FALL USA 2003

DAY 42:

Washington D.C: 930 Club

The day started off with a live performance at the QM digital satellite radio station we performed 4 acoustic songs in front of an audience of about 60 people. The highlight was an impromptu version of "The Lady Wore Black" The show at the 930 club went very well considering a couple of the guys were feeling under the weather.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 41:

Day Off:

Another day off. I realize that as I walk around town looking at historical sites that I am homesick. I need to stay busy so I go back to the hotel and get my guitar and write down some new ideas.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 40:

Day Off:

A long drive in traffic was rewarded by a Seattle Seahawk game in an Irish pub on "M" street. They won. Amazing!!! Stone And I hit the town for the evening and then called it a night before trouble set in.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 39:

South Bend, Indiana: Morris PAC

A really good show: The Band is really clicking with "Anybody Listening" in the set. I believe we are performing just less than 2 hours. This is getting fun!!!

FALL USA 2003

DAY 38:

Toledo, Ohio: Stranahan Theater

A nice big stage to perform on; we seem to be experiencing every size of stage on this tour. We tried out a new set tonight. The flow was unusual but it’s fun to break up the routine once in a while.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 37:

Louisville, Kentucky: Jillian's

Jillian’s club. This was a rowdy crowd as a few fights broke out during the set. We played The Lady Wore Black and Anybody Listening for their musical enjoyment. Afterwards I hung out with some cool friends and discussed the woes and pros of upcoming technology.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 36:

Day Off:

Another interesting TV morning show, bits of 5 acoustic songs were performed. The question I have is…. Do our fans really get up this early to watch morning TV shows? After some catch-up sleep I decided that it was a perfect day to see a movie. I saw a bloody good movie "Kill Bill" In the early evening I found out I had an interview at Rockline with Geoff and Stone. After that I went out with some friends to the college area and hit some clubs with Stone. We ended up in this theater/club at the end of the night were these to lesbian lovers got into a drunken’ brawl. Wow!!!

FALL USA 2003

DAY 35:

Appleton, Wisconsin: Checkered Flag

This was an added show. Normally we would not play here but it was a last minute decision. We tried a few different songs in the set list and rocked the smoky building of Appleton. This was our last show with Paul from Metal Edge. We celebrated heavily.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 34:

Day Off:

I spent the day with a friend. We went to an Irish bar and played pool. I won 5 out of 7. I think he let me win because I was not on my best game.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 33:

Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Rave / Eagles Ballroom

The Rave is a cool place that sounds like shit. I do not know why we perform there other than it is a local vibe. There can be 2 bands performing on different levels in the place. It’s dark and cold in the backstage area but very 60’s with lava lamps and tie die sheets billowing everywhere. Afterwards I met up with some friends and cruised back to the hotel.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 32:

Minneapolis, Minnesota: Quest Club

After a long bus ride we ended up in downtown Minneapolis. It was a cold rainy afternoon. We found out we were playing a matinee show. Our whole crew was pretty exhausted from the night before but that all changed when the owner of the club told us that after our show Vivid Videos was throwing a private party with X-rated porn stars. Wow!!! So we performed on a small stage in this venue called The Quest. Afterwards we met our fans, and then they kicked everyone out. I went out to the bus and saw a long line of what looked like 21 year old boys. None of them knew who we were; they were there to see "Jenna". I said "who is this Jenna?" Our crew informed me she was a hot porn star. I was a bit curious so I, Stone and Paul from Metal Edge set out to mingle. We were back stage at one of the bars when these girls and there entourage came over to see us. Stone knew who they were I thought they looked pretty young, they said they had heard of us. Right!!! I went backstage to our ex-dressing room to see if any crew guys were hanging out. There in the hallway were about 16 young bodacious looking girls. I asked one of them what they were waiting for. They said they were waiting to use the bands dressing room. I said that I was in the band and the rest of the band was asleep on the bus or in the bar. So go ahead be my guest. We chatted awhile and I asked if any of the girls had heard of us. They smiled and said that they did not know any of our tunes but they had heard of our name. Suddenly I felt privileged because one of the blonde girls was Jenna. She asked me what I did in the band I said I play guitar I looked at her and was about to ask her how she liked her job, but I chickened out. I just said I liked her boots. Honest!!! She said Gucci. Then she said to hang around and watch her performance with one of the other girls. My mind went wondering as I made my way back out to the bar. I met up with our tour manager. He said it was time for bus call as some fights were breaking out in our vicinity. Just then the hip-hop started and out on the stage jumped Jenna and one of the other girls. Yes, I saw her. And I had seen enough. What a night!!!

