Chris has stated he has no issues with the other members...thats not why he quit. He stopped because it was time for him to do other things besides focus on music. I agree though...when he left...their was a power vacuum and unfortunately it lead to many years of sub par material and the raging egos took over. Recently Tate said "Chris will never come back. Full stop." I suppose don't be sad that its over just be happy that it ever happened in the first place. Cheers
i think not only musical but spiritual.. it is notable the way he speaks about the songs, the concepts, he is a really smart guy.. also i think smart enought to know how to get along with Geoff really well
The fact that this guy did what he did musically and then walked away from it when he was done with it for his family and his personal life is really astounding to me. He literally had an incredible music career with a lot of output and a super high level of creativity and then went and did what he felt was the next right thing. How can you not have respect for that? This guy is obviously very intelligent and creative. I'm talking about Chris D BTW...
I still to this day,get chill bumps when I put in my Empire CD it's such a masterpiece of my generation of music,memories I'll never forget...long live the Ryche.
Just look at this guys! LOOK at it!! The chemistry between Geoff and Chris. The relationship. It's clear! Geoff and Chris are what made Queensryche. When Chris left only one half of the creative process remained and Geoff just couldn't communicate with the others and vice-versa. That has no led to a gradual demise. Chris and Geoff were the heart and soul of Queensryche. I have complete respect for Geoff trying to keep that flame alive so long.
Fact.. chris and geoff didn't get along anymore ..some had to due with geoff going thru a divorce..but also chris got sole credit for silent lucidity..after the empire tour geoff was staying at chris house
@@QnRychewhat? Poor English /grammar. Not even sure what you’re attempting to say because these guys were most definitely good buddies and amazing writing partners especially during empire which is their peak imo
@@QnRyche yeah I meant around 90-92ish empire era . Now days you’re 100% correct . Thanks for sharing this , where did this come from was it a tv spotlight or something ?
Here's more from the same interview: "He is the "sound" of Queensryche - he is the riff, the chord progressions, and the inversions. That's what makes the sound, it's not the Marshall amplifier or the guitar you use, it's your musical sensibilities to the phrasing and choice of the chords that makes a signature musical piece. It's been a pleasure working with him over the years and it's only in the last past five to eight years have I begun to appreciate what he has done and what he is doing."
These two together were the heart and soul of the band. One without the other left them floundering. Their energies fed back and forth from each other. The best singer to ever back Geoff Tate up was Chris DeGarmo. Their voices blended so well with each other. On stage you could see the energy between all the band members. Really wish they could get together and make one mire album.
Undoubtedly the intellectual dynamic duo of the band. I can see how these two might have clashed at times over philosophical ideas or beliefs, yet still be perfect creative co-catalysts to one another. It's surprising the band lasted as long as it did post DeGarmo (or maybe it didn't really last at all, but just hadn't broken up yet), as Tate had no one super creative and level headed to reel in his ideas and take them to the next level, nor a visionary whose own creations were custom tailored to bring Tate's abilities into laser like focus. It would suck to be in a position of no longer having that (DeGarmo) creative soul mate/sounding board/guru/intellectual peer, and then inherit twice the responsibility and pressure to produce. Where could Tate turn to, the guys in the band that just wanted to play metal? - It was only a matter of time before a multi layered dysfunctional implosion set in.
Definitely. Once Degarmo left the intellectual and creative side took a major hit. After Tate left QR started sinking quickly. When he lost his range I didnt bother to keep up with his projects. Couldn't stand to see them floundering about with their next work. Empire was the last CD I bought, so I'm perfectly happy to end my Queensryche experience with that.
@@casualguy393 QR started to sink when Tate left ? They actually started to sink once Degarmo left and then Tate just kept the boat sinking even further. Todd Latorre is every bit as good as Tate is or ever was but the guy who replaced Degarmo is mediocre at best.
@@anarchyxtra7795 I agree, Latorre is really good. But they were correct in what they said in the video about timing. And that is why I was happy with Empire being my last CD from them. Those songs marked a time in my life that I enjoyed, but have since grown from.
@@casualguy393 They hit big at the worst time. Empire came out Spring/Summer of 91, then Nirvana hit the Fall of that year. The time was like a cruel joke.
Tate and DeGarmo together WERE Queensryche. People can say what they like about Geoff, but I admire him for steering the ship after Chris left. He lost his Paul McCartney. He had no one to communicate his ideas to the rest of the band and things just slowly decayed after that because the other were just never truly on board. Whip, Scott and Eddy is talented, decent metal musicians. Geoff and Chris are a one-of-a-kind talent/force that can never be matched and made Queensryche what they were
"Thinking Man's Metal Band!" Love that description! We've missed you Chris! Also, hopefully Geoff and the others - Michael, Scott, and Eddie - will make their peace someday. Life's too short for enemies, especially ones that were former friends. Love classic Queensryche!
queensryche was not happy that chris left but also did not care that degarmo left they continued without him to keep on making a lot of money. they still at that time had a big enough fan base. music is a business but at this point i doubt they are still millionaires they are probably just living comfortably.
I agree, Chris Degarmo is an amazing guitar player and also a great songwriter. He has inspired me to learn guitar and the fact that he was the sole writer for Silent Lucidity is a great example of his songwriting skills.
There is a reason why this interview is with Chris and Geoff...they're the primary song writers. Whether you accept that or not. Every great band has a duo and they're it. As to vocals, some singers make you believe in the music and others karaoke it. Geoff made you believe. Livecrime/Building Empires was a prime era for that. The entire band was a well oiled machine and it was their height. Listen to this interview and you came see Chris and Geoff feed off each other. 4:10
Yeah, the "new" QR cover band playing Chris and Geoff's music. They should have left it under Rising West. Chris and Geoff wrote Mindcrime with Geoff writing the story and concept. They were the primary song writers.
Empire is still one of the best sounding CDs I ever purchased. The remastered edition is even better. Whatever Degarmo is doing I hope he is very happy doing it. I would love to do what he does and fly for a living.
