Dream Theater
An interview with John Petrucci
By Dave Schwartz

In early May I had my hands on the Dream Theater media release, a five-song sampler offered to media outlets to get a taste of the coming album. For most, a new Dream Theater record is like opening a Christmas package; you’re never really sure what to expect. The only constant you can be sure of, it won’t be like the last one.

I sat in my media room and listened to the first song on the sampler "I Walk Beside You." I remember thinking, Wow this is going to shake up the fan base! It was so different from past albums that I was certain of one thing, this record is going to set the message board alight! After going through the five songs I found myself almost as eager to hear what the fans would think as I was to talk to John Petrucci, guitarist for Dream Theater. But Petrucci was my first stop.

I spoke to Petrucci a few weeks before the release of "Octavarium." He was awaiting the record with great anticipation and as usual I had a hundred questions. I couldn’t think of a better place to start than with the question that was burning a whole in my brain. Dude, what’s up with that sampler?

He laughed, "Yeah, you know it’s funny. I’ve been speaking to people that have the five songs and without the full album you’re actually missing out on some of the more traditional tracks. You’re getting an angled sampling!"

Angled no doubt! I explained that on the "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence" tour I was fortunate enough to interview Jordan Rudess. At the time, I teased him a bit about whether or not the band could write a three minute song. Rudess laughed, "I don't think so. What we're specialists in developing our themes and having a great romp! We just go for it and play and we don't feel any necessity to limit ideas. It's not where I come from, I'm from a classical background. You know, you have a theme, you're going to modulate and you're going to develop the theme. You put the theme in the bass, you change the chords then you re-harmonize..."

I asked about the sudden change in direction.

"You know, it’s something that we always try to do but fail. Petrucci explained. "There are so many great songs that we all love. All of us kind of have a type of song that we all have in common that we really connect to. I mean as well as our individual tastes. These are songs that are on the radio. They might be from Peter Gabriel or U2 or Coldplay or whatever. Songs like that we relate too so much and get into and it’s like, I would love to be able to write songs like that. And what ends up happening is that we always get wrapped up in having an extended intro, an instrumental section and before you know it it’s eight minutes later. So it’s actually a challenge to write something that you know, has musical depth, intelligence and in this case a positive message. It’s hard to do. I think that we focused a little bit more on that with a couple of songs and I’m happy with the results."

I confessed to him that the sampler was an exceptional surprise. We all have expectations when we hear the name Dream Theater and suddenly, when you least expect it. Well, to be fair I guess you get the next album! Off the cuff I commented to Petrucci that without fail, whenever a Dream Theater record arrives on our doorsteps it’s different than we expect.

"Yeah, that’s not only part of our plan but also the reason that we’re able to keep doing this and we’re able to sustain our career and have such great fans. You know, it’s kind of the element of surprise to be different." Petrucci admitted.

I asked about the remainder of the album.

"I think that especially with this album it’s definitely an eclectic mix of songs. And although there are songs that are more in the pop vein there are also songs to the other extreme that are probably of the most progressive nature that we’ve written and will probably end up favorites in the show." Petrucci assured.

In recent albums, Dream Theater has developed a moral voice offering commentary on such controversial issues as religion, stem cell research and the struggle of the human mind. The constant interlace with musical themes often yielded dramatic results. I wondered where "Octavarium" was leading us.

Petrucci paused for a moment before answering, "This album definitely has musical themes throughout. As far as conceptually and lyrically, you know it’s coming from a very personal place. I think that a lot of the subject matter is very inward and in that sense it’s very sincere. At least that was my perspective when writing. Sometimes there’s a story going on or a topic that’s interesting, but not necessarily a reflection of a personal experience. 'Six Degrees' is like that and 'Scenes From a Memory.' These stories and observations whereas this is more like inward reflections that I’m writing about."

As is typical, Dream Theater will begin their tour in Europe before returning to America. In preparation for this interview, I reviewed their itinerary and was fascinated by some of the festivals they would be playing. The lineup for several of the shows included bands that I didn’t think were still together much less would I expect to find on the same stage. I commented to Petrucci that such an eclectic mix must make for an interesting show.

