Queensryche with Original Lead Singer Geoff Tate to Change Its Name to Operation: Mindcrime After Current Farewell Tour Ends
Operation: Mindcrime ~ Featuring Geoff Tate, Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake), Simon Wright (AC/DC, Dio), Randy Gane (Myth) and Kelly Gray (Queensryche 1998 – 2001, 2012 – present ~ Will Enter Studio Shortly After Tour to Begin Recording Trilogy Project
L-R, Rudy Sarzo and Geoff Tate ~ forging ahead together with Operation: Mindcrime
On the very day his “Farewell Tour” as Queensryche begins, Geoff Tate ~ one of rock’s quintessential front men and the lead vocalist heard on all Queensryche hits since the inception of the band ~ has announced that his current version of Queensryche will be forging ahead as Operation: Mindcrime after the tour ends.
Named after Queensryche’s epic 1988 concept album, the band will be entering the studio in September to begin recording a trilogy project that Geoff’s been working on for the past two years.
Tate, who has always enjoyed telling stories through music, considers the creation of the forthcoming trilogy one of his biggest and most ambitious works to date.
“I tried to reduce the story and eventually got it down to 37 ideas that needed representing to complete the story,” he shared. “I knew that one record wouldn’t cover it and that it would have to be a trilogy. It’s an exciting project and one we’d like to release the first part of sometime next spring.”
With the evolution of his band, Geoff would like to concentrate on concept and story albums in the years to come. Fans like to refer to the style as “Thinking Man’s Metal,” and Geoff does indeed plan to continue expanding the musical dimensions that remain in the minds of fans long after an album or show is over.
“It doesn’t seem that long ago when I first brought the Mindcrime story to the band… they were, initially, against it. Chris DeGarmo was the first one to get on board and, once he did, we were able to move forward with what became one of our greatest achievements as a band.”
Geoff during the height of Operation Mindcrime’s popularity in 1988
With the release of Operation: Mindcrime ~ which won critical and popular acclaim and comparisons to the Who’s Tommy and Pink Floyd’s The Wall ~ Queensryche went on to bring their progressive music to sold-out audiences the world over.
With Geoff at the helm, Queensryche sold over 20 million albums worldwide and performed in over 46 countries.
That was then, this is now and Geoff is looking forward to what lies ahead with his trilogy project.
“It is so refreshing to be able to concentrate on the many stories and ideas that I have been working on with no boundaries or restrictions,” states Tate. “With the newly-named band, I think fans will continue to enjoy the music we create and perform together and hope they share this new musical journey with us.”
Beginning July 30, Geoff Tate and his band mates will be spanning the states for a 22-date trek of what will be Geoff’s remaining performances as Queensryche Starring Geoff Tate – The Farewell Tour.
While the name has changed, the distinctive rock vocals of Geoff Tate remain the same. The time to enjoy what is now known as the band OPERATION: MINDCRIME is upon us.
QUEENSRYCHE STARRING GEOFF TATE / 2014 FAREWELL TOUR
Wednesday, July 30 – Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach, California
Thursday, July 31 – The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, California
Friday, August 1 – Sycuan Casino in El Cajon, California
Saturday, August 2 – House of Blues in Las Vegas, Nevada
Sunday, August 3 – The Canyon Club in Agoura, California
Thursday, August 7 – Strummer’s in Fresno, California
Friday, August 8 – Theatre Deville in Vacaville, California
Saturday, August 9 – Downtown Amphitheater in Morgan Hill, California
Tuesday, August 12 – Music Marathon Works in Nashville, Tennessee
Wednesday, August 13 – Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, North Carolina
Thursday, August 14 – The Chop Shop in Charlotte, North Carolina
Friday, August 15 – Ziggy’s by the Sea in Wilmington, North Carolina
Saturday, August 16 – Ziggy’s in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Sunday, August 17 – Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia
Tuesday, August 19 – Trees in Dallas, Texas
Wednesday, August 20 – Aztec Theatre in San Antonio, Texas
Friday, August 22 – Rialto Theatre in Tucson, Arizona
Saturday, August 23 – Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona
Sunday, August 24 – Sunshine Theater in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Tuesday, August 26 – The Depot in Salt Lake City, Utah
Thursday, August 28 – The Cotillion in Wichita, Kansas
Saturday, August 30 – Tailgaters in Bolingbrook, Illinois
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