REACT TO: The PROG Report - Top 5 NON-PROG Artists (ft. Mike Portnoy)

So here's yet another REACT TO entry to a podcast/youtube video, this time it's from The Prog Report and includes host Roie Avin, Mike Portnoy and Kyle Fagala who moderates Mike Portnoy's Forum Facebook Group .

And this is definitely related (although not identical) to the lists, and I suppose my REACT TO to 2 other previous entries:

Notes Reviews Modern and Alternative Prog
Radical Research's GINNCORE

So in going through their picks, the large chunk of them I know well (Kevin Gilbert of course is the 1 I am happiest to hear about since he's my favorite).  And many I know for the most part how I stand about (The Flaming Lips and obviously Radiohead).

But the ones I don't know or know well, that I mean to now checkout:

The Grays - Ro Sham Bo
Chris Cornell - Euphoria Morning
My Chemical Romance - Welcome to the Black Parade
Bill Hubauer - We Came From Space
Once and Future Band - Once and Future Band
Dire Straits - Love Over Gold
Tears for Fears - Raoul and the Kings of Spain, Everybody Loves a Happy Ending (which I'm surprised Roie didn't mention how they have a new album coming out soon).

The Grays I'm sort of Guilty-of per my love of Jellyfish, and I 1st and foremost think of  the video Beavis and Butthead tore to shreds of them (they also had a Jellyfish video on their show, which I don't think they loved either, but did not hate-on as much). But I also recall checking samples of The Grays and Imperial Drag and being underwhelmed. Imperial Drag especially, on more than 1 occasion.

However, at least that 1st sampling was many years ago. In fact it may have been in 1 of those Red Dot Net listening stations at Cheapo in the early 2000's. So it's been awhile. I do enjoy some of Jason Falkner's solo work, although not to the point of addiction.

The lists make a lot of sense. Even Wilco of late I have started to wonder if I would like reading comments about them. My wife actually even likes some of their music. And at the Michael Nesmith show back in January, Circe Link actually mentioned them to myself and John while waiting in line. How Wilco in some ways are a descendant to Nez's solo stuff (that is, despite my wife and I'm  sure many fans, would call Mike's solo work "progressive country rock" which i guess maybe Wilco could be referred to as as well).

I could nitpick a bit though, probably not as much as I could. But for one, Roie's comments about Mutemath, while somewhat accurate, didn't really explain the story. Darren King was on and contributed to the writing as far as I recall, to ALL OF THEIR ALBUMS. And their latest album, Play Dead, while his and Roy Cardenas last, is NOT totally electronic the way Vitals was.

Also he didn't mention Odd Soul which again, wasn't so electronic. Saying their debut is their best I'm fine with. Also he probably never saw it, but Darren King in an interview in some magazine, around the time of Armistice I think it was, mentioned Dream Theater. Now it would help to find the article and quote, etc. But I remember that distinctly and felt they obviously have some prog in them at least Darren knowing DT and likely Portnoy.

Glad they played some from St.Vincent's debut album Marry Me. My feeling about her hasn't changed sadly, as I enjoy that debut record, but the records since she has lost me more and more (and also became a Hipster darling more and more, which doesn't help if that means anything). The noise kills her music for me. And she doesn't sound all that much like Annie Haslam singing for King Crimson anymore.

I like that Mike brought up I Mother Earth, and I don't recall if I actually have heard their new songs (since 2015). Rateyourmusic shows 3 new songs there anyway, which I definitely need to hear. But I will post below my own 5 picks (and some Honorable Mentions). And The Tea Party are an obvious one to include, but for some reason don't always get mentioned when seeing people talk about Big Wreck and in this case, I Mother Earth. Those were the Big 3 90's Canadian bands who while not overtly progressive rock, were progressive certainly.

Almost like the Texas 3 of King's X, Galactic Cowboys and Atomic Opera.

The Tea Party still need more love among progressive rock fans. Their last album The Ocean at the End, from 2014 is exceptional and yet it seems to have flown far too much under the radar other than among fans in Canada and in Australia where I think some of the band have residence.

from The Prog Report's Podcast Page




Mike Portnoy
Kevin Gilbert
The Grays - Ro Sham Bo
Chris Cornell - Euphoria Morning (1999 album)
The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robot, At War with the Mystics ("Pompei am Gotterdammerung".."What is the Light....")
Biffy Clyro - Puzzle, Opposites

Kyle
David Bowie
St.Vincent
Radiohead
Muse - Absolution, Black Holes and Revelation, Origin of Symmetry
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Sky Blue Sky.. "Art of Almost" track

Roie
Mutemath
Fair to Midland
Tears for Fears (Seeds of Love, Elemental, Raoul and the Kings of Spain, Everybody Loves a Happy Ending)
Big Wreck
Umphrey's McGee - Mantis, Similar Skin ("Bridgeless") It's Not Us ("Remind Me")


Mike Portnoy's Honorable Mentions/Mentions
Jellyfish (+ Imperial Drag, and Beck.."Watching the Rain" a b-side from Jellyfish)
Weezer - Blue, Pinkerton
Ben Folds Five/Ben Folds
Eleven
Oceansize
Big Elf - Cheat the Gallows
Endochine
I Mother Earth
Karmic Juggernaut . reminds Mike of Umphrey's McGee
Bill Hubauer - We Came From Space
Once and Future Band
The Lemon Twigs
Trigger Finger
Mr.Bungle

Roie's Honorable Mentions/Mentions
The Struts (not proggy)
The Dear Hunter
My Chemical Romance - Welcome to the Black Parade
Extreme - III Sides to Every Story
Silverchair - Young Modern
Frank Zappa
Soundgarden - Superunknown

Kyle's Honorable Mentions/Mentions
Dire Straits - Love Over Gold
The Who - Quadrophenia
Tool - Lateralus
Green Day - American Idiot ("Homecoming," "Jesus of Suburbia")
Alter Bridge - Fortress ("Cry of Achilles"
Avenged Sevenfold - The Stage
Matthew Sweet/Superdrag/The Posies (XTC-style)
The Polyphonic Spree
Sufjan Stevens
Them Crooked Vultures



--------------------------------------------------------

My Top 5 (if I were participating).

I am going to intentionally not pick anything that was picked because I could easily just go
Kevin Gilbert, Jellyfish, and some others that they named (Fair to Midland and The Dear Hunter if they actually would qualify).

But just to think of 5 names not brought up..and of course many honorable mentions

1. Jeff Buckley
2. Ours
3. Apes and Androids/Call Florence Pow
4. Pepe Deluxe
5. Cloud Cult

Fjokra
Foals
Kimbra
Janelle Monae
The Tea Party
Imogen Heap
Saigon Kick
Menomena/Ramona Falls
Neverending White Lights
Everything Everything
sElf
House of Fools
Small Leaks Sink Ships
Godspeed You Black Emperor
Sigur Ros
Wolf Parade - At Mt, Zoomer
The Velvet Teen - Elysium
The Spent Poets - The Spent Poets
The Dissociatives - The Dissociatives

Most if not all of these artists don't consider them self "Prog" or "progressive rock" even really for the most part, but every one of them is (or the albums I included) progressive or artsy in a lot of ways certainly.

I mean sure there are the long list of progressive college rock (or "modern heavy art rock") bands in those other 2 entries I included that were not mentioned on this podcast. But in just coming up with a list of bands I enjoy that while I consider them progressive, the strongest base of their sound and themselves and most of their fans do not label them as "prog." But I would argue they are progressive, and maybe more importantly, they can and have appealed to fans of Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd and Dream Theater.

Now just thinking about this Podcast and depending on Roie's taste (which I am kind of skeptical about), he should now do an Experimental/Art Metal episode. Aka Metal bands/albums for prog metal fans, that are not traditional progressive metal.

Aka. an Extreme Metal episode. So no Dream Theater or Fates Warning or Rush or Queensryche (or Savatage actually). And no HAKEN of course, and no Symphony X really either.

I'm talking about stuff like Cynic, maudlin of the Well, unexpect, SikTh etc...There's a lot of it out there, and progressive rock/progressive metal fans do like it, but also many either don't know it (or know they would like it), or often DISMISS it like Kyle mentioned with Muse and Radiohead (or Wilco).

Sort of more Metal like Opeth, but not Opeth obviously, in a vague sense. Metal for the prog fans who enjoy Opeth, but who don't know other names that well.

I'm sure stuff like Meshuggah and Periphery would show up, which is fine, but like anything, there are artists in genres/subgenres you love, who often don't do a lot for you as an exception.

All Media Reviews Podcast #7: Modern Songwriters Pt 2

This is 14 mins long, with the new recorder which made it into an WMA file, lol. I had to convert that, but so be it.

I'm not sure if making them at a restaurant is the best process, but it was a 1st time/experiment.

