ION INDIE MAGAZINE March 2016, Volume 22 | Page 41

ION: Name a band who influenced you personally when you were coming up in the early days? MW: I grew up listening to the Scorpions, and now that both bands are under the same label, we finally got the opportunity last year to go out and tour with them. We've developed a great relationship with them and our music just seems to intertwine with theirs. It's amazing to me, they've been out on the road and at this for 50 years. This year in 2016 starting in May, we'll be doing a residency with them in Las Vegas. ION: What was one of your most memorable shows or events? MW: A few years ago, we played the Rock AM festival in Germany. I think, it's something like half a million people, and that's the largest audience we've ever played in front of. It was absolutely mind blowing to look out and see people as far as the eye could see. A great experience with some of the biggest names in the business. ION: Which do you prefer to play--a smaller venue or a major rock festival? MW: It's kind of funny, because we like both for different reasons. Of course, for us and our fans, we like playing smaller venues that help create that "intimate feel", where we get to hang out sometimes to “meet and greet”. But, as well, there's no bigger rush than playing in front of 100,000 people. We've always been able to adapt to wherever, and whatever we play, having a great time and always giving our best to our fans. ION: Is there a specific band that you'd love to tour with right now and what have been some of your favorite bands to tour with in the past? MW: Hmmmm…I think right now, we'd love to tour with Guns ‘n’ Roses...lol...if the tour ever gets off the ground and they can stay consistent. Bands in the past? Our favorites were probably Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. ION: In regard to touring--do you find it more enjoyable now, as opposed to the early days of the band? MW: What's interesting about Queensrÿche and our current tour that we've noticed specifically is, we have fans that have been with us since our first EP in '82, and they're coming out to see us and hear our new stuff and bringing their kids with them to the shows. We have a lot of new fans who may have never heard of Queensrÿche, and are c oming just to check us out. It's a great audience right now and very varied. Of course, with every show, there are the sceptics who come out to see how we sound without Geoff and to check out Todd, and we tell them all, “Come back and talk to us after the show is over, and let us know what you think.” ION: You do see that a lot these days, it's inevitable…that bands that go through lineup changes that sometimes upset their die hard fans with the thought that they are no longer the “same” band. MW: We feel we have never been tighter and never sounded better than we do right now. Todd does an amazing job transforming our classic hits, and his vocals are what's going to carry this band into the future, as we have evolved. ION: Well thanks for taking a few minutes to chat with us. We wish you the best out there on the road and look forward to seeing AND hearing the next chapter in Queensrÿche. http://www.queensrycheofficial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/QueensrycheOfficial www.facebook.com/pages/Gary-Carota-Images/1446109878980969