I lost touch with Queensryche on some level once DeGarmo left and I actually just recently found out about Tate leaving! Crazy thing is.... I live in Seattle! Main thing I have to say about it: It's just a damn shame, plain and simple. No need to take sides and rip the new singer or put down Geoff or anyone else, just a plain shame. I would agree with what I have read in some comments here, that it always seemed like Geoff and Chris seemed much tighter than some of the other band members and I don't know.... things just seemed more solid, more fun, more natural when DeGarmo was still in the band. Like you'd see them in interviews and it just felt like something was missing. Like they didn't "feel" it as much... maybe some of you will know what I'm trying to say here. They still put out some good enough stuff, so I'm not in any way saying the band was done when he left. To sum it all up... it's just a damn shame.
+Vincent Bates I've realized that I just don't care at all about QR without Chris DeGarmo. No offense to Geoff, but it's been increasingly clear the more I look at what QR did with DeGarmo and how thoroughly disappointed I am with everything they've done since, that Chris was the brains, heart and soul, and real creative force in the band from the very start right up until he quit. And yes, Chris and Geoff-- up until Chris quit the first time- do seem to have been more together, more in tune with each other and on the "same page" musically than with the rest of the band... but (as I noted in another post) look at the change between this interview and the 2007 interview--- IMO, the rumors and other statements are correct, something really serious went wrong with the working relationship between Geoff and Chris after he quit the first time and it's why he didn't stay through the Tribe sessions (let alone make an effort to formally rejoin the band).
because Chris wrote the majority of the songs, including Silent Lucidity. he walked away from the music business and became a pilot. He plays music with his daughter now...do not think the band wants Geoff back...still animosity there...but never say never
The BEST band EVER from Seattle....not Heart, not Nirvana (fuck them), not anything from the 90's....NOTHING. The BEST band from that city is will always be QR. The talent from Chris to Scott to Eddie...AMAZING.
First of all Queensrych with all the original members is really one of the greatest bands of all time. With that i predict a reunion and all BS swept under the rug and never to be re hashed. These guys can do it and the demand will be so much they pretty much will have no choice. There music will gain so many fans it will stand the test of time.
Every true Queensryche fan loves every single song on every single album. Best live band ever n the nicest guys! All insightful songs with true messages that hold strong to this day.
Shawnee BabyRomanianGypsy That's not a 'true fan', that's a fanboy/girl. True fans can call out the weak records/songs, and know when a band is just phoning it in or totally spent.
Funny how they seem to get along great and it's 2002 in this vid. They display nothing but respect for each other and Chris had already left the band in '97. Why would he ever come back and do such a great interview with Geoff?
@jbsouthpaw2009 Exactly. At the heart of most great rock bands is a synergistic musical partnership and songwriting team: Lennon/McCartney, Page/Plant, Waters/Gilmour. Queensryche was no exception with Tate/DeGarmo. The other guys in Queensryche are all exceptional musicians, but I think the Tate/DeGarmo songwriting partnership laid the groundwork for the band and brought out the best in everyone.
Queensryche without Chris is like Def Leppard without Steve Clark. Like Steve Clark, Chris was not only a skilled guitarist, but someone who really shaped the sound of the band and played the memorable riffs. Plus, he was a charismatic presence on stage. Michael has always been a great technical guitarist, but Chris was the perfect foil to Michael in terms of his tone and overall playing style.
I play guitar and have played many bands songs but I’ve never really learned to play any Queensryche songs. They were something to me like works of art that I loved to listen to but never felt the need to learn them. Mind Crime was one of the greatest albums ever and the best rock opera ever made. I literally wore out two cassette tapes of that album. Mind blowing and the story is as relevant today as it ever was. Maybe even more so.
This is awesome... I cracked up at 8:50 when Tate just cracks that joke, holy crap.... HAHAHAHA.... Such a serious interview and all of a sudden BAM!!! So great.
chris and geoff wrote the songs we love, mike too, but mostly chris n geoff........they wrote mindcrime which is the reason why we are even fans.......period!!
Chris was the brains of this band as far as the compositions. It's easy to hear that he's an intellect. Sadly missed. In my opinion, Geoff Tate is one of the most talented and underrated vocalist of our time. He had an amazing 4 octave vocal range. That's pretty unreal. I do like the new Queensryche albums, but they will never find anyone who can perfectly fill Geoff's shoe's. Geoff Tate doesn't sing as horribly as he sounds. I've heard the music broken down and it sounds like the backing vocals are just way off.
I owned the EP within a month of it's release and was already a fan long before OM, but I'm glad you finally woke up and discovered them after their fourth album.
there you go ! songs put people in moments and people remember moments in their life"s with music ,,, so true he read my mind that is why queensryche is my favorite band of all time . n still listen to it to accomplish that ! .
exactly.........its all just fkn sad. Id love if geoff n chris hooked back up again. Queensryche can defend it all they want but at the end of the day they just have some imposter up there, period.
I always thought of Queensryche as "thinking man's metal" because every time you listen to their songs you pick something else up, even the hundredth time, whether it's a lyric or a piece of music or even something on a visceral level. But now I know it was the complete psychic control that Chris held the band under. HA!
I love how you are scapegoating Geoff even though it is clear here Geoff and Chris were on EXACTLY the same page. They both wanted to change and evolve and it was the others who didn't want to so much. I might remind you HITNF was DeGarmo's baby.
@avocate201 Well said again. It is very apparent now that Chris Degarmo & Geoff Tate together in Queensryche were as important as Paul McCartney & John Lennon together were to the Beatles. Many great bands suffer like this when one major songwriting partner leaves. Kiss would never have made any of their many "comebacks" without Paul Stanley & Gene Simons TOGETHER. Aerosmithe same story with Stephen Tyler & Joe Perry. MAJOR PARTS TOGETHER. One can only hope right.
