 Jimmy K here, Metal Voice. Look at this. The metal voice shirts are now on sale. Just go to the video description to find out on how you can purchase one. Metal! Welcome to the Metal Voice. Today on the show we have the one, the only, James LeBree, singer of Dream Theater. Fellow Canuck. Yeah. How you doing guys? Kind of early. I think he's at his morning coffee here. We're ready to go. Yeah. I got the two espressos in me. So pretty much all the, uh, all pistons are firing for sure. Yep. All right. So we're go a view from the top of the world upcoming album tomorrow, 15 studio album released on Insight Out October 22nd. That's tomorrow. Big, big new album. And I guess we could start off with the tour. The tour that never happened and everybody was looking forward to. So maybe you could just give us an update on that, James. Yeah. So it was a, uh, it just came down to how comfortable we were with going out. And, you know, we were getting kind of, uh, uh, mixed messages from promoters and, uh, our, our agencies and just everywhere we were looking, our management was looking into it across the board with, uh, people that were out there, tours that were going on, tours that had come down. And it just seemed to us, I mean, you guys, I'm sure you guys are aware of this, but when you put together a tour and, uh, the amount of money that's put into a tour is, it's astronomical. Um, you know, and the kind of production that we go out with is, is pretty big. It's pretty substantial. So, uh, you know, we were just getting a lot of, indication that the bands that had been going out, uh, were out for a week or two and somebody within the band or the crew came down with COVID and then the whole camp had to be shut down up to 10 days. Well, that, that's, you know, that's financially, uh, disabling to, for any tour of any magnitude that you can, you know, just pull down a whole camp of, uh, let's say 30 something people and the amount of, uh, money that's generated while you're out there, it's just, you're talking 10 days where you're just dead in the water. So it didn't make sense to us. One, we were still concerned with our health going out. And one of us, even though we're all fully, uh, you know, inoculated, so to speak, uh, we were still concerned with one of us coming down, getting sick and not being able to proceed. And then the, you know, the business side of things, I mean, let's, if I want to be completely honest with you, it wasn't a unanimous decision. There was three of the guys in the band that said, no, we don't want a tour and we're not going out. And there was two of the guys in the band that said, come on, let's do it. Let's go for it. We're all for it. And that's what it came down to is that, you know, it was a majority vote that said, no, we're not about to go out. Yeah. What are you going to do? Well, yeah, I know that John Petrucci just said, you know, he was one on the, on the two. Yeah, that's right. Yeah. And you know what? I mean, it comes down to sometimes you're going to have to agree to disagree and, and granted, you know, as he put it, you know, I saw it, I was, you know, fans, you know, forwarded it to my, my sites and stuff like that, you know, as he said, he was frustrated. Well, you know, truth be known, we're all frustrated that we're not out there touring. That's what we love to do. We love to be, to be out. But, you know, some of us felt that we weren't willing to take that risk and, and come down with this, you know, unfortunate virus. It just, it just didn't seem to me and to the other two guys that were on the side of fence that I was on, that it didn't make sense to, to risk it at this point. But, you know, everything's being rescheduled. It's been postponed and everything's coming back online in February. And I think we're going to be closer to not only more people being vaccinated, but also herd immunity. So let's see what happens, you know, definitely. Yeah, I know a lot of bands that were hoping that 2021 would be the year, but yeah, I mean, the concerts are getting pushed back every day now into 2022. So it's, it's part of the norm in the world. We're keeping our fingers crossed for 2022. So sure. Absolutely. Yep. So let's get to the album of you from the top of the world. I mean, again, another Dream Theater classic. What's, you know, I hear a lot of influences on this. Do you still incorporate some of your earlier influences into the music or you're just, you're too much in the Dream Theater mode or sound to, to, to let other outside influences affect the writing? Yeah, I don't think that we, you know, we're aware of what's going on, you know, as far as being contemporary and being in the now, we're aware of what's going on musically out in the, in the world around us. But I think that we've always just stood true to ourselves first and foremost. So, you know, there's an identity there. There's a familiarity when people spin any given Dream Theater album, there's, you know, you can identify with it immediately. And I think with us, you know, definitely, like a lot of people have been saying that a lot of fans that have heard any snippet of the album have said, well, you know, it seems to be reminiscent of some older material or more classic Dream Theater. And I think, you know, definitely we did reach back into our roots. I guess you could say that. And, you know, I've been saying all along since I started doing interviews for this album, that I think subconsciously, you can't help but be affected, you know, on our last world tour, we were playing Scenes from a Memory. We were honoring that anniversary 20 years, and we were playing that album in its entirety from beginning 10. And I think that you're, you're somehow reminded of what happened throughout that album, what made that album so dynamic and enamored our fans with it, is the fact that the way that it did play, and it was very cohesive, and all the styles