Live near NYC?? Want to be on the new DT??

Just in general, not only this specific case, it bothers me that people will treat others like dogs... dog-eat-dog and all that.

I camped out at Circuit City on black friday, and people showed up at the last minute and just walked in near the front of the gigantic line when doors were opening, then there was no organization inside about how to handle things.

There's just very little respect for people, and that bothers me. It just encourages you to play dirty, which is what people will SAY they don't want, they're just too LAZY to do the right thing. Whatever.

Like I said, I don't blame MP... I'm sure this isn't what he intended. I'm just upset because I'm sure someone made a long trip to be there and then got screwed by this (i.e. me if I had been crazy enough). I'm interested what MP will say.

ORIGINAL: hefdaddy42

That really sucks for the people who actually tried to abide by Mike's instructions.  I wish that something would have been done to enforce his rules.  I'm sure that he probably left word with the studio, and someone there screwed up.

That's exactly how I see it as well. I don't think anyone is going to try and blame Mike, but the studio simply screwed up. Even if they hadn't quite followed procedure but had at least waited til 1, then I think people wouldn't feel so hard done by.

However, I am really glad Cecilia got to meet Mike after all that

ORIGINAL: theamazingchuy

please god i hope this doesn't turn into a big thing on the forum.

It already has.

Just got back from the event. Well, that fucking rocked. Mike is incredibly generous for doing this and it was worth every second. I'm so hoarse right now and I need sleep so I'll let the other guys fill in the blanks as to what we did.

Mike, you are indeed the man.

Viktor

I think the chant isn't really that complex for them to be needing music to "chant" to. They probably get to hear the result when the CD is released.

ORIGINAL: efx

Just got back from the event. Well, that fucking rocked. Mike is incredibly generous for doing this and it was worth every second. I'm so hoarse right now and I need sleep so I'll let the other guys fill in the blanks as to what we did.

Mike, you are indeed the man.

Viktor

Dude you cannot fuckin' tease us like that!

ORIGINAL: efx

Just got back from the event. Well, that fucking rocked. Mike is incredibly generous for doing this and it was worth every second. I'm so hoarse right now and I need sleep so I'll let the other guys fill in the blanks as to what we did.

Mike, you are indeed the man.

Viktor

Fill in the blanks? So far we have a blank page!

ORIGINAL: songquester

ORIGINAL: Sam I Am

Hmmm... I want to say something, but I am not exactly sure how to say this without sounding like a bitch.  Furthermore, I want it to be understood that this thought is STRICTLY MINE... I HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO MIKE ABOUT THIS. 
Just reading this thread from a "fan's perspective" I can feel the excitement and energy this opportunity has created, and I think that's great.  But I've read a few posts that also made me think "don't push your luck".  Asking about cameras, suggesting a "meet and greet", feeling territorial about "your" turf... I'm not sure if those were sincere or just jokes, but it made me a little nervous.  I can't help but think about the lyrics of "Never Enough".  This sounds like a very generous offer made by Mike and the band.  Why can't that be enough?  Enjoy it for what it is and respect the boundaries that come with it. 

If you let it be, it will be a memorable experience for 40 lucky fans.  Don't make it into something people will live to regret.  Strictly MY 2 cents. 

Take Care....
~ Sam

I like your attitude    your cool...

Everybody that did not get in, remember this....

It was not Mike's doing, He did not screw you.  DT did not screw you.  Mike and/or DT did not even have to annoucne this or do this. 

Let's not start a big thing about this. 

I remember a night when I stood outside of Birch Hill for at least 3 hours in the dead of December waiting for the doors to open to see DT.  We were all freezing and upset, but did not feel that DT or Mike owed us anything. 

Please don't dump on Mike or the band. 

Can't wait to hear what they did today.

I don't think anyone's gonna dump on Mike. I think if they were that pissed they'd be here already ranting and raving. Maybe they're on their forums at coheed&cambriaisrealprog.com and saying they got screwed, but I think this was an isolated enough event that he'll be ok.  (crossing fingers)

Ok, some more stuff, we added what kind of was "mob" chants for two tracks both of which will sound really explosive live.

We also got to hear the first 8 minutes of the album I believe which was this incredible sounding track that sounded like a stylistic mix of octavarium and awake. There was some vocals on that as well and even though they were temp ones James sounded very good.

We also did a funny re-recording of the chant parts but with the words "ass & balls" instead. Both recorded in regular and then "cookie monster" vocals. Hilarity.

As far as a release iirc Mike said June but I could be off, my brain is fried and I don't want to spread any wrong info on the mans own website. He also stuck around afterwards for a little meet&greet which was cool of him because he was rushing to do the vocals with James in the same studio.

Dude. 