Who cares. it's sad where it's all come to. I worshipped them. They opened their Empire Tour in Amarillo, Texas. I was there and it was magic. I'll never forget it. Nothing lasts forever...I really am glad I was able to be into that scene then. Wouldn't take for it. I wish them all the best moving forward! PEace
It is shocking, how much the body language, interaction, general vibe between Chris & Geoff changed from this interview (2002) to the interview taped in 2007. When Chris left after "Hear In The Now Frontier" it appears to have not affected his relations with Geoff... which matches my understanding of why he originally quit (1. wanted to stay married & wanted to stay involved in his children's lives-- he was successful in saving his marriage and being a good father to his kids, btw 2. generally felt like he'd accomplished what he wanted to with QR-- something Chris himself said 3. fed up with the general dysfunction of QR & not happy with the lack of support from the rest of the band-- from Mike, Scott, and Eddie in particular-- not sure if Chris ever came right out and said something specific about who-- but Chris himself said he was fed up with the group's dysfunction and things Mike and Scott have said later reveal that Chris was NOT happy with his working relationship with them at the time-- also look at the body language & interactions between band members in the 1997 interview clips). However, seems like the reason he left in the middle of the "Tribe" sessions and didn't rejoin QR, was because of Geoff and a serious deterioration in their working relationship (whatever dissatisfaction he'd had in his working relationship with Mike was apparently fixed by the "Tribe" sessions). Again, look at that 2007 interview-- pretty clear Chris is doing the interview because he does feel a commitment to his legacy in the band, but the body language & interaction shows a complete disconnect from Geoff-- also note how they answer questions entirely separately in that interview-- whereas in this one from 2002 they're still playing off each other a lot.
Here is what Geoff had to say about Mike around the time of Q2K, I guess they must really love each other right?: "Michael is a very signature guitar player, incredibly creative. He's been so experimental in his guitar work over the years, and really pushed the definitions of rock and metal from a guitar standpoint. Often times he gets completely overlooked because he's not one to toot his own horn, he doesn't do interviews, and kind of keeps to himself. He's a total musician's musician".
i saw them about 3 years ago and they played music from all over there albums.i didnt know they didnt play songs from there first five anymore those are there best.if he was abusive too i dont blame the other three members they are some of the best musicians ever.i do miss QR from the 80s and early 90s.take hold of the flame to me is the greatest vocals of any song at least its on CD to enjoy.
@plokloon83 and in the Songwriting. Chris played a HUGE part in the writing process. Him and Geoff were pretty much the primary songwriters of the band.
Truth was that money spenders were ready to get away from not just big hair bands but corporate expendatures. I was there. I was a fan in the bgattle of the bands. I was there when Nirvana and Alice in chains took the show by nitefall. And, that was it!!!!
if you read an interview from eddie jackson in 2012, he said that tate almost became violent with chris during the PL sessions, also in the same interview it says that chris wanted to come back during The Tribe sessions & was interested in touring again but tate told him Your help is not needed.. eddie doesnt seem like the lying type, so to me it seems like tate was the problem..i know tate had animosity towards Chris cause The building Empires tour lasted way longer than Tate had the taste for. empire was successful cause of Silent lucidity aka cause Of Degarmo. his 1st mariage fell apart afterwards which led to tate wanting to leave the band. but didnt cause the tour was so well recieved, ad the fact that tate got taken to the cleaners by his ex wife which also brought up the fact that Chris got payed more simply cause of that particular song, look at the publishing 100% Degarmos. so tate really had a chip on his shoulder cause he felt the band was successful cause of him(Mindcrime being his creation) in 97 emi went bankrupt & the band needed a new label & the labels that were interested wanted the old Sounding queensryche like Empire mindcrime ect..everyone was down for making a more metal record but Tate.. so that all that played apart in chris leaving. now half of this from eds interview & the other half is simple knowledge of the bands history & its members.. see how happy tate was in the band before Empire then look at how he carries himself in The Building Empires dvd or even interviews in 1994 for mtv.. hes all depressed n about himself. suzanne tate his 2nd wife also played a part i think cause she pulled the old "you & You alone are the reason why the band the band is successful" honestly i blame tate for Chris leaving. and not wanting to come back.. Chris had the tryryche logo tattoo on his wrist covered up cause it Was 100% tates creation & wanted to avoid more legal bullshit cause Tate started subpeaoning the band members to court during his divorce in 96 0r 97.. look at all the facts..im not trying to put anyone down but if you want thank anyone for not having The David Gilmour of Progressive Metal in Queensryche anymore thank Geoff Tate.. as far as Scott n the other guys i have no fucking clue why they dont jus give chris a call or stop by his house n say "come do a track or jam with us see if you like it again" Parkers a good replacement cause hes the only Replacement since 1997 that hasnt raped Degarmos riffs n solos like Gray or Stone did. he jus plays them like a session musician noting more.. people might say im being a dick by not giving Parker a chance wel honestly hes never had a moment where your like"whoa this guys fucking good" wiltons always been an amazing guitarist but Degarmo wrote shit like Take Hold, Eyes Of a stranger, Someone else or even Out Of Mind. you cant replicate that kinda guitar work. Chris is missed by more people than he will ever know. if the original lineup never gets together like Pink Floyd did in 2005' (notice richard died 1 year later) i will be truly sad..
Believe it or not, Chris Degarmo is the same man as Mike Stone. They are all actors working for the elite establishment. All the musicians they said died from drug overdoses or what not has been faked. Jim Morrison = Chevy Chase , John Bohnam = Chris Slade, Jimi Hendrix = Morgan Freeman , Keith Moon = Mitch Mitchell , they never died, I promise you.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10204974229213114&set=a.1100890320135.2016933.1162985828&type=1&theater facebook.com/whodatearl/media_set?set=a.10202952253344981.1073741837.1162985828&type=3
+jeff cordova I'm totally with ya, Jeff! I feel the exact same way; De Garmo is a god, although a humble one. I stopped buying QR albums after Empire. Chris and his daughter Rylie have formed a band called Rue. You should check them out if you haven't already; she is good and with her father Chris influencing; you can count on some hits coming from her/them. Thanks for posting your insights; glad I am not alone in my thinking.
+jeff cordova Bullshit! They are sitting right there next to each other in this interview and you're saying they don't get along? The whole fucking band didn't get along during Promised Land. They did another one in 2007. You are just so full of shit.
