Dream Theater Frequently Asked Questions

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Compiled by:

Pat Griffin, FAQ Maintainer

Christopher R. Merlo, FAQ Maintainer Emeritus

Jason Skewes, FAQ Maintainer Emeritus

Mike Bahr, FAQ Maintainer Emeritus

Ryan Skadberg, Ytsejam List Manager

Ken Bibb, Metropolis List Manager

Please note that the current main location for The Official Dream Theater FAQ is:

http://www.gabbo.net/dt/faq/

If you have reached this document from another location or another site, please click on the above link and bookmark that location to ensure that you always have the most recent edition of the FAQ available.

This FAQ is maintained by one person, but it is supported by the entire Ytsejam Mailing List, and thanks to Mike Portnoy, the band itself. If you have any questions that are not covered by the FAQ, feel free to email me, and I will answer to the best of my ability, or point you to a source that can.

Please remember that the transcriptions of the samples will be handled in the Dream Theater Songbook. The FAQ will only address questions concerning the sources of the samples.

The purpose of this document is to answer questions that are 'frequently asked' by Dream Theater fans, as well as provide information that you may have otherwise not known. The FAQ will avoid rumors as often as possible, and attempt to only offer the facts. For up to the minute news surrounding the band, consult the Official Dream Theater website, Mark Bredius' "Under a Cyber Moon" at http://www.dreamtheater.net/

As information becomes more solid, and more questions are asked, it will be added to the FAQ. In the meantime, the website is the source for news, tour dates, album and side project info, and other details. Together, the Official Website and the FAQ should provide Dream Theater fans everywhere will all the news they need.

Changes since last update

• Version 6.00.04 - April 2nd, 2000
• Transferred the FAQ to its new location: http://www.gabbo.net/dt/faq/
• Updated the Dream Theater International Fan Club info. (1.9)
• Updated the History of DT (2)
• Updated Kevin's current info. (4.8.2)
• Updated Derek's current info. (4.9.2)
• Updated DT side project info. (4.10)
• Updated the list of songs only performed live. (5.1.2)
• Updated the bands that have toured with DT. (5.2)
• Updated the April Fools Day FAQ info. (8.5)

Previous changes

• Version 6.00.03 - March 16th, 2000
• Corrected some bad links resulting from the old Prognosis server switch-over.
• Seriously compressed the graphics (12k total!) for a 20 second download time at 56k
• Version 6.00.02 - February 5th, 2000
• Changed the address information for the Ytsejam Mailing List. (1.6)
• Version 6.99.11 - November 7th, 1999
• Corrected an error regarding Derek's departure from DT. (4.9.1)
• Updated Derek's info. (4.9.2)
• Updated the side project info. (4.10)
• Version 6.99.03 - March 5th, 1999
• Made major overall changes to the structure of the FAQ. Moved many questions which had been in the wrong section.
• Reworked the intro.
• Added new entries to the Abbreviations list.
• Added Graphic interface.
• Removed all the Mirror site links to start from scratch.
• Split up band influences by member. (Section 4)
• Split up band member questions by member. (Section 4)
• Updated DT's current activities info. (0.1)
• Added a link to Itchy's Mini-discography. (1.1)
• Added info about the DT Tourography. [Thanks, Bogie] (1.2)
• Made minor changes to the Songbook entry. [Thanks, Itchy] (1.4)
• Updated YML info. [Thanks, Skadz] (1.6)
• Added the Ytsejam Archive info. [Thanks, Skadz] (1.7)
• Made minor changes to the IRC server info. [Thanks, Itchy] (1.8)
• Updated Fan Club info with new addresses and home pages. [Thanks, Itchy] (1.9)
• Updated the DT History with most recent events. (Section 2)
• Updated the DT producer list with Kevin Shirley info. (3.3)
• Updated DT's school info for Jordan. (3.5)
• Updated the current members of DT for Jordan. (4.1 and Lineup)
• Added Myung Question. (4.3.1)
• Added more of Mike's influences. [Thanks, Bogie] (4.4.1)
• Added Rudess Question. (4.6.1)
• Updated Moore's current activities. (4.8.2)
• Added Derek Info about departure and current activities. (4.9.1 and 4.9.2)
• Updated Side Projects Info. (4.10)
• Removed info about defective LTE disks, the recall should be complete by now. (4.10)
• Updated Tribute Info. (4.11)
• Added link to the DT Member Discography. (4.12)
• Separated and added info to the Songs (not/only) performed live lists. (5.1.1 and 5.1.2)
• Added more bands to the list of DT's tour partners. (5.2)
• Updated info about Mike singing for DT. (5.4)
• Added info about Nightmare Cinema. (5.5)
• Added info about Nicky Lemons. (5.6)
• Corrected error about "Wanted Dead or Alive" -- sung by Collins, not Kern. (6.1.4)
• Added note about IAW's mention of Fates Warning. (6.3.3)
• Added note about "PMU" stopping suddenly (God knows why this wasn't in the FAQ before). (6.3.5)
• Added info about "Metropolis, Part II". (6.3.13)
• Added small insight into the symbol in LatM. (6.4.2)
• Added question about Cassandra in "Voices." (6.5.5)
• Added info about FII cover. (6.7.1)
• Added question about the recording of FII. (6.7.2)
• Added more Chapman Stick web sites. (6.7.3)
• Added info about "Peruvian Skies." (6.7.4)
• Added info about "Burning My Soul" / "Hell's Kitchen." (6.7.5)
• Added info about "Take Away My Pain." (6.7.7)
• Added info about "JLMB's" link to "TTT" and "LtL." (6.7.8)
• Added "Hollow Years" to video list. (6.8.3)
• Removed Mike Bahr bootleg info since he's out of business. (previously 8.1)
• Added more info about YtseCon II and III. (8.3)
• Added a few more misheard lyrics. (8.4)

Please note that the current main location for The Official Dream Theater FAQ is:

http://www.gabbo.net/dt/faq/ See note above.

If you have reached this document from another location or another site, please click on the above link and bookmark that location to ensure that you always have the most recent edition of the FAQ available.

The mirror sites for the FAQ are being worked on, and are not available in this release. If you would like to be an official mirror site for the FAQ, email me.

Also, I received email from someone interested in translating the FAQ to Portuguese. If you think that language translations of the FAQ would be worthwhile, or you are willing to translate the FAQ to another language, email me about it.

Many thanks to the following for their additions, corrections, and advice:

• Mike Portnoy
• Mark "Itchy" Bredius
• Ryan "Skadz" Skadberg
• Nick "Bogie" Bogovich
• Chris "D-Man" Merlo
• Irene Raceu
• Dino "Dr_Mosh" Khoe
• Matt "M-Bone" Schnoor
• Jens Johansson
• C-Man - King's X management
• Michael Burstin
• Brian Cox
• Ken Bibb
• Jennifer Albert
• Randall Haskin
• Pete "Ender" Walsh
• Dave
• Todd Henson
• Bill Buckley
• Lars "ORION" Karlsson
• Tim Lodge
• Aaron Silverman
• Jeremy A. Smith
• Bret Linford
• Zack Gemmill
• Jeff Chew
• Bafu Vai
• Mike "Syrinx" Ostrich
• Paul "Pellaz" Cashman
• Sander Moes
• Scott McCammon
• Rogerio Brito
• Carol "Coldfire" Dellinger
• Matt Johnston
• Graham Borland
• Ties Goebel
• Marco Petrini
• John Parks
• Felix Schad

Also, thanks to Irene, Roland, and Mountain Dew for always being there.

Extra thanks to Jason Skewes for keeping this list in such great shape for so long.

Extra huge colossal thanks to Mike Portnoy for "taking the time" to make sure everything here is accurate.