were incorporated. And whether you are going from a song of strange deja vu or home or, you know, finally free, there's just something that it speaks volumes as far as who and what we are, and what we represent musically. And I think that kind of, you know, just you play it every night, you get close to it, you start to analyze it, we'd even have discussions about, you know, some of the moments throughout that album and why it was so special, not only to us, but to the fans. And so I think when you sit down, I mean, we knew before going into the studio that we wanted to write an epic, that was absolutely, you know, everyone was on board for that. So I think when you know that you're going to do something like that, it opens up all the possibilities for the rest of the album to unfold as such. We didn't want any time constraints. With distance over time, it was about, hey, let's get in, let's bang out an idea, let's, you know, conclude, and then, you know, move on to the next. And it was, you know, those songs were very concise, they were anywhere like four or five minutes. And I think it really spoke loudly to our fans because they weren't expecting that. Whereas this album was, let's get back to not having any parameters that we need to be concerned with consciously. And just let's, you know, write what we feel we're all being inspired by or influenced. And we need to create, to make a classic dream theater. And I think it really does stand on its own itself because of that. What's it like being a Canadian, the only Canadian in the band and, you know, and writing this album or even touring an album, you know, like, you know, we're Canadians, you're Canadian. I mean, there must be an outsider feel when you're writing or playing with the band or trying to get together with the band to write this album. Yeah. No, I, you know, if anything, I'd say that it's for the Canadian jokes always going on. Well, no, we, yeah, we do that once in a while. Yeah, we do that once in a while. Like, you know, whenever I say, well, it's about time, they'll go about, yes, it's about time, you know, and it's like, hey, yay. And, but I mean, that's seldom, but, but we do have fun with that, you know, and then I'll go right into the Newfoundland kind of accent, which is what is that a combination of Irish and I don't know, but, you know, I'll go, hey, guys, we might want to be going down there, you know, but it's, it's, it's all in good, good nature. But the thing is, is that I think that it creates an identity. I mean, you know, with Dream Theater too, there's that, that respect because, you know, one of their bigger influences was, was rush, you know, growing up and then being from that country, there's just that, that immediate recognition that there's a lot of great talent in Canada and there is, there always has been and continues to be. So I never felt like an outsider. I felt like, if anything, it just gave me my own identity, you know, and, and it was something that I could proudly, you know, carry the flag and say, yeah, you see, you know, here's an American band and they, they searched and searched and it wasn't until two years after searching that they found the vocals for their band and that was a Canadian. So it just, you know, I think it's, it's a true testament of the, the kind of talent that stands in and has always been in Canada, for sure. Well, mentioning Rush, I mean, I'm listening to Transcending Time, which is probably my favorite track, besides the title track on the album. And I mean, just that opening feel with the guitar and drums, it just feels so rush, rush like. Yeah, yeah, for sure. And you know what, it's funny because when, when we were putting that, that song together, and even when I was in there and singing the vocal for that, I was like, oh my God, if, if our fans still automatically, you know, make that connection, there's something completely wrong. But yeah, it is, you know, and it, and it's always throughout our career, there's always, always have been moments within our music where people go, oh my God, you can tell like that is Rush, you know, and that's, you know, that is a definite nod and respect to that band. And those guys are incredible. You know, I did a few years ago, I guest on a Rick Emmett solo album. And, and I had the pleasure, it was my second time meeting Alex Lifeson. And what a, what a gentleman, you know, just a true down to earth, amazing musician. I've always said that, you know, he was one of the unsung heroes for some strange reason, as far as a guitar player, I think he's one of the greatest guitar players out there. The stuff that he created on the guitar is unbelievable. It's just incredible. And, you know, I think just, you know, and hey, I shouldn't go without saying it would be remiss of me not to mention that Rick Emmett too, what an incredible talent, what a gentleman, you know, and a beautiful voice and just so talented. And, you know, so being and sitting amongst those guys and, and those guys, you know, knowing about Dream Theater, it was funny because Rick Emmett's son came into the studio that day to get a picture with me. And Rick says, you know, how's that James? He says, my son is more into you than, than his father is a singer. And I said, Hey, trust me, Rick, my kids both love other singers besides me. So it just, it runs the garment, you know, we're both part of that. So, but yeah, it was, but, you know, I think that's what it comes down to is that there's, there's a lot of incredible talent. When I first came into the band way back in 91, you know, the first thing I said to them as I said, you know, hey, one of the beautiful things is that I lived just in Toronto. So for me back then to fly into New York, it took 50 minutes from gate to gate. Nowadays, it's an hour and a half, but we all know the reasons why. But, you know, and I said, I have no intentions of moving down here. So if you