It makes me sad that the real QR will never exist again, it’s clear that Chris and Geoff had a deep bond, and it’s sad that it will never be the same again
Ego? Every lead singer has one. Geoff wrote the lyrics and came up with the concepts of Mindcrime. Chris says this himself. These guys got along fine and made a great team. Chris just didn't want to continue in the music industry, otherwise he would still be doing it.
Queensryche was so unique, Mindcrime & Empire are epic. It's thinking man's (or Women's) Metal. MTV ate it up, great performance videos.They had a great run, they made their mark for sure.But these guys had families, touring is hell on relationships. Now they have lives that include music and allows them to lead normal lives. I think this all came to a happy ending for them. Lesser people would have imploded.
To me, the sound that came out of his ESP guitars was awesome. He was really the one that made me wnat to pick up a guitar and I am still saving up my money to get an ESP. Why did Chris quit in the first place? He seriously should of stayed. Oh whatever, I still like American Soilder and Mindcrime II though. :)
Makes pretty clear why I never liked a thing beyond the time when the band was no longer the original band. Not all bands stay together and we should appreciate them while they are tight. I just long for more live videos of the past originals.
@2manynotes Mindcrime I agree is a superb story type album...I never get sick of playing that disc! Rage for Order tho is my favorite disc from them..It was 20 yrs ahead in time when it was released in 1986....:-D
I was always in love with Chris DeGarmo, and now I see him again and I think "wow, I am still in love with Chris DeGarmo." He's the best guitarist - and now he's a pilot, too? Some people never stop.... Hey Chris, [whispers] If your wife ever leaves you *call me* ;) :D
it does not mean to stop playing, lol. but to give ear to the masses that compile the dollar, that is if your market is behind a corporation. Music comes from the heart and is to be shared heart to heart.
After Chris left, they were never the same. Than after Geoff left they kind of started to feel alittle more like queensryche but it’s still not the same.
there was a significant drop off in song writing quality after Chris left. Michael and company could never stand on their own with respect the past that Geoff and Chris forged.
@jbsouthpaw2009 I know exactly what you mean. I don't think Chris was fully appreciated until he left the band. I've always admired him as a guitarist, but the more I watch these old interview clips and videos, the more I realize how integral his songwriting and personality were to the band. Also, Michael hasn't had any chemistry with any of the guitarists who have replaced Chris. Very sad.
Wow. Watching some of these guys go back and forth is amazing. I guess some fans can't understand the idea of areeing to disagree. I hope you all don't argue with your families and coworkers like this. It would be sad, yet comical at the same time. Can we say...dysfunctional? You in your corner and you in your corner.
@avocate201 You said it man. The state of the band since his absence says alot. Sometimes I feel his songwriting greatness was not fully appreciated till he finally left for good. Maybee "one More Time Around" right? We can always hope.
DeGarmo left to pursue other interests, became a commercial pilot and spend time no longer on tour. He's only recently begun taking writing music seriously again.
5:15 Reminds me of the AC/DC story that all songs had/have to pass the "grand piano" test before even commencing any recording. I think it was a Vanda/Young (producers) thing. But I mean imagine Highway to Hell with just piano & vocals!!!!
Chris's departure form Queensryche left not only a big hole at guitar but a huge hole in the backing vocals.. I still love their music but they haven't sounded the same since Chris left..This became more evident when Chris returned to recoed some tracks for the album Tribe
2:12 : "Everybody was really working very well together, so therefore we had a success..." He must have forgotten his own words somehow along the years...
Chris was the musical genius. Without him Queensryche was never the same.
Privacy Violated I wish they would work things out.
@@toddk1479 I dont think Chris will ever return to heavy music. Hes been doing a father/daughter acoustic project for the last 5 years or so
Can you blame him?
Chris has stated he has no issues with the other members...thats not why he quit. He stopped because it was time for him to do other things besides focus on music. I agree though...when he left...their was a power vacuum and unfortunately it lead to many years of sub par material and the raging egos took over. Recently Tate said "Chris will never come back. Full stop."
I suppose don't be sad that its over just be happy that it ever happened in the first place. Cheers
i think not only musical but spiritual.. it is notable the way he speaks about the songs, the concepts, he is a really smart guy.. also i think smart enought to know how to get along with Geoff really well
The fact that this guy did what he did musically and then walked away from it when he was done with it for his family and his personal life is really astounding to me. He literally had an incredible music career with a lot of output and a super high level of creativity and then went and did what he felt was the next right thing. How can you not have respect for that? This guy is obviously very intelligent and creative. I'm talking about Chris D BTW...
I still to this day,get chill bumps when I put in my Empire CD it's such a masterpiece of my generation of music,memories I'll never forget...long live the Ryche.
Bill Tharp masterpiece
Just look at this guys! LOOK at it!! The chemistry between Geoff and Chris. The relationship. It's clear! Geoff and Chris are what made Queensryche. When Chris left only one half of the creative process remained and Geoff just couldn't communicate with the others and vice-versa. That has no led to a gradual demise. Chris and Geoff were the heart and soul of Queensryche. I have complete respect for Geoff trying to keep that flame alive so long.
Fact.. chris and geoff didn't get along anymore ..some had to due with geoff going thru a divorce..but also chris got sole credit for silent lucidity..after the empire tour geoff was staying at chris house
@@QnRyche I disagree. Chris and
Geoff did get along. You don't have
All your facts rich
Check again
@@QnRychewhat? Poor English /grammar. Not even sure what you’re attempting to say because these guys were most definitely good buddies and amazing writing partners especially during empire which is their peak imo
@@mattmacarthur520 at one time yes .but that was then .. I know both family's
@@QnRyche yeah I meant around 90-92ish empire era . Now days you’re 100% correct . Thanks for sharing this , where did this come from was it a tv spotlight or something ?
Queenryche is not just the same band without Geoff Tate and Chris Degarmo.
