 'I don't understand,' you know? It's hard for me to understand because we've been pretty successful and we think this record is going to do really well for us, we hope it is, and there's a lot of things on the horizon and we've worked our entire lives to get to this point, so it's hard for me to relate to leaving that..." "...I don't think you can pinpoint to one specific reason why he left the band, but I think basically it comes down to this... over the last couple of years, he's sort of changed the type of music that he's into, that he likes to write and he's demoing a lot of stuff where he's playing everything himself and singing himself and it's in a different style, like techno/industrial sort of style, nothing like our band... it just seems like playing with us, he wasn't able to do the type of stuff that he wanted to do and he figured he never would if he stayed in the situation, so he wanted to be true to his musical vision. I guess that was kind of frustrating with him. Maybe when we started the band and for the first couple of albums, it was the kind of stuff he really liked doing and then for whatever reason, whatever happened in his life... whatever was happening, whether it was touring or whatever, he just changed the type of stuff he was into and he no longer felt passionate, or feels passionate, about the style of music that Dream Theater plays... you know, the heavy, progressive sort of music..." - John Petrucci 3.4 What was James LaBrie doing before he joined the band? Kevin James LaBrie (they dropped the Kevin because they would have otherwise confused him with Kevin Moore, and two Johns are already hard enough to deal with, says Petrucci) sang for a Canadian glam band called Winter Rose. He was selected from among 20 auditions and over 200 tapes by DT during the making of IAW. This sentence is censored. ;) 3.5 Who inspired the band members the most? In an interview, Mike Portnoy cited Neil Peart of Rush as his greatest influence and favorite drummer. His other influences include Terry Bozzio and Vinnie Colaiuta, but Portnoy says Peart is his drum "God". Petrucci has two groups of influences, he said in an interview, "the Steves and the Als." The Steves are Steve Morse, Steve Howe, Steve Vai, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The Als are Alex Lifeson, Al Di Meola, and Allan Holdsworth. John Myung's initial inspirations were Iron Maiden's Steve Harris, Rush's Geddy Lee, and Yes bassist Chris Squire. Myung still loves those players, although he now feels "Tony Levin is the king." As a band, they are influenced most (according to Portnoy) by Rush, Queensryche, Yes, Marillion, Genesis, and Kansas. Those groups make a few appearances here in this FAQ forasmuch as they relate to DT. Petrucci individually likes Pantera. The whole band got on very well with the Galactic Cowboys. Much like their listeners, they have very broad and varied tastes. Portnoy is a regular concertgoer, and has been met at Rush and King's X concerts by people on the Ytsejam list. 3.6 Andrea Held Leone and Ralph R. Dominici Sr. are mentioned in the liner notes to WDADU as the dedicants. What relation to the band are they? Andrea is believed to be Portnoy's sister. Ralph is Charlie's father. ** 3.7 Marillion is thanked in the liners in IAW, What's the relation? Dream Theater opened for Marillion at the Ritz in New York on 11/14/89. This was also Dominici's last show. DT also opened for Marillion at Sundance on Long Island on 6/9/90. They played an instrumental show except that Steve Stone was introduced as the new vocalist and he came out and sang "A Change Of Season." The band promptly canned him after his horrible performance. Mike Portnoy also said, "We're all really big fans. I really dig 'Misplaced Childhood'." Whether Dream Theater and Fish are familiar with each other is not certain. 3.8 What musical instrument sponsorships does DT have? Mike Portnoy--Mapex Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Drum Workshop Pedals & Hi-hats, Latin Percussion, Remo Heads and Hot Sticks. Mike used to play Tama but changed his kit between IAW and Awake. John Petrucci--Ibanez guitars, Mesa Boogie Amps, Dimarzio Pick-ups, Dunlop Picks, Wah Pedals. John Myung--Tung Bases, Mesa Boogie Amps, D'Addario Strings 3.9 Where did DT go to school? The Johns, Portnoy and Sherinian went to the Berklee (sic) school of music in Boston, MA, not Berkeley as has been erroneously mentioned on rec.music.progressive. Berklee is a music-dedicated school that has produced the likes of Steve Vai, Al Di Meola and Chris DeGarmo. Kevin Moore went to SUNY- Fredonia, as has been confirmed. Anyone know if LaBrie did college? 3.10 Now that Kevin Moore left, and the whole reason LaBrie used "James" was to sidestep the confusion, will he go back to "Kevin LaBrie"? Good question, but not likely. :) --------------------------------------------------------- 4. Questions about DT performances/appearances --------------------------------------------------------- 4.1 What are the Majesty demos? Before they were Dream Theater, they were Majesty. However, there was already a band called Majesty, so they could not release the demos. They wound up on bootlegs and evaluation tapes. Between singers, Dream Theater did still more demos. These are referred to as the Dream Theater Demos due to the timeframe. Some of the songs DT has demoed include: Another Won Your Majesty A Vision Too Far Vital Star March of the Tyrant A Late Summer Rain Schizophrenia Afterlife The Death of Spock Resurrection of Ernie Cry for Freedom Gates of Babylon @ Ytsejam The Killing Hand Mission: Impossible Golden Slumbers * O Holy Night Don't Look Past Me To Live Forever Metropolis A Change of Seasons Grab That Feel $ Creep With