Quote from: PixelDream on Today at 04:10:35 AMThe way I see it is as follows:

1. Yes, the vocals leave a lot to be desired nowadays (live).
2. A huge part of their appeal to me is their instrumental game (which is still great)
3. I don't want to see them with another singer, JLB is the DT voice.
4. When being there live, due to the volume and the excitement, a lot of the vocal flaws are less apparent.
5. I've been a huge DT fan since 2002.
6. I consider myself part of the DT family and want to celebrate their legacy together with the band and the fans.

This is not cognitive dissonance. I just accept it and I'm grateful to see the band that's been important to me throughout many years.

May as well close the thread out at this point. Great stuff, PD.

That's disappointing, and a pretty shitty thing to do. It's a pretty ugly look.   

It's a shame because up until that, my memory of Derek was "that guy that made some good tunes with DT". Now it's negative, and probably will be indefinitely.

Quote from: TheCountOfNYC on October 21, 2024, 04:38:40 PMCan we bring Ginger Baker back from the dead for this? Him on drums and Gene Simmons on bass would really round out that lineup nicely.

Quote from: ganpondorodf on October 21, 2024, 07:00:13 PMWe can do better than Simmons surely?    those other guys are all arseholes too, but at least they can play their instruments!

Well, whatever; I've met Gene twice (and sang on stage with him once, more or less) and he is by far the nicest celebrity I've ever met (and that includes Mike P.). Funny we're critical of a guy who's bagging on a musician who allegedly can't do what he's supposed to do and we respond by bagging on a guy that's not even part of this discussion in any way shape or form.   

On social media (not here fortunetely) DT fans are completely toxic. Until this time their prime target was Mike Mangini. With MP returning they think this is their victory to have MP back.   Now it's James LaBrie. They constantly shout out to the band to fire and replace him.

Quote from: SeRoX on Today at 07:29:35 AMOn social media (not here fortunetely) DT fans are completely toxic. Until this time their prime target was Mike Mangini. With MP returning they think this is their victory to have MP back.   Now it's James LaBrie. They constantly shout out to the band to fire and replace him.

I've followed a bit some of the posts on Facebook, and I can't fathom that some of these people call themselves "fans".  Completely clueless and IMO inappropriate.

What I don't understand is, why does LaBrie still sound awesome in the studio? Besides autotune, I mean. Live, his voice is super thin and nasally; he's lost all the low end he used to have, and his enunciation is terrible. Yet, in the studio, his voice still sounds ballsy, with plenty of low end; sounds as good as ever has, all the way back since Images & Words. I get they can also tweak the EQ in the studio, to add more low end to his voice; what about the enunciation?

In the studio, his vocals sound as good as ever. Doesn't do the waste of air out of breath "breathy" effect, doesn't enunciate horribly, and isn't so nasally. It's just really weird. As soon as we hear it live, it's back to thin, nasally, zero low end, poor enunciation, and flat.

Can James still sing like he could back in the day? No, the problems with his vocal cords are well documented, and everyone's voice changes as they age.

Is his voice still good? In the studio, yes, because he can take his time. Live? Well, it depends.

I saw him at the 2 Distant Memories shows at Hammersmith is 2020, and honestly, he was terrible. When he hit a wrong note, it was bad, painfully bad. That DVD was clearly patchwork edited from both nights or heavily overdubbed. I saw him at Birmingham Symphony Hall last year, and overall he was a lot better, the setlist was tilted in favour of songs he actually stood a chance of singing, but even then he was a total mess at times, the Caught In A Web that night was one of the worst things I've heard that wasn't a drum solo, and the Pull Me Under was pretty poor too. Sunday night's show was a massive improvement on that. Yes, his voice was straining in places, and there were a few flat notes, but nothing painfully bad, and by and large he was pretty damn good.

Could he improve? Yes. I would look at Steve Hogarth from Marillion, another singer who can no longer hit those big notes, but h knows when he can't, and has alternate vocal lines ready to go. Also, I think James is better when he's singing, and not belting it out full pelt. A little more restraint would go a long way. Sing the songs, don't shout them!