And, finally, thanks to all the subscribers of the Ytsejam Mailing List for their eternal vigilance, and the regulars of #ytsejam for often reminding me where I can place my opinions. :)

Abbreviations you should know:

• DT - Dream Theater... NOT DREAM THEATRE! Petrucci is very specific about it.
• OFB - "Our Favorite Band"
• WDADU - When Dream And Day Unite
• IAW - Images And Words
• LATM - Live At The Marquee
• LIT - Live in Tokyo (video)
• ACoS - A Change of Seasons
• FII - Falling Into Infinity
• OIAL - Once in a LIVEtime
• 5YIAL - Five Years in a LIVEtime (video)
• YML - Ytsejam mailing list
• PMU - Pull Me Under
• TTT - Take The Time
• LTL - Learning To Live
• LSoaD - Lifting Shadows Off A Dream
• LITS - either the song "Lines in the Sand" from FII, or the bootleg "Lost in the Sky"
• BMS - Burning My Soul
• HY - Hollow Years
• TWiUtB - The Way it Used to Be (FII demo session song)
• RtK - Raise the Knife (unreleased song)
• CME - Cover My Eyes (unreleased song)
• CiaW - Caught in a Web
• CiANITG - Caught in Alice's Nine Inch Tool Garden

Non-DT abbreviations you should know:

• IMHO - In My Humble Opinion
• ROFL - Rolling on the Floor Laughing
• ROTFLMAO - Rolling on the Floor Laughing My Ass Off (also known as "Rot Flame Oh!", courtesy of Elliott Kim)
• NDTC - No Dream Theater Content (used in Ytsejam post subject lines)
• WTF - What the F---? (can also mean Who the F---?, Where the F---?, etc.)
• YKYADTFW - You Know You're a Dream Theater Fan When...
• AFK - Away From Keyboard (used on IRC all the time)
• BRB - Be right back (used on IRC all the time)
• BBIAF - Be back in a few (used on IRC all the time)
• LOL - Laughing out loud

Current Dream Theater Personnel

• James LaBrie, Vocals: Born May 5, 1963
• John Myung, Bass Guitar: Born January 24, 1967
• John Petrucci, Guitar: Born July 12, 1967
• Mike Portnoy, Drums/Percussion: Born April 20, 1967
• Jordan Rudess, Keyboards: Birth date unknown

Former Dream Theater Personnel

• Derek Sherinian, Keyboards: Born August 25, 1966
• Kevin Moore, Keyboards: Born May 26, 1967
• Charlie Dominici, Vocals: Birth date unknown
• Chris Collins, Vocals: Birth date unknown

CONTENTS

0. Frequently Changing Information

0.1 What is Dream Theater up to currently?

1. Dream Theater Resources

1.1 Where is the Dream Theater Discography?

1.2 Where is the Dream Theater Tourography?

1.3 Where is the Dream Theater Bootleg List?

1.4 Where can I find lyrics to _____?

1.5 Are there Dream Theater web pages?

1.6 Is there a Dream Theater Mailing List?

1.7 Is there any other way to get Ytsejam back issues?

1.8 Is there a Dream Theater IRC channel?

1.9 Is there a Dream Theater fan club?

2. A Brief History of Dream Theater

3. Questions about the band

3.1 Who thought up the name for the band?

3.2 What does the "symbol" DT uses mean?

3.3 What producers has Dream Theater worked with?

3.4 Who inspired the band members the most?

3.5 Where did DT go to school?

4. Questions about specific members of Dream Theater

4.1 Who are the current members of Dream Theater?

4.2 James LaBrie

4.2.1 What was James LaBrie doing before he joined the band?

4.2.2 Now that Kevin Moore left, and the whole reason LaBrie used "James" was to sidestep the confusion, will he go back to "Kevin LaBrie"?

4.3 John Myung

4.3.1 Does John Myung speak?

4.3.2 Who are John Myung's musical influences?

4.3.3 What musical instrument sponsorships does John have?

4.4 Mike Portnoy

4.4.1 Who are Mike Portnoy's musical influences?

4.4.2 What musical instrument sponsorships does Mike have?

4.5 John Petrucci

4.5.1 Who are John Petrucci's musical influences?

4.5.2 What musical instrument sponsorships does John have?

4.6 Jordan Rudess

4.6.1 What did Jordan Rudess do before he joined Dream Theater?

4.7 Charlie Dominici

4.7.1 Why did Charlie Dominici leave DT?

4.8 Kevin Moore

4.8.1 Why did Kevin Moore leave DT?

4.8.2 What is Kevin Moore up to?

4.9 Derek Sherinian

4.9.1 Why did Derek and Dream Theater part ways?

4.9.2 What has Derek been up to since he left the band?

4.10 Do the members of DT have any side projects?

4.11 Do the members of DT appear on any tribute albums?

4.12 With so many 'super groups' and tributes out there, how do I know who played on what?

5. Questions about DT performances and appearances

5.1.1 What songs have Dream Theater not played live?

5.1.2 What songs have Dream Theater only performed live?

5.2 Who has toured with Dream Theater?

5.3 What was the "Ronnie Scott's Uncovered Gig?"

5.4 Has anyone else sung for DT since James joined the band?

5.5 Who is Nightmare Cinema?

5.6 Who is Nicky Lemons?

6. Questions about the albums and songs

6.1 The early songs

6.1.1 What are the Majesty demos?

6.1.2 Will DT ever release production versions of the old Majesty demos?

6.1.3 Who wrote "Don't Look Past Me"?

6.1.4 Who sings on the satiric "Wanted Dead or Alive" demo?

6.1.5 Who wrote "To Live Forever?"

6.1.6 Did the demos "Death of Spock" and "Cry For Freedom" ever go anywhere?

6.2 When Dream and Day Unite

6.2.1 Andrea Held Leone and Ralph R. Dominici Sr. are mentioned in the liner notes to WDADU as the dedicants. What relation to the band are they?

6.2.2 What is "A Fortune In Lies" about?

6.2.3 What does "The Ytse Jam" mean?

6.2.4 What is "The Killing Hand" about?

6.2.5 Is "Afterlife" a Christian song? Is "Eve?"

6.3 Images and Words

6.3.1 What does the burning heart symbolize?

6.3.2 Marillion is thanked in the liners. What's the relation?

6.3.3 In the liners, DT thanks "Fatez Warning (Jus'kiddin'!!)." What's that all about?

6.3.4 What is "Pull Me Under" about?

6.3.5 "Pull Me Under" stops abruptly on my CD. Do I have a faulty copy?

6.3.6 What is "Another Day" about?

6.3.7 Who plays the saxophone on "Another Day"?

6.3.8 What is "Take The Time" about?

6.3.9 What is being said in Italian in "Take the Time" and where is it from?

6.3.10 What was the original title of "Surrounded?"

6.3.11 What is "Surrounded" about?

6.3.12 What story is "Metropolis part I: The Miracle and the Sleeper" based on?

6.3.13 "Metropolis", part I? Where is part II?

6.3.14 What is "Wait For Sleep" about? Who is the girl/woman in "Wait For Sleep"?

6.3.15 What is "Learning to Live" about?

6.4 Live at the Marquee

6.4.1 What is a "Vindaloo"?

6.4.2 What is the pepper-like symbol in the booklet?

6.5 Awake

6.5.1 What did the band have to say about recording Awake?

6.5.2 What is "6:00" about?

6.5.3 What is "Caught In A Web" about?

6.5.4 Anyone notice that "Erotomania" contains snippets of many of the songs on the first half of Awake?

6.5.5 Who is the Cassandra mentioned in "Voices?"

6.5.6 What is the song "The Silent Man" about?

6.5.7 Who sings backup vocals on "The Silent Man"?

6.5.8 What is "Lie" about?

6.5.9 What is "Lifting Shadows off a Dream" about?

6.5.10 What is "Space-Dye Vest" about? How did Kevin come up with this stuff?

6.6 A Change of Seasons

6.6.1 What is unique about the song "A Change of Seasons?"

6.6.2 What is the song "A Change of Seasons" about?

6.6.3 Where does the "Gather Ye Rosebuds" stuff come from?

6.6.4 Where do the various parts of "A Change of Seasons" start?

6.6.5 What is this "Mercy Fuck" business I keep hearing about?

6.7 Falling Into Infinity

6.7.1 I heard that there is something strange about the FII cover, can you explain?

6.7.2 I heard that the recording of FII was different from that of DT's previous albums. How so?

6.7.3 What is a Chapman Stick? On which songs is it used?

6.7.4 What is "Peruvian Skies" about?

6.7.5 Did Dream Theater change "Burning My Soul" for the CD?

6.7.6 What is Hell's Kitchen?

6.7.7 What is "Take Away My Pain" about?

6.7.8 Why does "Just Let Me Breathe" give me Deja Vu?

6.7.9 Who is Anna Lee?

6.8 Miscellaneous

6.8.1 Has anybody noticed the re-usable riff phenomenon?

6.8.2 Has anybody noticed the Another Song phenomenon?

6.8.3 What songs has Dream Theater made videos for?

7. Questions concerning the samples used in the songs

7.1 Where is the sampled voice in "A Fortune In Lies" from?

7.2 Where were the samples used in "6:00" pulled from?

7.3 Where are the samples in "Space-Dye Vest" from?

7.4 Where are the samples from "The Mirror" from?

7.5 Where are the samples in "Voices" taken from?

7.6 Where are the samples in "A Change of Seasons" from?

7.7 Where are the samples in "Don't Look Past Me" from?

8. Miscellaneous

8.1 Did the band "Blind Melon" bash DT? What did they say?

8.2 What is the correct pronunciation of the word - 'YTSEJAM'?

8.3 What are "Ytsecons"?

8.4 Misheard Lyrics

8.5 Have the FAQ Maintainers ever played any practical jokes on the readers?

0. Frequently Changing Information

0.1 What is Dream Theater up to currently?

Dream Theater will be touring the world extensively during the first part of 2000 in support of the new album.

