Operation: Mindcrime (band)

Operation: Mindcrime (also known as Geoff Tate's Operation: Mindcrime) was a progressive metal band that was fronted by the former lead singer of Queensrÿche, Geoff Tate. It is named after Queensrÿche's 1988 album of the same name. Various musicians have contributed to the band, both live and in studio and it features members such as John Moyer (also known for being in Disturbed) and Simon Wright (also known for his work with AC/DC and Ronnie James Dio). The group signed a worldwide deal in December 2014 with Frontiers Music Srl for its coming releases.[1] Their debut album, The Key, which is part one of a trilogy, was released in 2015. The second, Resurrection, was released in 2016, and the third and final album of the trilogy, The New Reality, was released in 2017.

Operation: Mindcrime
Operation: Mindcrime in 2016
Operation: Mindcrime in 2016
Background information
Also known asGeoff Tate's Queensryche (2012–2014)
OriginUnited States
Genres
Years active2012–2017
LabelsFrontiers Records
Spinoff ofQueensrÿche
Past members
Websiteoperationmindcrime.com

History
See also: 2012 Queensrÿche split

Tate was fired from Queensrÿche in 2012, as his relationship with the rest of the band had deteriorated. The acrimonious split caused a considerable amount of discord among fans and major lawsuits began. Tate filed suit for wrongful termination while the band counter-sued citing what it alleged as violent behavior by Tate. With an ongoing court case over the rights to use the name 'Queensrÿche' going on, Tate announced his own line-up under the name, leading to two bands using the name while actively touring at the same time.[2] Tate's group released the album Frequency Unknown, produced and mixed by Jason Slater, on April 23, 2013, in the U.S. Although selling well, the release picked up mixed reviews from music critics and somewhat of a fan backlash.

Following a settlement, Tate was granted the exclusive performance rights to the band's concept albums Operation: Mindcrime (1988), and Operation: Mindcrime II (2006). Those two releases garnered both critical praise and widespread commercial success for the group, with Tate then serving as its frontman. In return, musicians Michael Wilton, Scott Rockenfield, Todd La Torre, and Eddie Jackson retained all rights to the 'Queensrÿche' brand.[3][4]

Tate was allowed, according to the settlement, to perform with his own line-up under the name 'Queensrÿche' until his tour concluded on August 31, 2014, after which his group announced to adopt the official name 'Operation: Mindcrime'.[4] The La Torre-fronted Queensrÿche has retained the right to perform material coming from and related to the two Operation: Mindcrime albums live. This legal set-up is somewhat similar to that of Pink Floyd and their former bandmate Roger Waters, in which both artists have performed songs from The Wall live.

About the group, Tate has said, "It is so refreshing to be able to concentrate on the many stories and ideas that I have been working on with no boundaries or restrictions." He's also remarked, "I think fans will continue to enjoy the music we create and perform together and hope they share this new musical journey with us."

In late 2014, Tate began working on a new concept album. Planned as a trilogy of albums, he has claimed it as one of his most ambitious works to date.[3][4] The band signed a worldwide deal with Frontiers Music Srl for its coming releases in December 2014.

In 2015, John Moyer, Brian Tichy, and Scott Moughton became members after the departures of Rudy Sarzo and Robert Sarzo.

Their debut album and first of the trilogy, The Key, was released on September 18, 2015. The album features a guest appearance from Megadeth bassist David Ellefson.[5]

The second album in the trilogy, Resurrection, was released on September 23, 2016, and features guest appearances by Blaze Bayley and Tim "Ripper" Owens, among others.

The third and final album of the trilogy, The New Reality, was released on December 1, 2017. During promotion of the album, Tate announced that the album would be the last for the band, saying "This group of musicians was put together specifically for this project...this is the last album of the trilogy and the last album for Operation: Mindcrime."[6]

Band members
Frontman Geoff Tate performing in 2004

Current
  • Geoff Tate – lead vocals, keyboards, saxophone (2012–present)
  • Kieran Robertson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2018–present)[7][8]
  • Jack Ross – bass (2018–present)[7][8]
  • Bruno Sa – keyboards (2018–present)[7][8]
  • Daniel LaVerde – drums (2020–present)[9][10]
  • James Brown – lead guitar, backing vocals (2020–present)[11]