Hello,
 
I knew there was a possiblity that something like this was going to happen. I got to the studio at 1pm to find about 100 fans in front of me. I stuck it out until after 2:15, it was bloody cold. My toes were starting to get cold. I just wished that there was better communication..i didn't even know about the envelopes...
canu

ORIGINAL: efx

We also got to hear the first 8 minutes of the album

So, hey just play the first little bit for you guys? Was this for the purpose of recording, or just because?
Either way, sounds kick ass. I'm sure the final outcome will be spectacular. Well obviously it will be... It's Dream Theater.
Seriously though. Sounds awesome. Any other updates?

K, I just got back from the studio, and yes, I was one of the lucky ones. I just want to clear up a few things:

1. I got there at 11 15, expecting to walk around and just make sure I was there when the line formed. At around 11 30, I circled back to the studio and saw people lining up already... apparently the guard had decided he may as well let us set up since we were there... AFAIK, ths was NOT done with Mike's go-ahead. So for those complaining that they got there at 1 and were screwed, take it out on Avatar, not Mike.

2. We were played short snippets from the two songs we chanted for (one of which proves that the teaser from Eddie Trunk's show is new stuff), and did each chant a few times. Afterwards, we did some joking around (chanting ASS AND BALLS over the music) and Mike gave out Fan Club DVD's to a few lucky people. We were also treated to an unmixed preview of the first (amazing) track.

3. He also informed us that today is the last day of recording and that James was the only other guy there, but he was upstairs warming up for the final vocal cuts. They signed their end of the contract with the new label yesterday, but will not announce which one it is until the label signs their end and makes it official (probably next week). The album will be released in May, the tour will start in June, and the U.S. leg will be July/August.

4. On a personal note, that hour in the studio was possibly the greatest of my life. I got to meet the man who has become my idol face-to-face, and he proved the impression I have that he is the most down-to-earth, caring musician in the world. The knowledge that I am a part of DT history will undoubtedly carry me through the rough patches I've been going through lately. After today, I am 100% certain that DT coming into my life is one of the reasons I'm still going strong.

Thank you Mike, you truly are The Man.

Haha I love how people are defending Mike over and over when not one person has blamed him yet 

efx, sounds like you guys had a lot of fun, congrats :)

You lucky jerk.

Eat my ass and balls chant in clean and cookie vocals? LMAO! Please tell me that Mike got this on video for one of the "making of" clips he does.  Dream Theater is such a cool band to allow this to happen.  I know things did not go as planned, but what other band just lets fans chant on their new album.  Mike, thanks for remembering what it is like to be a fan!

^^Yes, it's all on video.

I REALLY wish my wife was a fan of DT, so I could explain to her the sheer joy of something like this happening for the fans.  The moment I start telling a DT story, she tunes out.
 
Just like I had my memorable moment being a part of the They Might Be Giants documentary show (Not to mention their in-store performance the morning of 9/11), you guys have just experienced with DT.

ORIGINAL: musicfan

I remember a night when I stood outside of Birch Hill for at least 3 hours in the dead of December waiting for the doors to open to see DT.  We were all freezing and upset, but did not feel that DT or Mike owed us anything. 

 
Ahhh those were the days. I was telling people on line outside Avatar about those freezing waits at the Birch Hell. But back then the band would hang out after the show. I remember hangin with Derek at the bar and after a few drinks him hitting the danceclub side of Birch Hell. The band would hang out for so long we'd get bored and leave (I'm how much is there really to talk about). In some respects I miss DT being that little band I could stick in my pocket. But I always wish them the most success, whatever that means to them.
 
I must say one of the clodest lines was for Steve Vai. OMG what a nightmare! And I think they opened the doors something like 2 or 3 hours late. We dubbed that night "The Audience is Freezing".

ORIGINAL: BayouBengal
what other band just lets fans chant on their new album.

The Offspring.

Thousands of us as well.

I guess following the rules doesn't count anymore....

Dobe the Drummer and efx thanks for the updates.  Fuckin' sweet!  And Kudos to MP for doing this again.

ORIGINAL: ariich

ORIGINAL: BayouBengal
what other band just lets fans chant on their new album.

The Offspring.

Thousands of us as well.

 
pwned!  lol.  You know what I meant, Dream Theater kicks major ass by doing this for the fans.

By the way, my new sig is what we chanted for the song Prophets of War. We also chanted "Hey" over and over in a section of the 25 minute epic (he didn't tell us the name).

ORIGINAL: JJRRutgers

I REALLY wish my wife was a fan of DT, so I could explain to her the sheer joy of something like this happening for the fans.  The moment I start telling a DT story, she tunes out.

hahaha... I hear ya there! I get the glazed over look and fake smile all the time.
 
Sounds like it was a blast, sorry to the peeps who were there but didn't get in.

Thank you Mike...for doing this for your fans...
Some people will always complain about just everything, but just remember your dedication to us, your fans, is highly appreciated, we know you want to do your best for all of us..
THANK YOU !!
 
Steph !!! I'm so glad you could finally meet Mike !  Please post some pics if you can ! It gives me hope after all these years I might meet him too someday 
This meet & greet thing proves Mike's dedication..again..awesome !

Sorry for the people who didn't get in, but remember...there will be another chance !
 