They ARE Queensryche❤❤❤
Here's more from the same interview:
"He is the "sound" of Queensryche - he is the riff, the chord progressions, and the inversions. That's what makes the sound, it's not the Marshall amplifier or the guitar you use, it's your musical sensibilities to the phrasing and choice of the chords that makes a signature musical piece. It's been a pleasure working with him over the years and it's only in the last past five to eight years have I begun to appreciate what he has done and what he is doing."
These two together were the heart and soul of the band. One without the other left them floundering. Their energies fed back and forth from each other.
The best singer to ever back Geoff Tate up was Chris DeGarmo. Their voices blended so well with each other. On stage you could see the energy between all the band members.
Really wish they could get together and make one mire album.
Chris is a very intelligent guy
Very much and super nice
Undoubtedly the intellectual dynamic duo of the band. I can see how these two might have clashed at times over philosophical ideas or beliefs, yet still be perfect creative co-catalysts to one another. It's surprising the band lasted as long as it did post DeGarmo (or maybe it didn't really last at all, but just hadn't broken up yet), as Tate had no one super creative and level headed to reel in his ideas and take them to the next level, nor a visionary whose own creations were custom tailored to bring Tate's abilities into laser like focus. It would suck to be in a position of no longer having that (DeGarmo) creative soul mate/sounding board/guru/intellectual peer, and then inherit twice the responsibility and pressure to produce. Where could Tate turn to, the guys in the band that just wanted to play metal? - It was only a matter of time before a multi layered dysfunctional implosion set in.
Definitely. Once Degarmo left the intellectual and creative side took a major hit. After Tate left QR started sinking quickly. When he lost his range I didnt bother to keep up with his projects. Couldn't stand to see them floundering about with their next work. Empire was the last CD I bought, so I'm perfectly happy to end my Queensryche experience with that.
@@casualguy393 QR started to sink when Tate left ? They actually started to sink once Degarmo left and then Tate just kept the boat sinking even further. Todd Latorre is every bit as good as Tate is or ever was but the guy who replaced Degarmo is mediocre at best.
@@anarchyxtra7795
I agree, Latorre is really good. But they were correct in what they said in the video about timing. And that is why I was happy with Empire being my last CD from them. Those songs marked a time in my life that I enjoyed, but have since grown from.
Or they ones who felt afraid to say their input because they were too intimidated by Tate?
@@casualguy393 They hit big at the worst time. Empire came out Spring/Summer of 91, then Nirvana hit the Fall of that year. The time was like a cruel joke.
Tate and DeGarmo together WERE Queensryche. People can say what they like about Geoff, but I admire him for steering the ship after Chris left. He lost his Paul McCartney. He had no one to communicate his ideas to the rest of the band and things just slowly decayed after that because the other were just never truly on board.
Whip, Scott and Eddy is talented, decent metal musicians.
Geoff and Chris are a one-of-a-kind talent/force that can never be matched and made Queensryche what they were
These two guys together are real Queensryche
Absolutely true 🤘
Chris has such a sweet voice , Good for him that he left this train wreck, Keep flying Chris ...you probably did see it coming...
"Thinking Man's Metal Band!" Love that description! We've missed you Chris!
Also, hopefully Geoff and the others - Michael, Scott, and Eddie - will make their peace someday. Life's too short for enemies, especially ones that were former friends. Love classic Queensryche!
Queensryche should have split after DeGarmo left. The magic was gone. It's over.
Wayne Shields too late to take a chance again, it’s the words..
Completely agreed, they ruined their legacy. They should have ended as legends.
queensryche was not happy that chris left but also did not care that degarmo left they continued without him to keep on making a lot of money. they still at that time had a big enough fan base. music is a business but at this point i doubt they are still millionaires they are probably just living comfortably.
I agree, Chris Degarmo is an amazing guitar player and also a great songwriter. He has inspired me to learn guitar and the fact that he was the sole writer for Silent Lucidity is a great example of his songwriting skills.
chris degarmo was queensryche and you can tell a mile off since he left
Songs like thin line, della brown, resistance, hand on heart and one and only were always my favorites off this album. Masterpiece!
There is a reason why this interview is with Chris and Geoff...they're the primary song writers. Whether you accept that or not. Every great band has a duo and they're it. As to vocals, some singers make you believe in the music and others karaoke it. Geoff made you believe. Livecrime/Building Empires was a prime era for that. The entire band was a well oiled machine and it was their height. Listen to this interview and you came see Chris and Geoff feed off each other. 4:10
Fact . Geoff never wrote a song ..just lyrics..
Wow.....Chris is my fav in the band. I miss those days. Queensryche!!
Yeah, the "new" QR cover band playing Chris and Geoff's music. They should have left it under Rising West. Chris and Geoff wrote Mindcrime with Geoff writing the story and concept. They were the primary song writers.
Empire is still one of the best sounding CDs I ever purchased. The remastered edition is even better. Whatever Degarmo is doing I hope he is very happy doing it. I would love to do what he does and fly for a living.
always makes me smile.. Geoff and Chris were and are very close : )
I lost touch with Queensryche on some level once DeGarmo left and I actually just recently found out about Tate leaving! Crazy thing is.... I live in Seattle! Main thing I have to say about it: It's just a damn shame, plain and simple. No need to take sides and rip the new singer or put down Geoff or anyone else, just a plain shame. I would agree with what I have read in some comments here, that it always seemed like Geoff and Chris seemed much tighter than some of the other band members and I don't know.... things just seemed more solid, more fun, more natural when DeGarmo was still in the band. Like you'd see them in interviews and it just felt like something was missing. Like they didn't "feel" it as much... maybe some of you will know what I'm trying to say here. They still put out some good enough stuff, so I'm not in any way saying the band was done when he left. To sum it all up... it's just a damn shame.
so do i :)
could not agree more! well said Vincent
+Vincent Bates I've realized that I just don't care at all about QR without Chris DeGarmo. No offense to Geoff, but it's been increasingly clear the more I look at what QR did with DeGarmo and how thoroughly disappointed I am with everything they've done since, that Chris was the brains, heart and soul, and real creative force in the band from the very start right up until he quit.