FALL USA 2003

DAY 31:

Merrillville, Indiana: Star Plaza

The star plaza was a nice theater with a descent size stage. The crowd was a good rocking Friday night crowd. I happened to have a great flowing performance. After the show I met a guy with a fake Tri-Ryche guitar. I signed it. That is something I have thought about. With the internet and EBay I do not want to see my autograph for sale on fake QR guitars. So I will be a bit choosier about Tri-Ryche fakes. Paul from Metal Edge Magazine hung out and did interviews. We consumed some wine and had some laughs as we wound down the night.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 30:

Kalamazoo, Michigan: State Theater

FALL USA 2003

DAY 29:

Day Off: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Ed bass and I hit the mall for supplies. An early night for the whip.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 28:

Fargo, North Dakota: Playmakers Pavilion

Strange warm weather.  A serious rocking crowd.  They were pleased that we did not forget them.  After the show a local magician brought his 4 month old Siberian tiger into the dressing room.  We watched it play and puncture the leather couches with its big teeth. (they were filled down and he was de-clawed).  As the magician was showing me a card trick,  Stone came over to watch.. With his back turned away from the tiger,  the tiger lunged and bit Stone in the ass. It was the funniest thing I've seen in a long time.  After the tiger calmed down  I took some pictures with him.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 27:

Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Washington Pavilion

A nice theater to play in. It was a Monday night crowd. A bit reserved, but they enjoyed the show.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 26:

Day Off: Omaha

I was feeling a bit under the weather so I just relaxed and laid low.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 25:

St. Louis, Missouri: The Pageant

We performed "Della Brown" for the first time on this tour. It was a bit improvised. It definitely mellowed me out. After the show I met an interesting fan who had fangs! she bit my neck!

FALL USA 2003

DAY 24:

Des Moines, Iowa: Val Air Ballroom

A very strange round ballroom.  It was a rowdy Friday night crowd and we were pleased to give them what they needed.  In fact, I saw for the first time in my life someone get tazered!!!

FALL USA 2003

DAY 23:

Wichita, Kansas: The Cotillion

A very interesting venue. The crowd was extremely loud. They like their rock!

FALL USA 2003

DAY 22:

Day Off: Wichita, Kansas

I worked out and wrote music.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 21:

Columbia, Missouri: Blue Note

Nice gig. A surprisingly rocking crowd. The local rock radio station people were there and actually hung out after the show! I talked to some very nice Queensryche fan club members as well as Stones brother and his friends.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 20:

Day Off: St. Louis, Missouri

Even more boring! Downtown is like a ghost town. Same damn movies on HBO.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 19:

Day Off: St. Louis, Missouri

Boring! Nothing to do but watch HBO. A radical change in weather. 95 degrees down to 30 degrees.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 18:

San Antonio, Texas: Sunken Gardens

Insanely hot and muggy show. Big insects were everywhere. This show included 2 extra bands. Y&T as well as the Killer Dwarfs. Stone and I showed Y&T guitarist Dave Meneketti the song "Walk In The Shadows". We had Dave come on stage and perform with us. We let him have some solo time as well as some triple lead harmonies. It was a big surprise to the large outdoor crowd.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 16:

Austin, Texas: La Zona Rosa

We played an acoustic in store. The crowd was a bit noisy. I think it was do to the effect that they tapped a keg in the store. It's true, Austin is a party town. The show was a blazing success. Afterwards I saw a guy yelling at  our trailer, someone told me he had been having a conversation for a half hour. He was definitely tweaked. I think he must have finished off the keg himself.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 15:

New Orleans, Louisiana: House of Blues

The crowd was packed like sardines. They were so loud our sound engineer measured them at 115 decibels! That's louder than the HOB sound system  can handle!  Just an amazing show

FALL USA 2003

DAY 14:

Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Texas Club

Got up early and drove to venue. Old smokey building. A great response for our first time in Baton Rouge. Lots of Red Bull!

