Ytsejam Interview With Derek Sherinian

First of all, I’d like to thank Derek for taking the time to answer all these questions.

Andreas Berger: What’s the real deal with the lounge version of Under a Glass Moon? Is it from a Japanese Fan? From a band from New Jersey? Is there a chance that it might get released sometime?

Derek Sherinian: That was done by a fan, we thought it was cute, and we use it after the show is over. It is not ours to release!

Andreas Berger: Why do you want to put Metropolis II on the next full album? Won’t it take up to much space there? No chance of an ep?

Derek Sherinian: We want to stay away from EPs. Just as Metropolis 1 gives Images and Words classic appeal, we hope Metrop2 will do the same for our next release.

Carlos Alfaro: Is there any chance of you guys hitting south america or puerto rico this time around... or anytime in the next year or two, either by concert or clinics?

Derek Sherinian: I dont know about Puerto Rico, but i think S. America in september might happen.

Phil Carter: Derek, have you ever thought about doing a solo album or an instructional video? Please say one of them’s a possibility.

Derek Sherinian: Hi Phil! I have entertained the idea about both, probably a video first, and a solo album down the line.

Andreas Berger: Do you plan to release Cover my Eyes, Where are you now, Raise the Knife and/or some other demo versions of FII songs eventually?

Derek Sherinian: You never know! I wouldn’t be surprised if Speak to Me ends up on a future album.

Jeff Keifling: Derek, have you checked out the progressive music scene on the internet?

Derek Sherinian: I just purchased my laptop so I am very new to all of this! I intend to check out everything possible

Andreas Berger: This might be too personal, but I’d really like to know if you talked to Kevin Moore at the show in LA and how that talk went if it took place.

Derek Sherinian: I met Kevin in our dressing room before and after the show, it was fine. he seemed like a nice guy, and I hope that his new record does great for him.

Michael Pomerleau: I would be curious to know what he thinks of the Rudess Morgenstein Project Album, and Rudess/Morgenstein Tour with DT again.

Derek Sherinian: I had the pleasure of working w/ Rod on the Platypus album, he is so awesome!!! Rudess/morgenstein will be doing european shows w/ us from april1-20.

Andreas Berger: Could you try to describe the kind of music that will be on the Platypus album?

Derek Sherinian: Hi Andreas!! The platypus album is very diverse. There is funk, prog rock,rock, fusion, John Myung and I are very proud of this record!

Stefan Eriksson: When I watched you play in Stockholm recently I noticed that there had come changes from last time. Where you earlier played in a vein similar to Kevin Moore you now seemed to create a new keyboard sound for DT, also on the old songs. Do you think this is true and if so, how much do you think this changes the overall sound of Dream Theater?

Derek Sherinian: There are certain solos that i try to duplicate like Pull me Under because i think that It is essential to the song. I’m taking a simular approach to Dream theater that Randy Rhoads did when he interpreted the Black Sabbath songs. I am a different person then Kevin, so of course the sound and approach will be different as well.

Rick Audet: Derek, have you ever attended college. If so, where, for how long, did you graduate, and what was your major?

Derek Sherinian: Hi rick. I went to the Berklee College of Musicin ‘83- 84. I dropped out after 3 semesters. no major.

Andreas Berger: When can we expect the first Nicky Lemons album?

Derek Sherinian: Last time I talked to Nicky, he was in Tahiti vacationing, New album called “Ugly Americans” will be out next year!!

Todd Wilson: Do you use the original sounds on the trinity or do you doctor them up a little? If you have some of your own sounds you made on it, would you like to share them on the internet? thanks.

Derek Sherinian: I am very good friends with Jack Hotop, who created 80% of every KORG preset in the last 10 years. We work together on customizing sounds to fit my style.

Jeremy Hyde: What’s the top 10 albums/artists you’ve been listening to lately?

Derek Sherinian: Ive been trying to get back into straight jazz again. Marilyn Manson is my favorite new artist!!

Jeremy Hyde: Where in the hell did you get such cool lava lamps?

Derek Sherinian: I got the lava lamps in NY, isnt it funny how they have multiplied and are all over the stage now?

Tom McKnight: Hi, Derek. I am Tom McKnight from Warwick, R.I. My question is: Will you do a side project with Eric (Singer) at any point? I had met each of you again last year, and I’d like to see what each of you could come up with, since the prog thing would be something different for him; and, I at some point would like to hear that side of his drumming technique. Hope to see DT back in the area soon.

Derek Sherinian: The only side Project that I can forsee w eric singer is cleaning our backyard up for a summer pool party!