You will probably notice that this FAQ update is suspiciously void of information about the new CD. The band has specifically asked me not to reveal any details of the plot of Scenes From a Memory. I'm sorry that I can't help out all of you who have asked me, but Dream Theater's intent in releasing the CD was to give the fans something to chew on for a while and try to figure it out themselves. Mike has assured me that details will slowly be revealed as the tour and the year progress, so it's only a matter of time. I will be doing a phone interview with Mike sometime in the near future to discuss what details of SFaM can be covered in the FAQ, as well as what new info to add. In the meantime, please be patient and respect the wishes of the band. The Official website, the FAQ, and the mailing list will make information available as we get it. You can find all you need online, if you take the time. :)

You can always keep up with DT's latest activities at the Official Web Page: Under a Cyber Moon, at http://www.dreamtheater.net/, run by Mark Bredius.

1. Dream Theater Resources

1.1 Where is the Dream Theater Discography?

Alternately, you can check out more recent discographies maintained by Mark Bredius at http://www.dreamtheater.net/discog.htm

1.2 Where is the Dream Theater Tourography?

The Tourography is a monster list of past DT tour dates, venues and other information. It is maintained by Nick "Bogie" Bogovich, and can be found at http://dreamtheater.mit.edu/

1.3 Where is the Dream Theater Bootleg List?

WWW: http://www.cs.brandeis.edu/~mikeb/dt/boots.txt. No longer online.

It is also out of date, and far from complete, but it does not attempt to list every bootleg (which would be near impossible), but only the ones that are truly worth getting or desperately avoiding.

1.4 Where can I find lyrics to _____?

WWW: http://ivorygate.com/dt/

Or by e-mail from the Ytsejam Mailing List Archive by sending mail to [removed]. The subject of this e-mail should be "asdf" and the body should say "get ytsejam dt_songbook.txt". However, this version may not be as recent as Kizer's.

1.5 Are there Dream Theater web pages?

1.6 Is there a Dream Theater Mailing List?

To: [removed, list no longer active]
Subject: asdf

subscribe ytsejam Your Name

replacing 'Your Name' with your name.

The default is for the digest form of the mailing list - so if you would rather receive each individual post - then send:

To: [removed, list no longer active]
Subject: asdf

set ytsejam mail ack

NOTE: Do NOT send this request until you have received a confirmation stating that you have been added to the list!

To post to Ytsejam, address your e-mail to [removed, list no longer active].

To unsubscribe, send:

To: [removed, list no longer active]
Subject: asdf

unsubscribe ytsejam

You should receive notification within 2 hours.

If you have any problems please e-mail [removed, list no longer active] and a human will help you. If a human is unavailable, then Skadz will help you. For other information on the Ytsejam mailing list (such as how to get tour dates, this FAQ and other DT files via e-mail), send:

To: [removed, list no longer active]
Subject: asdf

info ytsejam

You should receive the information file within two hours.

1.7 Is there any other way to get Ytsejam back issues?

Yes, now you can find them at ftp://www.dreamt.org/pub/ytsejam/

1.8 Is there a Dream Theater IRC channel?

/server irc.dreamt.org 2112
/join #ytsejam

If you have a Unix account on a provider or through your school, you should be able to access IRC with:

% irc ________ irc.dreamt.org:2112

--And fill in the blank with the IRC nickname you'd like to use. If this doesn't work, it's possible your school or provider doesn't provide IRC service.

There are also alternates to irc.dreamt.org. If you have having trouble getting on, you can use:

• irc-2.dreamt.org port 2112
• gms.gmsnet.com port 6667

If for some reason all of the normal servers are down, irc.rocknet.com port 6667 is used as a backup server.

The DT chatroom is #ytsejam on all servers.

If you want to know more about the people on IRC, check out the #ytsejam IRC Page maintained by Irene Raceu at http://www.gabbo.net/dt/irc/

1.9 Is there a Dream Theater fan club?

http://www.dreamtheater.net/fanclubs.htm

Fans in North America that wish to join the official Dream Theater International Fan Club can do so by following these instructions:

The cost of joining the official Dream Theater International Fan Club for one year is US$25. Send a check or money order for $25, made payable to "DTIFC." Payment to be in U.S. funds only. NO CASH unless prior arrangements are made.

Send to:

Fans outside of North America should follow these directions:

Dues (payable in Dutch Guilders):
Holland: 40 Dutch guilders
Europe: 45 Dutch guilders
Rest of the World: 50 Dutch guilders

Send dues payable through Eurochecks IN GUILDERS, International Money Orders IN GUILDERS OR AMERICAN DOLLARS (Europe $23/ROW $25). If you send cash or checks, they should do it via registered mail.

Send to:

For your subscription fee, you will receive a quarterly glossy Dream Theater newsletter and occasional promotional materials. Although it is not guaranteed, DT has released exclusive Fan Club Only CDs every Christmas since 1996. They contain rare live and studio tracks that can't be found anywhere else.

More info can be found here: Homepage: http://www.dreamtheater.net/tod/
US Homepage: http://www.mikeportnoy.com/usdtifc.html
E-mail: [removed]

There are also other fan clubs you can join, depending on where you are, or how dedicated (read: obsessed) a fan you are:

The Mirror
Offizieller Deutscher Fanclub

Write to :

The Mirror
Postfach 3137
50246 Pulheim
Deutschland

E-mail: [removed]
Homepage: http://www.dtifc.com/themirror/

Carpe Diem !
Dream Theater fanzine in Japan

Write to :

Carpe Diem !
c/o Masayuki Daigo
6-24-11, Ryoke, Urawa
Saitama 336-0901
Japan

E-mail: [removed]
Homepage: http://www.mediusvision.com/dt/

Your Majesty
Le journal officiel francais consacre a Dream Theater

Write to :

Your Majesty
c/o Stephane Auzilleau
6, square du Portugal
91300 Massy
France

E-mail: [removed]
Homepage: http://www.multimania.com/yourmajesty/

Italian Dreamers
The Official Italian Fanclub

Write to :

Dream Theater Fan Club - Italian Dreamers
Via Galvani, 54
21015 Lonate Pozzolo VA
Italy

E-mail: [removed]
Homepage: http://www.italiandreamers.net/

Svenska Dream Theater Sällskapet
The Official Swedish Fanclub

Write to :

SDTS
c/o Andreas Skarin
Fornbacken 3
152 56 Södertälje
Sweden

E-mail: [removed]
Homepage: http://www.sdts.nu

Infinite Dreams

The Official Greek Fanclub

Write to :

Infinite Dreams
C/O Savvas Stanis
b.o.box 184
69100 komotini
Greece
E-mail: [removed]

2. A Brief History of Dream Theater

Their first efforts at getting material down on tape were called the Majesty Demos. Ineffective singer Chris Collins did the vocals on eight very progressive-sounding tracks. In March 1986 the Majesty demos were finished. 1000 copies sold within six months. Bootleg CDs of the Majesty demos continue to sell even today.

That November, Chris left the band, as he was a mismatch all along. A year went by without a singer and without a record deal, and more demos were cut. Instrumental versions of the songs we now know as "Afterlife," "Ytse Jam," and "The Killing Hand" were among them.

In November of 1987 vocalist Charlie Dominici joined the band and a record was finally cut on the Mechanic label. This is when the issue of the name nearly stopped Dream Theater before they started. A Las Vegas band called Majesty forced a name change, and DT considered several different possibilities. Glasser, Mi and Magus, and the like were tossed about and rejected. Mike Portnoy's father Howard suggested they use the name of a California movie theater, and the name Dream Theater was chosen.

DT quickly found out that Mechanic could not effectively promote their record or finance the tour they needed in order to promote it on their own, so they left the label. Charlie was fired because he didn't have DT's progressive plans on his agenda, and he had always been weak in a live setting. Time went by... a LOT of time.

Finally, in late 1991, Kevin James LaBrie of Winter Rose beat out fellow throats John Arch (ex-Fates Warning), Steve Stone, Chris Cintron, and John Hendricks for the vocalist spot. His audition was fantastic and an apt indicator of the future potential of DT, as he sang his way through an acoustic "To Live Forever," and demo tapes of "Learning to Live" and "Take The Time."