guys are good with that, let's be a band, you know, but I want to stay in Canada. I love the area, friends and family. And they're like, yeah, of course, you know, and it's worked out beautifully over the years. You were introduced, right? Was it from Lee Aaron's management or? Yeah. And Aldenova was in the mix somewhere and. Well, you see, it kind of hails from. So it's all Canadian. Yeah. So it was all Canadian. So I was in a band called Winter Rose, and we were out with Lee Aaron touring. Lee Aaron came up to me and said, hey, do you have any stuff that you've recorded because I really love what you're what you're doing out on stage every night and how you sound and blah, blah, blah, blah. I said, yeah, here's a disc. And I just thought she wanted to like listen to it. And at the time we were being looked at by Atlantic Records, Winter Rose. So unbeknownst to me, I guess her real name is Karen, and she sent it to this guy at Aquarius Records, which is up around you guys at the time. And it was his name was Pierre Paradis. I think I'm not. And he listened to it. And he called me at the time and he just said, hey, I just want to let you know that I'm so and so I was told about you and I've been given a disc of yours. And I'd love for you to offer you a solo album. And I said a deal. And I said, well, no, I got my winter rose. I'm sticking with these guys, you know. And he said, okay, well, you know, let me get back and he got back to me. Hey, how would you like to sit down and write with all the Nova you and him can write an album together? And I said, hey, listen, I really appreciate that. And I think all this great. No doubt about it. And I said, but that's not my plan. It's either winter rose or it's nothing. And then so what he does, he sends the tape down in New York to MCA Records, because he had connections down there. They heard it and then they threw it at Dream Theater, the guys in Dream Theater and said, you got to listen to this guy. And rest is history. Yeah, so yeah, just getting back to the album, I mean, just quickly for everybody that hasn't had the chance to listen, you know, answering the call against everything you've ever wanted to dream theater song in that one. And like you said, a view from the top of the world, that's the epic that you made out to that you, you know, was your goal to to write. And I mean, how does this feel compared to all the other epics you've written? Well, I guess you're just kind of caught up in the moment. I mean, right now, we're really excited with with this current album. And then, you know, I think it just each album has its place and its its closeness to you. And so I think for any band or any artist that's releasing an album, it's you're currently, you know, engaged with with the present. And with us right now, it's it's all about this album. It's all about the songs. It's it's what we created. And you're just really pumped and excited about people really being able to immerse themselves and really engage with with the with the music at hand. I mean, when I sit down, sometimes I can sit down, I can listen to the song from this album or that album. Once along, I do it very, very rarely. It's just be and the reason is that I think, you know, when we are touring, that's we're just inundated with Dream Theater music. So the last thing you're going to do is go home and listen to Dream Theater music, the stuff that you're a part of. And I think that stands true for any artist out there is that you want listen to other artists, or you're just you're just not you just get away from like I the other part of this is that I have another solo album coming out in May, May 20th, 22. So what I do a lot when I'm when I'm writing that kind of stuff is I don't listen. I tend to make myself not listen to other music, because I don't want in any way something to influence me that's coming on online from someone else. So I want to just be completely isolated and thinking within my thoughts and what I'm feeling at the time and that becomes the music. And so I think, you know, it's it's when I hear something like, well, you just said it, it's probably one of your favorite tracks is a view from the top of the world. Well, I'm listening to that, you know, and then I listen back to whether it be the count of Tuscany, and I go, yeah, you know what, these two, they make sense. These two, you know, obviously, the view from the top of the world is longer, is a longer epic. But the fact is, is that you can tell it's from the same band, and you can tell that it brings you on that same kind of a ride, that same kind of a journey. And I think that's, that's extremely, well, that's the point to any of this is that, no matter what we're doing at any given time, it has to be something that you can stand behind 100% and feel that you've you've done it with full conviction. Well, a quick question. I got a two part cork. My good friend cork is the biggest dream theater fan in this neck of the woods. He wants to know who your favorite singers are and the bands that you listen to regularly. Oh boy. Okay, well, favorite singers are Robert Plant, Ian Gillan, Freddie Mercury, Lou Graham, Nat King Cole, Rod Stewart, Steve Perry. Oh my God. Geez, I don't know. That's what's on the top of my head. And then and then with that, like, I mean, you know, Robert, Robert Plant, just, and Freddie Mercury, and, like I said, even like Steve Perry, those guys, what stood out with me, oh, Stephen Todd is another one from Aerosmith, like all these guys, you could, you could tell within the first line who you were listening to. And they all created their own style. They definitely had their own voice. They had their own sound. And I think that's what I was influenced by. And it was the way that they used it was, you know, whether they were being aggressive or a bucket of or whatever it might be, that they had nailed the what you would expect to hear when