Answers from Mark

[BenMech]

www.bravewords.com/news/63335

[kerrick]

Interesting. That's too bad he has such a negative outlook on Fates Warning. There's a lot of loyal fans of FW out there and maybe he just doesn't realize it.

[thraxhead]

"And if you step back, Fates Warning is on a downslide," he adds. "The label doesn’t care, there’s currently no record deal, the band’s direction is just sort of whatever, so it’s not like a band on the rise. So, from a business point of view it’s going downhill."

I am left wondering why Mark forgot to mention how Slavior is setting the music world on fire right now? Perhaps he's been to busy signing all the contracts for that opening slot on the upcoming Dave Matthews tour.

Some people are wanna-be rock stars. Some people like themselves a little too much. Sadly, Mark has been inflicted with both.

[OG]

Thems some nasty words. There's nothing diplomatic about that at all. Sure, honesty is great; but that's rough.

I do understand the monotony of the "same set every show" concern, however. I've been playing the same material for over three years. Sometimes I wanna hang myself with my guitar cable. More often, I wanna hang the bassist. Or just pummel him a little bit.

[ShadesofGray]

[icegrl12]

Well, don't think much of what he said is off base. Nice to see some honesty instead of the classic PC lines. He didn't make any personal attacks.
I think the Fates fans should support Mark on whatever he wants to do. He put in his time and effort for many years. Slavior might not be prog, but the songs are great and he is doing his thing. Some real great drumming and vocals on this album.

[ShadesofGray]

Hi icegirl,

I completely agree with you, and commend you for putting your thoughts in such a positive way. Thank you.

My above sigh comes from feeling a bit saddened that Mark even needed to say any of it, really. As I've seen how things have progressed with the band over time (in a back end sense - not in a musical sense) I'm even more despondent towards the Industry. The fact that this incredible group of talent isn't as, if not more, widely known as DT absolutely blows my mind.

Mark has always been very kind and gracious when we have interracted, so I don't agree with thraxhead's opinion that he's been inflicted with the-kind-of person-who-likes-himself-too-much syndrome. As for being a wanna-be rock star... I don't think a wanna-be would be listed in a Top 10 Most Important Metal Drummers In History list (scroll down).

He spoke openly and honestly about where he's coming from. I applaud that big time. It still sucks to hear that a favorite drummer from a favorite band got to the point of thinking, basically, *what's the point?*.

[BenMech]

and I agree with you both.

Btw Coll - been way past forever. Hope to chat soon

- B (who has been reading Virtual Mode, finally)

[Fox]

Thraxy, while I don't see Slavior setting the world afire (I haven't heard it though to be fair). Putting out 1 studio album and 1 tour every 4 years, is nothing to get excited about. Especially when you just play the same songs every tour. So for the most part, I agree with Mark.

[himwe]

I lean towards agreeing with Mark here, too. I'm no rock star, but I've been in bands that have just stagnated on the same 1 or 2 accomplishments for years and years. I think Fates Warning's music is amazing, early stuff, later stuff, and whatever. But the guys from King's X for example are what - in their 50s? They've gone on record recently as saying that they got a little lazy over the 90s and stopped "growing their band." If you're a professional musician, you have to put forth consistent effort to promote yourself as a band. That means more than getting a record deal.

As much as I hate Dream Theater's music, they really do know how to promote themselves as what they are. Likewise with Ron Thal, Joe Satriani, King's X, Mike Keneally, etc. These guys are never going to be super-stars, but they have figured out a way to get their music out to the people who want to buy it and make a living out of it.


Fates Warning needs to release another album like APSOG - where they fuse together a lot of the kind of stuff Jim writes by himself - and promote themselves as what they are: the founding fathers of progressive metal. They should be in the best position to be huge, but I never see a smart business decision. Oh well.

[BenMech]

I agree Ryan,and btw, Welcome Back