EastWest records, then ATCO Atlantic, signed DT and they cut the record Images And Words. Radio picked up on the opening track, "Pull Me Under," and IAW slowly started accumulating sales. DT began to field an obsessive and musically-inclined fan base who had been disappointed by late-80's and early-90's glam and grunge, and had held onto their Rush, Yes, and Floyd records, hoping for the day when another such band would come about. The band cut a video for "Pull Me Under" and it actually got rotation on MTV... a small miracle in itself. Two more videos were cut, "Another Day" and "Take The Time," and the latter got marginal airplay.

By halfway through the Music In Progress Tour '93, IAW was selling lots of copies and several cuts from it were gaining heavy airplay, as well as kindling a deep-seeded fan interest in unreleased recordings and bootlegs. Import shipments of When Dream And Day Unite sold quickly. Dream Theater cut a live EP in April 1993 called Live at the Marquee. Later that year, a live video called Live in Tokyo (sometimes titled "Music in Progress') was released. Still, the fans of DT needed more. Throughout the spring and summer of 1994, there was a veritable explosion of available bootlegs and rarities. IAW went gold in January of 1995.

DT took their own time, so to speak, in writing and recording Awake, their third studio album. It was recorded between May and July 1994 and was released on October 4, 1994. It was during this time that the sky itself fell on Dream Theater.

On August 1st, 1994 Kevin Moore decided to leave the band to pursue his own musical interests. On August 8th, 1994 the split was made final by a press release issued from Dream Theater's management. Several possible replacements were tossed about. Jens Johansson auditioned for the spot. Jordan Rudess played a gig with them but then left to play for the Dixie Dregs. Derek Sherinian, formerly of Kiss and Alice Cooper, stepped in and played with the band on the Awake tour. Derek was announced as an 'official' member during the last few shows of Dream Theater's 1995 European tour.

Dream Theater reunited with IAW producer David Prater and entered the studio in April of 1995 to record their 23-minute epic "A Change Of Seasons". Several tracks from the Ronnie Scott's 'Uncovered' Gig were also included in the release. The EP, entitled A Change of Seasons, was released on September 19, 1995.

In December 1996 Dream Theater played five shows on what was dubbed "The Fix for '96," where they showcased five of the songs that have been since released on FII, in addition to new arrangements of some of the classics. Following this were some springtime dates in Europe. They also released a short Christmas CD through the Fan Club, containing several songs from the Ronnie Scott's show that did not make the ACoS cut, as well as some 'inspirational' messages and advice for Caribou farmers.

Dream Theater spent a great deal of time in the studio with producer Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Silverchair). Between the Studio sessions and demos from Mike's basement studio, DT accumulated over two and a half hours of new material, including the evasive sequel to "Metropolis". On September 23, 1997, Falling Into Infinity was released in the US. The CD contained approximately half of the new music, but not "Metropolis II". Some of the other songs were released as B-sides or caught live at shows. Dream Theater spent the year touring in support of FII, as well as a set of large venue shows with Deep Purple and ELP. In December they released the second Fan Club Christmas CD.

1998 was the year of side projects for the band. Mike and John Petrucci collaborated with Jordan Rudess and Tony Levin on Liquid Tension Experiment, a CD considered by many to be the prog instrumental CD of the year. John also played with Derek and James on Age of Impact and James also lent his voice to Shadow Gallery's third CD Tyranny. Mike and John made plans for Liquid Tension Experiment II, and the groundwork was laid out for more 'supergroups' and side projects.

On October 27th, 1998 Dream Theater gave their fans a double dose of live music. A two disc live set taken from their European tour was released. The release of the CDs, titled Once in a LIVEtime coincided with the release of DT's second official live home video, Five Years in a LIVEtime. They wrapped up the end of the year in typical fashion by putting on a handful of shows for the upper East Coast crowd, as well as releasing their third Christmas CD through the International Fan Club.

Dream Theater started 1999 off and caught fans by surprise when they announced on January 18th that keyboardist Derek Sherinian had parted ways with the band. Most fans were happy to learn that his replacement was Jordan Rudess, an extraordinary progressive keyboardist who played live with DT shortly after Kevin left, and worked with John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy on Liquid Tension Experiment. Derek went on to form Planet X, and release a self-titled CD, and he lent his keyboard skills to Pat Torpey's Y2K. Not to be outdone, Kevin Moore released a collection of old demo songs, titled This is a Recording.

1999 saw the release of James LaBrie's solo CD, Mullmuzzler -- Keep it to Yourself, featuring Mike Mangini (formerly of Extreme) on drums and Matt Guillory (Dali's Dilemma) on keyboards. Also in 1999, Mike, James, Jordan, and Derek lent their talent to the CD Encores, Legends & Paradox on several tracks. And finally DT put a cap on 1999 with two releases to delight fans. The first was Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From a Memory, a 77 minute long concept album continuing the story of The Miracle and The Sleeper which began on Images and Words. The second release was a prize from Mike Portnoy's Dream Theater vaults. The 1999 Dream Theater International Fan Club CD featured nine studio recordings of older DT songs that did not make it onto past albums. It was Mike's way of "clearing the shelves" and starting fresh in the new millennium with the new DT lineup.

1999 also had two entries in the video category: Mike Portnoy's Liquid Drum Theater, and Jordan Rudess' Keyboard Wizardry. On sale now at your local music store (hopefully).

Dream Theater was also hard at work in the year 2000. Touring extensively in support of SFaM, DT's Metropolis 2000 live show featured a multimedia presentation to augment the album, a complete beginning to end performance of Metropolis 2, and a medley of DT songs dating all the way back to When Dream and Day Unite.

The side projects continue in 2000 as well. Derek and John Myung collaborated again on a second Platypus album, titled Ice Cycles, and Mike can be found on TransAtlantic - SMPTe, playing alongside Neal Morse (Spock's Beard), Pete Trewavas (Marillion), and Roine Stolt. Although Mike has stated that there will likely be no future Liquid Tension Experiment albums, there will be no shortage of other projects for the band to work on, including a second album from Mullmuzzler.

3. Questions about the band

3.1 Who thought up the name for the band?

3.2 What does the "symbol" DT uses mean?

3.3 What producers has Dream Theater worked with?

3.4 Who inspired the band members the most?

The whole band got on very well with the Galactic Cowboys. Much like their listeners, they have very broad and varied tastes. Portnoy is a regular concert goer, and has been met at Rush and King's X concerts by people on the Ytsejam list.

For individual influences, see Section 4.

3.5 Where did DT go to school?

4. Questions about specific members of Dream Theater

4.1 Who are the current members of Dream Theater?

They are Kevin James LaBrie (vocals), John Petrucci (guitar), Mike Portnoy (drums), John Myung (bass) and Jordan Rudess (keyboards).

4.2 James LaBrie

4.2.1 What was James LaBrie doing before he joined the band?

Kevin James LaBrie (they dropped the Kevin because they would have otherwise confused him with Kevin Moore, and two Johns are already hard enough to deal with, says Petrucci) sang for a Canadian glam band called Winter Rose. He was selected from among 20 auditions and over 200 tapes by DT during the making of IAW.

4.2.2 Now that Kevin Moore left, and the whole reason LaBrie used "James" was to sidestep the confusion, will he go back to "Kevin LaBrie"?

4.3 John Myung

4.3.1 Does John Myung speak?

No.

Actually, John is very soft-spoken, and in fact has only been documented as speaking twice. Once, when he said "I'm feeling kind of spooky" in the Live in Tokyo video. The second time was when he said "Excuse me" to Chris Ptacek, who was blocking his path at the DT House of Blues (Chicago) FII tour show.

4.3.2 Who are John Myung's musical influences?

John Myung's bass idols are Steve Harris and Geddy Lee.

4.3.3 What musical instrument sponsorships does John have?

4.4 Mike Portnoy

4.4.1 Who are Mike Portnoy's musical influences?

Mike Portnoy gives his influences in this excerpt from a Daily Vault interview:

"I used to like Neal Peart but I don't really listen to him that much anymore. He was a big influence for me when I was younger. I really listen to so many different drummers I mean, Terry Bozzio, Simon Phillips, but when I listen to music I don't really listen to the drummers... I listen to the ways the songs are produced, I listen to the ways the songs are written. When I listen to music there are lots of aspects I listen to, not just the drummers."

Mike as also cited Keith Moon of The Who and John Bonham from Led Zeppelin as drum influences.

4.4.2 What musical instrument sponsorships does Mike have?

Tama Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Drum Workshop Pedals & Hi-hats, Latin Percussion, Remo Heads and Pro-Mark 420 Mike Portnoy model signature series sticks. Mike originally played Tama, changed his kit between IAW and Awake to a Mapex set, and then changed back to Tama Star Classics.

4.5 John Petrucci

4.5.1 Who are John Petrucci's musical influences?

Petrucci has two groups of influences, he said in an interview, "the Steve's and the Al's." The Steve's are Steve Morse, Steve Howe, Steve Vai, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The Al's are Alex Lifeson, Al Di Meola, and Allan Holdsworth. He also likes Pantera.