FALL USA 2003

DAY 13:

Day Off: New Orleans, Louisiana

We got into New Orleans late after the drive. Some of us went out to Pat O'briens for a few hurricanes. I have to say that the French Quarter has an amazing vibe. We walked around town going into voodoo shops looking for shrunken heads.  I saw a little bead action. Not bad for a Monday night.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 12:

McAllen, Texas: La Villa Real

5 hour bus ride to venue. Lots of rain. Some roads were flooded. A great welcome back from the crowd. We haven't been there since 1986.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 11:

Day Off: San Antonio, Texas

Rain, rain, rain. I took it easy and worked on some new tunes.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 10:

Albuquerque, New Mexico: Kiva Auditorium

Stone, Geoff and I took a ride in a Hummer to a radio station for a live acoustic performance. We performed Roads To Madness and Losing Myself. The show was sold out. Afterwards the fans said we were on fire!  Another great show.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 9:

Phoenix, Arizona: Celebrity Theater

Early morning call for the whole band to perform the TV show good morning Arizona. We performed 30 seconds of Roads To Madness, 3 minutes of Losing Myself and 50 seconds of Rhythm Of Hope. Then Stone, Geoff and I went to a radio station and performed 2 acoustic songs live. Next we went to the infamous Celebrity theater. This is the place where some idiot tried to steal one of my guitars. It was a killer show, we blew Phoenix away.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 8:

Day Off: Phoenix, Arizona

Watched Seattle Mariners win 5-1 at a local sports bar.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 7:

Tucson, Arizona: Rialto Theater

A sold out show at the Rialto theater, which used to be a porn palace. This was the best crowd of the US tour. Janko our soundman said the crowd was at 110 decibels. That's intense!

FALL USA 2003

DAY 6:

DAY OFF: Tucson, Arizona

110 degrees. We spent the whole day in the pool which had a swim up bar and a giant waterslide. Imagine a bunch of ridiculous band and crew guys all going down a waterslide at the same time crashing into each other as we hit the pool. All I can say is, what a bunch of dorks!

FALL USA 2003

DAY 5:

Anaheim California: House of Blues

Another Interesting security check. We played a different set list tonight. After the show I hung out with Sef and Spider from KNAC. My Dad, brother, TK and GR flew down for the show too, so I also spent some time with family and friends.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 4:

Anaheim, California: House of Blues

Hot day! Security check was interesting. Joey and Rey were there from Fates Warning. Packed house. It was a great show. At the meet and greet I met a fetish video star.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 3:

Ventura, California: Ventura Theater

Great show. Acoustic set is fun. A little retro. California crowds are so cool. Hung out after the show with the Activision guy. Talked about new cool games and future ventures. Outside the dressing room window I saw a girl in the street whip down her mini while her friends surrounded her so she could relieve herself. That's entertainment!

FALL USA 2003

DAY 2:

DAY OFF:

Stone and I went to the Seymour Duncan pickup factory. We said hi to Seymour. Than Evan gave us a whole tour of the factory. Kelley (artist relations) took us to lunch on the beach. Then we met Evan for sushi that evening. What a cool company!!! Stone and I began the crawl back to the hotel. We made a pit stop at a place called Joe's. Then on our way we hassled a street peddler who couldn't play guitar. We tuned his guitar and gave him a quick lesson. His dog followed me into the hotel.

FALL USA 2003

DAY 1:

Cupertino, California: Flint Center

First show. Back to the grind. It's always so fun to play the songs fresh for the first time. 13 guitar changes. I forgot the one on Empire. After the show I met some cool fans. It was a nice night. I sat outside and tried to find Mars.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 41:

Seattle, Washington: The Paramount Theater

A great end of tour show. Home town crowd was a bonus. A very successful 4 hour show. All bands played great. The encore kicked ass and we nailed "comfortably numb". Took goodbye pictures with all the bands and crew.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 40:

Portland, Oregon:

Another successful show. The band is really clicking. The Encores with "Dream Theater" are kicking ass. The song by the "Who" rocked!!

