Geoff Tate to Rocklahoma, "You Guys Suck"

QUEENSRŸCHE's Publicist Downplays Rumors Of Strife In The Group - May 30, 2012
In the wake of a series of bizarre rumors about QUEENSRŸCHE's relationship with lead singer Geoff Tate, the band's publicist is downplaying reports of strife in the group.

Metal Talk and Metal Sludge recently reported on unsubstantiated rumors that Tate assaulted guitarist Michael Wilton and pulled a knife on drummer Scott Rockenfield at an April 14 gig in Brazil. The incident allegedly took place after Tate overheard his bandmates discussing plans to oust him from the group.

On Tuesday, four members of QUEENSRŸCHE — Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Parker Lundgren — announced a new project called RISING WEST, which will make its live debut on Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9 at the Hard Rock Café in Seattle, Washington. Tate had previously announced his plans to spend the summer focused on a series of solo acoustic shows.

"In regards to the current state of QUEENSRŸCHE, the fact of the matter is that Geoff Tate is concentrating on his acoustic solo performances this summer while the other members of the band have formed a new outfit called RISING WEST with Todd La Torre of CRIMSON GLORY," publicist Jeff Albright said in an email to Examiner.com Wednesday morning.

"Everyone wants to stay busy, try new things and do what they do best . . . and, of course, that's rock in front of the masses.

"As you're probably aware, QUEENSRŸCHE are slated to perform select dates throughout the year."

QUEENSRŸCHE's web site lists the band's next scheduled performance for June 11 in Valley City, Utah.

RISING WEST will perform rare and classic hits from the first five QUEENSRŸCHE albums — from the 1983 EP through 1990's "Empire" — and plans on hitting the studio sometime early summer to begin recording its first release.

Geoff entered the studio on February 29 to begin recording his second solo album.

Tate released his first solo CD in 2002 on Sanctuary Records. Self-titled, the LP was a huge departure from the work he had previously done with QUEENSRŸCHE.

thejokeriv wrote:

QUEENSRŸCHE's Publicist Downplays Rumors Of Strife In The Group - May 30, 2012
In the wake of a series of bizarre rumors about QUEENSRŸCHE's relationship with lead singer Geoff Tate, the band's publicist is downplaying reports of strife in the group.

Metal Talk and Metal Sludge recently reported on unsubstantiated rumors that Tate assaulted guitarist Michael Wilton and pulled a knife on drummer Scott Rockenfield at an April 14 gig in Brazil. The incident allegedly took place after Tate overheard his bandmates discussing plans to oust him from the group.

On Tuesday, four members of QUEENSRŸCHE — Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Parker Lundgren — announced a new project called RISING WEST, which will make its live debut on Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9 at the Hard Rock Café in Seattle, Washington. Tate had previously announced his plans to spend the summer focused on a series of solo acoustic shows.

"In regards to the current state of QUEENSRŸCHE, the fact of the matter is that Geoff Tate is concentrating on his acoustic solo performances this summer while the other members of the band have formed a new outfit called RISING WEST with Todd La Torre of CRIMSON GLORY," publicist Jeff Albright said in an email to Examiner.com Wednesday morning.

"Everyone wants to stay busy, try new things and do what they do best . . . and, of course, that's rock in front of the masses.

"As you're probably aware, QUEENSRŸCHE are slated to perform select dates throughout the year."

QUEENSRŸCHE's web site lists the band's next scheduled performance for June 11 in Valley City, Utah.

RISING WEST will perform rare and classic hits from the first five QUEENSRŸCHE albums — from the 1983 EP through 1990's "Empire" — and plans on hitting the studio sometime early summer to begin recording its first release.

Geoff entered the studio on February 29 to begin recording his second solo album.

Tate released his first solo CD in 2002 on Sanctuary Records. Self-titled, the LP was a huge departure from the work he had previously done with QUEENSRŸCHE.

which is pretty much admitting their is strife by saying there is no strife...

They should just say that their strife isn't as big as Great White so they're doing fine.

Rising West's logo/Graphic - notice the Tri-Ryche under the skull:

I am disappointed there will be no split that leads to a Queensrÿche and Kingsrÿche.

Orion Crystal Ice wrote:

I am disappointed there will be no split that leads to a Queensrÿche and Kingsrÿche.

Exact could do the logo for Kingsryche

Well, the logo is super cool in my book.

Ditto, looks wicked to me. I hope the original material is good...

thejokeriv wrote:

Orion Crystal Ice wrote:

I am disappointed there will be no split that leads to a Queensrÿche and Kingsrÿche.