4.5.2 What musical instrument sponsorships does John have?

Ibanez guitars, Mesa Boogie Amps, Dimarzio Pick-ups, Dunlop Picks, Wah Pedals.

4.6 Jordan Rudess

4.6.1 What did Jordan Rudess do before he joined Dream Theater?

Jordan is a Julliard educated keyboardist with influences ranging from Beethoven and Chopin to ELP, pop and prog bands. He worked with Dixie Dregs, Vinnie Moore, Dream Theater and others. He and Rod Morgenstein opened for DT during a set of Christmas shows in New England, and they went on to release Rudess Morgenstein Project, an all instrumental keyboard/drum duo. In 1998 he worked with John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy, and Tony Levin on Liquid Tension Experiment. It was the success and chemistry of that all instrumental project that influenced Dream Theater's decision to hire Jordan as their new keyboardist.

4.7 Charlie Dominici

4.7.1 Why did Charlie Dominici leave DT?

According to Mike Portnoy and John Petrucci, he was released because of several things, but most importantly because he didn't fit in with the band in a few important ways. He was far older than the rest of them, had a different idea of what DT should be, and lacked ability as a frontman when performing live. There were apparently a few personality conflicts at work. Dream Theater is still in contact with Charlie. He sang at Mike Portnoy's wedding in 1994 and he was spotted at a few of the Awake tour shows.

4.8 Kevin Moore

4.8.1 Why did Kevin Moore leave DT?

"...in some ways it's a shock to us and in some ways, it isn't, you know. I mean, the way that they [the fans] consider us a 'family unit,' in a lot of ways, it's true because, I grew up with Kevin, like, since we were little kids and this has been our band since... whenever. We were 17, out of high school, you know, the first year in college, so it is kind of weird, not having him in the band, it's definitely strange. The only thing I can say to the fans is, you know, so far as worrying and whatnot, this is something that was going on with Kevin like, or, the way he explained it to us, for a couple of years, so he was slowly sort of stepping out of his position, and even with the writing on Awake, it's not as much of his trademark and his sound and his writing. So if they're into this album, maybe that's a good sign because it was something that was written a lot without his enthusiasm or without his input for the most part, so, it's sort of a... step to the new whatever's going to happen next. So if they like it, that's a good sign..."

"...he didn't tell us slowly, it was unexpected for us too. But it's just that he was thinking about it for awhile, we didn't even know that, you know? We sensed that he was a little bit distant, that maybe he was unhappy, but we never thought he would leave the band, 'cause like I said, this has been something we've been into since we were little kids or whatever. He told us right towards the end of the recording session for Awake, which was about mid-July, and that was really strange because, you know, we weren't finished recording and he told us this, so... I mean, obviously we finished up the recording of the record, but it was... I guess no time is a good time, but it seemed like a strange sort of time and we were all really shocked, you know, we were like, 'I don't understand,' you know? It's hard for me to understand because we've been pretty successful and we think this record is going to do really well for us, we hope it is, and there's a lot of things on the horizon and we've worked our entire lives to get to this point, so it's hard for me to relate to leaving that..."

"...I don't think you can pinpoint to one specific reason why he left the band, but I think basically it comes down to this... over the last couple of years, he's sort of changed the type of music that he's into, that he likes to write and he's demoing a lot of stuff where he's playing everything himself and singing himself and it's in a different style, like techno/industrial sort of style, nothing like our band... it just seems like playing with us, he wasn't able to do the type of stuff that he wanted to do and he figured he never would if he stayed in the situation, so he wanted to be true to his musical vision. I guess that was kind of frustrating with him. Maybe when we started the band and for the first couple of albums, it was the kind of stuff he really liked doing and then for whatever reason, whatever happened in his life... whatever was happening, whether it was touring or whatever, he just changed the type of stuff he was into and he no longer felt passionate, or feels passionate, about the style of music that Dream Theater plays... you know, the heavy, progressive sort of music..."

4.8.2 What is Kevin Moore up to?

In the summer of 1995, Kevin decided to shave his head(!) and move to Los Angeles, CA to record some new material with Fates Warning drummer, Mark Zonder. These songs eventually turned into the "Chroma Key" demos and featured Kevin on keyboards/bass/vocals and Mark Zonder on drums. Kevin describes his new music as "keyboard-oriented semi-progressive rock."

Kevin recorded more "Chroma Key" songs during the last half of 1996 (with Jason Anderson on guitar, Joey Vera on bass, and Mark Zonder on drums), and mixed those songs with Steve Tushar. Kevin's website, http://www.chromakey.com, has information on acquiring Chroma Key's debut CD Dead Air For Radios which was released on February 9th, 1999 by Fight Evil Records, with national distribution provided by City Hall Records. Soundclips are also available.

Kevin also plays all the keyboards on Fates Warning's latest album, A Pleasant Shade Of Gray, which was released in April 1997. Contrary to popular belief, the keyboard parts were written by Jim Matheos, and Kevin only played them for the studio recording.

Kevin went back to work in early 1999, offering a new 6-song Chroma Key single of demos and remixes, as well as a limited edition Chroma Key screen print. He also put out a collection of demos on CD, titled This is a Recording. Kevin is working on a new Chroma Key album, and he will likely be playing keyboards on the upcoming Fates Warning album, Disconnected, due out on July 25th, 2000. Kevin is also playing keyboards on tour for a new band called On.

4.9 Derek Sherinian

4.9.1 Why did Derek and Dream Theater part ways?

After working with Jordan Rudess during recording for Liquid Tension Experiment I and II, the band felt that Jordan's playing and writing style was more in tune to where they wanted to take Dream Theater as the new millennium approached.

"With the recent release of our live CD and video, it seemed the right time to close this chapter and begin a new one."
"Derek's contributions to the band both musically and personally over the last four years is something that we will always treasure, and we will all miss."

--Mike Portnoy

"I am very proud of my musical growth and contributions to the band in the last four years. I have nothing but positive thoughts and feelings towards John, Mike, James, and John. Jordan Rudess is a friend of mine and a great talent. I wish all of them the very best!"

--Derek Sherinian

4.9.2 What has Derek been up to since he left the band?

Derek has released his first solo CD, titled Planet X on Magna Carta Records. His talents can also be heard on the Platypus CDs, When Pus Comes to Shove, and Ice Cycles. Some of Derek's contributions can also be heard on Encores, Legends & Paradox, and Pat Torpey's albums, Odd Man Out and Y2K.

4.10 Do the members of DT have any side projects?

Liquid Tension Experiment - This is a phenomenal project conceived by Pete Morticelli and Mike Varney. They wanted to put together a 'Super Group,' and who better to call than Mike Portnoy. Mike put together a list of people he would like to work with, and in the end, Liquid Tension solidified into Mike on drums, John Petrucci on guitar, Jordan Rudess of Dixie Dregs on keyboards, and Tony Levin on bass. With very little practice time, and only one week to record the entire CD, the four laid down a full length album which was mixed by Kevin Shirley and distributed on Magna Carta. Their second CD, Liquid Tension Experiment II was released in early 1999.

Explorer's Club - Another 'Super Group' CD from Magna Carta featuring James LaBrie, Derek Sherinian, and John Petrucci. Also playing on this CD are Matt Bradley of Dali's Dilemma (formerly Chaos Theory), D.C. Cooper from Royal Hunt, Bret Douglas from Cairo, and Trent Gardner from Magellan on vocals; Matt Guillory from Dali's Dilemma on keys, Steve Howe of Yes on acoustic guitar, Billy Sheehan of Mr. Big on bass, and the prolific Terry Bozzio on drums. The CD, Age of Impact, is in stores now.

Platypus - Yet another 'Super Group,' this one featuring Derek Sherinian and John Myung, along with Ty Tabor of King's X on vocals and guitar, and Rod Morgenstein of Dixie Dregs on drums. The CD, When Pus Comes to Shove, was written and recorded in 16 days, and is in stores now. Also available is Platypus' latest album, Ice Cycles.

Mullmuzzler - James LaBrie has gone solo, with a little help from Matt Guillory (Dali's Dilemma), Mike Mangini, Mike Keneally, and Bryan Beller. Mullmuzzler's first album, Keep it to Yourself is in stores, and a second album is in the planning stages.

TransAtlantic - Mike Portnoy is unstoppable. Here, he has joined up with Neal Morse (from Spock's Beard), Pete Trewavas (Marillion), and Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings). Their album, SMPTe was released in early 2000.

