Dream Theater - Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ -- March 9, 2022 *Full Show*

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I have tickets for March 21st! But I just don't think it's a risk that needs to be taken now. The $78 can be a tip to the band for all they've done FOR ME for THIRTY-ONE years. See that's nothing. The band gets about half. But for my generosity (all Ticketmaster fees being 100% irrelevant) JP gets 5, JM gets 5, Labrie gets 4, JR gets 5, Mangini gets 5... About 100 other people get a few dollars, and so on and on.. and then the venue gets the rest. Sound guy might get the most! Lights guy is in the conversation as well. No one makes less money because I won't actually be there, except for maybe where my $17 beverage cost goes.

Many tickets are also still available, so there's that, too..

I also buy all their albums.


"The moment that you recognize
Just where your limits lie.
Hanging on the brink of death
You're never more alive.
When you reach the pinnacle
The world is at your feet.
Welcome to the mind unleashed."

Dream Theater Live in 2006

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~OCTAVARIUM~

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Dream Theater - A Mind Beside Itself

Erotomania - Voices - The Silent Man


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Brand New Dream Theater

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It's finally here! Click the image above to go listen.. What I've heard so far is absolutely amazing!

Brand New Dream Theater!

"The Enemy Inside" - Dream Theater

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Full album is set for release on September 24, 2013!

Dream Theater - "Raise the Knife" (LIVE)

~from Score, originally Falling Into Infinity


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For Some Reason, It's Never Enough

"Never Enough" - Dream Theater

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This song is pretty personal to me. It means a lot of different things at a lot of different times. Besides all the meanings, it's just a really incredible song.

Dream Theater - Chaos in Motion Tour Intro

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Someone finally (after nearly 6 years) posted a good one, and I'm so glad they did! This was one of the most incredible experiences for me. Amazing way to open a show!

John Petrucci Solo - LIVE in Tokyo

~ one of his best ever in my opinion.


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BONUS:   Here is Mike Portnoy's take on the writing of "The Best of Times". (Source)

A Short DT Set from "Awake"

The Mirror & Lie:

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Along with "Voices", probably the stuff that got me hooked to DT.

Space Dye Vest

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John Petrucci Introduces His New Pedal

Here is a Blabbermouth article about Dream Theater's John Petrucci's new modulation pedal.

"The Dreamscape has four knobs: Speed, Depth, FX Level and one that chooses between the six integrated signature tones and one additional TonePrint. Further, the pedal has a three-way switch for toggling between Bright, Normal and Dark, which is an overall tonal shaping feature chosen
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by Petrucci. Finally, The Dreamscape also contains all of the great features included in other TonePrint pedals such as true bypass, one-screw-battery-access and a sturdy design made for life on the road." (Source)

Most importantly, here is the video contained in the article:

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The effects. The imagination. This is only a tiny part of why JP is the best guitarists of all time.

Adrenaline Mob - Indifferent

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Pretty sure I posted "Undaunted" a few months ago. Here is another new one.

Dream Theater - Misunderstood (LIVE)

in LA, 2007 (probably a re-post, but hey.. some things are worth re-posting)


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I continue to learn more and more about the band that I've loved for 20+ years. Believe it or not, I just learned the existence of Mike Portnoy's Twelve Step Suite a few weeks ago. Just recently I also learned the following fact, when seeing what Wikipedia had to say about Six Degrees of Inner Turbelence:

In the song "Misunderstood", John Petrucci wrote and played the guitar solo, and then reversed it. He then learned how to play this reversed version, and after recording it reversed it once more. This resulted in a solo that sounded like his original solo but with a unique twist to the way the notes played. His use of such a technique was predated by George Harrison, on the Beatles song "I'm Only Sleeping". (Source)

Dream Theater - "Eve"

"The Silent Man" single B-side from 1994.


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A Concert Opening

The date was August 4, 2007. The location was "The Backyard" in Austin, TX. The event was Dream Theater's Chaos in Motion Tour. After Redemption, and Into Eternity wrapped up their sets.. this is how Dream Theater opened up the show:


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...And it   t o t a l l y   b l e w   m e   a w a y.   I spent 4+ years trying now & then to find a great video of it, but for some reason, "2001 Space Odyssey", "Dream Theater Intro Chaos concert", and the like, weren't good search terms. It wasn't until yesterday that I stumbled upon the term "Also Sprach Zarathustra" attached to one of the vids I found.

