James LaBrie interview (excerpt)

Wes: The new album comes out this month. Does the band have a certain expectation level when with each release? I ask this because you’re one of the only progressive–metal bands to still have a major record label backing you.

James: Yeah, exactly. We expect to sell four million in the first day out. I’m kidding. No, there is no set number. I mean, say that we sold 50 thousand in the first week? Our record in one week was like 33 thousand or something like that. It was “Awake.” 30 or 33 thousand, a good number, but no. It’s more important in 40 weeks, after we’ve toured and the album has been out there. I think that we can say this, I mean, this album is better than “Images And Words.” It’s what we’ve been wanting to do for a while now. We’re a perfect set now with Jordan in the band. Derek was good, but Jordan is the best in the world, in my opinion, just because he’s incredible. I think that when people hear this album, they’re gonna be excited. I’m not supposed to tell you everything about it, but it is a concept album. It’s lyrically about regression and a past life. It’s a cool story based around a man finding out, by being regressed by psycho therapy, he learned he lived a previously life and in it he was a girl. And this girl was living a life somewhat deceitful and exciting, and the two men she was having a relationship with were brothers.

Wes: Some associates of mine wanted me to ask this of you. Recently, the webmaster of the official Dream Theater website asked at least one Internet radio station, “Progged,” to stop playing MP3s of the new album. I have to admit, I’ve heard almost the entire thing and all it’s done is made me want to go out and buy the album even more.

James: Really?

Wes: What is your take on this, and the rest of the band’s, on this MP3 phenomenon?

James: I think it sucks. We’ve tried to keep a lid on it and find out how they got it. We have this guy Mike who’s really on top of it. I think he sent the e–mail himself. We do seem to have a high–tech following, fanbase. Did he take it off?

Wes: Oh yeah, he took it off immediately.

James: Hey then, no problem. That’s all I could ask. Getting back to what I was saying is, I don’t want to give it all away but, your dealing with this person who today, this present day, is going to a therapist. And when going through his regression, he learns he was a woman, and did have a relationship with two people, brothers, and ends up investigating his own self due to a tragic happening. Once the album been released, I can go through the whole story. The character’s name is Victoria Julian. I don’t want to too much, but I will say that we’re ecstatic about the whole thing, can’t wait. There’s going to be a new resurgence. Already, I can’t ask for more. I’m having a great time right now. It’s a positive time and we’re all getting along exceptionally.

James: You know, the previous albums, not to say they weren’t up to par, ‘cause I’m proud of every album we’ve done, but when fans were first introduced to us, they were introduced to “Images And Words.” Quite a few were into Dream Theater from the get-go, “When Dream and Day Unite.” But “Images And Words,” that album was incredible, had a unique balance between music in a technical sense, somewhat a balancing in vocals, and melodies around it all making it accepting but unique. This album, “Scenes From A Memory,” this one again is gonna do that for people. It’s incredible, the melody and emotional takes are all over the album. Instrumentally, once again, this is one of those albums that offers so much to grab on to.

Wes: Do you ever get sick of the comparisons made to Dream Theater by critics reviewing new artists’ material, or bands that say they sound like Dream Theater?

James: No, if anything, it’s flattering. It’s a compliment, you know what I mean? If we’ve helped opened some doors, hey that’s great to say bands are somewhat like Dream Theater. When Dream Theater started out, they said we were somewhat like Pink Floyd, Metallica, Rush. It’s really a compliment I don’t mind it at all. Doing that is cool: “Hey, check out who sounds like Dream Theater.” That means they know who we are.

Wes: Do you think consistently going out and doing side projects is a good way to keep a band together and fresh with ideas?

James: Absolutely. The way I look at it is, when we have down time doing side projects, it keeps us in tune, musically, creatively, technically, me singing–wise. It adds to inspiration and spontaneity when it comes time to write a new album. It keeps you pumped up and in great shape. It was apparent in the room and everything came together magically. It’s also an exciting time for us with new blood in the band. Jordan is more along the same lines as the rest of the band. He has more of a classical background, kept us in focus. It helped make for a great album.

Wes: Who will Dream Theater be touring with this time around, and when and where will the tour kick off?

James: November 8th in Hamburg, Germany, with the last show on the 24th. Then we come back and do couple weeks in the States. After the New Year, we’ll do it big, you know? You’ll see us before the New Year, but by then, the album will sell and we can do an incredible show; do the entire album start to finish live; do it on stage in a big way. In Europe, we will probably be taking Tiles, a great band. In the states, we’re still talking, but it’s looking like possibly Spock’s Beard. But nothing has been confirmed. It will be a short run in the State before the New Year, then we’ll go out on tour in a big way.

Wes: Anything else you’d like to say to your current and future fans?

James: Just, ah, I really appreciate the support over the years. To our future fans, welcome aboard and thanks for enjoying our new album. Thanks for purchasing it, have a fun time and listen to earlier material.