I do want to try and make 1 of these for an Albums calendar. The thing I worry about is how long it does go (and requires me to make it), per how long some of the calendars are and how much I would talk about each album (obviously some may be awhile, while others very little).

I am in the middle, er, maybe 2/3 or more from getting through 6 of them which I anticipate publishing around the same time. So perhaps if not before then, I could plan to try doing 1 or more of those Albums Calendar Podcasts around that time.

Time permitting of course per January is looking rather busy at this point with concerts, doctor appointments and a trip to the Hollywood area.



Jim Matheos Andre Matos Colin Meloy Craig Minowa Janelle Monae Neal Morse Dan Moxon Amanda Palmer Mike Patton Yannis Philippakis Tomer Pink Mike Portnoy Jesse Ribordy Sheena Ringo Claudio Sanchez Robert Schneider Sufjan Stevens Timbre Mike Vennart Daniel Victor Brooke Waggoner Steven Wilson John Wright

Mike Portnoy's Forum: A Retrospective (Part 1)

If/when I actually do have the allowed amount of time, which sadly again, isn't now, which probably means this entry will be written as various times.

And it may not be this week. Although next weekend might work per Colonscopy Prep, etc.

But to start, when I like many others started using the Internet, probably post my 1st year of College, or even 2nd Year of college I suppose around 1995 or 1996 (my 1st year was 1994-1995), I was getting into new music per I had done a radio show in college (WRFW in River Falls, WI), and my love of Rush and discovery of more of Pink Floyd's catalog (among others..Led Zeppelin I consider of course my 1st favorite Rock Band), I got into the habit of seeking out and sharing names of new bands.

Dream Theater and Marillion May of 1995 were 2 biggies for me. Both I found from the Rush DejaNews Group.

And even more than Marillion, Dream Theater's music and their influences and FANS I found were going to lead me to doing this more and more. And Mike Portnoy, while being an incredible drummer and involved in so much of Dream Theater Songs and Albums, I was drawn to for his TASTE IN MUSIC and entertainment (Movies and Televsion).

So from around 1996 I want to say through nearly the end of the decade, I was following Dream Theater's activities as much as I could at music stores, in magazines (Metal Edge namely), and of course the new Internet (Mozilla, Netscape..and other browsers I'm forgetting now).

I never understood why there wasn't a dreamtheater.com, or rather why the band or even label couldn't gain the rights to own it, because it was owned by some guy who bought that url. Not sure what it is today.

So there was "Under a Cyber Moon" which was like a tribute site? I forget. It had a lot of information about the history, lyrics, images. And this was in the days of dialup, so the websites took a lot time to load, lol.

But then there was eventually, dreamtheater.net. Which I don't know if it had a message board initially. I kind of think it didn't, but it may have had a Chatroom, which were popular back then, in the big days of Text-based chatting. IRC and all that was easy and not as slow as actual websites, etc.

So I found myself going there and Mike's site. And of course "The Ytsejam" email list. I specifically remember going there, and being intimidated by the fans obsession with Dream Theater and feeling like a "newbie."

I don't recall what website I found it on, it may have just had the name ytsejam.com or something, but I tried to sign up, but never was able to get it to work with my email. I forget.

So I kind of gave up on that, and that was maybe around 1998 or early 1999.

And mind you I was doing this largely at the Library, occasionally at my work (in 1996 I had a job that allowed it), and also frequently on my parents PC.

Pretty sure then in 1999, I setup a Yahoo Email and joined a bunch of "Yahoo Clubs" as they came to be known. I think they were named something else originally. 1 or 2 for Dream Theater. Rush, Marillion and others. They were not identical to the Yahoo email lists.

Anyway, I met some people in 1 of the Dream Theater related Clubs on Yahoo that eventually setup their own smaller, more intimate club, which I cannot recall the name of sadly. Their names, and I typically don't do this, but just for the sake of nostalgia, I'll throw out a few. Anna Lee, Masikus, Scarred2112 (or maybe just Scarred), Rhonda[some numbers], and myself, I can't recall if I went by my email angra_651 or Soundscape (unlikely), or mnprog something.

Okay, so that club was easy to chat with, although I came to learn a little clique-ish. It was right around the time Scenes from a Memory came out. And some of them met eachother, but I didn't of course.

Just to avoid too much of the drama again, I'll just say I left that Club with mixed feelings at best.

Where I migrated to? of course Mikeportnoy.com's "Forum" or "The Forum" or "General Chat"

And as it turned out, most if not all that same group were there, but I didn't mind so much per it being a MUCH LARGER place.

Now, I had gone to Mike's site for a year or 2 previously, and read some of the topics, but honestly not too many. I recall the biggest reason being I was also INTIMIDATED by so many people there, competition in some sense. And feeling like I might be exposing myself by posting there. And maybe also per not being able to KEEP UP with all the topics that were posted and replied to not every day, every hour, lol.

But in February 2000, around the time of the Dream Theater concert in Minneapolis at The State Theatre I did sign up. Under the user name "angra1."

stay tuned for part 2, hopefully sooner than later....

RIP Mike Portnoy's FORUM

http://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/f3.aspx

Well, the time has finally come...
I have been contemplating this for a while now and feel it's time to finally move on.
 
In this age of interactive social media outlets, there are plenty of other platforms for us to all gather info and have discussions and I will always be around watching and participating there. (Facebook & Twitter) 
 
The Forum will remain read-only and all threads will remain archived (including my Prog Blog and all of my Hero Of The Day posts from the late 90's and early 00's)
 
I will continue to post tour dates and release dates as they come in as well as keeping the tourography up to date.
 
Thanks MaBrown, Weymolith, Nippett, Painted Skies and all of YOU who were a part of The Forum for almost 20 years!  

Luv, MP  


I don't of course have the time to post even a fraction of my thoughts about this right now as I only have about 13 minutes left in my break.

So I guess the best thing to do is either plan a lengthly EDIT later, or just write another, more appropriate entry tonight or maybe not until tomorrow.

The reason Mike Portnoy's Forum is being Shutdown or more accurately, LOCKED i.e. No More New Posts will be made, but still all the available history is READABLE and SEARCHABLE I believe. Largely per the topic about Sons of Apollo having too many negative comments. And as stated at the top

The Forum is now read-only 14 hrs. ago

Due to the rise of social media all updates can now be found by following Mike on FaceBook or Twitter.

But I guess the only thing to add for now is what I posted on the dtf

I was on there (angra1) as a poster since February of 2000 (Rane among others, joined the same month).

It has been shutdown before, but for some reason this feels different.

Will have to give a more detailed commentary in allmediareviews later today.

End of an era I guess. The history still exists at least.

And like some other forums that RIP, there is a FB group for it for those interested.

SONS OF APOLLO - Psychotic Symphony (2016-2017) PORTNOY+PROGMETAL

8/11/17 11:43AM

"Signs of the Time" ..of course WLL (will listen later)



Preorder Links 
European? PREORDER 
 

01. God of The Sun (11:11)
02. Coming Home (04:23)
03. Signs of The Time (06:40)
04. Labyrinth (09:11)
05. Alive (05:10)
06. Lost In Oblivion (04:38)
07. Figaro's Whore (01:00)
08. Divine Addiction (04:48)
09. Opus Maximus (10:37)


8/1/17 11:58AM
So this is the new Prog Metal "Supergroup" of Mike Portnoy's and Derek Sherinian's.

I haven't listened to the teaser below for this debut album Psychotic Symphony, of theirs being released on October 20th. Should do when I get home.

I guess I'm at a wait-and-see.

The singer is Jeff Scott Soto who I know has a cult following from his solo stuff and his work with Journey and Yngwie. I thought he showed up at ProgPower USA last year if I'm not mistaken.

Bumblefoot (Ron Thal) also has a cult following and with both his solo stuff and a stint with Guns N Roses.

Derek Sherinian of course has done a lot of cool stuff since leaving Dream Theater, namely Planet X.

And Billy Sheehan, well he seems to show in most of Mike Portnoy's bands now anyway. In fact to sidetrack a bit, if Portnoy formed a band of "regulars" he plays and records with, the band wouldn't be bad itself.

Mike Portnoy - drums, vocals
Billy Sheehan - bass, vocals
Neal Morse - keys, vocals
Paul Gilbert - guitar, vocals

I guess the makeup of this band doesn't sound highly like a group of musicians who would be playing traditional progressive metal really. Really, it seems like they would be suited to be doing more GNR or G3 kind of guitar rock. Still having musicianship, but not exactly like Dream Theater or Between the Buried and Me.

Which I guess I'm only cautiously optimistic about this.

And a lot of it may come down to the vocals, not only being well-written and sang, but just enjoying his voice with this music.