Caroline

ORIGINAL: Dobe the Drummer

We also chanted "Hey"...

 
followed by "Teacher, leave those kids alone!"
 
I'm posting in here way too much. Can you tell I'm bored?

ugh so i didnt get in... damn.. there were about 10 people in front of me.. oh why did they only need to take 50!! couldnt go to 60? lol.. when i hear how awesome things were inside there, i feel like i was too damn close and that really sucks... i was kinda disappointed that people were there that early even though MP said not to, but either way, it was really cool to even have the chance to try and i cant wait to hear this 25 min epic... along with the others of course...

Well where do I begin?  Yes, I was one of the lucky people to record on the new album and it was by far one of the greatest experiences of my life!  I'm still out of my mind with happiness right now so the details are gonna be a li'l sketchy.

I got into the city around 10:30 and decided to scope out the scene.  Across the street from the studio there were 4 other kids hanging around and they had decided that they were the line.  I hung around for a while and then Duke showed up around 11 or so.  Not too long afterwards a guy from Avatar came over and asked if we were waiting for DT.  He told us to go ahead and line up outside the studio.  I guess around 12:45 the guy came back out and informed us that there was only enough room for 50 people.  He then passed out numbered envelopes and told us that if we opened them that we would not be allowed to enter.  Duke, myself and a nice couple from Maine/NH grabbed some McD's and then made our way back to the studio.  I did see Cecilia there but she looked pretty upset so I kept to myself.  A few minutes later MP hopped out of a cab and said he'd let us in soon.  2pm rolls around and we're led upstairs to an empty recording room where MP would conduct us.  I completely forgot the name of the producer there but he's done Operation: Mindcrime and a few Rush albums.  Mike came in and read the waiver to us which stated that we would not get any credit on the album nor any royalties.  He did say that we were free to share our experiences as well as any info given.  I'd prefer to not be the one to spill the beans but he did tell us one of the song titles and that one of them was a "25 minute epic".  We did chant "Hey" a bunch of times in our regular voices and in cookie monster vocals as well.  He informed us that we would appear on not 1 but 2 songs on the album!  Then we did the "Ass & Balls" chant followed by us yelling any words that came to mind.  He got a kick out of some dude yelling the "C" bomb.  Then he said that since we were so good that he'd treat us to the first 8 minutes of the new album.  It sounded amazing as I'm sure we would all expect.  He then passed out a few fanclub dvd's and said that he had to go finish vocals with James upstairs.  He was gracious enough to sign our lyric sheets for us on the way out.  When I get a chance I'll post a few pictures I took inside (if that's cool, since I wasn't the only one).

I'm still on cloud 9 right now, I can't believe I can say that I've recorded with my favorite band.  I also had a great time talking with the other fans on the street.  Jason, great meeting you buddy.  MP, thank you so much for yet another amazing experience that I'll NEVER forget.
 
edit: If you want the info I didn't post, it's in Dobe's sig.

ORIGINAL: Dobe the Drummer

... and Mike gave out Fan Club DVD's to a few lucky people....

By the way, is this the fan club DVD that hasn't yet been released from Voices UK? or at least I'm assuming it hasn't been released yet, I haven't received mine yet....

-8 minutes of new DT
-recording for new album
-part of DT history
-Mike is present
Seriously, what could be better?
 
Mike, you rock!  There can't be anyone else in the world who does so much for their fans!

this only proves one thing..Mike is the MAN.
As I stated before, I'm sorry for those who arrived at 1 pm, but congrats to those who cue in line before time and had this amazing experience of first meeting a hero, listen to new material, record stuff for the new album. I couldn't ask for more.

Did I read that there is a 25-minute epic on this CD????    Another epic! That is just awesome. I cannot believe I was sick. Everyone is so lucky. Gotta appreciate MP and the rest of DT for this opportunity.

ORIGINAL: spacedyevest

 When I get a chance I'll post a few pictures I took inside (if that's cool, since I wasn't the only one).

 
You remember what he said about not screwing up the relationship he was trying to build with us? I think it's best you get Wey or Mike to clear that before you do it.

I can understand these 50 people not being credited individually, but there should be something like, "Thanks to the DT chanting mob" or something.  Or the "cookie monster mob". hahaa... yeah that'd be funny...

^^To quote Mike, "We don't even thank our friends anymore"

ORIGINAL: MomofKai


-8 minutes of new DT
-recording for new album
-part of DT history
-Mike is present
Seriously, what could be better?

Mike, you rock!  There can't be anyone else in the world who does so much for their fans!

 
+1
 
Keep the stories comin'! 

I was there too, but I didn't get in.  I showed up around 12:40 to "hover" around and see if they were enforcing the 1PM rule, but saw a line of about 50-75 people there already.  I figured I'd take my chances since potentially they'd let up to 100 people in.
 
Mike was cool enough to come outside and take a picture and shake hands with those of us who stuck around outside until the recording session was over which was sometime around 2:45.  Cecilia will share some pictures later tonight.