4.11 Do the members of DT appear on any tribute albums?

Also, John Petrucci and James appear on Dragon Attack: A Tribute to Queen. James sings on "Sheer Heart Attack" and "One Vision" (both of which have Mike Portnoy listed in the Additional Engineering credits), and John plays on "Another One Bites The Dust." Dragon Attack is available on DeRock Records.

In addition, Mike, Jordan, James and Derek are both slated to play on the upcoming ELP tribute album from Magna Carta. John Petrucci will be on Idiot Symphony's upcoming CD, and Derek added keys for an Alice Cooper tribute CD, Humanary Stew.

In addition to tributes, the band members have also helped out fellow musicians on their own projects. John Myung lends a hand an a Chapman Stick on Sean Malone's Gordian Knot, and Derek guests on keys on RFTC by Rocket From the Crypt. Also, James has added some guest vocals on Shadow Gallery's new CD Tyranny.

4.12 With so many 'super groups' and tributes out there, how do I know who played on what?

You can start by checking out the DT Member Discography. It's a small reference table I created to show who played on which CDs. It is available at http://www.gabbo.net/dt/faq/releases.html

5. Questions about DT performances and appearances

5.1.1 What songs have Dream Theater not played live?

A Vision
Too Far
Space Dye Vest

5.1.2 What songs have Dream Theater only performed live?

Bombay Vindaloo
Moon Bubbles
Barfbag
Showdown (incorporated into Raise the Knife)

In addition to these, there are several variations of DT songs that are played live. Most notably is "Caught in Alice's Nine Inch Tool Garden", a sort of techno infused version of "CiaW". There are also versions of "Metropolis" and others with bits of songs from other artists thrown in.

5.2 Who has toured with Dream Theater?

5.3 What was the "Ronnie Scott's Uncovered Gig?"

Songs marked with (*) are available on the A Change Of Seasons release. Songs marked with (+) are available on the Dream Theater International Fan Club's Christmas CD.

Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club - 1/31/95

• Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding (Elton John)*
• Perfect Strangers (Deep Purple)*
• Red Hill Mining Town (U2)+
• Led Zeppelin Medley: The Rover, Achilles Last Stand, The Song Remains The Same*
• Tears (Rush)+
• Damage Inc. (Metallica) with Barney Greenway (Napalm Death)+
• Happiness is a Warm Gun (Beatles) with Steve Hogarth (Marillion)
• Easter (Marillion) with Steve Hogarth and Steve Rothery (Marillion)
• Winter (Tori Amos)
• In The Dead of Night (UK)
• Yes Medley: Machine Messiah, Heart of the Sunrise, Close To The Edge, Siberian Khatru, Starship Trooper with Steve Howe (Yes)
• The Big Medley: In The Flesh? (Pink Floyd), Carry On Wayward Son (Kansas), Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen), Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin (Journey), Cruise Control (Dixie Dregs), Turn It On Again (Genesis)*

5.4 Has anyone else sung for DT since James joined the band?

Mike also picked up lead vocal duties during the first verse of "Anna Lee" at the February 26th, 1998 show in Brussels Belgium. The verse was followed by "Where the f--- is James!?"

5.5 Who is Nightmare Cinema?

Nightmare Cinema is a warped version of Dream Theater, both in name and members. It features John Petrucci on drums, John Myung on keys, Mike Portnoy on bass, Derek Sherinian on guitar, and James LaBrie still on vocals. They made several appearances during encores in Europe, and a few US dates as well, starting with the November 1st, 1997 show at the House of Blues in Chicago. The set list consists of "Perfect Strangers."

5.6 Who is Nicky Lemons?

Nicky Lemons is another twisted touring extra, starring Derek Sherinian as Nicky Lemons, a lounge act.

6. Questions about the albums and songs

6.1 The early songs

6.1.1 What are the Majesty demos?

A Change of Seasons
A Late Summer Rain
A Vision
Afterlife
Another Won
Creep With Tonality %
Cry for Freedom
Death of Spock, The
Don't Look Past Me
Gates of Babylon @
Golden Slumbers *
Grab That Feel $
Killing Hand, The
March of the Tyrant
Metropolis
Mission: Impossible
O Holy Night
Resurrection of Ernie
Schizophrenia
To Live Forever
Too Far
Vital Star
Ytse Jam, The
Your Majesty
Wanted: Dead or Alive (sort of a joke)

6.1.2 Will DT ever release production versions of the old Majesty demos?

6.1.3 Who wrote "Don't Look Past Me"?

The music was written by Dream Theater, and the lyrics were written by Kevin.

6.1.4 Who sings on the satiric "Wanted Dead or Alive" demo?

John Petrucci originally recorded this demo as a practice tape for one of his guitar students before IAW was released. The demo tracks laid down by John were recorded with guitar and a drum machine only and no added vocals. Eventually, Chris Collins, one of Dream Theater's earliest vocalists got hold of the tape and decided to add some vocals of his own to the background music. The final result is the "heliumfest" you hear on the demo.

[note: It was previously listed that Rich Kern (Kevin's old roommate and programmer for "SDV") did the vocals. Kern himself denied this in an email message and said it was Collins. There is an alternate source (the DT Tourography) that says Kern was at a DT show and admitted he did them.]

6.1.5 Who wrote "To Live Forever?"

The music was written by Dream Theater. The lyrics to the song were originally written by John Petrucci. On the "Lie" single, there is an additional verse (which starts at 3:37) which was written by Kevin. This last verse was the last songwriting contribution Kevin made to the band.

6.1.6 Did the demos "Death of Spock" and "Cry For Freedom" ever go anywhere?

6.2 When Dream and Day Unite

6.2.1 Andrea Held Leone and Ralph R. Dominici Sr. are mentioned in the liner notes to WDADU as the dedicants. What relation to the band are they?

6.2.2 What is "A Fortune In Lies" about?

According to Mike, it was about a friend of theirs who was busted for stealing and the experience he gleaned from it.

6.2.3 What does "The Ytse Jam" mean?

YTSEJAM is MAJESTY written backwards; it refers to their original band name in that ambiguous way instrumentals refer to things.

6.2.4 What is "The Killing Hand" about?

John does not comment on it often, but Mike Portnoy opened up in an interview about why it was written and what he thinks it's about. In the interview, Portnoy was very careful to remind the reader that he could be all wrong, but that it was not likely. Petrucci wrote it as a sort of "Twilight Zone" story about war in which the main character witnesses all these atrocities and sees the names of the dead on a wall, and then realizes it's been him this whole time causing all the atrocities... then he sees his own name on the wall. Very Rod Serling-type of stuff.

6.2.5 Is "Afterlife" a Christian song? Is "Eve?"

While the band admits "Afterlife" has Christian overtones, it is not a religious tune in the same spirit as the music of King's X or Parallax. In fact when the band used to play "Afterlife" live with Chris Collins, the lyrics were completely different. "Eve", the piano/guitar intro sequence used live for both "Pull Me Under" and "Learning To Live" at different times, includes a lot of voice samples from James Joyce's "A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man." According to sources close to Moore, "Although Eve IS named for the "Christian" concept of Eve, it was more inspired by James Joyce and their shared contempt of Christianity than anything else."

6.3 Images and Words

6.3.1 What does the burning heart symbolize?

6.3.2 Marillion is thanked in the liners. What's the relation?

Since then, Steve Rothery and Steve Hogarth joined the band at their Uncovered gig at Ronnie Scott's. Fish was also invited to sing "In The Flesh?" at this gig but had to cancel at the last minute.

Mike Portnoy also said, "We're all really big fans. I really dig Misplaced Childhood."

6.3.3 In the liners, DT thanks "Fatez Warning (Jus'kiddin'!!)." What's that all about?

This is a joke regarding a misprint in the liners of Fates Warning's Parallels. In the liners, they thank "dream theatre," a commonly made spelling mistake which Dream Theater hates.

6.3.4 What is "Pull Me Under" about?

The current explanation goes that it was inspired by Shakespeare's "Hamlet". Prince Hamlet swore vengeance on King Claudius for murdering his father, the former King, and then marrying his mother, still Queen. Hamlet's famous Soliloquy was the passage in which the conflict in Hamlet's mind is detailed, and the second verse of "Pull Me Under" coincides pretty thoroughly with it. The very end of the song James can be heard singing this line from Hamlet:

"Oh that this too, too solid flesh would melt."

The no-brainer explanation can be found at http://www.gabbo.net/dt/faq/dt-hamlet.html.

6.3.5 "Pull Me Under" stops abruptly on my CD. Do I have a faulty copy?

Nope. This sudden cut off was intentional.

6.3.6 What is "Another Day" about?

Two other schools of thought have previously emerged on this subject:

Suicide is the most obvious meaning. Pretty much every verse supports the theme of a person trying to talk someone out of killing themselves. "so die another day... better to save the mystery."

