John Petrucci in Gibraltar

Note from Mike Borella

Surprise, surprise! With the help of a fellow Gibraltar reader, I managed to get an exclusive interview with guitarist John Petrucci of Dream Theater! For those of you not familiar with DT, they are a heavy progressive band from the New York area whose long awaited second release, “Images and Words” should be available sometime in June. They have had a fair amount of critical acclaim but have been unable to break out of the underground due to changing record labels and replacing their original vocalist.

Special thanks are in order for Evan Avidon who did the dirty work of arranging this interview, and without whom this interview would never have taken place. Thanks Evan!

-Mike Borella
[email protected]

MB: How long has Dream Theatre been together? What brought the band together?

JP: Dream Theater (notice the spelling) has been together for about 7 years. Kev, John, and I grew up together and Mike was “discovered” while John and I attended The Berklee College of Music in Boston. Our current Canadian “throat-meister” was found through one of our friends at Mechanic during auditions.

MB: Who are your major influences as a guitarist? Who are the influences of the other band members?

JP: My major influences can basically be broken down in two categories: 1) THE STEVES: Steve Morse, Steve Howe, Steve Vai, Stevie Ray Vaughn 2) THE ALS: Alex Lifeson, Al Dimeola, Alan Holdsworth

Pretty bizarre eh?

John’s major influences are Steve Harris, and Geddy Lee. Mike’s are numerous including Terry Bozzio, Neil Peart, and Vinnie Calauta (sp?). Kev’s are Rick Wakeman, Jens Johansen, Michelle Camillo, and loads more!

MB: Do you consider yourselves more of a metal band or more of a progressive group?

JP: That’s a good question! In fact I think the thing that keeps us “modern” and not sounding dated is that we do have a heavy sound. Metal is just as big as an influence as 70’s prog-rock on our writing style and sound as a band.

MB: What were the circumstances of Charlie Dominici’s leaving?

JP: Charlie is a very talented musician but all of us sort of new from the beginning that he could never take us where our dreams aspired as a front man. His live performance lacked and he was considerably older than us.

MB: Tell us a little about the new singer.

JP: Our new singer’s name is Kevin James Labrie. We call him James as to not confuse him with Kev! He lives in Canada and his old band was called Winter Rose. The guy is completely amazing and super cool. He is also pretty damn handsome!

MB: Why has is taken so long between albums?

JP: Well basically because we have gone through changes! It took us a year and a half to find a new singer. It took 18 months to get out of our old record deal. We then recorded a demo for Atco Records and eventually signed with them. I guess just a lot of red tape!

MB: Will the 20 minute song be released?

JP: No “A Change of Seasons” will not be released on our forthcoming record, but we hope to include it as a focal piece on a live 5-song E.P.

MB: What does the new album sound like compared to When Dream and Day Unite?

JP: First of all James (our new singer) is 1 million times better and more emphasis is show on the vocals and their place in the songs. The production is so much better. All of the instruments are much clearer and separated. Also the guitars are a lot more up front and heavier. There is also a soprano sax spot light by Jay Beckenstien of Spiro Gyra, and many uses of acoustic piano throughout the entire record.

MB: Is there a particular form of music you see the band sticking with (metal, progressive, whatever) or will you become more experimental as time goes on?

JP: I think Dream Theater will always primarily be a rock band. However the range of influences that sneak their way right into our music is ever changing and endless, so who knows?

MB: Where do you see Dream Theatre in 10 years?

JP: Working on our third record (just kidding)! More refined as players and writers, a lot more fans, and a lot more roadies!