Here is the transcript:
Event Chat #21 with Symphony X vocalist, Russell Allen
3:30PM - 4:15PM EDT, August 21
pelahi <Q>Russell, brother, its great to see a heavy rock singer actually singing again. Im a longtime guitar player but have just started taking singing lessons in the last couple months. Do you have any advice for someone whos just getting started in heavy rock singing?
Russell <A>Don't over do it! Start slow and work your way into the power notes. You can perminently damage your vocal cords!!!
Samy104-Matrix <Q>Wich songs is your favourite of symphony-X?
Russell <A>Comunion and the Oricale
vfrex <Q>Would Symphony X consider doing a gig at Medieval Times?
Russell <A>haha your funny. If they did want to I could make it happen that's for sure! Meybe I can get Romeo to ride out on one of the horses
DETH <Q>hey Russell, yor singing is amazing man.. any plans on coming to Monterrey Mexico? if so, when?
Russell <A>Look for us in Mexico early next year. That's when we plan to come
symphonyofnevermorex <Q>Hey, what has been your favorite gigantour show so far?
Russell <A>Any show where the PA doesn't blow up. HAHAHA Really though the LA, Chicago, and Dallas shows so far seem to stick out as memorable moments
pelahi <Q>Youre in a band where 3/5 of the members are called Michael. Do you just refer to everyone by their last name?
Russell <A>Well what we do is use alittle of both... Romeo is Mike... Pinella is called P.... and Mike Lepond is just Lepond.
symphonyofnevermorex <Q>what do you think of Warrel Dane (Nevermore Singer)?
Russell <A>he's cool. I just talked to him at lunch today. I like the Nevermore guys. We hang out with them alot.
DETH <Q>what inspired you to sing?
Russell <A>I don't know really.. I just seemed to "have it" at a very early age. I was 5 when I first performed on stage. I've never looked back since then.
DETH <Q>hey Russell, which is your favourite song to perform live?
Russell <A>The Odyssey
symphonyofnevermorex <Q>did you ever take formal vocal lessons while growing up? I really wanna learn to sing better, but I'm unsure if vocal lessons is the right way to go because my main instrument is guitar.
Russell <A>No I never took any private lessons. I was in choir in school. That was where I learned basic music theory and to site read. I think you should definitely try to sing. If anything it will help you with your guitar playing. If you can sing it it will flow better on the guitar. After all all instruments try in vein to mimic the human voice
vfrex <Q>Hey Russel, have you considered giving us a brutal death metal growl on the upcoming album?
Russell <A>yea, but not like the run of the mill kind. I want to do somthing different... Perhaphs a little more "Evil"
shaq <Q>Are there any plans to take your project with Lande on the road at all, maybe after the new Symphony X album/tour?
Russell <A>No not yet
ingenkommentar <Q>Russell, your favorite Mega-record?
Russell <A>first one
sven2388 <Q>Hey Russel, I saw you tossing drumsticks around with Portnoy during DT's set in PIttsburgh, do you mess around with the other bands like that alot? I thought it was cool!
Russell <A>yea, we all get along great. It's cool to be apart of this whole thing.
shaq <Q>I was just watching the video clip of you guys from Pittsburgh and couldn't make out what it said on the shirt you were wearing. Care to shed some light on it?
Russell <A>"You call me a freak like it's a bad thing"
KeYz <Q>What do you think of the mixture of styles that this tour has? Do you feel your band fits the bill?
Russell <A>It's cool to have different types of music at a large festival like this. I think we fit just fine
Dragonfly <Q>Hello Russell ...Very cool of you to take the time to chat with us, thank you.::smile What line of work do you think you would have gone into if you were not in Symphony X?
Russell <A>Movies... I was a stuntman for 15 years
crudy21 <Q>Hi Russell from England, Any chances of Gigantour hitting Europe? You should come to Donington, you would love it!
Russell <A>You'd have to talk to the Big Dog (Dave) Only he know the future of Gigantour
Jenna <Q>I'm stoked about the new SX album... can you give us any hints about what to expect?
Russell <A>Dark, heavy, and passionate
Dragonfly <Q>You've mentioned that Pink Floyd was your ultimate favorite in early rock influences...What song hooked ya?
Russell <A>Time
sven2388 <Q>hey russell, do you watch the other bands at each show? i saw you watching DT at the pittsburgh show, I wish I wouldve seen members of other bands being blown away by DT as well!
Russell <A>I watch as many as I can. Each band offers somthing a little different that's what makes it cool. So, it's never boring.
anthemof2112 <Q>What other musicians in the business would you like to work with someday? Great job in Dallas by the way!
Russell <A>Thanx, Mikey D, Eddie Van Halen, John Paul Jones.... HAHAHA
symphonyofnevermorex <Q>I was wondering if you guys would ever re-record your self-titled album, with you of course, doing vocals?
Russell <A>Not any time soon. We have to get a new album done
KeYz <Q>Which band on the tour do you feel SymX most relates too?
Russell <A>Hmm, I'm not having a problem relating to anyone. But if you mean musiclly I guess DT and Mega. We're sort of in the middle :0
Dragonfly <Q>Somewhere i've read that you went to music school...What school was it, and what part of the curriculum did you enjoy most?
Russell <A>No I took music classes in school
KeYz <Q>With all the amazing singer you do night after night, what are some things you can do to make sure that voice of yours doesn't get damaged? I would assume you put a lot of time into warmups...
Russell <A>yea.. warmups are great when I really need them like today.. Hey speaking of wich we are going on soon.. I gotta Warm up!!! Thanx for all your great questions. Sorry if I couldn't answer them all but I'm out of time.. ROCK ON!!!