Wait and see as October isn't too far away. I guess the fanboy in-me was longing for either John Arch or Daniel Gildenlow (or even Jim Matheos) to be involved. But perhaps that's for another band(s) down the road for Mike Portnoy. That and him doing something highly in the Pop/Power Pop vein with Roger Manning from Jellyfish and/or Ty Tabor. But Portnoy has like 8 bands he's already in (The Winery Dogs, Flying Colors, Transatlantic, The Neal Morse Band, PSMS, Metal Allegiance, Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress, and now Sons of Apollo), so either another band with Arch or Gildenlow or a Power-Pop thing could not happen until maybe next decade, but who knows.

I'll of course bump+edit this entry when more of the details come out (videos I imagine, and maybe tour dates for 2018. Although Portnoy's bands have only scarcely come to Minnesota since he left Dream Theater. The Neal Morse band show in St.Paul in a few weeks being the 1st in the Twin Cities that I recall. Twisted Sister was in Hinckley which is not quite my hometown, just State).


http://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/m3000405.aspx





INTRODUCING...
  SONS OF APOLLO
FEATURING EX-MEMBERS OF DREAM THEATER, GUNS N’ ROSES AND JOURNEY DEBUT ALBUM, ‘PSYCHOTIC SYMPHONY,’ DUE OUT OCTOBER 20 ON INSIDEOUTMUSIC/SONY MUSIC
 
APOLLO: The ancient Greek and Roman God of music and poetry.
SONS OF APOLLO: The new supergroup featuring members of Dream Theater, Mr. Big, Guns ‘N Roses, and Journey.
For the past few months, rumors have been circulating about a new secret project including former Dream Theater members Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian. Now, the time has come to make the grand and highly anticipated introduction to their new band, SONS OF APOLLO.
Reuniting to form SONS OF APOLLO, Portnoy and Sherinian have joined forces with Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (ex-Guns N’ Roses), Billy Sheehan (The Winery Dogs, Mr. Big, David Lee Roth) and Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Journey, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force). Their debut album, PSYCHOTIC SYMPHONY, will be released October 20 on InsideOutMusic/Sony Music. An album teaser can be seen on InsideOutMusic’s official YouTube page here: https://youtu.be/kPN2DttzlZQ 
 
PSYCHOTIC SYMPHONY was produced by the dynamic production duo of Portnoy and Sherinian, also affectionately known as “The Del Fuvio Brothers,” which is the nickname given to them over 20 years ago during their time together in Dream Theater. 
SONS OF APOLLO got together very organically, as Portnoy explains: “Derek and I reunited shortly after I left Dream Theater in 2010 and we put together an all-instrumental touring band with he and I, Billy Sheehan, and Tony MacAlpine. That was my first time working with Derek since the ‘90s when he was in Dream Theater and it was just great to be working with him again. Ever since that tour, which was really just a one-off live thing, he has been nudging me to start a real, original, full-time band. The timing just had never been right, because I had too many other things on my plate. Long story short, the time was finally right to take the bait and put together a band.”
“Mike and I work at a relentless pace in the studio,” continues Sherinian. “The music is modern, but we have an old school soul. What is unique about SONS OF APOLLO is that we have true rock n’ roll swagger along with the virtuosity-- a lethal combination!”
But what to call the next great supergroup? “Derek was mainly the one behind the name,” says Portnoy. “I have a list that I keep on my phone of about a hundred different band names, which I constantly have to refer to every time I have a new band every year (laughs). So, I pulled up the list and Apollo was one of the names on the list. It was a word that both of us really liked. We started fiddling with different variations of the word. One of the original band names we were working with was Apollo Creed, the character from the ‘Rocky’ movies, but after lots of different discussions on different variations, Derek suggested SONS OF APOLLO and it seemed to stick. Apollo is the God of Music so with that in mind it seemed like a fitting name.”
Mike Portnoy, Derek Sherinian and Billy Sheehan previously toured together in 2012 and 2013 as PSMS (along with guitarist Tony MacAlpine), playing all instrumental versions from each of their previously recorded music. SONS OF APOLLO is the next logical progression by adding a vocalist and creating all-original material. The band incorporates the progressive style and individual technical prowess that Portnoy & Sherinian shared together in Dream Theater combined with the swagger and groove of Van Halen, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin.
“I have known Mike and Derek for a long time, so when they came to me with Sons of Apollo, I jumped on this straight away,” says Thomas Waber, Label Manager/A&R International of InsideOutMusic. “However, the album they ended up recording exceeded my already high expectations by a long mile! We couldn’t be happier about it!”
SONS OF APOLLO will hit the road in 2018 for their first worldwide tour. 
“This is a real band,” Portnoy declares. “This is going to pick up for me and Billy where The Winery Dogs left off, in terms of this being the next logical full-time thing for us. I’m not saying The Winery Dogs have broken up, because we haven’t, we’re just on a break. SONS OF APOLLO is absolutely going to be a full-time band and we plan on touring all over the world all throughout 2018 and, honestly, it is the priority for all five of us.”
Sherinian agrees, “We will go on a worldwide crusade in 2018 to bring SONS OF APOLLO to as many people as possible. Apollo was the God of Music, and we are his mighty offspring!” 
www.facebook.com/SonsOfApollo1 www.Twitter.com/SonsOfApollo1

Mike Portnoy: Unannounced Prog Metal "Supergroup" Coming Soon

Among the other projects Mike Portnoy has done/is doing since leaving Dream Theater in 2010:
(The Winery Dogs, The Neal Morse Band, Flying Colors, Metal Allegiance, Transatlantic, Shattered Fortress, PSMS, ex-Adrenaline Mob, ex-Avenged Sevenfold).

This new band/project adds to his resume. And as it reads below, it will be the 1st progressive metal style music he's done since leaving Dream Theater beyond Shattered Fortress really.

Besides Mike, Keyboardist Derek Sherinian who of course was a member of Dream Theater during the release of A Change of Seasons and Falling Into Infinity. And then went on to be part of Platypus and form hyis own band Planet X. Recently worked with Portnoy in PSMS.

The rest of the band?

This topic on the dreamtheaterforums goes over potentially some of it.
Bumblefoot
Members of Haken?
Eric Gillette?
And then a singer sounds like is part of this. Who?

Some mention of John Arch, although the fact he doesn't typically tour, might end that being the case. Jeff Scott Soto? Who has a prolific career including Journey and working with Derek at 1 point.

The John Arch thing would be a huge thing for me and this project, although he wouldn't be writing music with Jim Matheos presumably, which couldn't be ignored.

Thomas Giles/Rogers from Between the Buried and Me?

1 suggestion for the bassist, if it's not Billy Sheehan whose been working with Portnoy a fair amount lately, was Jason Newsted. Although he doesn't have a prog background really, but that may not matter (neither did Derek when he joined Dream Theater).

I guess when more information comes, I'll either bump this or post a new entry about this new prog metal band of Mike Portnoy's.

Facebook Link



I have a new band I'll be announcing in the summer. It is premature to give away too much information about that now but I can say that it also involves Derek Sherinian who I worked with in Dream Theater. It is the two of us with an all-star line-up. It is myself and Derek getting back together and picking up where we left off. It's music that is probably closest to Dream Theater out of everything that I have done over the last six years. I have purposefully stayed away from the prog-metal genre because I wanted to spread my wings. But I would say that doing these Shattered Fortress shows has kind of reignited a little interest in revisiting that world from me. Derek and I have formed this new band that will satisfy myself and quench the fans' thirst for something in that vein.

Mike Portnoy's SF - This Dying Soul (w/Daniel Gildenlow)

There;s been a lot about Cruise to the Edge 2017 the last few days, and Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress band revelead, playing the 12-step 5-song suite, etc.

This is the 1 that had me the most curious given it was Daniel Gildenlow singing.

Ted Leonard of Spock's Beard and Enchant also sang "The Root of All Evil"

the band is members of Haken and Eric Gillette which I guess I'm happy for the Haken fans and for Mike obviously to finally play this. Not being into Haken (and honestly, just not following their massive appeal), I guess I can't find myself obsessed over the fact they are in this band of his,

That being said and this performance, etc there will be a bunch of other events for this band to play the 12-step Suite over a number of months in 2017, so I suppose I can take the CTTE debut with a grain of salt.

Kind of wonder if Daniel Gildenlow and Ted Leonard will be available for those other dates, but if so, all the better as far as consistency, etc.

On a side/related note, Eddie Trunk's radio show has been enjoyable to check out from Cruise to the Edge. A lot of nice interviews and discussion.

Also 1 other thing, in checking some of the other clips out, there's 1 of Liquid Tension Experiment's song "Paradigm Shift" and it occurred to me while listening to it, that it has a very similar riff/rhythm to the King's X song "Moanjam"..which is odd how that I never noticed that before. And it makes me want to see like Ty Tabor and/or Dug join Mike and maybe Tony Levin sometime and play a mashup.

Or maybe Umphrey's McGee could, if they never do? lol.