Should they replace him? No.

Should you still go see them live? I'd say yes, but I'd understand if you say no. MP doesn't play the drums as well as he used to, he's far less physical these days, but people don't seem to complain about that so much.

Is Derek a Dick? I don't know, I've never met him, but it sure seems like he is.

Quote from: Uncle Rico on Today at 08:00:54 AMWhat I don't understand is, why does LaBrie still sound awesome in the studio? Besides autotune, I mean. Live, his voice is super thin and nasally; he's lost all the low end he used to have, and his enunciation is terrible. Yet, in the studio, his voice still sounds ballsy, with plenty of low end; sounds as good as ever has, all the way back since Images & Words. I get they can also tweak the EQ in the studio, to add more low end to his voice; what about the enunciation?

In the studio, his vocals sound as good as ever. Doesn't do the waste of air out of breath "breathy" effect, doesn't enunciate horribly, and isn't so nasally. It's just really weird. As soon as we hear it live, it's back to thin, nasally, zero low end, poor enunciation, and flat.

Such different envrionments.

In the studio he has the producer (either JP or MP too) and the engineer listening attentively and giving direct feedback that he can immediately incorporate. Live, no one is listening and giving feedback.

I'm glad to see the band is loyal to their friend and bandmate for decades and isn't just "kicking him out" to get some new nobody in there who just sounds like James did 30 years ago.

MP is pretty forward thinking and has a much more supportive attitude this time around, so I'm hoping he'll be a cheerleader for James and get the rest of the band to tune down. Honestly not sure why they aren't yet.

Quote from: DTA on Today at 08:13:19 AMI'm glad to see the band is loyal to their friend and bandmate for decades and isn't just "kicking him out" to get some new nobody in there who just sounds like James did 30 years ago.

MP is pretty forward thinking and has a much more supportive attitude this time around, so I'm hoping he'll be a cheerleader for James and get the rest of the band to tune down. Honestly not sure why they aren't yet.

Give it time...they will likely kick him out within a year or two. I'd rather they re-write all the toughest/highest vocal lines to fit his current range, but at this point I think it's highly unlikely, especially since he's flat on a lot of the lower notes too. It's no longer a problem of "it's the high notes". It's everything. High notes, low notes, enunciation, etc.

Quote from: Pettor on Today at 01:14:42 AMI've never been a fan of Derek, so I will just ignore his comments. DT wouldn't have achieved the same level of success with him, and I'm ever so happy they replaced him with Rudess. It must have been an obvious choice.

Regarding James' vocals, I'm just curious: is auto-tune available for live performances? If so, why not use it? Sure, some fans might be upset, but considering his age, it could be a good solution?

I guess it might be, though I'm not sure how that would work in real time (it would have to be pre-programmed I guess and know what melody he is supposed to be singing?). It would probably sound weird though.

Quote from: The Curious Orange on Today at 08:05:30 AMIs Derek a Dick? I don't know, I've never met him, but it sure seems like he is.

Derek is the last in what I understand is a long line of Dick's. 

Oh, different Derek, sorry...

Quote from: Stadler on Today at 08:53:20 AMDerek is the last in what I understand is a long line of Dick's. 

Oh, different Derek, sorry...

That sounds Fishy to me.

Tuning down is interesting.. I'm quite sure DT did it on the Images anniversary tour?

It's a slippery slope though. It doesn't take many semitones until the song doesn't really sound like the song anymore. I saw Megadeth last June and they tune down so much that in some cases it took a good 5 seconds for me to figure out which song they were actually playing.

I sure hope Derek isn't trying to backwards-engineer Whom Gods Destroy into being a good band by hiring a good singer. To have a good band, you also need good songs and creativity

What a dummy. If MP at one point told him he wouldn't work with JLB again and he feels let down, why doesn't he come out and say that instead of subtweeting JLB - who btw was the one member of DT who had reservations about replacing Derek at the time? Oh wait, he doesn't come out and say that because all MP needs to do is answer "yeah I said that to you and then I changed my mind because we're brothers and Dream Theater is my home, you wish you had a connection like that with any musician you've ever worked with".