you listen to any singer and that is expression. And that even if you didn't understand the language, you can still feel what the message was. It's conveyed strongly. And so that's why those those vocalists influenced me. I remember my dad saying to me when I was about 10 years old, because I was singing since I was five. And by the time I was 10, I was singing around the house all the time, all the time. And I remember my dad saying, you know, sounds great, like whatever you're, whatever you're singing, you know, you got this nice, pure, high voice, but create, he said one thing to remember, create your own sound. And I remember thinking, as I, you know, as I grew older and that, and I'm listening to my inspirations, I'm thinking, yeah, that makes sense because each and every one of these guys has their own sound, and has created their own style. So it made perfect sense to me from an early age to pursue that goal. As far as bands, pretty much any of those bands that those guys front are bands that I listen to regularly. And, you know, another band that I love and another singer is Bono from U2. You know, he stood the test of time. And I think he has a beautiful voice. He has a unique voice. But, you know, I also like Young the Giant. I think that they're a very cool band, like One Republic. There's another guy, Ryan Teter, just a great singer and great writer. So these are bands that definitely strike the chord with me. Yeah. I got one for you. Okay. Here's a question from Orlando. Like these are all my friends who want to ask you questions. When Iron Maiden lost Bruce Dickinson, was there any talk or any ask, you know, or audition? Would you like to join Maiden? Because you would have been the person who fitted the time. Yeah, sure. Yeah, absolutely there was because at the time we were being looked at to be managed by Iron Maiden's management. And so Rod Smallwood at the time, we were playing darts and he took me aside and he said, you know, what do you think about, which was kind of, you got to remember I was in a very bizarre situation. Dream Theater, we had already recorded images and words. We were looking for management. We were getting ready to try and set up a tour and get out there. And I remember him saying to me, you know, he takes me aside and the rest of the guys in Dream Theater, they're there too playing darts and that because we were looking at him for management. And he says, I just want to throw something at you. And he had this assistant with him to Merck at the time. And they're both standing there and they're going, what do you think about, you know, being the singer with Iron Maiden? And I said, what? Dude, what? What are we talking about here? I'm confused. Are you not here for the reason that you might start managing Dream Theater? Or are you here to get me to become and I'd already recorded? Yeah, can you imagine how bizarre that was? Anyways, so I just said, no, no way. You know what? I'm going to tell you the reasons why I'm not going to do this. And they said, what's that? And I said, one, Dream Theater. That's it. Period. And I said, but if I need to go any further with this, way back when I was 22 years old, I sang for a band called Coney Hatch for a year. And I walked into another singer being Carl Dixon. Is it Dickens or Carl Dixon? Right? Yeah. And I said, and basically what I felt like was a glorified jukebox. And I said, because I came into a band, I was able to sing all that stuff, no problem, no problem. And, and I said, but there was never that this is me. And this is what I created. It was about, can you accept me? And are you looking at me for who and what I am? I don't think so. And I don't think you ever will. So walking into Bruce Dickensons, and Bruce and I have this mutual respect for one another. We've met several times. We've done several shows. I remember doing the BBC show with him, you know, and there's that mutual respect between the two of us. And I remember just thinking, I'm not going to get out there and be singing maiden every night, even though I think they're a great band. And Bruce is a great singer. No, thank you. It's, I need to create something that I can say, no, this is what I created from the beginning, you know, and we all know, okay, I wasn't on the first album, right, when Dream of Day Unite, but neither was Neil Peer. Neither was Bruce Dickensons. And neither was Bruce. There we go. See, you guys are talking my language. Exactly. So you know what I'm saying? So it was just a bizarre and it came and went as fast as it was asked. It was dismissed and they went, all respect, totally get it. No problem. Boom. And we moved on. All right. Closing two minutes here. We love the album. At least I do. I think it's, you know, it's, it's, you know what it is? They're short, quick, and they feel like short, quick melodic songs. Yeah. They're not. Yeah. Then you look and it's 10 minutes long. They are so enjoyable. I really dig this album. I love the solid production. You do a great job. I love the vocal hooks, the melodies. You know, they're contagious and it's a real grower. It really is. Well, thank you. I appreciate that. I appreciate that a lot. I think we really do, guys, you know, I say it every time, but I'll say it again and fully behind this 100%. It's a, it's a real gem. And I think the fans, once they can get their hands on each and every song, you know, they're really going to appreciate what we put out here. And I can't wait to get out touring. You know, there's no doubt about it. When you, when you have your solo album, when you want to release it, come back on. We'll talk about that. And we'll talk more about Canadians. Absolutely. Tomorrow is the big day. Everybody will get to listen to it. It'll be released tomorrow. Yep. Excellent guys. No, absolutely. Thank you very much. And we'll definitely talk about the solo album. Absolutely. We'll do it. Thanks guys. Stay well.