Mike Portnoy interviewed by That Drummer Guy

Just checking this out as I post this. I'm incredibly happy for Josh to finally get to interview Mike, something I can't even help but envious and jealous as well.

All the years on his forum, both Josh and even longer for myself.

Content?
naturally a lot of it is about the new Neal Morse Band album The Similtitude of a Dream, which Portnoy has been talking about a ton over the last several months.

Of course my situation with it being my only experience with Neal's solo music, the Christian element, Christian lyrics have had me shy-ed away from it. But I dunno, I may have to check it out after all the glowing comments (although I could have said the same about many of Neal's other solo/NMB albums as well).

I may try and edit a few more comments about this later once I've heard the whole interview, but again, this is really a great thing to happen for Josh. I dunno, perhaps it will lead to more interviews with Mike Portnoy in the future, which will only grow Josh's success with That Drummer Guy, which I'm totally happy to see.

edit: probably the biggest news from this interview is Mike has a new "Secret Project" in the works. I wonder if any of these 3 people might be involved:
Mikael Akerfeldt
Daniel Gildenlow
Jim Matheos

also possibly Casey Crescenzo. Someone on Mike's forum mentioned possibly a Power-Pop group with the likes of Casey, Roger Joseph Manning Jr and Matt Bissonette.  One can dream?


http://www.thatdrummerguy.com/interviews.html

Steven Wilson
Devin Townsend
Mike Portnoy

Daniel Gildenlow?
Mikael Akerfeldt?

Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress @ PPUSA 2017

Go to 8:40.

Happy for MP and PPUSA. Although I thought it was planned that the whole 12-Step Suite will be played at Cruise to the Edge for Portnoy's 50th Birthday Bash, etc.

I guess the roster of musicians and what kind of set list they'll play beyond the 12-Step Suite I'd be curious about.

But not much chance I'll be going, even despite my wedding long gone, etc. It's more of a $ thing and there's a number of other trips with the soon to be wife, that I'd foresee being more in my cards.

But for those who do go, this should be cool to witness, just as Cruise to the Edge, and the stuff this weekend. At least some friends have streamed some of the stuff on FB, so I kind of feel like I'm there in a way.

Also kind of ironic all those years talking about ProgPower USA on Mike'a forum, and now he's finally going to be playing there. He I guess is attending the festival, mainly for Fates Warning with John Arch going on as I type this out.

I do wonder if any of the Dream Theater guys will consider showing up. Jordan I wonder about as I thought I recall Portnoy mentioning being in some good relations/communication with Jordan.

ProgPower USA XVIII Roster Presentation from ProgPower USA on Vimeo.

WHAT IF: Kevin Gilbert was STILL Alive?

I made this video as quickly as possible this morning before work (I have to get to work early, 6-6;30AM-ish, to beat Rush hour per construction, and there is Overtime available that really is NEEDED, rather than wanted).

But yeah, this is sort maybe the 1st of

1) a few videos like this, taking the idea from Coverkiller Nation, or fun hypothetical speculation if an artist didn't die, where would they be now? what would they have done, etc.

2) more videos specifically about Kevin Gilbert, my collection, etc..in other words, a Random Artist Feature should happen soon. If not before, then hopefully around the time of his 50th Birthday on November 20th, 2016.

Jolly: JOLLY Kills Steven Wilson (Animated Prog Rock Parody)

This was posted about a month ago, so it's not exactly in-the-now per say, but I also am not sure how circulated it got when it was shared.

At any case, it is worth a laugh or 2, especially with some of the progressive rock name dropping: Mike Portnoy, Devin Townsend, James LaBrie and Steven Wilson of course, among others I may not have noticed.

I guess my only criticism would be the squirrel and the graphic art of that, I may have gone for not including. That and I thought of an alternative plot about Steven, where there's a JUKEBOX, and knowing he is not a fan of ipods and the jukebox/shuffle mentality for music; have it be setup that he or someone wants to have a hit song of his played on a Jukebox somewhere. And after dialing it up, it fails to play his song. Steven gets so peeved by it, he ends up taking it out on the Jukebox and shaking it so profusely, it ends up collapsing on him.

But, maybe that's MY progressive rock parody, lol.


Props to the JOLLY guys, especially Louis Abramson. And I'm looking forward to the next and all future episodes of this series (and their new album, which I have yet to check out the 1st single, but should soon).

Random Artists Feature: Dream Theater (2 YouTube Videos, 5 and 15 mins)

Well here's 20 more minutes of me babbling on, but still relatively as briefly as I could about my history and the history of Dream Theater. From Train of Thought-Present.

I'm starting to get my footing with these, and I do think if I end up making more about artists with shorter history/catalogs, the length and content may be more to my liking and/or detailed. I dunno.

I was thinking though, with Dream Theater and Fates Warning, they have large catalogs, and so at the point if I were to feature an artist like Rush or many other classic bands I love, they likely could end up in multiple parts like Dream Theater.

But that also may dictate what goes next, etc.

Neil Peart Retiring from drumming

Link
Link 2
Link 3
http://neilpeartnews.andrewolson.com/2015/12/neil-peart-talks-about-retirement-in.html

 In a new interview with Drumhead Magazine (via Jambase),  “… Lately Olivia has been introducing me to new friends at school as ‘My dad– He’s a retired drummer.’ True to say–funny to hear. And it does not pain me to realize that, like all athletes, there comes a time to… take yourself out of the game. I would rather set it aside then face the predicament described in our song ‘Losing It’ (‘Sadder still to watch it die, than never to have known it’).”



I'm not sure how detailed I want to get with this, and actually how much I ultimately believe he is going completely Cold Turkey for the rest of his life ala Bill Bruford.

He may and Rush may finally be done in every capacity, but then again he may eventually want to do something with music and even Rush again, even if it's just a 1-off or in the studio at least. And that may be 5 or more years from now.

And Rush or at least Geddy and Alex I suspect will still do something musically, even just from what they said during this recent QandA they did with of all people, Michael Moore.



But obviously they will be done at some point as age and time does catch up with them. I actually kind of worried about this back when I 1st became a fan in the early 90's. So in a way, I've been anticipating the end of Rush for like 25 years.

And when the tragedies struck Neil in the late 90's, I kind of figured they were likely done for good, but what happened? they came back and made 3 albums and went on like a dozen tours.

So, only time will really tell.

Some talk/hope is if Geddy and Alex go out and play live, they'll ask some other friends to join them, perhaps Mike Portnoy would be one of them? Although I kind of wonder if the Foo Fighters guys would be involved as well (or instead) given how much they talk about them. Taylor Hawkins I guess could also be someone who'd play drums with them.

But if/when it could happen, it certainly would not be Rush if anyone went out with them live on a tour or 1-off. But they would likely play some Rush tunes at least.

Cruise to the Edge 2015: Chris Squire Tribute (w/ Portnoy, Marillion, Neal Morse)

The 2015 Cruise the Edge was held the last few days and of course right after he died, it was planned for a tribute to Chris Squire to take place. And Mike Portnoy was goinjg to be involved, as he was already going to playing on the Cruise as part of the Neal Morse band,

Well here's the set list, which includes all of Side 1 of Fish out of Water

Some videos below too.

I haven't seeked out a video of it, but I guess Ted Leonard joined for Changes, which of course Enchant did a cover of Changes on the Yes Tribute cd back in the mid 90's.

Also the fact the Marillion guys (Steve Hogarth, Pete Trawavas) were involved probably makes me the most envious, but too many reasons I can list are why I didn't go to this (largely due to $). Maybe it'll get released in some official capacity, but if not, at least the footage is on YouTube.

(Intro Tape - Amazing Grace)
Every Little Thing
No Opportunity Necessary No Experience Needed
Hold Out Your Hand / You By My Side
Silently Falling
Cinema / Make It Easy
City Of Love
The Fish Medley
Changes
Does It Really Happen (Reprise)

The Winery Dogs - Hot Streak (2014-2015..+Tour: Congrats MILWAUKEE! *shrug*)

8/24/15 11:04PM

"Oblivion" streaming on b-mouth


8/13/15 2:05PM
Just mainly passing this along as I know some folks who may or do find this blog are fans of The Winery Dogs and Portnoy's of course.

I guess my take is, I will listen to this album, even though the 1st album I never really got attached to, which from memory, it was sort of long in that it had like 15 or more songs? I forget.

But the other thing I'll as tactfully add here about this is, the tour dates below of course continues Mike Portnoy's STREAK of  missing Minnesota, LOL.

Avenged Sevenfold in 2010? or possibly even Dream Theater in 2009? being the last time he played a concert of any kind in Minnesota. Purely coincidence? Routing? Promoters? $$$$$$$$$$$???

I dunno, even tho for what it's worth, I've seen The Winery Dogs vinyl at multiple Half Price Books in my hometown.

