Down Under a Glass Moon

When Dream Theater reached the antipodean country of Australia early in 2008, keyboard maestro Jordan Rudess found time in a rushed schedule to sit down with New Voice’s Jon van Daal. Here he tells us about life on the road on what would become the longest tour that the band had ever done in support of their “Systematic Chaos” album.

Jon van Daal: So how do you feel the Asian/Pacific part of the tour has gone so far?

Jordan Rudess: Its gone well – it’s always fun to go to new places. It started off with us doing a couple of small cities (Perth and Adelaide), with the first being on a national holiday (Australia Day), so we really didn’t get a feel for Australian audience until we got to Melbourne last night.

JvD: You also had a problem with your Perth concert?

JR: Yeah, we had a technical issue there (the gig was cancelled halfway through the second set because they lost power to their in-ear monitors and weren’t able to fix the problem).

JvD: Was it a shock to the system to do the “Evening With” shows again?

JR: I think it was more a shock to Mike’s system as it is a long set and it was so hot at some of the gigs for three solid hours.

JvD: How was China – it was your first time there?

JR: China was very cold and very difficult to communicate – in fact we nearly didn’t have the gig because we had so many problems – things like power and so on. But the gig ended up being really cool and I personally had a good day. I met a fellow that worked with the promoter and he took me to the “Forbidden City”, seeing all the palaces and things. We really didn’t have much time as it was the day of the gig but I got up early and had a good look around, but my hands were numb from the cold.

JvD: Well it must have been a shock to the system to fly into Perth then (where the temperature is typically around 100 degrees in late January)!

JR: Yes, it was warm and sunny. We actually had two days off when we got there, which is quite unusual, so we made the most of it by going to the beach and going to Fremantle.

JvD: So what was the reaction like in Beijing & Bangkok?

JR: Well we’ve been to Bangkok before and the audience reaction was good – it was cool. We hadn’t been to mainland China before and the audience was great.

JvD: Moving back to Australia – it seemed to take forever to get Dream Theater to our shores. Was it the change of label that finally helped get it across the line?

JR: No, I think that people had been asking for so long and our agent was finally able to put a deal together logistically. It is not that people didn’t want us to come here – the problem is so complicated for us to come here. We have so much gear and it was a matter of working it out with the promoter (though this happens worldwide) and it is always a matter of the details.

JvD: What is it like to finally be here?

JR: It is always fun to go to new places but it is also frustrating. (It is 4 pm in the afternoon and the guys have just arrived and are late for their sound check as the concert starts at 7 pm for the full “Evening With” show). We just came from the airport directly here and while it looks like a very nice city, we won’t see a thing. That said, this morning I got up early, like I did in China, and had a bit of a look around Melbourne while everyone else was sleeping.

JvD: Have you had much press since you got here?

JR: Well I haven’t had much myself but some of the other guys have. (John Petrucci had a rather in depth interview with Australian Guitar magazine and the Sydney Morning Herald had an excellent article as well). I know that there was actually a lot of press leading up to this tour though.

JvD: What has the reception from the fans been?

JR: Everyone has been really excited but the first couple of shows were in front of 800 or 900 people and these are some of the smallest shows that we’ve played for quite some time. In Perth they were all nice folks and they really loved having Dream Theater here, and again in Adelaide it was similar – really happy to see us and they had waited a long time. It wasn’t until we got to Melbourne that we saw a bigger audience and I guess it will be the same here (Sydney) tonight.

JvD: So does the audience remind you of any particular place?

JR: I was thinking that last night actually as the audience was so energised. It reminded me of a European-style audience – this place is really vibrant and reminds me a lot of Italy or France.

JvD: Any special plans for a live CD/DVD or the like?

JR: From the tour? – No, not really – though I know of a Japanese bootleg store that would have the shows – they would already be there! (he laughs)

JvD: With regard to the Stage rig – did you bring down the full rig?

JR: Yes we did – we have what we call the “A” rig for all our Australian shows. We have enjoyed having the full set up. You guys down here got lucky.

JvD: So it wasn’t thinned down in any way?

JR: No – we brought all our stuff.

JvD: The Forsaken video was just released – what do you think of it?

JR: I actually haven’t spent much time looking at it but I think it is cool though.

JvD: I was looking at all the background videos on stage last night at the Melbourne show..............

JR: You were there then?

JvD: Yes I was, but while I was waiting for this interview Mike looked up at the screen (in the Sydney venue) and said “not the same problem as last night”. I take it that normally the screen should be a lot higher?

JR: Yeah, that and sometimes you can get a ‘washed out’ look with the lights can affect the screen.

JvD: The “Lifting Shadows” book – what do you personally think of it?

JR: Even though I have been with the band for nine years now (sheesh that’s gone quick – Ed) look how much time there was before me. So there was a lot that I didn’t know.

JvD: Yeah I think you came in at page 300.

JR: I thought he did a good job.

JvD: Was there stuff in there that you didn’t know about – was it a surprise to you?

JR: Yes, some of the stuff I didn’t know about. There were stories from the studio that were of interest to me.

JvD: Back to the tour – so once you leave here you go to South America?

JR: Yes – we have a very strong audience there.

JvD: Your biggest ever show was held there wasn’t it?

JR: Yes in Santiago, Chile.

JvD: Are you taking a bigger production there this time around in terms of lights and rigging – how big will it be? Will the A rig be going there?

JR: Every effort will be made to get it there.

JvD: Are there any other new markets that you are looking at?

JR: We are always looking at new markets. We just went to China now and that was one that we really wanted to get into and we’d love to go to Israel – that would be really cool. We’re here now so we’re getting there.

JvD: When I flew down to the Melbourne show I was listening to the 1996 Xmas CD with the guys carolling and then they ripped into Damage Inc with Barney Greenway on vocals. Can I say the scope of the stuff that you play (and/or cover) is just incredible. Mike’s done the Beatles and the Who and you did the CD with John (Petrucci) after 9/11 – you obviously have the classical training – do you miss playing the classical style of music?

JR: When I am at home I play all different styles of music. I have a beautiful Steinway piano and I get to play music I love on my piano and record my own albums – music is my life. I’ve been looking at new software as I am very interested in electronic music as well.

JvD: Well thanks very much JR for your time, which I know is very short today.

JR: Thank you.