James LaBrie chat (excerpts)

RandomTask says: How did you get your start in music? Do you have any advice for beginners?

Mullmuzzler: Started as early as, according to my parents, three years old. I was singing constantly whether it was making much sense at that point, I was just trying to sing... It had a lot to do with my father who was into Barbershop Quartet. ... He introduced me to Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, Stuff like that... This progressed to elementary school. By the time I was seven/eight year old... the music teacher in my school had me singing contests around my area, so I was dead serious about it even at that young age. At 10 years old I actually got into barbershop quartet singing with my father. at 14 I started singing in rock and roll bands.

At 20, still in rock’n’roll band, I studied opera for 4 1/2 years.

And finally that’s what led up to my connecting to DT.

My advice to anyone wanting to make a career in this industry is to dedicate a lot of time to your particular instrument, whatever that may be. And if you believe strongly enough in yourself, then no matter who often you get hit down, you’ll keep getting up and have a very strong chance of making it and seeing your dreams come to fruition.

1DeViLozzo says: I’d like to know if Dream Theater are more or less unite ‘cause all the members have a parallel project (LTE, PLATYPUS, MULLMUTZER)

Mullmuzzler: All members are very much united. I would go as far as to say that we’re probably closer in relationship than we have been in a few years... It’s very healthy, the Dream Theater camp. And this next album will prove it by far!

DJGeorge81 says:
How long is the new Dream Theater cd and what are the song titles?

Mullmuzzler: First and foremost, I’m not going to divulge the song titles ;-) And secondly, the length of the album, I’m not going to give it accurately, but I believe it’s about 77 minutes and 11 seconds.

Styles2112 says: Hey James, you’re the best.........Do you draw any inspiration or influence from other vocalists? Who?

Mullmuzzler: Well, 1st, thanks very much, I appreciate the compliment.... First and foremost, one of my favorite vocalists was Freddy Mercury.... then it goes to, believe it or not, Nat King Cole, Steve Perry, Lou Gramm, and very early Faces stuff with Rod Stewart. He has a unique sounding voice. I don’t always go with someone who’s got it technically together, but feeling, soul, etc. Also I like Placido Domingo and the new fellow Andrea Bocelli. That give a good scope on where I come from. Old Steve Walsh from Kansas, I though that was great. And believe it or not, one of my favorites, is Steven Tyler who has a great rock voice. Also Bon Scott from AC/DC. If you listen to those albums, really listen to it, the voice is very unique and distinctive.

JRHep says: James I would like to know your opinion of some of the singers who currently emulate you and your style?

Mullmuzzler: Hmmmm..... I’m not sure who he specifically has in mind... A little of what I’ve heard of Royal Hunt gives me the impression that DC Cooper is doing that a bit, the way he emotes and holds on to his notes.... Who else? Hmmm, I’m at a loss for right here and now to hone in on other vocalists. I’d be more interested in hearing other people tell me who they think are emulating me, trying to feed off my style... THOSE RIP OFF ARTISTS ;-) And by the way, another great vocalist that was very inspirational was Sam Cooke!

PrimalMe says: I agree with a lot of your influences. Curious if you have had a chance to hear Ralf Scheepers of Gamma Ray/Primal Fear...and your opinion?

Mullmuzzler: I believe I heard some Primal Fear (I’m not sure that was the band, but if it was) he sounded very Rob Halford-ish (Rob is also an influence, BTW).

jimcrackcorn says: Hi James I was wondering if the new Dream Theater was goingto be more progressive than the last and Metropolis part 2 on it?

Mullmuzzler: Well, let me answer that by saying that the new Dream Theater is going to be something that everyone out there has wanted to hear for a while AND MORE!!! We hope everyone will be as excited about this as we are. We feel it’s the best album we’ve ever made! Metropolis 2? We’ll have to wait and see ;-)

TheMirrorGermany says: James, Steffen from Germany here. Did you end up recording the vocals of the new DT album with Terry Brown as you liked to? Sound EXCELLENT anyway ;-))

Mullmuzzler: Hi, Steffen, great to hear from you. Yes, I did bring Terry Brown into the vocal session for the new DT album. And we had a blast doing it!!!

Styles2112 says: Why did this become a solo project, instead of DT?

