Charlie Dominici chat (excerpt)

clairvoyantcat: ARE YOU REALLY THE KILLING haaaaaaaaaaaaand

iamcharliedominici: I am the kill..ing..haaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAND!

dougydude375: What was your favorite experience you had with Dream Theater?

iamcharliedominici: When we were recording WDADU and JP made a full court basketball shot blindfolded in his long johns..made the shot! unbelievable! Ask him!

summerchilde: I used to live in a little house right behind the Dream Theater that band is named after. It’s a shame that place was torn down about 10 years ago.

iamcharliedominici: cool. did you ever go to the theater? I heard the seats were amazing!

clairvoyantcat: Out of curoisity, what voice type would you consider yourself? I’ve always found it interesting that you had more of a high tenor-y timbre for the WDADU album and then started sounding more like a baritone with your later O3 recordings.

iamcharliedominici: I have a chameleon type voice. Unlike my students, whom I encourage to sing in their own natural range, I seem to be able to sing in different ranges and vocal sounds at will. I’m from zeta reticuli.

Data: What can you share about your experiences on When Dream And Day Re-Unite (the live show with Derek Sherinian)? I LOVE your vocals on To Live Forever!

iamcharliedominici: I wish I wasn’t 25 lbs heavier than I am now lol. I looked like a guy that had been married and getting fat! The show was fun but me and Derek were laughing backstage about how weird it was to wait all night to go on for only 2 songs.

zxlkho: Ever post at the DreamTheaterForums.org? What do you think about that place?

iamcharliedominici: no comment lol

Sanit: Oh wow, huge fan. When Dream and Day Unite is one of my favorite Dream Theater albums. Question time: What are some obscure bands you are listening to these days. Any guilty pleasures? How has your taste in music evolved or changed from when you recorded WDADU til now? I loved the When Dream and Day Reunite DVD. You guys all seemed so happy to be back on stage together. Any once-off’s like that in the future?

iamcharliedominici: I listen to whatever comes along really, I don’t usually listen to anyone more than once or twice. There are so many. My taste in music hasn’t changed since I was 5 years old. I always like well written and well performed music, no matter what style. As for another reunion, only JP knows for sure. 25th anniversary s coming. =)

ohdamnitsdevin: Charlie! Thanks again for doing this! Okay here are some of my questions!

1. Do you have any plans to make anymore solo albums after the O3 Trilogy?

2. Do you still play guitar? If so what type of guitar do you play on?

3. Who are your influences?

4. Do you still keep in contact with Dream Theater? Specifically who?

5. Were you bummed to see that Dream Theater didn’t get the Grammy?

6. Who is the best guitar player you’ve ever worked with?

iamcharliedominici: one question at a time please. Yes I plan to make more CDs if I can afford it. I still play guitar, acoustic (Martin) and a custom “Jem” electric made by myself and the guys that created Ibanez Gem guitars.Influenced by everything heavy. Still talk to them all. Mostly Mike but JP and Jordan. JM doesn’t really exist on this plane of reality but sometimes he says a word or 2 to me. =) I knew DT wouldnt get the grammy. They dont suck enough. Brian Maillard and JP. It’s a tie.

[deleted]: Holy crap. Dominici, what made you come up with the majesty/Dominici code logo? I’m sure others have asked, but what are some prime influences with your music? What do you like doing in your off time? Also, I’d love to hear some stories of the ups and downs that you and the rest of the original DT crew had. I would be honoured if you were to even read these. Thanks :D

iamcharliedominici: The logo was a re-working of the “Mary queen of scotts” logo I found in the library. It was believed to be used because it had an “m” in it but later people found out that it actually had every letter of my last name in it.

Arubaluba: What is it like being around John Myung?

iamcharliedominici: Like it would probably be like being around Yoda!

femaiden: What’s it like working with Portnoy? Do you know anything about their highly publicized drama that we don’t? Haven’t listened to Dominici, but thanks to your AMA, gonna certainly give it a listen, and buy an album if I like it. Where do I start?

iamcharliedominici: Start with part one? Mike is a very close friend I will take the 5th amendment on the questions about him and the band.

JF94: Whats your favourite WDADU track? I love The Killing Hand. What would you change about WDADU if you could go back in time? What is your favourite non-WDADU DT song? Anymore plans for solo work? 03 was great, especially part 2. Have you seen any recent DT performances? (with Mangini) And what did you make of it?

iamcharliedominici: Saw two shows last month in San Diego and Mangini was amazing. I think the band has yet to do their best work. My favorite track on WDADU id “ Light fuse and get away” Fav non WDADU song would be “As I am” or “Metropolis” answered those last 2 already

holla171: What bands/artists, prog or otherwise, are you listening to right now?

iamcharliedominici: Trivium, As I lay Dying, many many more.

JF94: How would you describe your relationship with Kevin Moore?

iamcharliedominici: Weird

[deleted]: Who were your biggest inspirations as a singer in the beginning of your career?

Iamcharliedominici: Tonny Bennett and Frank Sinatra.

holla171: What’s the most difficult thing about performing live? What’s the most gratifying thing about performing live?

iamcharliedominici: Most difficult was hearing myself over the band. There were pretty much no monitors back then, none that you cold hear anyway. Most gratifying was being able to perform songs like “The Killing Hand” live after partying for three days straight lol

IgnisSorien: Do you enjoy performing a certain song more than any others?

iamcharliedominici: I like performing “School of Pain” a lot.

BlackMeddle: First off, thanks for doing an AMA. I never thought I’d see the day where I could ask you something. I admire your work. Question: do you have a day job aside from music?

iamcharliedominici: unemployed at the moment. I give vocal and guitar lessons. On skype for people outside my neighborhood.

fecalvore: Just would like to say you’re great. How do you feel about Mike Portnoy’s new “music” with Adrenaline Mob?

iamcharliedominici: I dig raw stuff like that. METAL!! \m/

BlueDesire: Do you and the guys from Dream Theater still stay in touch?

iamcharliedominici: yes

[deleted]: I don’t listen to your music. Should I? And why?

iamcharliedominici: Don’t listen to it. Once you start it’s hard to stop and you will wind up losing everything you own and be on the street penniless!

[deleted]: Sorry if this has been asked already. What’s your favorite DT album (other than When Day and Dream Unite)?

Iamcharliedominici: TOT

metalgamer: Hey Charlie, to your knowledge were John Myung, John Petrucci, and Mike Portnoy members of the music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia?

iamcharliedominici: i have no clue. doubtful tho

[deleted]: What are some other progressive metal bands that you like?

iamcharliedominici: actually I have been more into metal lately.

thehackattack: Your favorite non-prog metal band?

iamcharliedominici: Trivium

[deleted]: How long did it take for Dream Theater to reach a decently sized audience? Like, did you gradually get to play for bigger crowds over a long period of time, or did the word about the band spread quickly?

iamcharliedominici: I was out of the band by the time it started happening. It was after the MTV video was released for “ Pull me under”.

ACDCGAMER: What did you think of your vocal work on Ytse Jam? Wasn’t it John Myung who also wrote the lyrics to that song?

iamcharliedominici: I wrote the lyrics and put it in a register that only dogs can hear. You heard it? Lol

KeavesSharpi: You left dream theater?? sweet! i’ll have to check out their next album.

iamcharliedominici: oooo I’m so hurt lol