This is So Ridiculous: Queensrÿche and Geoff Tate Are Now Labelmates

The whole Geoff Tate leaving Queensryche thing has been a comedy of errors ever since it started last June and it only continues to get even more silly as time marches on. Self-glorifying, egotistical EPKs? Supergroups whose members quit before one gig has been played? Warring factions of Queensryches touring at the same time and promising their new music will be the best? Check, check and check. You can’t make it up.

Things got even more ridiculous earlier today when Queensryche (the Tate-less version) announced that they’d signed with Century Media, the label group that owns InsideOut Music that’s home to Geoff Tate. I can only imagine that Geoff Tate is fuming mad, and — in between sips of his [probably shitty] wine — phoned his lawyer and manager immediately in a fit of rage. This is a highly questionable move for Century Media, whose staff will now surely have to deal with each party asking for preferential special treatment over the other and will constantly find themselves awkwardly placed in the middle of a situation they have no control over… but hey, it sure is great for the headlines!

Kidding aside, while I have next to zero interest in hearing whatever new music Tateryche releases this year I’m curious to hear what the Tate-less version of the ‘Ryche comes up with. Deep down inside I know that it’s probably not worth getting excited about any Queensryche record without Chris DeGarmo, but I do wonder whether Michael Wilton, Parker Lundgren, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and new vocalist Todd La Torre are capable of writing decent, old-style ‘Ryche tunes without Tate’s ego muddling things up. We shall see when they release an as-of-yet untitled album on June 11th. Here’s a preview of a song from that album called “Redemption” that sounds, like, OK, I guess:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8iaNZBUK9c

Catch the Tate-less ‘Ryche on tour this spring and summer:

“Return To History World Tour 2013”
Mar 5–Dubuque, IA–Diamond Jo Casino
Mar 7–Toronto, ON–Phoenix Concert Theatre
Mar 8–Englewood, NJ–Bergen Performing Arts Center
Mar 9–Jim Thorpe, PA–Penn’s Peak
Mar 10–Patchogue, NY–The Emporium
Mar 12–Nashville, TN–Wildhorse Saloon
Mar 14–Biloxi, MS–Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Mar 15–Tampa, FL–Ritz Ybor
Mar 16–Fort Lauderdale, FL–Monsters Of Rock Cruise
Mar 22–Orlando, FL–House Of Blues
Mar 23–Raleigh, NC–Longbranch
Mar 30–Uncasville, CT–Mohegan Sun Casino
Apr 6–Regina, SK–Casino Regina Show Lounge
Apr 11–Stockholm, SWE–Sweden Rock Cruise
Apr 13–Oulu, FIN–Club Teatria
Apr 14–Mons, BEL–Power Prog & Metal Festival @ Lotto Mons Expo
Apr 15–London, UK–O2 Academy
Apr 17–Nottingham, UK–Rock City
Apr 18–Manchester, UK–The Ritz
Apr 19–Dublin, IRE–The Academy Dublin
Apr 20–Duisburg, GER–Gluckaufhalle
Apr 21–Ludwigsburg, GER–Rockfabrik
Apr 23–Aaburg, SWI–Moonwalker
Apr 24–Munchen, GER–Theaterfabrik
Apr 26–Eindhoven, NET–Effennar

Other confirmed 2013 tour dates:
Jul 18–Oshkosh, WI–Rock USA Festival
Jul 19–Springville, IN–ABATE of Indiana “Boogie”
Jul 20–Erie, PA–Roar on the Shore Biker Rally
Aug 2–Sturgis, SD–The Sturgis Buffalo Chip

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Geoff Tate’s version of Queenryche are signed to InsideOut Music. Only Geoff Tate is signed to InsideOut.