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 39:

Boise, Idaho: The Big Easy

No "Fates Warning" again, bus still broken down. Small venue but a rocker. Real Headbangers! Met two of the guys from the band "Clockthroat", very cool guys.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 38:

Spokane, Washington: Opera House

3 out of 5 buses make it to Spokane. "Dream Theater" Crew bus and "Fates Warning" bus both broke down somewhere in Idaho. No Fates Warning for Spokane.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 37:

Day Off: Travel Day

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 36:

Las Vegas, Nevada: Hard Rock Hotel

@!$%*#  Hot again, 106º. Get me out of here! The Joint in side the Hard Rock Hotel was small, not a lot of room on the stage. Great fans. Did NOT gamble! Wild night/early morning activities. Sorry, I don't talk about the embarrassing moments.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 35:

Sacramento, California: The Cove

Nice outdoor show, only 114º !!! Help! Had a nice visit with more of my relatives. After the show attended a black tie party on "Fates" bus.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 34:

Concord, California: The Chronicle Pavilion

Out door show. Beautiful hot day. Had a nice visit with family, and relatives. Great show.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 33:

San Diego, California: Humphrey's By the Bay

Strange show in the middle of a condominium rest. 98db Police. Beautiful setting by the water. Must be nice to live down here.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 32:

Los Angeles, California: Universal Amphitheater

Busy, hectic, busy, hectic. Too many people to see, not enough alone time. Had some monitoring problems, but the show must go on. Glad that one is over with!

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 31:

Los Angeles, California: Orlando Jones Show

Day off, if you can call it that, to record the Orlando Jones Show. Very cool to hang out with The Man. He came into our dressing room and we chatted for a while. I couldn't believe he was a Queensryche fan. He has a cool stage set. Great audience, lots of fun for our first TV talk show. Airline lost luggage, luckily I wore black for the plane ride, so that's what I wore for the show.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 30:

Denver, Colorado: Universal Lending

Release day for "Tribe". Did an in store. Over 400 people. The show was next to an amusement park. Last show before the west coast. Yeah!!!

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 29:

Kansas City, Missouri: Uptown Theater

Did early morning radio show. Played an acoustic version of "Open" with Geoff and Stone. Great show that night, Hard Ryche fans.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 27:

Chicago, Illinois: Aragon Ballroom

Great show, great crowd. Hung out with "Meatball", the Midwest Pro Wrestling Champion. Chicago rocks!

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 26:

Cincinnati, Ohio: Annies Outdoor

Kick ass rocker! A great set list, very metal. Show was in a parking lot. Stage right guitar station was in the back of a semi truck. Thunder, lightning and rain after the show.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 25:

Clarkston, Michigan: DTE Music Theater

Good show, nice place. Vibrations from the subs being on stage moved my mic stand away from my speaker.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 24:

Cleveland, Ohio: Tower City Amphitheater

Another outdoor show. One thing about doing so many outdoor gigs, is that they are all different. It's a nightmare for the crew. It sounds drastically different every night. For us, the stages sound drastically different every night as well. I'm not complaining. Cleveland Rocks!

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 23:

Baltimore, Maryland: Pier Six Pavilion

Outdoor show, fun gig. Met some nice people.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 22:

Day Off: Travel Day

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 21:

Day Off: Travel Day

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 20:

Wilmington, Delaware: Kahuna Summer Stage

Lightning storm delayed show. Rain. Had to use visqueen on pedal board. Wind was so bad the video screens couldn't be used.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 19:

Wantagh, New York: Jones Beach

Stayed in New York City. It took 4 1/2 hours to get to Jones Beach. Missed sound check. A storm blows in, extremely high winds. Tide came in and drenched the people in the front row.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 18:

Holmdel, New Jersey: PNC Bank Art Center

Another kick ass show. Partied with Metal Mike after show. Long live metal!

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 17:

Boston, Massachusetts: Fleet Pavilion

Kick ass show. Met some more new cousins.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 16:

Wallingford, Connecticut: Oakdale Theater

Kick ass show. Met some new cousins.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 15:

Day Off: Travel Day

SUMMER CANADA 2003

DAY 14:

Quebec City, Quebec:

Great Sunday show. During the Encore my pants ripped when I jumped up on Mike P's drum stage. Very embarrassing, enough said.