Another equally valid point of view is that of mental illness, and trying to cope with it as the sufferer and/or family. "they took pictures of our dreams..."

6.3.7 Who plays the saxophone on "Another Day"?

6.3.8 What is "Take The Time" about?

"We decided to write a song about everything we'd been going through for the past three years - looking for a new singer, a new label & new management - just all the changes we made & all the frustrations we went through...but, have it coming from each of our four different perspectives. So, we broke it up, and said 'Okay, you take the 1st verse, you take the 2nd verse,' went away, wrote lyrics about our feelings about all the stuff we were going through, and then put it together. Then [we] wrote the chorus together. That was the 1st time we had ever done that, and it's the only song on the album where the lyrics were actually written by everybody."

6.3.9 What is being said in Italian in "Take the Time" and where is it from?

"Adesso che ho perso la vista, ci vedo meglio e di piu"

It's not a coincidence that LaBrie sings, "I can see much clearer now I'm blind," right before the sample.

6.3.10 What was the original title of "Surrounded?"

6.3.11 What is "Surrounded" about?

6.3.12 What story is "Metropolis part I: The Miracle and the Sleeper" based on?

6.3.13 "Metropolis, part I"? Where is part II?

Perhaps the only song in Dream Theater lore with more anticipation of a recorded version than "ACoS" is "Metropolis, Part II". According to the band, the song has been written and demoed once on Mike's DAT recorder. It weighs in at over 25 minutes, making it the longest DT song to date. There are no immediate plans for a studio version, although the band has hinted that we will see it on a future release. They promise that the song will be reworked with Jordan's influence rather than Derek's, since Derek was a member at the time of writing. This will allow more contributions from Jordan to the band, not to mention make the sole copy of Metropolis II with Derek on keys one of *the* most sought after recordings in DT history.

6.3.14 What is "Wait For Sleep" about? Who is the girl/woman in "Wait For Sleep"?

6.3.15 What is "Learning to Live" about?

6.4 Live at the Marquee

6.4.1 What is a "Vindaloo"?

6.4.2 What is the pepper-like symbol in the booklet?

The other theory is that it doesn't actually mean anything, and it's just a neat-looking, albeit extremely common, printer's symbol.

Or maybe it's just a Vindaloo.

6.5 Awake

6.5.1 What did the band have to say about recording Awake?

John Petrucci:

"Being prepared was a key element that contributed to the successful recording of Awake. Unlike our previous studio releases, this one had the benefit of hundreds of live performances shaping sounds and developing new ideas for equipment and instrumentation. This, coupled with a trusting relationship with our producers, resulted in a truer expression of creative vision. We are very pleased with this recording and excited about playing it live."

James LaBrie:

"I had a great time recording, and working with John and Duane was a pleasure because not only do they get amazing sounds, but they truly understand the music."

John Myung:

"With the recording of this album, sonically I think we've all made individual improvements. Each of us has a distinct sound, you can hear each instrument by itself and also hear how they all work together."

Mike Portnoy:

"Upon finishing the never-ending world tour for Images and Words, the five of us found ourselves bursting with creative excitement ready to explode. The shrapnel of these ideas is what you are now listening to. I feel that Awake is our most diverse and complete work to date, and I hope it is as enjoyable for you to listen to as it was for us to create."

Kevin Moore:

"I had fun experimenting with keyboard sounds with John & Duane. I'm very happy with the raw quality we came up with."

6.5.2 What is "6:00" about?

"...that actually was inspired by a story that James told me about one of his friends. He told me about one of his friends who he used to work with at a factory... James, I guess he worked with him like years & years ago. Anyway, this guy is still working at that factory & he [James] just met him like, I guess, recently, and he was talking to him about how he's got all these great benefits now and everything, but... and so that struck me as... that struck him, you know, it's kind of affected him and I thought about it too, and I was just thinking about how people kind of let life live them instead of living life sometimes, you know. And just get caught up in just being secure and having money, you know, to survive, which is a noble thing for some people. But some people don't even give themselves a chance, you know, this guy happened to be a musician who still had a dream about becoming a serious musician and making a career out of it, but it was obvious that he was never going to do anything about it. And this is kind of like a 'do something about it' song."

From what we have surmised, "6:00", of course is REALLY primarily about Kevin's thoughts about leaving the band and the indecisiveness that preceded this.

6.5.3 What is "Caught In A Web" about?

"...a person that's... it's not male or female, it could be either. And it's dealing with a person who has suppressed their feelings for so long and has finally had enough of it and feels that the only way that they can really live life to it's fullest is to live from the inside out. And that's basically what this person has come to terms with. And they're sick of society inducements and they feel the only way that they can go on with life is to live it the way they feel is the truth..."

6.5.4 Anyone notice that "Erotomania" contains snippets of many of the songs on the first half of Awake?

6.5.5 Who is the Cassandra mentioned in "Voices?"

The verse goes:

Maybe I'm just Cassandra fleeting
Twentieth Century icon bleeding
Willing to risk salvation
To escape from isolation

Cassandra was a figure in Greek mythology who was the object of the god Apollo's affections. He gave her the power to tell the future, but when she would not return his love, he made it so that no one would ever believe the prophecies she gave, although they were right.

The Fleeting part comes in because she foretold the downfall of the city of Troy, but no one she told would believe her. So she knew it was going to happen, but couldn't warn anyone. 'Fleeting' means that she's trying to do something even though she knows it won't work, not 'fleeing' as in running from something.

6.5.6 What is the song "The Silent Man" about?

6.5.7 Who sings backup vocals on "The Silent Man"?

6.5.8 What is "Lie" about?

"At the bottom of a lake, it's a hundred degrees I can't breathe" = Lake of Fire / Hell

"You tell me 'bout your two more coming" = The Second Coming

6.5.9 What is "Lifting Shadows off a Dream" about?

"...that song is more or less just reflecting the duality that exists between a man and a woman; the spiritual side of the relationship & how they both can compliment one another."

6.5.10 What is "Space-Dye Vest" about? How did Kevin come up with this stuff?

"It was inspired by... I was looking through a clothing catalog & saw a picture of a girl modeling this piece of clothing called a space-dye vest. And, so, I fell in love with her [laughs] for some strange reason & so the minute I did that, the minute I was just like obsessed w/this person, I was like, 'why am I doing that?' & I noticed that I was doing it a lot lately. And I think the prime reason that I was doing that, and this is what I figured out at the time, was that I had just come out of a relationship where I'd gotten dumped, basically, and so I think the situation was that I wasn't finished giving all that I was ready to give, so I was just, like, throwing it around, you know, just aiming it in different directions. It was a total case of projection. And this song is just trying to sort it out & just kind of admitting that I'm just kind of lost. So it's kind of a dark song. It was very cathartic though."

6.6 A Change of Seasons

6.6.1 What is unique about the song "A Change of Seasons?"

6.6.2 What is the song "A Change of Seasons" about?

6.6.3 Where does the "Gather Ye Rosebuds" stuff come from?

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the Sun,
The higher he's a-getting
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.

That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times, still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time;
And while ye may, go marry:
For having lost but once your prime,
You may forever tarry.

6.6.4 Where do the various parts of "A Change of Seasons" start?

I The Crimson Sunrise 0:00
II Innocence 3:50
III Carpe Diem 6:54
IV The Darkest of Winters 10:08
V Another World 13:01
VI The Inevitable Summer 16:59
VII The Crimson Sunset 20:12

6.6.5 What is this "Mercy Fuck" business I keep hearing about?

6.7 Falling Into Infinity

6.7.1 I heard that there is something strange about the FII cover, can you explain?

Many people believe that the cover is intended to be like a 3D Stereogram. If you stare at the cover and slightly cross your eyes, then the figures seem to come out from the background, and by rotating the cover left or right, one of the figures will seem to lift higher out of the water than the other.

6.7.2 I heard that the recording of FII was different from that of DT's previous albums. How so?

During the FII sessions, the songs were recorded one at a time. Each member would lay down the tracks for one song, then that song would be mixed. The end result was that each song had it's own characteristics and variances that would be missing with the previous method.

6.7.3 What is a Chapman Stick? On which songs is it used?

The Chapman Stick is a unique electric string instrument. Instead of being plucked like a guitar, the act of fretting a note causes it to play. This means that you can play notes with both hands allowing you to play a much fuller arrangement. Emmett Chapman created this technique on a self-built guitar in the late 1960s. In subsequent years he created The Stick as the ultimate instrument for tapping technique.

For more information, try http://www.stick.com or http://www.clever.net/stick/stickwire/

John Myung plays the Stick on the songs "New Millennium" and "Take Away My Pain."

6.7.4 What is "Peruvian Skies" about?

Peruvian Skies is based on an article that JP read about an abused girl in Peru, which is where the title came from.