Congratulations to Milwaukee for getting 2 shows back-2-back, instead of 1 of them coming here, lol. (At a Casino no less?)

Ironic how Steven Wilson now comes here, yet Portnoy doesn't?

(I don't believe this, but the conspiracy theorist--in me wonders if the  promoters in Minnesota had to find another prog musician to boycot****and yes, I realize some Portnoy's bands who have toured are not doing prog***/not care to shell out the cash due to not having enough confidence in ticket sales for a show IN ADVANCE).

But I hope the Milwaukee fans get a cool treat, as I imagine they will mix up the setlist for both shows there.


From Mike Portnoy's Facebook (and I'm sure a number of others sites, including mp.com)

THE WINERY DOGS
CONTINUES THEIR ‘HOT STREAK’
WITH NEW ALBUM SET FOR RELEASE OCTOBER 2
ON LOUD & PROUD RECORDS

The HOT STREAK will continue this fall for THE WINERY DOGS (Richie Kotzen-lead vocals/guitar, Mike Portnoy-drums, Billy Sheehan-bass). Their second appropriately titled, self-produced studio album, HOT STREAK, is set for release October 2 on Loud and Proud Records via RED (a division of Sony Music Entertainment) and in the rest of the world via ear MUSIC. It will be preceded by the first single, “Oblivion,” set for release August 25 at radio. A double vinyl edition of the new album is also in the works and is due out in early November.

After playing over 100 shows in support of their self-titled debut album, THE WINERY DOGS are eager to head back out on the road to get behind HOT STREAK. Their first round of U.S. headlining tour dates will kick off October 3 in Ridgefield, CT at the Ridgefield Playhouse. Shows around the globe are already being planned for 2016.

HOT STREAK shows the powerfully pedigreed trio’s initial burst of collective chemistry was no accident, from the strum and headbang of “Captain Love” to the propulsive uplifting vibe of “The Bridge” to the introspective acoustic harmonic convergence of “Fire.” If these three Dogs thought they captured lightning in a supper dish the first time around, HOT STREAK barks ups the aural ante into exciting new territory.

“I feel we’ve taken the band to another level,” explains Richie Kotzen. “The compositions are stronger on this album. I feel more connected lyrically and musically to what I did on this record than on the last one. We’ve widened the musical scope of the band on this record and moved it forward."

Mike Portnoy continues, “Everything on this album was more of a collaboration than on the first album. There’s just a natural chemistry. The three of us really mesh very, very well, both musically and personally. The mission of this band is to write catchy songs, and not have the musicianship overpower that.”

“I’m glad we’re not playing it safe and just doing songs that automatically fit in the category of what we did on the first record,” Billy Sheehan concludes. “Some of them are a little different, and we definitely took chances. And you have to do that — otherwise, you don’t grow."

The trio first exploded onto the Rock scene with their self-titled, self-produced and critically acclaimed debut album that was released July 23, 2013 on Loud and Proud Records and a sold-out worldwide tour. THE WINERY DOGS debuted on Billboard’s “Top Alternative Albums” chart at #3, “Top Independent Albums” chart at #4, “Top Rock Albums” chart at #5, “Top Internet Albums” at #8 and “Top 200 Albums” chart at #27.

Here’s the complete track listing for HOT STREAK:



1. Oblivion
2. Captain Love
3. Hot Streak
4. How Long
5. Empire
6. Fire
7. Ghost Town
8. The Bridge
9. War Machine
10. Spiral
11. Devil You Know
12. Think It Over
13. The Lamb

Check out THE WINERY DOGS at any of the following tour stops:

Sat 10/3 - Ridgefield, CT -Ridgefield Playhouse
Sun 10/4 - Jim Thorpe, PA - Penn’s Peak
Mon 10/5 - Boston, MA - Wilbur Theater
Thu 10/8 - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theater
Fri 10/9 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
Sat 10/10 - New York, NY - Best Buy Theater
Mon 10/12 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
Wed 10/14 - Jacksonville, FL - Ponte Verde Concert Hall
Thu 10/15 - Tampa, FL - State Theater
Fri 10/16 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
Sat 10/17 - Orlando, FL - The Plaza Live
Tue 10/22 - Nashville, TN - Wildhorse Saloon
Thu 10/22 - Houston, TX - Pub Fountains
Fri 10/23 - Ardmore, OK - Heritage Hall
Sat 10/24 - Dallas, TX - The Gas Monkey
Tue 10/27 - Milwaukee, WI - Potowatami Casino
Wed 10/28 - Milwaukee, WI - Potowatami Casino
Thu 10/29 - St. Charles, IL - Arcada Theater
Sat 10/31 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theater
Mon 11/2 - San Jose, CA - Rock Bar
Tue 11/3 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues
Thu 11/5 - Agoura Hills, CA - Canyon Club
Fri 11/6 - Beverly Hills, CA - Saban Theater
Sat 11/7 - Las Vegas, NV - Vamp’d
Sun 11/8 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues

Flying Colors - Second Nature (2014)

9/22/14 9:46PM

Link with Soundcloud Stream of album

I've checked it out once for the most part. It's not bad, but I'd be lying if I said I was blown away by it. Needs more time I suppose. The Transatlantic comparison is still there, naturally with Neal Morse especially, it often sounds like a lot of his music.

8/20/14 6:15AM

"Mask Machine" video. Not bad. Not as bad at least as some of the comments on some of the forums have given it. Does it sound like Muse? in spots, but so did parts of their debut album. Is it too long? not really just from hearing it initially.



also I never got around to sharing this.The 3 shows in the US Bend Sinister is the support act. I'd love to go, but the Chicago show for example, falls on Yom Kippur anyway. O well, I do hope naturally a lot of new people catch on to Bend Sinister from the exposure as it is cool Flying Colors (Portnoy) is having them share the bill on those 3 dates in the US at least.


OCTOBER 2014 TOUR
10/02 LOS ANGELES, CA JAMES ARMSTRONG THEATER  
10/03 CHICAGO, IL ARACDA THEATER 
10/04 PHILADELPHIA, PA KESWICK THEATER  
10/07 BARCELONA, SPAIN RAZZMATAZZ 2
10/08 MILAN, ITALY MILAN LIVE CLUB
10/09 TILBURG, NETHERLANDS 013
10/11 FRANKFURT, GERMANY BATSCHKAPP
10/12 PRATTELN, SWITZERLAND Z7
10/13 LONDON, UK ISLINGTON ASSEMBLY HALL
10/14 PARIS, FRANCE ALHAMBRA

Special Guests for the US shows will be BEND SINISTER 
Special Guests for Europe/UK will be JOHN WESLEY
7/28/14 10:50PM

Preorder

Trailer:




Second Nature, the sophomore statement from Flying Colors is released via Mascot Label Group / Music Theories Recordings on September 29, 2014 in Europe and September 30, 2014 in the rest of the world.

Sporting stunning artwork from the legendary designer Hugh Syme (Rush, Iron Maiden, Dream Theater) and bookended by two tracks of truly epic stature – Open Up Your Eyes and the multiple-part Cosmic Symphony – the album is every bit as breathtaking as the debut.

Second Nature will be released on CD and 2LP (180 gram vinyl). The vinyl has a downloadcard, good for one MP3 download of the album.
Both the CD and 2LP can be ordered with a specially designed t-shirt that's only available from MLG Merch.

As always we will include a free poster with each order.

But wait, that's not all! Each pre-order will include a free bonus DVD with behind the scenes footage, interviews and more, and we will send you MP3s of 2 bonus songs that are not available on the album**.

**The bonus tracks are being prepared by the band. As soon as we receive them, we will send everybody who pre-ordered the album a link to get these bonus MP3s.

Tracklisting:
1. Open Up Your Eyes
2. Mask Machine
3. Bombs Away
4. The Fury Of My Love
5. A Place In Your World
6. Lost Without You
7. One Lost Forever
8. Peaceful Harbor
9. Cosmic Symphony
I. Still Life Of The World
II. Searching For The Air
III. Pound For Pound 

Please note that this is a pre-order item. If you order this item together with an item that is already available, we will hold your order and ship all items around September 22. We recommend that you place a separate order if you wish to receive the released items sooner.

7/26/14 11:56AM
There is no PRESS RELEASE that I can find at the moment, but the linked website with this information is there, so I'm going with it.

Below is information already published on this Finnish? website/webstore showing the title, artwork, release date (September 26th, 2014) and track list for the sophomore LP from the  prog rock "super group" of a sort  featuring Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Steve Morse, Casey McPherson and Dave LaRue, whose Self Titled debut LP made somewhat of a big splash in 2012, at least among progressive rock fans.

Personally? I thought I was going to fall head over heals for that record back in 2012, and while I did enjoy it for the most part, I kind of enjoyed it enough, but also remained curious where this group could go in the future.