And yes, Chris and Geoff-- up until Chris quit the first time- do seem to have been more together, more in tune with each other and on the "same page" musically than with the rest of the band... but (as I noted in another post) look at the change between this interview and the 2007 interview--- IMO, the rumors and other statements are correct, something really serious went wrong with the working relationship between Geoff and Chris after he quit the first time and it's why he didn't stay through the Tribe sessions (let alone make an effort to formally rejoin the band).
because Chris wrote the majority of the songs, including Silent Lucidity. he walked away from the music business and became a pilot. He plays music with his daughter now...do not think the band wants Geoff back...still animosity there...but never say never
Geoff totally dissed the other members, ESPECIALLY Scott. Vest Taint needs to fuck off.
That Chris Degarmo seems unusually smart for a rock guy. No wonder the band sucked without him!
Yes, I wore my Empire CD out. Almost every track was strong, but the title track is what blew my mind. I listen to it to this day.
The BEST band EVER from Seattle....not Heart, not Nirvana (fuck them), not anything from the 90's....NOTHING. The BEST band from that city is will always be QR. The talent from Chris to Scott to Eddie...AMAZING.
Felony Strutter How dare you denounce my Alice in Chains and Soundgarden!
Sooo right...
Uhhh, Jimi Hendrix was from Seattle. I love QR, but don't go there people
I agree
@@nickjohnson5202 Lol...👍
I really miss Chris. He added a melodic greatness that the band does not have without him.
First of all Queensrych with all the original members is really one of the greatest bands of all time. With that i predict a reunion and all BS swept under the rug and never to be re hashed. These guys can do it and the demand will be so much they pretty much will have no choice. There music will gain so many fans it will stand the test of time.
+Bricklinsv1970 No Chance...Tate and Chris will never come back.
Is it just me or is everyone surprised when they hear Geoff speak? Very deep speaking voice in direct contrast to his singing voice. Cool man!!
Every true Queensryche fan loves every single song on every single album. Best live band ever n the nicest guys! All insightful songs with true messages that hold strong to this day.
Shawnee BabyRomanianGypsy That's not a 'true fan', that's a fanboy/girl. True fans can call out the weak records/songs, and know when a band is just phoning it in or totally spent.
Funny how they seem to get along great and it's 2002 in this vid. They display nothing but respect for each other and Chris had already left the band in '97. Why would he ever come back and do such a great interview with Geoff?
@jbsouthpaw2009 Exactly. At the heart of most great rock bands is a synergistic musical partnership and songwriting team: Lennon/McCartney, Page/Plant, Waters/Gilmour. Queensryche was no exception with Tate/DeGarmo. The other guys in Queensryche are all exceptional musicians, but I think the Tate/DeGarmo songwriting partnership laid the groundwork for the band and brought out the best in everyone.
Queensryche without Chris is like Def Leppard without Steve Clark. Like Steve Clark, Chris was not only a skilled guitarist, but someone who really shaped the sound of the band and played the memorable riffs. Plus, he was a charismatic presence on stage. Michael has always been a great technical guitarist, but Chris was the perfect foil to Michael in terms of his tone and overall playing style.
I play guitar and have played many bands songs but I’ve never really learned to play any Queensryche songs. They were something to me like works of art that I loved to listen to but never felt the need to learn them. Mind Crime was one of the greatest albums ever and the best rock opera ever made. I literally wore out two cassette tapes of that album. Mind blowing and the story is as relevant today as it ever was. Maybe even more so.
This is awesome... I cracked up at 8:50 when Tate just cracks that joke, holy crap.... HAHAHAHA.... Such a serious interview and all of a sudden BAM!!! So great.
My favourite guys right There. !
chris and geoff wrote the songs we love, mike too, but mostly chris n geoff........they wrote mindcrime which is the reason why we are even fans.......period!!
Chris was the brains of this band as far as the compositions. It's easy to hear that he's an intellect. Sadly missed. In my opinion, Geoff Tate is one of the most talented and underrated vocalist of our time. He had an amazing 4 octave vocal range. That's pretty unreal. I do like the new Queensryche albums, but they will never find anyone who can perfectly fill Geoff's shoe's. Geoff Tate doesn't sing as horribly as he sounds. I've heard the music broken down and it sounds like the backing vocals are just way off.
I owned the EP within a month of it's release and was already a fan long before OM, but I'm glad you finally woke up and discovered them after their fourth album.
there you go ! songs put people in moments and people remember moments in their life"s with music ,,, so true he read my mind that is why queensryche is my favorite band of all time . n still listen to it to accomplish that ! .
exactly.........its all just fkn sad. Id love if geoff n chris hooked back up again. Queensryche can defend it all they want but at the end of the day they just have some imposter up there, period.
I always thought of Queensryche as "thinking man's metal" because every time you listen to their songs you pick something else up, even the hundredth time, whether it's a lyric or a piece of music or even something on a visceral level. But now I know it was the complete psychic control that Chris held the band under. HA!
I love how you are scapegoating Geoff even though it is clear here Geoff and Chris were on EXACTLY the same page. They both wanted to change and evolve and it was the others who didn't want to so much.
I might remind you HITNF was DeGarmo's baby.
@avocate201 Well said again. It is very apparent now that Chris Degarmo & Geoff Tate together in Queensryche were as important as Paul McCartney & John Lennon together were to the Beatles. Many great bands suffer like this when one major songwriting partner leaves. Kiss would never have made any of their many "comebacks" without Paul Stanley & Gene Simons TOGETHER. Aerosmithe same story with Stephen Tyler & Joe Perry. MAJOR PARTS TOGETHER. One can only hope right.