Former

Timeline

Discography

As Geoff Tate's Queensrÿche

As Operation: Mindcrime

References
  1. "Geoff Tate's Operation: Mindcrime Signs With Frontiers Music". Blabbermouth.net. December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  2. "Geoff Tate Wins Court Ruling to Continue Using Queensryche Name". Loudwire.com. October 20, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  3. "Geoff Tate's Queensrÿche To Forge Ahead As Operation: Mindcrime". Blabbermouth.net. July 30, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  4. "QueensrŸche: More Settlement Details Revealed In Dispute Over Ownership Of Name". Blabbermouth.net. May 5, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  5. "Geoff Tate's Operation: Mindcrime Detail Their Debut Album, 'The Key'". Music Enthusiast Magazine. July 2, 2015. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  6. "Geoff Tate: 'A New Reality' Is Operation: Mindcrime's Last Album". Loudwire. November 27, 2017. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  7. DiVita, Joe (May 1, 2018). "Geoff Tate Celebrating 'Operation: Mindcrime' Anniversary on Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  8. "Operation Successful: Geoff Tate celebrates 30 years of 'Operation: Mindcrime' with Flawless Rendition of Entire Album". Metal Assault. August 24, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  9. "Daniel Laverde Musician and Drummer". GeoffTate.com. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  10. "Danny Laverde on Facebook". Facebook. December 2, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  11. "James Brown | Lead Guitarist and Session Musician". GeoffTate.com. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  12. "Glen Drover Quits Geoff Tate's Queensrÿche". Blabbermouth.net. November 24, 2012. Archived from the original on November 28, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  13. "RUDY And ROBERT SARZO Discuss Recreating 'Operation: Mindcrime' With TATE's QUEENSRŸCHE". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. September 12, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  14. "Guitarist ROBERT SARZO Talks QUEENSRŸCHE, HURRICANE And Brother RUDY (Video)". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. January 3, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  15. "GEOFF TATE's OPERATION: MINDCRIME Announces European Tour Dates". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. October 2, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  16. Childers, Chad (January 21, 2016). "Geoff Tate's Operation: Mindcrime To Embark on 2016 U.S. Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  17. "Queensrÿche celebrate "Operation: Mindcrime" anniversary". SoundSpike. November 28, 2012. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014.
  18. Queensryche sings "Silent Lucidity" at the Arcada Theater!. arcadatheater. May 18, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2023 – via YouTube.
  19. "RUDY SARZO Says Playing With GEOFF TATE's Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE Was 'Interesting'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. April 7, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  20. BraveWords. "Guitarist ROBERT SARZO On Not Joining Vocalist GEOFF TATE's OPERATION: MINDCRIME - "Nobody Quit, Nobody Got Fired; I Was A Member Of That Version Of QUEENSRŸCHE And It Ended"". bravewords.com. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  21. BraveWords. "GEOFF TATE Introduces New QUEENSRŸCHE Line-Up; RUDY SARZO, BOBBY BLOTZER And GLEN DROVER On Board". bravewords.com. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  22. Wardlaw, Matt (September 5, 2012). "New Queensryche Drummer Bobby Blotzer Says Ratt Bandmates 'Fed False Info to Fans'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  23. "John Moyer of Disturbed Standing in for Rudy Sarzo for 5 Dates | Queensryche". Archived from the original on May 1, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  24. "GEOFF TATE's QUEENSRŸCHE Featuring JOHN MOYER, SASS JORDAN: Milwaukee Footage Available". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. May 22, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  25. "Operation: Mindcrime's Geoff Tate". Just A Rock N Roll Junkie. December 8, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  26. "Video: GEOFF TATE's OPERATION: MINDCRIME Performs At Sweden's METALLSVENSKAN Festival". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. July 7, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  27. "Tim Fernley Musician on Facebook". Facebook. July 15, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  28. Syrjala, Marko (February 25, 2020). "Geoff Tate discusses the "Empire 30th Anniversary" tour, Operation: Mindcrime, Avantasia, Trinity, and much more". Metal-Rules.com. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  29. "Geoff Tate: "Empire" Album 30th Anniversary Tour with "Rage for Order"". Arcada Theatre. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.