The official story - they are all currently focusing on other projects...
Here's the issue, Wilton & Rockenfeld supposedly were talking about replacing Tate before the Rio show when he overheard them then assualted Wilton (pushed down into a table) and then pulled knife on Rockenfeld. Security broke it up and they went on to play the gig. Then a few days later at Rocklahoma, Tate told the audience "You guys suck - I know it Sunday and you have to go to work tomorrow, but are you gonna let that stop you? Anyway it's nice to be here on a Sunday." The crowd started to vacate soon after as the performance was a "little off kilter" according to one fan.
So what does it mean? It means that Queensryche isn't playing any dates at the moment (even though they have a few scheduled dates later this year.). Tate has said that the band will play the dates as scheduled but in the mean time he's doing his solo project thing and the other guys are in "Rising West". An interesting side note one Queensryche date that has been changed is the Destination Chaos cruise where it know lists Queensryche's Geoff Tate instead of the band. Good scoop Herschel, we'll keep an eye out on this one.
Speaking of break-ups, Van Halen has "postponed 33 dates" on their tour. No official word but word on the street is DLR is being a douche and EVH is returning the favor in-kind. Ah, to be young and in love again. Anyone who didn't see this coming, please turn in your leathers and leave the building. DLR may be talented, but he's always been an a******. His ego is the largest piece of equipment on stage. After he left the band the first time, AVH said they, "had to hire an extra semi just to carry it around." I knew this was doomed when they took Kool & The Gang as their opening act. I mean, how badly do you want loose your hard rock credentials by giving fans a taste of 80s R&B before the "greatest rock show on earth"? Some promoter needs to killed immediately.
The John Sykes/Mike Portnoy project has had a couple of earth shattering news bombs dropped - One the bass player is Billy Sheehan, two, John Sykes is no longer in the group. It appears that Ritchie Kotzen is taking the reigns on guitar for this new power trio. Frankly they should have tried to get either Steve Vai or Tony MacAlpine in my opinion (Joe Satriani is of course busy with Chickenfoot or his name would have been in there too.).
This has been your metal minute, I'm Thunderfoot, bringing the pain since, well for more than a few decades.
