Dream Theater’s James LaBrie recently sat down for a new interview with Classic Rock History. When asked if he had to choose between never making a new album and never playing the band’s classics again, the singer didn’t hesitate.
“I think I’d have to choose never to make an album again. I mean… how sad would it be to never be able to play a song like ‘Metropolis’ again? How awful would it be to never play songs from ‘Awake,’ ‘Images and Words,’ or ‘Falling into Infinity’ again?” he said.
“There are just so many great songs, and I don’t think I’d ever be able to wrap my head around not doing those songs. If that happened, all the wind would be out of my said. Without all those songs that I love, I’d feel utterly defeated.”
LaBrie’s attachment to the classics doesn’t get in the way of new music, of course. Dream Theater is gearing up for the release of their latest record, ‘Parasomnia,’ on February 7. This new album welcomes original drummer Mike Portnoy back to the lineup.
On the day of release, the band will kick off their 40th anniversary tour. According to LaBrie, Portnoy will again take charge of their setlists for the upcoming shows.
The singer confirmed the decision in a new interview with This Day in Metal last week, saying, “We actually handed [it out] to Mike Portnoy again so he’s back at the helm of that.”
He explained, “He does it most admirably because Mike first and foremost is the biggest fan of the band, so he’s very analytical about the way that he goes about it, where you start, and how you produce something that is going to satisfy each pretty much each and every fan so that when they walk away from the show, at the end of the day, are they saying, ‘Oh my God, I was able to hear so many songs that I was hoping would be in the setlist?'”
Dream Theater’s first show of the tour will take place at The Met in Philadelphia. After that, they’ll head to Europe, starting their performances in Finland on June 3.
