Dream Theater release documentary road video for new single WITHER. The Progressive Rock Titans are now in midst of touring Australia and New Zealand. The band plans to hit south america in the winter-spring.
“Of the 10 videos we’ve done through the years, I felt we have never been truly captured ‘in our element…which of course is on tour, playing to our fans, with our lighting and video show. So I thought it was time to do a video that showed us in our ‘real world’ (unlike the ‘fake worlds’ that are usually created when shooting a promo video),” says MIKE PORTNOY of DREAM THEATER about the band’s new documentary road video for their new single “Wither” from their 10th studio release BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS (Roadrunner). See interview with Portnoy about the video below.
Directed by Ramon Boutviseth, who did the same honors for the first clip for the album’s first single “A Rite Of Passage,” the “Wither” video was shot on location in the U.K. (London, Manchester), France (Paris, Lille) and Rotterdam (the Netherlands) as part of DREAM THEATER’s September/October 2009 headlining “Progressive Nation” tour reaching 15 countries. See the video HERE.
Meanwhile, the legendary progressive metal masters just launched their headlining down under tour December 1, encompassing seven shows in Australia and New Zealand, wrapping December 12 in Perth, with special guests Pain of Salvation will join the band on all dates except in New Zealand. Look for the band to head to South America in the winter-spring.
2009 continues to be a watermark year for DREAM THEATER–James LaBrie (vocals), John Myung (bass), John Petrucci (guitar, vocals), Mike Portnoy (drums, percussion, vocals) and Jordan Rudess (keyboards, Continuum)–as a recording act and touring powerhouse. They achieved a #1 debut on the Billboard European chart and 12 Top Ten album chart debuts around the world including the U.S. with BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS, a highlight of their 25-year career that was praised by Mojo magazine’s Paul Elliott in his July 2009 review: “…their lofty ideals remain intact. By modern criteria, Black Clouds & Silver Linings is as highbrow as The Mars Volta, as grandiose as Muse and as heavy as Metallica.” They were also honored with the “Spirit Of Prog” achievement award at the 2009 Classic Rock Awards in London (November 2).
Q&A with Mike Portnoy about the “Wither” video:
How do you feel the song’s somber emotional theme works in the context of a documentary tour video? There’s a weariness to the road (the traveling to and from the shows, NOT the onstage moments) that is captured here.
“I think this video captures the reality of what it’s really like for us on the road. Sure, the two hours on stage are amazing and ultimately why we do this….but the reality is, there are another 22 hours throughout the day which consists of a lot of traveling, interviews, meet & greets and sometimes a tremendous amount of sitting around and waiting….which sometimes can be very lonely.”
What are your thoughts about how the video turned out and how it represents the recent European tour?
“I love the final outcome of this video…it really captured the day to day and hour to hour activities that surround a day on the road with Dream Theater…not only for us, but our crew and our fans as well.”
Can you talk about the experience of performing overseas and connecting with your fans there?
“Touring in Europe and the UK are always some of our best shows and are always among the highlights throughout a World Tour for us….the ‘Wither’ shoot alone captured three amazing audiences and venues for us: The Zenith in Paris, The Ahoy in Rotterdam and Wembley Arena in London….all three of these cities, venues and fans are always favorites of ours!”
Dream Theater – New Zealand / Australia 2009 Tour Dates
Tue
12/1
Auckland
Civic Theatre
Thu
12/3
Brisbane
Convention Centre
Sat
12/5
Sydney
Hordern Pavilion
Mon
12/7
Melbourne
Palais Theatre
Tue
12/8
Melbourne
Palais Theatre
Wed
12/9
Adelaide
Thebarton Theatre
Sat
12/12
Perth
Metro City