Who cares. it's sad where it's all come to. I worshipped them. They opened their Empire Tour in Amarillo, Texas. I was there and it was magic. I'll never forget it. Nothing lasts forever...I really am glad I was able to be into that scene then. Wouldn't take for it. I wish them all the best moving forward! PEace
It is shocking, how much the body language, interaction, general vibe between Chris & Geoff changed from this interview (2002) to the interview taped in 2007. When Chris left after "Hear In The Now Frontier" it appears to have not affected his relations with Geoff... which matches my understanding of why he originally quit (1. wanted to stay married & wanted to stay involved in his children's lives-- he was successful in saving his marriage and being a good father to his kids, btw 2. generally felt like he'd accomplished what he wanted to with QR-- something Chris himself said 3. fed up with the general dysfunction of QR & not happy with the lack of support from the rest of the band-- from Mike, Scott, and Eddie in particular-- not sure if Chris ever came right out and said something specific about who-- but Chris himself said he was fed up with the group's dysfunction and things Mike and Scott have said later reveal that Chris was NOT happy with his working relationship with them at the time-- also look at the body language & interactions between band members in the 1997 interview clips).
However, seems like the reason he left in the middle of the "Tribe" sessions and didn't rejoin QR, was because of Geoff and a serious deterioration in their working relationship (whatever dissatisfaction he'd had in his working relationship with Mike was apparently fixed by the "Tribe" sessions). Again, look at that 2007 interview-- pretty clear Chris is doing the interview because he does feel a commitment to his legacy in the band, but the body language & interaction shows a complete disconnect from Geoff-- also note how they answer questions entirely separately in that interview-- whereas in this one from 2002 they're still playing off each other a lot.
Chris is un believably creatuve in all aspects of application for those of you who have the conceptve ability.. thank you
Here is what Geoff had to say about Mike around the time of Q2K, I guess they must really love each other right?:
"Michael is a very signature guitar player, incredibly creative. He's been so experimental in his guitar work over the years, and really pushed the definitions of rock and metal from a guitar standpoint. Often times he gets completely overlooked because he's not one to toot his own horn, he doesn't do interviews, and kind of keeps to himself. He's a total musician's musician".
i saw them about 3 years ago and they played music from all over there albums.i didnt know they didnt play songs from there first five anymore those are there best.if he was abusive too i dont blame the other three members they are some of the best musicians ever.i do miss QR from the 80s and early 90s.take hold of the flame to me is the greatest vocals of any song at least its on CD to enjoy.
@plokloon83 and in the Songwriting. Chris played a HUGE part in the writing process. Him and Geoff were pretty much the primary songwriters of the band.
Truth was that money spenders were ready to get away from not just big hair bands but corporate expendatures. I was there. I was a fan in the bgattle of the bands. I was there when Nirvana and Alice in chains took the show by nitefall. And, that was it!!!!
if you read an interview from eddie jackson in 2012, he said that tate almost became violent with chris during the PL sessions, also in the same interview it says that chris wanted to come back during The Tribe sessions & was interested in touring again but tate told him Your help is not needed.. eddie doesnt seem like the lying type, so to me it seems like tate was the problem..i know tate had animosity towards Chris cause The building Empires tour lasted way longer than Tate had the taste for. empire was successful cause of Silent lucidity aka cause Of Degarmo. his 1st mariage fell apart afterwards which led to tate wanting to leave the band. but didnt cause the tour was so well recieved, ad the fact that tate got taken to the cleaners by his ex wife which also brought up the fact that Chris got payed more simply cause of that particular song, look at the publishing 100% Degarmos. so tate really had a chip on his shoulder cause he felt the band was successful cause of him(Mindcrime being his creation) in 97 emi went bankrupt & the band needed a new label & the labels that were interested wanted the old Sounding queensryche like Empire mindcrime ect..everyone was down for making a more metal record but Tate.. so that all that played apart in chris leaving. now half of this from eds interview & the other half is simple knowledge of the bands history & its members.. see how happy tate was in the band before Empire then look at how he carries himself in The Building Empires dvd or even interviews in 1994 for mtv.. hes all depressed n about himself. suzanne tate his 2nd wife also played a part i think cause she pulled the old "you & You alone are the reason why the band the band is successful" honestly i blame tate for Chris leaving. and not wanting to come back.. Chris had the tryryche logo tattoo on his wrist covered up cause it Was 100% tates creation & wanted to avoid more legal bullshit cause Tate started subpeaoning the band members to court during his divorce in 96 0r 97.. look at all the facts..im not trying to put anyone down but if you want thank anyone for not having The David Gilmour of Progressive Metal in Queensryche anymore thank Geoff Tate.. as far as Scott n the other guys i have no fucking clue why they dont jus give chris a call or stop by his house n say "come do a track or jam with us see if you like it again" Parkers a good replacement cause hes the only Replacement since 1997 that hasnt raped Degarmos riffs n solos like Gray or Stone did. he jus plays them like a session musician noting more.. people might say im being a dick by not giving Parker a chance wel honestly hes never had a moment where your like"whoa this guys fucking good" wiltons always been an amazing guitarist but Degarmo wrote shit like Take Hold, Eyes Of a stranger, Someone else or even Out Of Mind. you cant replicate that kinda guitar work. Chris is missed by more people than he will ever know. if the original lineup never gets together like Pink Floyd did in 2005' (notice richard died 1 year later) i will be truly sad..
right on the money
Believe it or not, Chris Degarmo is the same man as Mike Stone. They are all actors working for the elite establishment. All the musicians they said died from drug overdoses or what not has been faked. Jim Morrison = Chevy Chase , John Bohnam = Chris Slade, Jimi Hendrix = Morgan Freeman , Keith Moon = Mitch Mitchell , they never died, I promise you.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10204974229213114&set=a.1100890320135.2016933.1162985828&type=1&theater facebook.com/whodatearl/media_set?set=a.10202952253344981.1073741837.1162985828&type=3
+jeff cordova I'm totally with ya, Jeff! I feel the exact same way; De Garmo is a god, although a humble one. I stopped buying QR albums after Empire. Chris and his daughter Rylie have formed a band called Rue. You should check them out if you haven't already; she is good and with her father Chris influencing; you can count on some hits coming from her/them. Thanks for posting your insights; glad I am not alone in my thinking.
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+jeff cordova Bullshit! They are sitting right there next to each other in this interview and you're saying they don't get along? The whole fucking band didn't get along during Promised Land. They did another one in 2007. You are just so full of shit.