Mullmuzzler: Well, this became a solo project for the simple fact of the way it began. I was approached by Magna Carta, another label... And if I was going to do something else, this was how this project began, without DT in mind. So it had different writers and players. Having just come off the Falling into Infinity world tour... we all wanted to do things on the side, which I think really helped us when it came to writing the new DT. We were all in good shape and had a lot of energy and ideas to bring to the DT camp which made this an incredibly special album. So these side projects and this solo project in the long run added to the DT material.

Paul_Fini says: How did you guys come up with the new DT album title, Quotation?

Mullmuzzler: Well, maybe we’ll use that for the next album, because it’s not being used for this album. I’m curious as to how that rumor started because it’s completely incorrect.

_fect_ says: do you still play the drums???

Mullmuzzler: I play the drums from the age of 5 to 17. And at 17 I knew the talent and competition as a drummer was just too great. And I knew as a singer I had a shot. That was my forte... And I haven’t drummed since. LOL!

yyz_ says: How do you feel about the state of the Prograssive Rock Scene at the moment. Also, do you think DT will ever allow taping?

Mullmuzzler: I think that the progressive environment at this point is very healthy. There are a lot of bands out there doing it. It’s more of an underground thing at the moment. But if DT can help the other bands to this kind of music that is mind provoking, then that makes me feel good. As far as DT allowing taping, I think it’s going to happen regardless of whether we’re opposed to it or for it... as evidenced by the fact that there are about 25 different bootlegs from concerts from various parts of the world floating around out there.

Styles2112 says: Are there any musicans that you would like to work with, that you haven’t already? (Big Ytse-fan, been to all the Birch Hill shows and more!)

Mullmuzzler: Thanks for being such a big fan... As far as bass players, I’d like to work with Marco Marco... he played on one of the Blue Murder albums, and incredible bass player. A guitar player I’d love to work with would be Lincoln Brewster who played on the last Steve Perry solo album, For the Love of Strange Medicine. He reminds me very much of Neal Schon. And drummers - I’d love to work with Dean Castranova. That’s a few. That’s just an idea. There are others, but that gives you an idea of the type of players.

Kyo_ says: have you already considered playing some LTE or Mullmuzzler material at the upcoming DT tour?

Mullmuzzler: It hasn’t been discussed yet, but it could be discussed. As far as I’m concerned, I’m not into doing Mullmuzzler at a DT concert. That’s a separate entity. If the others was to play LTE at DT concerts, that’s there choice. I think it would be easier to do LTE material at a DT concert, maybe do a medley, and get away with it. With Mullmuzzler, the vocals and all, it would have to be played so that it wouldn’t sound fragmented.

PrimalMe says: James, have you ever lost your voice during a show? And how did you recover given the range you display?

Mullmuzzler: Yeah, I’ve had problems in the past where I have lost my voice, although not necessarily during the show. It might have been just before the show and told me I wouldn’t be performing to my full potential. Likely due to a cold or other illness. Then your hit with the reality that this is an organic instrument. When hit with that situation, I tend to lay back and not push myself so that recovery will be sooner.

nnet44 says: what advice would u give a young artist to break into the business......maybe voice lessons/instrument?......would flute be good?

Mullmuzzler: Well, flute would be good if you’re wanting to do a more orchestral approach. But if you think voice is something you want to pursue, then absolutely, you should look into voice coaching. If it’s an instrument, no matter what you feel you have to offer to the music industry, if you have something unique to get you into a career situation in this industry, then you should do whatever it takes to get there without being disrespectful to others.

nyucknyucknyuck says: Dream Theatre seems to have a strong following, yet you’ve been with a number of different labels. Is it because the labels can’t understand the music and are looking for airplay, or is it because they want you to change your sound? Or some other reason?

Mullmuzzler: Well, believe it or not, it hasn’t been that we’ve been changing labels. The labels have been changing names. The first was Atco, then it was East/West. And now it’s Elektra. But it was all the same company. It was just a changing of personnel and names to that particular end of that label. But we never did have to resign a contract because it was all the same.

Paul_Fini says: James - now that recording for the new DT is done, what are you up to?

Mullmuzzler: Well, right now I’m doing many interviews for the promotion of Mullmuzzler... and beginning in the next couple of days we’ll be doing both Mullmuzzler and DT interviews for promoting both. And aside from doing interviews, I’m trying to spend as much quality time as I can with my wife, daughter and son.