Exact could do the logo for Kingsryche

yes, i could indeed

Here's some snippets of the "new guy" singing some 'Ryche...



Probably handles it better that Geoff could these days.

thejokeriv wrote:

Rising West's logo/Graphic - notice the Tri-Ryche under the skull:

Looks like the whole thing is the tri-ryche symbol.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Here's some snippets of the "new guy" singing some 'Ryche...



Probably handles it better that Geoff could these days.

maybe if they dump Geoff then DeGarmo would come back....

I was prepared to not like that but............it's not bad. I think Degarmo back is what they need.

Dark Horseman wrote:

I was prepared to not like that but............it's not bad. I think Degarmo back is what they need.

No, it's not.

Eyesore wrote:

Dark Horseman wrote:

I was prepared to not like that but............it's not bad. I think Degarmo back is what they need.

No, it's not.

If DeGarmo came back we'd get an alternative/melodic fest of an album based upon his post-Ryche and final Ryche output...it more about fire and intensity...something sorely lacking since Promised Land...

The new guy has Geoff's early 'Ryche voice down perfect.

Troublezone wrote:

The new guy has Geoff's early 'Ryche voice down perfect.

yeah - that was a really good cover.

I think DeGarmo is immensely talented, and I believe he can still write some great music, but people thinking he'd somehow lead Queensryche back to their metal roots would be sorely disappointed.

The Spys4Darwin EP wasn't great. Wasn't very good, actually. The tracks he co-wrote on Tribe aren't very good, nor is the song, "Justified," he wrote for the Sign of the Times album. The tracks he co-wrote with Dredg are excellent, but Dredg has more in common with Radiohead than anything Queensryche has ever done.

That's been DeGarmo's musical output since he left Queensryche. And of course the oft-hated Hear in the Now Frontier was largely written by DeGarmo. So why anyone would think he'd help usher back in the old-school metal style is beyond me. But I'm assuming most people do it because they blame Geoff for the band's shift in style and don't know what DeGarmo has done since his days in Queensryche. It's easy to blame Geoff.

From Rising West's facebook page:

Rising West
We are being denied access to our own facebook page and website (meaning Queensryche) so please spread the word for about Rising West. Rising West will be on KISW 99.9 this Thursday around 4:30
Thank you for your support and we hope to see you at our shows!

thejokeriv wrote:

From Rising West's facebook page:

Rising West
We are being denied access to our own facebook page and website (meaning Queensryche) so please spread the word for about Rising West. Rising West will be on KISW 99.9 this Thursday around 4:30
Thank you for your support and we hope to see you at our shows!

So they've been blocked from the Queensryche page? Uh oh.

I would be very interested if DeGarmo came back, however I would not expect him to return them to a more metallic style. I would expect him to bring in some good songs though and he's an excellent guitarist which for some reason people seem to forget these days.

exact33 wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Here's some snippets of the "new guy" singing some 'Ryche...



Probably handles it better that Geoff could these days.

maybe if they dump Geoff then DeGarmo would come back....

I doubt DeGarmo will ever come back for more than a song or two. I think it would be great if he did, he's a great song writer and guitar player (agree with SD.) Maybe not balls out metal, but at least they could write great songs for a change.

BTW - Nice work on the King's Ryche

thejokeriv wrote:

BTW - Nice work on the King's Ryche

Thanks! I originally had my heart set on The Warning but when you really look at the image, its not much more than they green being shot out of the eyes.

Eyesore wrote:

I think DeGarmo is immensely talented, and I believe he can still write some great music, but people thinking he'd somehow lead Queensryche back to their metal roots would be sorely disappointed.

The Spys4Darwin EP wasn't great. Wasn't very good, actually. The tracks he co-wrote on Tribe aren't very good, nor is the song, "Justified," he wrote for the Sign of the Times album. The tracks he co-wrote with Dredg are excellent, but Dredg has more in common with Radiohead than anything Queensryche has ever done.

That's been DeGarmo's musical output since he left Queensryche. And of course the oft-hated Hear in the Now Frontier was largely written by DeGarmo. So why anyone would think he'd help usher back in the old-school metal style is beyond me. But I'm assuming most people do it because they blame Geoff for the band's shift in style and don't know what DeGarmo has done since his days in Queensryche. It's easy to blame Geoff.

Totally agreed.

I think it would be hilarious to see DeGarmo play in Rising West simply as a big middle finger to Geoff and his modern day burlesque show.

Who knows, maybe he'd get inspired again