I guarantee that if there wasn't a DT reunion, there still wouldn't be a third SOA album. Again, Mike wasn't the only reluctant guy there, and he wasn't reluctant because of DT, it's because the audience said the band wasn't good enough to sustain their interest. Tough shit, thems the breaks, good luck with the next one.

It's a hilarious comment from a guy who has spent most of his career playing in bands with has-beens.

A comment from someone who is incredibly jealous. And those comments from Rob actually do give off the feeling that this is Derek himself or people close to Derek.

I have no other explanation for the fact that he's trying to produce some kind of "DT fans vs. Derek" narrative - trying to make it about him instead of the subject at hand.

The reality that Derek is going to have to face some day is that Dream Theater never wanted him in the first place. They initially asked Jordan to replace Kevin in 1994 but he turned it down because it wasn't the right career move for him at the time. Derek was only in the band because their first choice said no. Once Jordan showed interest, Derek was out. He can take shots at the band all he wants, but that doesn't change the fact that he's arguably the least important member in their entire history.

If Derek isn't really a bitchcake motherfucker, he has a curious way of portraying himself.

Seriously, fuck that guy.  At the very least, that tweet was unprofessional.

I don't think Rob here is Derek's burner account, but it is profoundly wrong of him to say Derek is being fair towards DT right now. Being fair towards DT would be posting something like "I watched DT videos from last night and it struck me that James sounds much worse than he used to. Have you guys seen it? What do you think?" Instead the tweet is "fuck you Dream Theater, my no-name band is better, Mike don't you wish you were in it, and James about to catch these hands too!!!!111"

Quote from: hefdaddy42 on Today at 11:40:27 AMIf Derek isn't really a bitchcake motherfucker, he has a curious way of portraying himself.

Seriously, fuck that guy.  At the very least, that tweet was unprofessional.

Agreed with everything here.

Also just want to say, in regards to JLB's son's response (and this might come off as HS being a bit of a JLB hater, but hey, the guy is Canadian, I can only defend him so much):

Chance is the name you give your dog. Now, look, I know that sometimes Chance is a nickname for Chancellor (see: Chance the Rapper), but that has got to be the ONLY exception we make here. Sorry James, but you named your kid after a Homeward Bound character. Would you name your son Lucky? Fortune? No? Those sound like dog names? Hey, you're right, so is Chance!

Quote from: hefdaddy42 on Today at 11:40:27 AMIf Derek isn't really a bitchcake motherfucker, he has a curious way of portraying himself.

What is bitchcake? Do I want a slice? 

Quote from: TheHoveringSojourn808 on Today at 12:16:02 PMAlso just want to say, in regards to JLB's son's response (and this might come off as HS being a bit of a JLB hater, but hey, the guy is Canadian, I can only defend him so much):

Chance is the name you give your dog. Now, look, I know that sometimes Chance is a nickname for Chancellor (see: Chance the Rapper), but that has got to be the ONLY exception we make here. Sorry James, but you named your kid after a Homeward Bound character. Would you name your son Lucky? Fortune? No? Those sound like dog names? Hey, you're right, so is Chance!

Um...ok. 🤔

Quote from: hefdaddy42 on Today at 11:40:27 AMbitchcake motherfucker

Can I use that? 😂

Quote from: TheHoveringSojourn808 on Today at 12:16:02 PMAlso just want to say, in regards to JLB's son's response (and this might come off as HS being a bit of a JLB hater, but hey, the guy is Canadian, I can only defend him so much):

Chance is the name you give your dog. Now, look, I know that sometimes Chance is a nickname for Chancellor (see: Chance the Rapper), but that has got to be the ONLY exception we make here. Sorry James, but you named your kid after a Homeward Bound character. Would you name your son Lucky? Fortune? No? Those sound like dog names? Hey, you're right, so is Chance!

