John Arch interview (excerpt)

JC Green: John, you also auditioned for Dream Theater, before they got James LaBrie as their vocalist. There are even some audio bootlegs from those auditions. What can you share with us about that time, and why do you think you were not the chosen one?

John Arch: Well, I had mixed feelings about things back then. I guess I had the urge, probably, to create music, but to tell you the honest truth, Dream Theater, for what they developed into today, they’re huge. It’s just at that time in my life, I had just gotten married, just bought a house, we had a baby on the way. There were just decisions that I had to make. Obviously, I had mixed feelings if I’m down auditioning for Dream Theater, and I have a bambino on the way. It was quite intimidating, to tell you the truth, because they are very accomplished musicians. The way that they write music is totally different than what I’m used to. They’ll sit all together in a room with a chalk board, and kind of navigate music, and I’ve never written that way. The way Jim and I write is we kind of collaborate, then we go off on our own into our quiet little solitude, where we have a chance to be creative. And that’s not how it’s done with Dream Theater. I remember doing an audition, we went down there, and that’s where those God-awful demo things came from. I was in a room with the band, and they were playing full blast, and I couldn’t even hear myself sing. I was out of shape doing “The Apparition.” You know, whatever. Of course it gets out, and it’s kind of embarrassing material. In addition to that, besides their writing style is totally different, I have to say I was quite intimidated. Something just told me to walk away. Are there regrets? Things could have turned out differently for me? Yeah. But my life as is, I think I have the best of both worlds at this point, where I was able to provide for my family. I was able to live a life that I think my personality is conducive to. I have an opportunity here at Metal Blade with a new release around the corner. I’m pretty excited about that. Something just tells you that when you think you’re putting yourself into a position that you don’t belong, you make decisions based on that.