Hard Music Circuit (excerpt)

New York

Mike Moses

It was right out of Spinal Tap. Picture this: There was Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci, sitting on the roof of a four wheel drive, guitar in hand, trying desperately not to laugh. Director Ralph Ziman (he did Faith No More's ‘Epic’ and Ozzy’s ‘No More Tears’) and the camera crew were perched on a scaffold that was built onto the front of the truck. John was wearing a belt/harness that kept him strapped to the roof so that he wouldn't fall off. On the back of the truck were huge speakers that blasted the music to the band’s new single ‘Lie.’ On the corner across the street was Dream Theater bassist John Myung, drummer Mike Portnoy, vocalist James LaBrie, photographer Eddie Malluk and myself, all laughing our asses off as the driver started up the truck and headed out onto a busy Manhattan street – during rush hour, no less. John was trying not to look at us, but it was no use. He could hear us howling. Because it was rush hour, the truck kept getting caught in traffic (and was getting stuck in red lights) while crowds of curious onlookers started to gather on street corners. There were cars driving alongside the truck, the drivers straining their necks to get a look at who John was, while little kids passing by started chasing the truck. What made the whole thing even funnier was that ten minutes later, the five of us were hanging out talking when in the distance we could faintly hear the music coming around again (it was like listening for the ice cream man when you were a kid). All of a sudden, the truck comes ripping around the corner, Petrucci banging his head wildly as he played along to the music. Then they disappeared around the block again. It was absolutely hysterical. I guess you had to be there. In other Dream Theater news, keyboardist Kevin Moore and the band have parted ways due to musical differences. As of presstime, no permanent replacement has been named, although Jordan Rudess (he won “Best New Talent” in Keyboard Player magazine’s reader poll last year) will be playing with the band when they perform at the Forum (and he might stay on to do the tour). However, the band is still looking for a permanent replacement. Anyone interested in auditioning should call Roundtable Management at (212) 564-3290.