Long story short, who would've thought that the little 2-minute amazing fanfare we've all heard, and thought of as the theme from Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film "2001 - A Space Oddyssey," is actually called "Sunrise". It is from a tone poem written by Richard Strauss in 1896, titled "Also Sprach Zarathustra," and was inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical treatise of the same name. (Source)

Anyway, it was one of the greatest concert openings I've ever witnessed, and the entire show was one of the best I've been to as well. Here was the entire set-list. (Note the little arrows next to each song.. Those weren't there the last time I visited this page, a few years ago.)

This was the Encore ("Schmedley Wilcox"):

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I distinctly remember the little "Rush - Xanadu" tribute in there. DT can cover anyone, almost better then they can play their own stuff. And, I had always thought that "Finally Free" would be a super 2-minute piece to close a show.

That was my 5th DT show. #6 was opening for Iron Maiden in June of 2010, so yeah - I can't wait for #7. Sadly, I've already missed this year's tour.

I Found a LIVE Version! DT - The Count of Tuscany

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Mike Mangini (Dream Theater) - Live Solo in New Jersey

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He's no Mike Portnoy, but he's pretty darn good. Actually, he might be very close - almost as good, but he's nowhere near as creative, IMHO. I've heard & seen dozens of solos better than this one, at least at the beginning. The single-stroked accelerated drum roll, along with the last few minutes of the video are where he shines - he's got incredibly fast hands!! ..Starting at about 4:05 to the end is insane.

But In Case You Forgot - Black Clouds & Silver Linings

Dream Theater - Black Clouds & Silver Linings


Prog or not. This DT album is absolutely incredible. Unlike most albums you buy, there is nothing on this one that I'd pass on. You know.. you put one in, and forward to your favorite one(s). Not here. One through six it's amazing - especially 5 & 6. I don't see how anyone couldn't feel something during the combined tracks of "The Best of Times" and "The Count of Tuscany". It's the best 32 minutes of music I have ever heard. Yeah I just said that:

1. A Nightmare to Remember
2. A Rite of Passage
3. Wither
4. The Shattered Fortress
5. The Best of Times
6. The Count of Tuscany

I think about my father every time I listen to "The Best of Times". My idol, Mike Portnoy wrote the song for his father, who had just passed away. I cry with him. I always do. This album is so incredible. The solo on "The Best of Times" is one of the best I've ever heard, and "The Count of Tuscany" is probably the best song DT has ever recorded. No wait.. It is most certainly the best DT song ever recorded.

Breaking News: Mike Portnoy's Leaving Dream Theater

Drummer Mike Portnoy, who has been working with Avenged Sevenfold since the death of drummer James "The Rev" Sullivan, has now issued the following announcement about parting ways with Dream Theater:

"I am about to write something I never imagined I'd ever write: After 25 years, I have decided to leave Dream Theater....the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century. To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision...it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so....

"After having had such amazing experiences playing with Hail, Transatlantic and Avenged Sevenfold this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in Dream Theater... Please don't misinterpret me, I love the DT guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them...it's just that I think we are in serious need of a little break...

"Dream Theater was always my baby...and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985...24/7, 365...never taking time off from DT's never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was 'off' between cycles)...working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band...

"But I've come to the conclusion that the DT machine was starting to burn me out...and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my DT spirit hungry and inspired.

"We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here & there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a 'hiatus' to recharge our batteries and 'save me from ourselves.'

"Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather...I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be...

"While it truly hurts for me to even think of a Dream Theater without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way...so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes....

"Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of DT and I talked about 'always following your heart and being true to yourself'...sadly I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with Dream Theater...and I would simply be 'going through the motions,' and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed.

"I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come...I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played....

"I'm sorry to all the disappointed DT fans around the world...I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work...I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)...but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within....

"You DT fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my future musical journey, wherever it may lead me....(and as you all know my work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future MP projects!)

"Sadly... Your fearless ex-leader and drummer, MP"

Source - Via Vernon, thanks bud!

Here is Dream Theater's statement.

This truly breaks my heart.. More on this once I collect my thoughts and grieve a little lot.

Mike Portnoy - The Count of Tuscany

From Dream Theater's Black Clouds and Silver Linings



My Christmas gift to you!