6.7.5 Did Dream Theater change "Burning My Soul" for the CD?

Yes, the song was slightly rearranged for the sake of the CD. The original version -- played live at some Christmas shows before the recording of the CD -- was almost twice as long, thanks to a 4+ minute long instrumental section. This instrumental section was lifted from the song and recorded separately as "Hell's Kitchen."

6.7.6 What is Hell's Kitchen?

Hell's Kitchen is the neighborhood in New York City where you can find Avatar Studio, the site of the recording of Falling Into Infinity.

6.7.7 What is "Take Away My Pain" about?

It was written by John Petrucci in memory of his late father. The original version is a very toned down acoustic song, and is preferred by many to the version that appears on the album.

6.7.8 Why does "Just Let Me Breathe" give me Deja Vu?

Also, during the solo Derek goes back to the "WFS" / "LtL" riff used on IAW, adding to the 're-usable riff' theory (see 6.8.1).

The spelling of eMpTyV in the liners was most likely something Mike Portnoy picked up from its common use on the Ytsejam Mailing List.

6.7.9 Who is Anna Lee?

6.8 Miscellaneous

6.8.1 Has anybody noticed the re-usable riff phenomenon?

6.8.2 Has anybody noticed the Another Song phenomenon?

6.8.3 What songs has Dream Theater made videos for?

Pull Me Under
Take The Time
Another Day
Lie
The Silent Man
Hollow Years

7. Questions concerning the samples used in the songs

7.1 Where is the sampled voice in "A Fortune In Lies" from?

7.2 Where were the samples used in "6:00" pulled from?

The words are (from the book):

--No, continued Aunt Kate, she wouldn't be said or led by anyone, slaving there in that choir night and day, night and day. Six o'clock on Christmas morning! And all for what?

--Well, isn't it for the honour of God, Aunt Kate? asked Mary Jane, twisting round on the piano-stool and smiling.

Aunt Kate turned fiercely on her niece and said:

--I know all about the honour of God, Mary Jane, but I think it's not at all honourable for the pope to turn out the women out of the choirs that have slaved there all their lives and put little whipper-snappers of boys over their heads. I suppose it is for the good of the Church if the pope does it. But it's not just, Mary Jane, and it's not right.

7.3 Where are the samples in "Space-Dye Vest" from?

"...he's the sort who can't know anyone intimately, least of all a woman. He doesn't know what a woman is. He wants you for a possession, something to look at, like a painting or an ivory box. Something to own and to display. He doesn't want you to be real, or to think, or to live. He doesn't love you. But I love you. I want you to have your own thoughts and ideas and feelings, even when I hold you in my arms...it's our last chance."

Another interesting connection between "SDV" and "A Room With A View" is that Kevin based most of the song around a chord progression that's actually from the background music in movie! It only appears a couple of times in very short sections, but it's definitely the same chord progression that Kevin used in "SDV."

This sample was taken from TV commentator Jim Hill of KCBS in Los Angeles during the O.J. Simpson police chase.

"Some people gave advice before about facing the facts, about facing reality. And this is, this without a doubt, is his biggest challenge ever. He's going to have to face it. You're gonna have to try, he's gonna have to try and, uh, and, and, and get some help here. I mean, you know, now no one can say they know how he feels..."

"That's what they say that, like that in Houston, or something. They say 'yeah, it's 180 degrees, but it's a dry heat.'"

"In Houston they say that?"

"Oh, maybe not, I'm all mixed up."

"Dry until they hit the swimming pool."

Evan's stepfather: (unintelligible talking)"...I'll get up with the sun...she doesn't, she doesn't want you to sleep in...I don't care what you do, I don't care what you say, you're grounded... that door gets locked, that door gets locked at night by 9 o'clock. If you're not in this house by 9 o'clock, then you'd better find someplace to sleep...you think you can go to your mom's house and sucker her into it?..."(unintelligible talking)

Evan: "I can move out on my own, uhm, get a job, get my own place... I'll go to the mall whenever I like... they tell me I'm much too young..."

7.4 Where are the samples from "The Mirror" from?

Mark also wrote that the male voice is Jeremy Irons' from the movie "Damage," from Louis Malle, also in 1992. Mark transcribed the passages this way:

(Jeremy Irons in Damage)
The feeling that (3:23) I HAVEN'T BEHAVED AS I SHOULD. You know, what you were saying in Hartley about passion... You were right. I was distanted. I know I was.

(Mary Beth Hurt in Lightsleeper)
(3:26) EVERYTHING YOU NEED IS AROUND YOU, THE ONLY DANGER IS INSIDE YOU

(Jeremy Irons in Damage)
(3:34) YOU SEE, I THOUGHT YOU COULD CONTROL LIFE...
(3:39) BUT IT'S NOT LIKE THAT... There are things you...
(3:42) THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN'T CONTROL

The low spoken parts, such as "Resistance", etc., at the beginning of the song, are Mike speaking.

7.5 Where are the samples in "Voices" taken from?

7.6 Where are the samples in "A Change of Seasons" from?

The part of the song after "Goodbye" and before the now-infamous "Please Don't Go!" is a collection of lines taken from the movie "Table For Five." The voice is John Voight's.

7.7 Where are the samples in "Don't Look Past Me" from?

8. Miscellaneous

8.1 Did the band "Blind Melon" bash DT? What did they say?

8.2 What is the correct pronunciation of the word - 'YTSEJAM'?

8.3 What are "Ytsecons"?

There was also a Tokyo Ytsecon on May 14th, 1995 in Shimo-Kitazawa. Can anyone give me more details...?

YtseCon II was held on December 28, 1995 at the Holiday Inn in Rockville Centre, NY, the day of a DT performance at Malibu Night Club in Lido Beach, NY. The second YtseCon was organized by Trey Allen.

YtseCon III was held on October 12, 1996 at the LaGuardia Marriott in Queens, NY, and was organized by Jeff Chew.

8.4 Misheard Lyrics

If you think you heard:

You probably heard:

"I want to blow you now"

"I want to know you now" (from "Status Seeker")

"Watching mortality, I mow the lawn"

"Wanting mortality, I'm all alone" (from "The Killing Hand")

"I touched with Juan"

"I touched with one" (from "Afterlife")

"This world is spinning in sodomy"

"This world is spinning inside of me" (from "Pull Me Under")

"They took pictures of our trash"

"They took pictures of our dreams" (from "Another Day")

"The vulture has stood on his head"

"The fortune lies still in his hands" (from "Take the Time")

"Death is the first dancing turtle"

"Death is the first dance eternal." (from "Metropolis Part 1")

"She's been trying to leak again"

"She's been trying to link again" (from "Wait for Sleep")

"Nobody knows what they want, till they're fondling little girls"

"Nobody knows what they want, till they finally let it all go" (from "6:00")

"Sharing flashlights and vacations"

"Sharing flesh like envy in cages" (from "Innocence Faded")

"F--- this whore"

"Thought Disorder" (from "Voices")

"Sex is right here on my crucifix"

"Says it right here on my crucifix" (from "Voices")

"I feel the leg, I feel the breast, sex is death, death is sex"

"I feel elated, I feel depressed, sex is death, death is sex" (from "Voices")

"Let's start a party, it's Friday night"

"Let's stare the problem right in the eye" (from "The Mirror")

"Breaking delicate winds"

"Breaking delicate wings" (from "Lifting Shadows off a Dream")

"Won't let them feel me with their elastic rubbernads"

"Won't let them fill me with fatalistic remedies" (from "Scarred")

"And my son's not so bright"

"And my sun's not so bright" (from "A Change of Seasons")

"I was blinded by a pair of dice"

"I was blinded by a paradise" (from "A Change of Seasons")

"You ask me where's my hairspray?"

"You ask me why my hair's gray" (from "Burning My Soul")

"Strike up your best X-rated posture"

"Strike up your best angst-ridden posture" (from "Just Let Me Breathe")

"They invite your hands to feel their knees"

"They invite your hands to fill their needs" (from "Anna Lee")

8.5 Have the FAQ Maintainers ever played any practical jokes on the readers?

On April 1st, 1998, Pat Griffin replaced the FAQ with this one: http://www.gabbo.net/dt/faq/af98/

And of course, who could forget 1999's April Fool's Day entry, found at http://www.gabbo.net/dt/faq/af99/

Sometimes the best April Fools jokes are the ones that are close enough to the truth that some people actually fall for it. My apologies to those who thought the 2000 joke was for real: http://www.gabbo.net/dt/faq/af00/

FAQ you all. :)

Again, for any corrections, information, or suggestions, or if you would like to mirror the FAQ, email me check the current official faq (see note at top of this document). :)