John Petrucci, James LaBrie interview

Download Festival Japan: What are you looking forward to on your first tour in a while?

James LaBrie: The best thing about going on tour after a long time is that we get to do, first and foremost, what we love doing, and that is performing and bringing our music to all of our fans around the world. Here we are going to Japan, and it’s been at least I’m gonna guess two and a half, three years since we’ve been there; I’m gonna say three years. So that’s the best part. We’re getting back out, we’re doing what we love to do, and we get to hang and interact with our fans.

John Petrucci: Absolutely. I couldn’t agree more; live performance is something that we love to do. It’s one thing to make music in the studio, and we love that as well, but like James said, it’s been two and a half, three years since we’ve been to your country and we just have so much fun on stage. We love seeing everybody, playing for everybody, and we have a brand new album out, so we can’t wait to debut that in the new Top of the World show. So all those reasons.

DFJ: Who is your biggest musical inspiration? Have you been influenced by Japanese artists or culture in terms of creativity?

JP: My greatest musical inspiration actually comes from this man’s country, Canada; it’s the band Rush. I remember when I got turned on to Rush, heard them for the first time, I was sold and immersed myself in everything Rush did. In fact, the first concert I ever saw was a Rush concert in New York with the Signals tour, and obviously they had a huge influence on me, on the band and what Dream Theater would become. As far as being influenced by Japanese artists or culture, there’s the great effects pedal company Boss which is Japanese, and so many Boss effects pedals have inspired me musically, and I use them as a kid learning to play guitar and I still use them as a professional adult, so that is big inspiration from the great country of Japan.

JL: Wow! That’s interesting. I’ve known you for 31 years; I didn’t know that Rush was your first show. That’s amazing. Well, with me, to say one artist is a little difficult, but definitely Queen influenced me growing up, and Zeppelin as well as is what John said here, Rush – come on! My high school buddies and I would be listening to that all the time. As far as the Japanese culture or any inspiration, I have to say that I’m a little out of the loop and not as knowledgeable as I’d like to be, so you’ll have to forgive me on that end.

DFJ: What is the best advice you have ever received? And what is your best advice?

JL: The best piece of advice I’ve ever received was from my father, and he said, “Respect others and you’ll have that back.” So what you put out is what you get back. And also be true to yourself and just be real. I think people that are grounded are inspirational. And that’s the way that I’ve gone through life is just keeping it real, being respectful and being cool. Period.

JP: As far as advice, I’ll approach it from a musical front. There was a teacher in high school that told me about the metronome, and it was the first time a musician suggested I practice using a metronome; I’d never done that before. It was the greatest piece of musical advice because I still do it, and what it did is it helped me to be able to play things eventually that I couldn’t play starting out. Playing to a metronome was a great, great piece of advice that I’ll never forget. The other piece is another piece of musical advice. As a guitar player, one of the things, for me, that was really helpful when I was growing up and learning is I played with a lot of people. John Myung and I, and Kevin Moore, our original keyboard player, we grew up on Long Island in New York, and everybody played. There were tons of bands and stuff, and I would just go from house to house and do Grateful Dead jam sessions and Hendrix, and then go to this guy’s house who was into the Scorpions and metal, and then we’d go to this drummer’s house and we’d just do scale sessions and rhythms. Then John and I would get together and learn every Iron Maiden song ever written. So playing with other musicians is a really great way to develop yourself as a player – it’s not just about staying at home and shedding by yourself. Music is meant to be shared, and it’s great getting that experience playing with other people. So I really, really suggest that you do that, if you’re not already.

DFJ: What are your three favorite things about Japan?

JL: The three things that Japan brings to me each and every time I go over there is their food; I can’t get enough sushi when I go over there. That is the epicenter of sushi. The other thing that I’m always so incredibly impressed by is the generosity and the hospitality that the Japanese people bring us each time we go over there. The third thing is: why are you guys driving on the wrong side of the road?! Come on! I would never venture to drive in Japan. I swear to God I’d be in an accident within 10 minutes. So that’s the three things for me.

JP: That’d be problematic. Three things for me – one of them that comes to mind immediately is the bullet train; we don’t have those. When we travel from city to city, we take the bullet train; there’s the one trip where you see Mount Fuji as you’re going by. Touring is kind of funny, because you’re really just seeing the venues and hotels, but that’s the one opportunity where you can see really fast the countryside going by, and it’s so beautiful. The second thing would be gadgets and technology. I’m always floored by things that are in Japan that we don’t have. I have the best pair of nail clippers I ever bought which was in Japan, and all these electronic things that you can’t find that they make. You’re like, “Oh my God! I can’t believe this thing exists!” That’s incredible. And then finally, it’s the people and the culture that we experience when we play live. There’s different audiences all around the world; we travel and we play everywhere, and there’s something just so unique about playing to the audience in Japan. You just see everybody out there having a great time. Everything about it is different; the shows are like five o’clock, everything’s early, the venues… It’s such a unique place, and the fans have been with us for so, so long, so we really appreciate that so much.

DFJ: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

JL: If I had a superpower, it would be that I could read people’s minds. I think the world would be in a better place where things were happening for the masses the way that it should be around the world, because there’s no deception; so we have to do what’s best for each and every one of us as a whole, and I think the planet would be better off. Then again, there’s the flip side of that where knowing what everyone thought at any given time could cause insanity! So there’s my superpower. I’ll have to think on that. [to John Petrucci] By the way, I’m reading your mind right now, and I don’t agree with that.

JP: Oh boy! My superpower would be to be able to sing like James. That would be my superpower because I’ve always wanted to sing, and I sing OK, but I don’t sing like this man.

JL: Your voice has improved over the years probably because you’re singing more.

JP: That’s great. I really envy people that can sing really well. I think that’s such a great, beautiful talent to have, to be able to open your mouth and just have stuff come out that’s pretty dang good.

JL: You know what? Here’s the thing though – playing guitar? Give me a break! I think I can play four chords.

JP: That’s all you need. Actually all you need is three.

JL: Really? For the blues?

JP: For anything.

JL: OK. Hey I’m starting my own band – I’m gonna be the guitar player and singer!

JP: Perfect.