I love progressive rock when combined with well produced pop music, and I actually grew to like Casey McPherson as a singer in Alpha Rev after hearing this.

But the jury is out a bit with this band, I think they have the potential to make some amazing songs, so I certainly hold optimism for this. But do I expect this to fight for my favorite record this year? given their debut LP didn't really, I would be pleasantly surprised if it did. But, then again, those are the kind of surprises and albums I often appreciate even more with time (and even their older work after that experience).

One note: the title being "Second Nature" the Rush song comes to mind of course, but also the name of the band that would become Transatlantic, except would have featured Jim Matheos on guitar instead of Roine Stolt, back in 1999/2000. Matheos it turned out wanted-to but was too busy with Fates Warning (I recall reading many years ago) to be able to work on the music for that band/album so had to depart the project (and replaced by Stolt). And at least some of that experience found motivation for Jim to collaborate with Mike Portnoy again with OSI a few years later.

Finnish Webstore Link

This is just a *ROUGH TRANSLATION FROM FINNISH TO ENGLISH*

Virtuoso prog / pop / rock band with (former) members of Deep Purple, Dream Theater, The Winery Dogs, Avenged Sevenfold, Dixie Dregs, Spock's Beard, Alpha Rev & the Trans-Atlantic 

Release date: 09.26.2014. Product will be shipped the release date. 

You can book with this product and pick it up from the nearest Record Shop X.. This is done by moving the product to shopping cart, and then checkout the order takeout trade. 
tracks 



1 Open Up Your Eyes
2 Mask Machine
3 Bombs Away
4 The Fury Of My Love
5 A Place In Your World
6 Lost Without You
7 One Lost Forever
8 Peaceful Harbor
9 Cosmic Symphony
I. Still Life Of The World
II. Searching For The Air
III. Pound For Pound

Significant Albums: Jellyfish - Spilt Milk (1993)

This album. I can't recall the exact time, even year exactly, but it had to have been in the mid 90's, possibly 1996 or 1997, when I would guess Mike Portnoy had dropped the name Jellyfish in 1 or more interviews I read. Per Metal Edge or maybe even on the old "Under a Cyber Moon" Dream Theater website.

But I distinctly remember checking this album and Bellybutton out, and finding both for not a lot, likely at Cheapo. And the truth was, I wasn't crazy about them. Maybe it was the title "Spilt Milk" or the girl on the cover, but it didn't jump out at me.

So, they both remained in my cd collection, and I think the next point their name came up was when I was at KFAI around 2000, interviewing of all bands, local prog metal/Queensryche-like band Conditioned Response. And one of those guys on the air mentioned that he was listening to Jellyfish.

So, at that point I recall re-checking them and those cds I had out. And I do remember liking them, actually Bellybutton more.

And in the coming years, with listening to both albums more, and also seeing Mike Portnoy and some others online use their name more and more, I became pretty won over by them.

And I'd say over the last 7 or 8 years at least, maybe more, they have stood out more and more as being ahead of their time in a lot of ways.

Now with this album compared to Bellybutton, I came to see them as about equal, but in the past 4 or 5 years, I've given in to the fact this is their finest work. It just works so well on a production level, and on a flow or track-2-track level.

I recall once thinking and telling people about them as being like The Beach Boys doing progressive rock, which in a vague sense still makes some sense. But I also hear a ton of Beatles influence, as well as Queen, XTC and even groups like ELO. Along with sharing some qualities with some of their contemporaries like King's X, Galactic Cowboys and even Faith No More to a small degree. And Toy Matinee even I would later come to hear/agree with.

Even people like local Minnesota songwriter/popstress Jenny Case and Jimmy Gnecco of Ours have spoken about their love of Jellyfish and this album.

They just found a way to combine power-pop with a classic rock feel, that somehow sounded really clean and modern. When you listen to Jellyfish, and Spilt Milk specifically, you think it was music made in the 70's, but like it was remastered or something, because the recording sounds very hot and almost glitzy and layered.

To not name some of my favorites would be silly. Songs like "New Mistake" and "Sabrina Paste and Plato" are just so catchy and ear-worm like, they are impossible to not love, the more I hear them.
"So serene, Sabrina makes me feel..dah dah dah dah dah dah dahhhhhhhhhh"

"Joining a Fanclub" is a great sort of track to kickstart this album off, which I always think of Andy Sturmer and Roger Manning being in some Beatles fanclub.

Andy Sturmer, not only is an incredible drummer, but his voice is 1 of the biggest reasons I think Jellyfish stands out. It is just so crisp and the little raspy element makes it sound so distinct.

I have always felt the 1st half of this album has this amazing energy, which has only seldom been matched, so much so, I always look for, but rarely find other albums that have that.

Also the lyrics seem to stay with me frequently,

like from Ghost at Number 1:

 "how does it feel to be the only one that knows that you're right"

That certainly is a line that I can and have related to in many ways.

I'm sure there are a ton of points I am not remembering at this very moment about this album, that I may or may not try and edit in eventually. But the thing about Jellyfish and Spilt Milk is, it was clearly to me ahead of its time, and frankly. there has not been a band to make a record as good or quite like it since in this sort of progressive power-pop. Combining similar if not the same influences. Some have tried like The Wondermints or recently The Pillbugs (or even Bleu), but it hasn't happened. I guess I keep waiting for it to happen. The New Pornographers and The Apples in Stereo are sort of the closest thing to modern bands who have made power-pop I enjoy a lot (or getting a bit looser, stuff like Self, The Dissociatives, Bend Sinister and many others), but neither have come close to matching either JF LP, and this being their Swan Song thus the 1 to think of.

A reunion would be a miracle at this point as Roger and Andy can't stand each other I guess, so their likely is a better chance I join 1 of them live or in the studio, but I guess I still keep a small fraction of hope it could happen before I die.

If only I had been a fan and been old enough to go, I probably would have seen them at First Ave supporting this album in '93 (or '94).

The thing is, when Jellyfish came out, they were such a contrast to the whole Grunge movement, that it probably was as big of a reason they ended. Why a band like Dream Theater didn't go by the wayside, and they did? I dunno, maybe personalities. But the 90's pop and alternative music really doesn't compare to them in so many ways. A band like Weezer for example, were around not long after, but because they had enough of a garage sound, I think made it.

It's kind of a shame, but also likely a case where had Jellyfish continued on, their music may have suffered. So in that sense, their legacy never got tainted.

It is also definitely worth mentioning how this was their Swan Song, after 3 years from Bellybutton their debut album. Spilt Milk does not include the work of singer/songwriter Jason Falkner, who was on Bellybutton. Why this album is as good as it is may speak to why Jason left, i.e. he wasn't getting enough of his songwriting involved with the band. Of course there's no way to know what this or other work may have been like with him, but it may have ultimately been for the benefit of both JF and Jason.

Merry Crimson from Mike Portnoy and Transatlantic

not bad. Kind of a tradition for Mike to share something rare, unique, or often a cover that hadn't been shared previously. It used to be known as "6:00 on a Christmas Morning" (and exclusive to members on his website's forum, and only for a day often) but not being with Dream Theater, any DT stuff I imagine isn't kosher anymore (legally or just socially), per the current Dream Theater members and organization.

But cool Mike is continuing the tradition this year with this video.

Transatlantic - Kaleidoscope (2014)

12/2/13 9:04PM
New song and video for "Shine." Just looking at many of the comments, I don't agree with the majority of them. This song isn't bad, it's just a ballad. Amazing? no, but for what it is, even at 7 and a half minutes, it's actually decent enough. Nice guitar solo namely from Roine.


10/23/13 2:36PM

Okay, another update nearly 1-week late. Life happens, what can I say?

I am looking forward to this album coming out on January 27th. Kaleidoscope? if I recall, there was at least 1 somewhat accomplished cult psych band from the 70's with that name. Inspiration? doubtful, but it came to mind in thinking about the title.

Structurally, this album reminds me of SMPT:e for what that may be worth. My guess is, a few epics, and 1 or 2 shorter pieces.

Whether it's close to as good as either the debut album or Bridge Across Forever, I'm kind of at a wait and see since The Whirlwind ended up being a large bloated mess, with not too many memorable moments/sections that those 1st 2 LPs had that I totally loved about this band, and how they always stood out from more or less all of the "retro" sounding prog rock groups. Or even, more than both The Flower Kings and Spock's Beard were in some ways.

I have always felt, TA is like taking the best elements of Spocks and TFK's making them better.

I also have often wondered what this project could have been like with Jim Matheos and with the name "Second Nature"..and even how/what it may have been like with Kevin Gilbert involved. But, all "what ifs" of course.

Also the tour includes Daniel Gildenlow again (but not the album? I would love to see him get involved, but I guess that'll never happen. But even just ANY ORIGINAL MUSIC project with Mike Portnoy would be welcome to see happen at some point, OSI? lol).