Wow HoSo going on the offensive attacking JL! Who woulda thunk he and Derek were in the same boat together? 

Quote from: TheHoveringSojourn808 on Today at 12:16:02 PMAgreed with everything here.

Also just want to say, in regards to JLB's son's response (and this might come off as HS being a bit of a JLB hater, but hey, the guy is Canadian, I can only defend him so much):

Chance is the name you give your dog. Now, look, I know that sometimes Chance is a nickname for Chancellor (see: Chance the Rapper), but that has got to be the ONLY exception we make here. Sorry James, but you named your kid after a Homeward Bound character. Would you name your son Lucky? Fortune? No? Those sound like dog names? Hey, you're right, so is Chance!

Hey! I totally get why you might think Chance sounds like a dog name, and you might actually be onto something. But let's think about this for a moment—some dog names are pretty fantastic!

First off, dog names tend to be short and snappy, making them easy to say and remember. For example, names like Max, Bella, and Buddy have a great ring to them. They convey energy and friendliness, which is something we all appreciate in a name, whether it's for a pet or a person.

Also, dog names often carry positive associations. When you hear names like Lucky, Joy, or Hope, they evoke feelings of happiness and companionship. That's a pretty great vibe to have, right? Plus, some of the most iconic names in pop culture—like Scooby, Toto, or even Chance from "Homeward Bound"—have a sense of adventure and loyalty that we admire.

So while Chance might sound like a dog name, maybe that just means it has some really awesome qualities—like playfulness and warmth. Embracing a name that carries that kind of positivity can be a great thing!

HoJo, what are you on about?  Making fun of people's names now?  My daughter is dating a guy named Chance, and he's a pretty cool guy.

Quote from: Orbert on Today at 01:04:37 PMHoJo, what are you on about?  Making fun of people's names now?  My daughter is dating a guy named Chance, and he's a pretty cool guy.

Would you say he's a good boy?







I'm so sorry.

Just throwing this out there:  Derek never said he was talking about Dream Theater.  Everyone just assumed he was.

Quote from: Adami on Today at 01:05:21 PMWould you say he's a good boy?







I'm so sorry.

I just choked on my saliva

Quote from: Orbert on Today at 01:04:37 PMHoJo, what are you on about?  Making fun of people's names now?  My daughter is dating a guy named Chance, and he's a pretty cool guy.

I would never do that, and I'm sure your daughter's Chance is a great person. Funny that it's OK to shit on the guys clear talent but if you make one joke about his kid's name you get the dogs on ya!

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I met DS at the NAMM show a few years back. He saw my DT shirt and literally followed me around until I noticed him. I asked for an autograph because I felt bad. It was so obvious what he was doing.

Quote from: CodyWanKenobi on Today at 01:28:26 PMI've said it before and I'll say it again - I met DS at the NAMM show a few years back. He saw my DT shirt and literally followed me around until I noticed him. I asked for an autograph because I felt bad. It was so obvious what he was doing.

Quote from: CodyWanKenobi on Today at 01:28:26 PMI've said it before and I'll say it again - I met DS at the NAMM show a few years back. He saw my DT shirt and literally followed me around until I noticed him. I asked for an autograph because I felt bad. It was so obvious what he was doing.

He should've asked you for an autograph.

Quote from: CodyWanKenobi on Today at 01:28:26 PMI've said it before and I'll say it again - I met DS at the NAMM show a few years back. He saw my DT shirt and literally followed me around until I noticed him. I asked for an autograph because I felt bad. It was so obvious what he was doing.

Damn that's pathetic. lol

Once in a while he does these DM's on twitter where he advertises his services to any of his followers that he picks up on is a musician, which I would assume would be most of them. Basically for some money you can have him solo on your track. Not that sad per se but as the self proclaimed rockstar (or caligula of the keyboards as he said) it's a bit odd.