Tonality % Wanted: Dead or Alive (sort of a joke) * Also called The Golden Weight $ Later renamed Take The Time % Later renamed Learning to Live @ An old Rainbow song ** 4.2 What producers has Dream Theater worked with? Terry Date produced WDADU. Terry Brown (Broon), the producer who took Rush through their first eleven albums, mixed the promotional discs from WDADU. David Prater produced IAW. Prater is the ex-drummer/producer of Santana. Doug Oberkircher mixed Live At The Marquee. Duane Barron and John Purdell produced Awake. David Prater was enlisted again for the recording of "A Change of Season". There has been no word as to who will be producing the new album. ** 4.3 What songs has Dream Theater made videos for? Pull Me Under Take The Time Another Day Lie Caught In a Web The Silent Man Another Day did not make MTV's playlist, even though DT felt it had the most MTV potential. Pull Me Under was shot live and has received the most airplay. Take The Time was shot as a full-scale video production, but the song had to be shortened a lot and many unexpected edits in the song throw off the video's pace and consistency. Lie got regular rotation. The video for Caught In a Web is a live performance video, and it has only been shown in part over in Europe. The Silent Man was shown in Europe - to our knowledge, it has not been sighted in the US on MTV. Mike Portnoy directed the video to The Silent Man. There is also a live performance video for The Silent Man. Again, this has only been seen in Europe. 4.4 What songs has Dream Theater played live? A better question might be, "what songs have Dream Theater NOT played live?" Since they play just about all of them, here is a list of songs that either haven't been played live, or have never been recorded live at any known show. A Vision Too Far Scarred Space Dye Vest Here are a few songs that have ONLY been performed live, and never recorded in any studio or demo (yet): Bombay Vindaloo Moon Bubbles Barfbag 4.5 Who plays the saxophone on "Another Day"? Jay Beckenstein of Spiro Gyra, who owned the studio where IAW and ACOS were put to tape, Bear Tracks. 4.6 Will DT ever release production versions of the old Majesty demos? In some cases, they did just that (see the discog). Mike Portnoy was asked about this, and said that while they might be fun to play live, it really wouldn't get the band anywhere to release new recordings of them. Since DT is concerned with moving forward, he said, it will likely not happen more than it already has. Half the first album was production from the demos, but the remaining demos are "just too old." They did play an instrumental "March of the Tyrant" at Palasesto in Milano, Italy in November 1993. ** 4.7 What did the band have to say about recording "Awake?" Japanese Awake Album Messages from the Band to the Fans: John Petrucci: Being prepared was a key element that contributed to the successful recording of AWAKE. Unlike our previous studio releases, this one had the benefit of hundreds of live performances shaping sounds and developing new ideas for equipment and instrumentation. This, coupled with a trusting relationship with our producers, resulted in a truer expression of creative vision. We are very pleased with this recording and excited about playing it live. James LaBrie: I had a great time recording, and working with John and Duane was a pleasure because not only do they get amazing sounds, but they truly understand the music. John Myung: With the recording of this album, sonically I think we've all made individual improvements. Each of us has a distinct sound, you can hear each instrument by itself and also hear how they all work together. Mike Portnoy: Upon finishing the never-ending world tour for I & W , the five of us found ourselves bursting with creative excitement ready to explode. The shrapnel of these ideas is what you are now listening to. I feel that AWAKE is our most diverse and complete work to date, and I hope it is as enjoyable for you to listen to as it was for us to create. Kevin Moore: I had fun experimenting with keyboard sounds with John & Duane. I'm very happy with the raw quality we came up with. ** 4.8 What was the "Ronnie Scott's Uncovered Gig?" The "Ronnie Scott's Gig" was a show in which Dream Theater played a full show of cover tunes. Several special guests appeared as DT played the music that has influenced their own writings and styles. The complete set list (and guest list) was as follows: Songs marked with (*) are available on the "A Change Of Seasons" release. Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club - 1/31/95 * Funeral For a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding (Elton John) * Perfect Strangers (Deep Purple) Red Hill Town (U2) * Zeppelin Medley: The Rover Achilles Last Stand The Song Remains The Same Tears (Rush) Damage Inc. (Metallica) Guest: Barney from Napalm Death Happiness is a Warm Gun (Beatles) Guest: Steve Hogarth Easter (Marillion) Guests: Steve Hogarth and Steve Rothery Winter (Tori Amos) In The Dead of Night (UK) Yes Medley: Machine Messiah Heart of Sunrise Close To The Edge Siberian Khatru Guest: Steve Howe * The Big Medley: In The Flesh? Carry On Wayward Son Bohemian Rhapsody Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin Cruise Control Turn It On Again ************************************************************* email_address_removed | 'beneath the dust of our days Fort Worth, Texas | hides the key to our emotions' | Fates Warning / life in still water ************************************************************* http://www.why.net/users/jskewes ************************************************************* ------------------------------ End of YTSEJAM Digest 1125 **************************