SUMMER CANADA 2003

DAY 13:

Montreal, Quebec: Verdun Auditorium

Hottest *!%@$# show of my life! 1000º at least. Stepped on Mesa pedal board and broke the cable, only one channel worked on Mesa after that. Missed half of "Flame" Stone covered. During the Encore, bad wiring, kept getting shocked from the Dream Theater guys on stage. My right arm went numb.

SUMMER CANADA 2003

DAY 12:

Barrie, Ontario: Molson Amphitheater

4th of July. No tornado, no sars. Played on an Ice Hockey Rink. The coldest show on the tour.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 11:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Station Square Amphitheater

Out door show. Had to be quiet only 96 DB. A bit too quiet for me. Broke a *%@# string on Empire.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 10:

Columbus, Ohio: Promo West Pavilion

Christmas in July, New Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier arrives. Kicks butt! Also bought some Voodoo Cab pedals. Can you say "Old School". Great show, crowd rocked.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 9:

Day Off: Travel Day

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 8:

Atlanta, Georgia: House of Blues

Played old House of Blues, muggy and it rained. Same thing, used John's back-up rig again. Great sound, nice tone.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 7:

Tampa, Florida:

No Whip rig, no Whip back-up rig, used John Petruci's back-up Mesa Boogie MKII and borrowed some pedals. Try playing a Queensryche show with a completely foreign set-up. I still rocked!!

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 6:

Pompano Beach, Florida: Pompano Beach Amphitheater

Will this ever end? Back-up rig goes completely down. Delay's show. Borrowed Stone's back-up head. The heat and humidity has fried my rig. =(

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 5:

Orlando, Florida: House of Blues

House of Blues gig, good show, great crowd. Bradshaw Pedal Board goes down. Used Digitech back-up again.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 4:

Day Off: Travel Day

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 3:

Dallas, Texas: Nextstage

Good show, had to use back-up rig again. Met the Red Bull girls. They gave us a few cases. Thanks Red Bull =)

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 2:

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Bricktown Events Center

Main system pre-amp blew up. Too hot, too humid for the Bogner Fish. Had to use the Digitech 2120. Still a great show enthusiastic crowd.

SUMMER USA 2003

DAY 1:

Houston, Texas: Verizon Center

Got to Sea-Tac early, long flight. First show. Muggy, hot, thick, but a great first show.

EUROPE 2003

DAY 8:

Greece: Athens

Absolutely brilliant. The people are very passionate about music. The scenery is breathtaking. I have some great memories to take home. The show was insane, people were hanging off the cliffs to see the Ryche!

EUROPE 2003

DAY 7:

ITALY : Metal Extravaganza

Technical delays due to local crew mishaps. Had to scale set down to 30 minutes, bummer. Let's do it again. Have fun Dave.

EUROPE 2003

DAY 6:

SWEDEN: Sweden Rock Festival

Over 20,000 people, spent the day hanging out with Motorhead, Jethro Tull and Twisted Sister. Met some really great people. Hope to do this festival again.

EUROPE 2003

DAY 5:

Day Off

EUROPE 2003

DAY 4:

London: Astoria Theater

Fly to London and do press immediately at the hotel. We did quite a bizarre photo session where we were all laying down on these glass panels outside a business building looking up at the sky. The show at the Astoria went smooth for me. The crowd was great and we met some nice fans.

EUROPE 2003

DAY 3:

Amsterdam: Heineken Music Hall

Day of show. My rig goes down in sound check. FU**. I can't get enough power to my system because the transformers are inadequate. My tech Jeff Repp has to wire my back-up system. We still manage to give a great performance.

EUROPE 2003

DAY 2:

Day Off

EUROPE 2003

DAY 1:

Flight from Seattle to New York…Middle seat. New York to Amsterdam again the middle seat…14 hours of flying. It gets better. After going through customs there is no one to meet us. No one has an itinerary. We are a tired bunch of band and crew guys pissed off, looking for a sign that says Queensryche. After 2 hours in the FU’in airport we finally wake somebody up in the US. "The promoter is supposed to pick you up" Right! We are 8 guys all wearing black…. that’s pretty easy to assume that we might be a band from Seattle. No one was there "Just tell us where the hotel is". So we grabbed some cabs and went to the hotel. Now we are way beyond irrational. So we dumped our bags and went straight to the Red district. Todd Rockenfield said " Take us to the Grasshopper" in a few minutes all our worries were gone.