It makes me sad that the real QR will never exist again, it’s clear that Chris and Geoff had a deep bond, and it’s sad that it will never be the same again
Had
Tates where also the reason chris quit
Kurt Belcher yeah unfortunately his ego made things sour between Chris and him
@@axlh.1827 yea chris just autographed the new alice in chains for me . He's on a song called drone
Kurt Belcher nice. I gotta go listen to it
Ego? Every lead singer has one. Geoff wrote the lyrics and came up with the concepts of Mindcrime. Chris says this himself. These guys got along fine and made a great team. Chris just didn't want to continue in the music industry, otherwise he would still be doing it.
Wish I could find more Documentaries about them .I am thinking about moving to Washington some day .would love to talk to them ..
That jacket is real Corinthian Leather!
Wow in 2002 Geoff Tate looks eerily similar to Rainn Wilson. Now in 2015 he looks eerily similar to Bert.
played dates with QR in 2000 as a support act. Tate is a very regular guy. even sort of "hippysih" ….hippiesque…. very regular guy.
10:11 Geoff: The psychic energy was just phenomenal :)
The best ever
got a headbangers ball from 1989 geoff and chris were VJs for that one. Great to see him WOW he looks great.
and how about the 2007 interview? What? For a best of album? Come'on, he didn't need to do an interview with Geoff if he didn't get along with him.
I miss Degarno and Tate 😢
Tate made degarmo leave
Degarmo is very interesting in the interview .He seams like someone that would be fun to write with .He is one cool cat.
Della Brown shows the excellence of Eddie Jackson. Two most underrated bass players Eddie and Jeff Pilson.
Queensryche was so unique, Mindcrime & Empire are epic. It's thinking man's (or Women's) Metal. MTV ate it up, great performance videos.They had a great run, they made their mark for sure.But these guys had families, touring is hell on relationships. Now they have lives that include music and allows them to lead normal lives. I think this all came to a happy ending for them. Lesser people would have imploded.
To me, the sound that came out of his ESP guitars was awesome. He was really the one that made me wnat to pick up a guitar and I am still saving up my money to get an ESP. Why did Chris quit in the first place? He seriously should of stayed. Oh whatever, I still like American Soilder and Mindcrime II though. :)
AMAZING!!!! thanks for sharing m8! Queensryche is one of the best band ever, Ryche 4 ever! \m/
Makes pretty clear why I never liked a thing beyond the time when the band was no longer the original band. Not all bands stay together and we should appreciate them while they are tight. I just long for more live videos of the past originals.
@2manynotes Mindcrime I agree is a superb story type album...I never get sick of playing that disc! Rage for
Order tho is my favorite disc from them..It was 20 yrs ahead in time when it was released in 1986....:-D
I was always in love with Chris DeGarmo, and now I see him again and I think "wow, I am still in love with Chris DeGarmo." He's the best guitarist - and now he's a pilot, too? Some people never stop....
Hey Chris, [whispers] If your wife ever leaves you *call me* ;) :D
it does not mean to stop playing, lol.
but to give ear to the masses that compile the dollar, that is if your market is behind a corporation. Music comes from the heart and is to be shared heart to heart.
it took me awhile to realize that Tate sounds like LT. Dan from forrest gump.gotta love these two guys great band.
Chris Degarmo is the man...
The "sound" was found in Operation Mindcrime. Whatever y'all did there was the recipe for success
After Chris left, they were never the same. Than after Geoff left they kind of started to feel alittle more like queensryche but it’s still not the same.
To get away from GT and Yoko...I mean Susan Tate...
Chris, Queensryche needs you, please come back.
Geoff's leather making rubbing noises is driving my ocd off the wall. lol
there was a significant drop off in song writing quality after Chris left. Michael and company could never stand on their own with respect the past that Geoff and Chris forged.
we miss you chris. Q sucks without you.
@jbsouthpaw2009 I know exactly what you mean. I don't think Chris was fully appreciated until he left the band. I've always admired him as a guitarist, but the more I watch these old interview clips and videos, the more I realize how integral his songwriting and personality were to the band. Also, Michael hasn't had any chemistry with any of the guitarists who have replaced Chris. Very sad.
Geoffs speaking voice compared to his singing voice is ungodly!!
COME BACK. PPPLLLLEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSSSEEEEEEEE
Still waiting
Wow. Watching some of these guys go back and forth is amazing. I guess some fans can't understand the idea of areeing to disagree. I hope you all don't argue with your families and coworkers like this. It would be sad, yet comical at the same time. Can we say...dysfunctional? You in your corner and you in your corner.
Sad, but true...
They were (unfairly) Pigeonholed as Metal (Hair). Smart Rock Music for Smart People.
@avocate201 You said it man. The state of the band since his absence says alot. Sometimes I feel his songwriting greatness was not fully appreciated till he finally left for good. Maybee "one More Time Around" right? We can always hope.
LMAO... Chris is soooooooo high!! LOVE IT!
I can see Axl and Slash sitting down like this and talking about Appetite. :)
Chris seems like a very switched on guy. Not to say Goeff isn't, it just seems Chris is the real clever spark behind Queensryche.
Yes, they're right next to each other.
Such a shame they broke up.
Mindcrime is THE ultimate album... nothing better, no Dark Side of the Wall, no Back in Black, no Night at the opera, nothing.
DeGarmo left to pursue other interests, became a commercial pilot and spend time no longer on tour. He's only recently begun taking writing music seriously again.
5:15 Reminds me of the AC/DC story that all songs had/have to pass the "grand piano" test before even commencing any recording. I think it was a Vanda/Young (producers) thing. But I mean imagine Highway to Hell with just piano & vocals!!!!
Thank you Queensryche
I mean this was taken when chris has quit the music business alr.
Yes several years after he left
Chris's departure form Queensryche left not only a big hole at guitar but a huge hole in the backing vocals.. I still love their music but they haven't sounded the same since Chris left..This became more evident when Chris returned to recoed some tracks for the album Tribe
2:12 : "Everybody was really working very well together, so therefore we had a success..."
He must have forgotten his own words somehow along the years...