We’re already known that Queensrÿche was referring to himself as “Geoff Tate: The Voice of Queensrÿche” following the settlement with his former bandmates. Then last week, the non-tate version of Queensrÿche mentioned that Tate would be allowed to be the only of the two entities to be able to perform Operation: Mindcrime I and II in their entirety. In a statement on the band’s website, the Queensryche with the most original members (Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton) mentioned that they’re working on a new album that’s tentatively due in summer of 2015. They also went into details about the settlement with Tate. In short, Tate better enjoy attaching Queensryche to his name, because he only has a few years left to do it:
Century Media is pleased to announce that Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton have successfully agreed to purchase Geoff Tate’s portion of the Queensrÿche name. The band will buy out their former lead singer’s share of the Queensrÿche corporation while allowing him the ability to be the only one to perform Operation: Mindcrime and Operation: Mindcrime II in their entirety. He will no longer have use of the TriRyche logo or any other album images aside from the Mindcrime releases. He can only refer to himself as the “Original Lead Singer of Queensrÿche or “Formerly of Queensrÿche” for a period of two years and that text must be at least 50% smaller than his name in all materials. After this two year period passes, he can only refer to himself as Geoff Tate with no mention of Queensrÿche at all. Geoff Tate will be able to finish any confirmed dates billed for his Queensrÿche lineup scheduled to terminate on August 31st, 2014. As of September 1st, there will be only one Queensrÿche entity and that will consist of Eddie Jackson, Todd LaTorre, Parker Lundgren, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton. This lineup will continue to perform selections from their entire musical catalog including songs from Operation: Mindcrime. The band will be able to use all TriRyche logos and previous album artwork for any purposes as needed by the corporation.
Seems like the band version definitely came out on top with this one. Especially if they’re prohibited from doing Queensrÿche cabaret. They also promise that the new album will be “taking the songs in the classic Queensrÿche direction but maybe a little more progressive and heavier at times.” What do you suppose Tate’s portion of the Queensrÿche name was worth?