The tour itself is coming to the States, but Chicago of course is the only date relatively close. Obscure Prog Rock and doing full-scale US tours affordably, just never has and probably never will happen like it did in the 70's.

Transatlantic reveal new studio album ‘Kaleidoscope’ and 2014 World Tour! 


Progressive-rock super-group Transatlantic, featuring Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Roine Stolt and Pete Trewavas will release their brand new fourth studio album ‘Kaleidoscope’ on the 27th January 2014. The track-listing for the forthcoming record is as follows and the beautiful artwork for the release can be seen below: 



1. Into the Blue
2. Shine
3. Black as the Sky
4. Beyond the Sun
5. Kaleidoscope


The band will also embark on a 6-week World Tour that will see them joined once again by Pain of Salvation’s Daniel Gildenlöw as a 5th touring member. As part of the extensive tour, the band will also headline the Progressive Nation At Sea 2014 Cruise from the 18th till the 22nd February alongside 22 other leading Prog acts including Adrian Belew Power Trio, Devin Townsend Project, King's X, Anathema, Spock’s Beard and many more. This unique performance will see the band performing a very special encore of classic Yes material with the legendary Jon Anderson on vocals. You can find more details on PN14 here: http://www.progressivenationatsea.com/ 

An Evening With Transatlantic 2014 World Tour: 
Jan 31st - Los Angeles, CA - El Segundo Performing Arts Center 
Feb 1st - San Francisco, CA 
Feb 2nd - Everett, WA - Everett Music Hall 
Feb 4th - Chicago, IL - The Arcada Theater 
Feb 5th - Quebec City, Canada - Theatre Du Capitole 
Feb 6th - Montreal, Canada - L'Olympia 
Feb 8th - Philadelphia, PA - Keswick Theater 
Feb 9th - New York City, NY - Highline Ballroom 
Feb 11th - Mexico City, Mexico - Teatro Metropolitan 
Feb 13th - São Paulo, Brazil - Carioca Club 
Feb 14th - Buenos Aires, Argentina 
Feb 15th - Santiago, Chile 
Feb 18th to 22nd - Progressive Nation At Sea 
Feb 27th - Madrid, Spain - La Rivera 
Feb 28th - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz 2 
March 2nd - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz 
March 3rd - Rome, Italy - Orion 
March 5th - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7 
March 6th - Karlsruhe, Germany - Substage 
March 7th - Munich, Germany - Muffathalle 
March 8th - Berlin, Germany - Astra 
March 9th - Cologne, Germany - E Werk 
March 11th - Antwerp, Belgium - Trix 
March 12th - London, England - The Forum 
March 13th - Tilburg, Holland - 013 
March 14th - Tilburg, Holland - 013 
March 15th - Paris, France - Le Bataclan 
June - Sweden Rock Festival 


For more information visit: 
www.facebook.com/transatlanticmusic 

www.transatlanticweb.com 


9/27/13 10:12PM

Coming in January?

https://twitter.com/MikePortnoy/statuses/383256179809742848

“@Vikernest777: @MikePortnoy Any info about the new Transatlantic album?” OUT IN JAN...TOUR IN FEB/MARCH...INFO SOON

5/30/13 5:47AM

Update from Portnoy:

https://www.facebook.com/TransatlanticMusic/posts/10151631858946293

From MP: The TA4 Sessions went splendidly fantastic! (I think I've been hanging around Pete too much these past weeks...haha!) I won't disclose any details, but I will say the album is about 75 mins long and has 5 songs (2 Epics & 3 "normal" length) and we also recorded 8 Covers for a Bonus Disc as well! Release is expected for the beginning of 2014...more info to come later in the year...

Doesn't mean much, as the last album had other "shorter songs" on the bonus disc if I recall. But on the surface, it sounds more like the 1st 2 records in terms of structure., But it's all about the quality of the music, regardless of length.

3/29/13 9:38AM
http://www.progrockmag.com/news/transatlantic-plan-4th-album/

Neal Morse has confirmed that prog supergroup Transatlantic will start work on their fourth album in May.
It follows a recent European tour featuring the Neal Morse Band and The Flower Kings, which brought together prime movers Morse, Roine Stolt and Mike Portnoy – leading to fan speculation that a studio project might be in the works with bassist Pete Trewavas.

According to DPRP, Morse says: “We have set dates in May; and, my friends, it is actually happening! Before I left for the tour, and even just a few days ago, I have a lot of really strong prog music ideas that I’m really excited about presenting to the guys.

“But, of course, everything has to be kind of secret until we actually do it – so I can’t say or tell much more. We’re all really excited about it.”

He believes the follow-up to 2009′s The Whirlwind could appear early next year although he adds: “Who knows? I’m just glad we’re doing it!”

The Neal Morse Band and The Flower Kings have announced a US appearance at La Mirada Auditorium, Los Angeles, on May 7. “Mike recently became available in May,” says Morse, “and I knew TFK were in the States for RoSfest; so I sent a few emails, and here we are. We had such a great time in Europe and we want to share it with our friends in the States. I just wish we could do more.”


This isn't the biggest news, of news, as Portnoy has especially been asked about the next TA for a few years now, and he has said it likely would happen, just a matter of when.

But the plan now is to write and likely record it in May.

I'm looking forward to it, although my feeling about TA and The Whirlwind sadly isn't all that favorable. Mainly since I adore both SMPTe and especially Bridge Across Forever so much.

In other words, I am hoping this new album will have the magic of those early 2000's lps, and NOT the bloated nature of The Whirlwind from 2009. I'm a bit skeptical it will though just given the recent music Neal Morse has written. But I'd love to be surprised.

I wouldn't expect it to come out until 2014 though.

Progressive Nation at Sea 2014 (includes The Dear Hunter)

7/30/13 4:30PM

so, The Dear Hunter came *on board* (no pun intended), lol. I was thinking if them and Bend Sinister were on this, at least they'd have 2 non-traditional prog bands. I suppose King's X and even Jolly are as well.

Progressive Nation at Sea begins at $700 per person plus taxes and fees.

But the key thing for this is the PRICE TAG.. So, you're looking at with Airfare/travel a MINIMUM
of $1200, lol. But I would guess before it's all said and done, it'll probably end up costing closer to $2000, lol.

However, even if I won the fucking Power Ball, I think there'd be a better chance my girlfriend would start playing guitar in a technical death metal band, than being okay with me going to this for 5 or 6 days, WITHOUT HER.

And even if I won the Powerball, the cost would not be the reason she wouldn't even think of going. Because

a) she can't stand more or less all these bands
b) she hardly would ever be able to find it enjoyable to be stuck on a boat with a bunch of white males who she likely would have next to nothing in common with other than a general interest/obsession for music
c) she'd never be able to convince her mother it would be a good idea
d) Maybe the MOST important, She would in-effect miss at least 1 of her Classes in Grad School

and even if she didn't go, she would see my going as selfish, which I suppose I can't argue with her, because I would easily find the interest to use even HALF OF THE COST to take 1 or 2 trips somewhere SHE and I would enjoy like San Francisco, Boston, or even like Hawaii or Europe. And from a more REALISTIC standpoint, I think it makes sense for me and her to stay with my elderly Grandma in AZ ON OUR OWN (for 20+ years, I've always been there with my folks, but then again, they usually have paid for my trip) in March for maybe 4 days, that could WORK AROUND HER SCHEDULE and be literally less than HALF of this FOR THE BOTH OF US.

That ALL being said, this comes across as a bunch of bands I have enjoyed historically all in 1 place. To have The Dear Hunter, Jon Anderson, Pain of Salvation, Transatlantic and King's X together is frankly ODD in a COOL WAY. However, I've seen ALL OF THEM, in some cases, MANY TIMES. But the point being, the idea of getting to see them in general isn't all that big of a deal. To see them TOGETHER and I'll be honest, within a group of prog nerds hanging for this long of period of time, would have its appeal.

But, $1500+ APPEAL??? eh, not really. If Fates or more so, JOHN ARCH were there along with The River Empires, Pepe Deluxe, The Reign of Kindo, Apes and Androids, Kiss Kiss and a whole slew of others who I've never seen but love dearly, than the $1500+ might seem more justifiable. But it sure as hell won't be happening, at least this year. But for others, I guess we'll see. I really do think Mike is a little bit over his head with thinking tons of people have that level of cash to shellout, especially with Cruise to the Edge as well, although I suppose some people might have gone to Cruise the Edge last year and see Jon Anderson on the bill and want to give this a try instead.

But the common Dream Theater/Transatlantic/Portnoy fan, just guessing, doesn't have quite as much disposable income from an AGE guestimation than say the avg Yes/Genesis?Renaissance fans who are looking towards Cruise to the Edge.

But then again, some of the costs of going to festivals like ProgPowerUSA and Nearfest isn't incredibly different give or take $300-$500, perhaps that demographic will try this.