"Yeah, it should be a lot of fun." Petrucci agreed. "It’s always great to go to Europe during the summer and the festival season will be on. You end up meeting a lot of interesting people and a lot of different bands. And the pace of a tour like that is a little more relaxed. You’re not carrying the bigger load you’re more just a part of the picture. So it’s different than normal touring. I’m looking forward to it. It should be fun. And it’s funny that only in Europe you’ll see these combinations of bands. It’s real interesting that so many people want to come and see it. We’ve been in situations of both extremes. We’ve done really metal shows and more obscure shows or pop shows. You never really know what you’re going to get."

When Dream Theater returns the states they will join Dave Mustane and Megadeth on their first festival tour of America. With all the positive feedback from the European festivals I wasn’t surprised that Petrucci was looking forward to this tour as well. I asked about this merger of so many bands.

"Well that called the Gigantour," Petrucci said, "and it’s a pretty extensive tour of America. It’s a festival with a bunch of bands: Megadeth, Dream Theater, Fear Factory, Nevermore and Dillinger Escape Plan. And there’s also a second stage. It should be really cool. We’re playing all amphitheaters and stuff like that. Once again, you know, it’s a unique and fun way of touring during the summer."

With such an extensive touring schedule it’s remarkable to note the number of side projects involving members of Dream Theater. In some cases multiple projects are in the works. Petrucci has recently released a labor of love, his first solo record, "Suspended Animation." It didn’t take much prompting to get him to beam with pride. I asked about shuffling such a hectic schedule and the results.

"You know that’s really part of the reason it took me so long to get a solo album done. It actually was conceived during the first G3 tour that I did in the United States about three to four years ago. And now my album was just released a couple of months ago just because it’s hard to find time to get in there and record. But you know there are open pockets of time and you jump in. I got offered the tour in Japan with G3. That just happened a couple of weeks ago. And we were off the road so in any situation where you’re getting a bunch of artists together scheduling is a big part of it. It’s just a matter of whether you can do it or not. There have certainly been instances where there have been thing that have come up and I wasn’t able to be a part of it because of Dream Theaters schedule. It’s the nature of the business and hopefully you try to do things that interest you, that are fun and I’m fortunate enough to be able to do that. We just had a great time in Japan. We shot one of the nights in Tokyo for a DVD. That will be coming out and be cool."

Although it is certainly premature to suggest that Dream Theater is entering their waning days, I asked a question regarding their legacy. Throughout their career,' Dream Theater has always been candid regarding influences and musical idols. During recent interviews with other bands the name Dream Theater has repeatedly emerged as an influence. I asked Petrucci his thoughts on the circle of music.

"I think that’s great." Petrucci confessed. "You know, of course the only perspective is my own. When I mention influences as a reference it’s always been because the music means something to me deeply and it effected me somehow. It’s the language of music. You don’t necessarily have to see the person play or be in the same room. Just hearing the person play on the radio can hit you. So it’s a great connection to have and if people are saying that about us, that we’ve effected them that way, that’s just a great feeling. It’s a full circle thing happening and it’s very cool."

I asked Petrucci to look back and reflect on the growth of Dream Theater. I asked if the band we see today is the same band they might have imagined when first starting?

Candidly he explained, "You know I think it’s certainly what we strive for and hoped for and dreamt for. When you’re young and you have a band and guys that you’re in a band together your dream is to be successful. We’re going to be huge and this and that. You might not necessarily realize the type of work that goes into creating something like that but to be in the position that we are now, we are very thankful and humbled. It’s great that we’re able to continue to play as well. We’re very fortunate. It’s hard to say that I never would’ve imagined this in a million years because you’re just so passionate as a kid that you can’t picture it any other way. And I think that that determination is what has driven us along."

I asked Petrucci if he had a closing statement.

"You know there’s two things that I’m excited about. One is my solo album that we talked about earlier. I’m excited that it’s out there and I’m excited that my fans have embraced it. It’s my first one so it’s really a good feeling to be able to do that. It’s called 'Suspended Animation.' I hope everybody gets a chance to listen to it. And of course our latest, 'Octavarium,' to me a perfect representation of where we are right now. We had a blast recording it at the Hit Factory in New York City, which is now closed. We were the last band to record there. And I think there is going to be a lot for fans and new listeners to get into."

As for the Dream Theater message board, on Tuesday June 7^th it lit up like a Christmas tree. Within hours of the official release fans had already began analyzing the new record, weighing the pros and cons, calling out the influences. "Octavarium" was the "best" and "worst" record Dream Theater had ever produced. To some, "I Walk Beside You" sounded like U2. And to the fans it was the new Dream Theater album and a day of celebration.

Check out www.dreamtheater.net