But myself, I guess I'm curious how this goes and maybe wonder if there is any success, who might be brought on for a 2nd PN at Sea in 2015 or 2016.

I do find it interesting how close I was to predicting the lineup. PSMS, Riverside, Tony Harnell + Bumblefoot and Next to None were the only names I didn't bring up that are there (for now, more may get announced, although I still wonder if Steven Wilson was added, how much better this thing would sell, but the odds are probably low to none).

I do think The Dear Hunter may have agreed to do this partially from an offer they may have had for Progressive Nation 2009 that they turned down. I wonder if Casey felt like turning something like this down a 2nd time, he might regret. I suppose I should check TDH forum and see what people are saying. Maybe I'll get some reaction when I see and talk to them and hopefully Casey directly in September at The Varsity Theater. I actually would love to see a THE DEAR HUNTER-LED Festival where you'd have TDH and bands like The Reign of Kindo, The River Empires and Hotel of the Laughing Tree potentially. But unless I paid for the whole thing, I don't think it would ever happen. More likely Coheed would be able to put on something like that.


edit: Well my WORDING probably could have been better or more accurate, but in passing along this link on a few places including Twitter, Casey noticed and sent me a messages on twitter:

@AllMediaReviews if you'd like, you could just ask me why we're playing it.
@CaseyCrescenzo Sure thing. So, what is/are the reason(s) the band are playing at Progressive Nation at Sea?

1. I've always tried to expose the band to as many different demographics, and in as many settings as possible..
2. I was personally approached about the opportunity by Mike Portnoy, based on his appreciation of the band alone...
3. We get to be around some really amazing musicians and bands.
4. My band gets to take a cruise and play music in a month we are used to sitting at home in snow or rain.

All are totally valid points, that I suppose I could have asked him. But I often am too shy or feel it not the best thing to ask. Although Casey is probably 1 of the only people on twitter who actually would answer that sort of stuff, or any stuff. Because I have sent messages to other people like Kimbra and Mayer Hawthorne and never received a reply. Casey I suppose I don't consider the idea of just shooting him a message once in awhile. Maybe it's the fanboy/starstruck experience for me, or maybe it is like I said, something I just worry if I'd be bothering him. But then when I go off onto complete speculative ideas with really no factual information about, and then PASS THEM ALONG (not to forget just posting), I guess I'm vulnerable.

I was telling  my gf, this kind of stuff probably would be better understood through in-person or at least a podcast or youtube video. Which is 1 reason I'm sort of thinking trying that, because I'll write a lot of things that sort of are in my head and just come out of me into here. And I often if not always want to have an opinion, usually a strong opinion, but I don't think of how some, namely the people/musicians who may see it may regard it. Not so much if something is good or bad, but if something is TRUE or FALSE.

I can see why someone might find concern enough to respond to that. I just need to think about that kind of thing before throwing out speculation, especially in HOW IT IS WORDED.

Then again, it hasn't helped my situation to be hampered by an inflamed/flare-up in my lower back since Saturday morning. It's not been fun, so getting stressed out about stuff + that + other stuff like work, isn't exactly helping my state of mind. But I'm trying to be optimistic regardless.




PROGRESSIVE NATION RETURNS IN 2014!! 


"PROGRESSIVE NATION AT SEA 2014" MAKES ITS MAIDEN VOYAGE FEB 18TH THRU 22ND 
FEATURING TRANSATLANTIC, PORTNOY SHEEHAN MACALPINE SHERINIAN, JON ANDERSON, KING'S X, SPOCK'S BEARD, THE FLOWER KINGS, PAIN OF SALVATION, RIVERSIDE, TONY HARNELL & BUMBLEFOOT, BIGELF, BEARDFISH, THE DEAR HUNTER, JOLLY AND NEXT TO NONE 


Progressive Nation is hitting the high seas in 2014!  Join us in this inaugural sailing from February 18th – 22nd 2014 on the luxurious Norwegian Pearl heading from Miami to Great Stirrup Cay and Freeport, Bahamas.  This music festival at sea gives you an experience that a land festival just can’t match. In addition to 4 days in the beautiful Caribbean and all the amenities of a cruise ship; you will enjoy music from morning ‘til night with over 40 shows on multiple stages, along with activities, Q&A’s, panels and workshops from your favorite artists.   


PROGRESSIVE NATION founder Mike Portnoy elaborates: 
"In 2008 & 2009, I created a touring package called "Progressive Nation" and with Dream Theater headlining, we did three full tours (two in North America and one in Europe) that showcased a variety of bands that embraced the spirit and musicality of progressive music. 


Well after a 5 year hiatus, I have decided to resurrect Progressive Nation and this time we are taking it to the seas! 
But rather than a 4 band bill like previous Progressive Nation tours, we have expanded the bill to OVER A DOZEN of today's greatest progressive bands, musicians and artists! (and there may be one or two more still to be confirmed) 

Myself and my former DT bandmate Derek Sherinian have teamed up with Sixthman (who have done incredibly successful cruises with Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the annual Kiss Cruise to name a few) as well as our friends at Inside Out Music and look forward to a very successful inaugural launch of PROGRESSIVE NATION AT SEA Feb 18th thru 22nd 2014 

We are so excited to take part in this historic maiden voyage and look forward to sharing this one of a kind event with fans from all around the world!" 


Visit www.progressivenationatsea.com to register for the pre-sale today! 
This music festival at sea gives music fans an experience that a land festival just can’t match. In addition to 4 days in the beautiful Caribbean, guest will have the opportunity to see their favorite musical heroes perform numerous sets around the many stages set around Norwegian Pearl. And when guests are not attending a performance, a variety of activities hosted by the artists will fill the day. 


Progressive Nation at Sea begins at $700 per person plus taxes and fees. Prices include entertainment, meals, and access to Norwegian Pearl’s outstanding amenities, including outdoor pool, hot tubs, rock climbing wall, and fitness center. Fans can read more and sign up for the Progressive Nation pre-sale at www.progressivenationatsea.com 


With 15 decks of fun, Norwegian Pearl offers guests access to 13 bars and lounges, 19 dining experiences, one outdoor pool, four hot tubs, and spa treatments to help forget about the world left behind. Onboard concerts aren’t the only things that rock on Norwegian Pearl - passengers looking for more activities can visit the outdoor climbing wall, bowl a few frames at the onboard lanes, or tempt lady luck at The Pearl Club Casino. Progressive Nation cruisers will also have the opportunity to explore the sandy beaches of Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, their very own private island getaway. A host of beachside activities and games, the gigantic “Hippo” water slide, and access to food and beverage service will make the stay on Great Stirrup Cay an unforgettable experience. 


Forthcoming announcements are scheduled to follow detailing artist-hosted activities, theme night information, contest additions, and activities!  For full details and to sign up for the pre-sale, fans should visit www.progressivenationatsea.com 


http://www.progressivenationatsea.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/progressivenationatsea 

twitter: http://twitter.com/prognationatsea


7/29/13 5:00PM

okay, it's tomorrow. Just for the sake-of my wishlist would probably be something like:

Prediction:
Transatlantic
Jolly
Flying Colors
Pain of Salvation (Daniel Gildenlow performing with TA as well)

then again, if it's a Cruise, it might include 8-10 bands like "Cruise to the Edge" so throw in:
The Flower Kings
Marillion
Big Elf
Spock's Beard
The Winery Dogs
Beardfish
Steven Wilson (still a longshot, but Mike did hang out with Steven recently and I can only imagine how helpful his name would draw people to this thing)
Fates Warning
Scale the Summit

A Longshot preference with bands Mike has mentioned liking:
Transatlantic (doing new stuff and mostly if not all music from the 1st 2 albums)
The Dear Hunter
Bend Sinister
Karnivool

Total fantasy (with still regards to being active bands)
Transatlantic (same as above, and also for the fact there has to be at least 1 Portnoy band on the bill)
Pepe Deluxe
Hotel of the Laughing Tree
The River Empires




5:49PM
edit: a lot of the speculation on the forums are saying, for affordability and maybe the wording "out of the WATER" is it'll be a CRUISE with Transatlantic and some others.
It probably makes sense, and thus if it is a Cruise, I won't even think about wanting to go, barring myself winning the Powerball.

7/26/13 12:00PM

https://twitter.com/MikePortnoy/status/360800143370502144

BIG NEWS coming next week...prepare to be blown out of the WATER!! #PN14 pic.twitter.com/iH55jBMpHx


At least 2 of these I am predicting will be on the bill:
Transatlantic
Flying Colors
Neal Morse
The Winery Dogs

I'll add in my wish list later, although it doesn't go so far anyway given a tour with this kind of roster, honestly, the odds are it won't come to MN and be like a 5-10 date tour. But next week I'm sure that will be revealed.