Savatage!

[sixxswine]

Here's some questions regarding this band. I'm a casual fan, I was more into them in my teen years...

Why did Jon Oliva leave the band(back in the early 90's)?

And who pick Zakk Stevens?

Why is Paul O'Neil involved with everything 'Tage?! He's like the poorman's
Col. Parker!

Was the Handful of Rain, just like a boy band? It was all manufactured...
The songs were written by people not in the band & they just showed up to record. Who chose Skolnick? I just picked up this record, I have yet to hear it, I'm curious...

Just who is in Savatage these days? They have had more members than Lynyrd Skynyrd!

 

[Wicked Child]

Why did Jon Oliva leave the band(back in the early 90's)? His voice was fucked up and he needed a break

And who pick Zakk Stevens? He auditioned and he passed

Why is Paul O'Neil involved with everything 'Tage?! He's like the poorman's
Col. Parker! The band became friends with him, like Metallica and Bob Rock, only not as gay.

Was the Handful of Rain, just like a boy band? It was all manufactured...
The songs were written by people not in the band & they just showed up to record. Who chose Skolnick? I just picked up this record, I have yet to hear it, I'm curious... It's a decent album, don't worry about it.

Just who is in Savatage these days? They have had more members than Lynyrd Skynyrd!

Vocals: Dammond Jiniya
Vocals/keyboards: Jon Oliva
Guitars: Al Pitrelli
Guitars: Chris Caffery
Bass: Johnny Lee Middleton
Drums:Jeff Plate


short answers. I'm sure others can give you muuuuch more info, but i hope it helps anyway, which it probably won't.

 

[Electronicoil]

Another thing is they f7ckin' SLAY live. Great band. I went to my first show of there's rather hesitantly, but I left a huge fan.

 

[Psychonaut]

They absolutely do kill live!! Dammond's stage presence is amazing and of course, Chris rules.

Handful Of Rain is worth it for the song "Chance" alone.

 

[sixxswine]

Why is Paul O'Neil involved with everything 'Tage?! He's like the poorman's
Col. Parker! The band became friends with him, like Metallica and Bob Rock, only not as gay.

Says you...

Was the Handful of Rain, just like a boy band? It was all manufactured...
The songs were written by people not in the band & they just showed up to record. Who chose Skolnick? I just picked up this record, I have yet to hear it, I'm curious... It's a decent album, don't worry about it.

It's an okay record, but no input from Skolnick... That's a bummer.


Just who is in Savatage these days? They have had more members than Lynyrd Skynyrd!

Vocals: Dammond Jiniya
Vocals/keyboards: Jon Oliva
Guitars: Al Pitrelli
Guitars: Chris Caffery
Bass: Johnny Lee Middleton
Drums:Jeff Plate


short answers. I'm sure others can give you muuuuch more info, but i hope it helps anyway, which it probably won't. [/QUOTE]
Thanks for the answers...

 

[JonnyD]

Was the Handful of Rain, just like a boy band? It was all manufactured...
The songs were written by people not in the band & they just showed up to record. Who chose Skolnick? I just picked up this record, I have yet to hear it, I'm curious...

Handful of Rain was a recovery album ... they were all still in major shock over the death of Criss at that point .. but in noway was it some kind of "BoyBand" project its a good album go get it and hear it for yourself!

 

[Fangface]

They absolutely do kill live!! Dammond's stage presence is amazing and of course, Chris rules.

Handful Of Rain is worth it for the song "Chance" alone.

and "Alone You Breathe", the tribute to Criss...

 

[carnut]

I say it and say again... I saw Jon Oliva's pain live a while ago and since he's become a god for me. They played all the old stuff with some new...If you can catch anything Savatage/Jon Oliva live go and get it! it kills !!

 

[SavaRon]

Jon was burnt and very disappointed that the Streets album did poorly. He needed to get away from the group for a while. He was still involved with songwriting and still played keys on the CD's.

When Jon left I heard he signed over the rights to the Savatage name to Paul. Once TSO took off, Savatage has been on the back burner ever since.

Handful of Rain is a tribute to Criss. Jon played just about everthing on the album. Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keys. Alex was brought in mainly for solos and didn't have much to do with the writing process.

Not sure who's in the band right now for sure. They have changed members so many times it's hard to keep track and it's been five years since there last release. The last thing I heard about them is they are planning on doing a 25th anniversary album and are trying to get almost everbody that has been in the band to contribute to it. 2006 or 2007 release date has been rumored.

 

[JonnyD]

Jon was burnt and very disappointed that the Streets album did poorly. He needed to get away from the group for a while. He was still involved with songwriting and still played keys on the CD's.

When Jon left I heard he signed over the rights to the Savatage name to Paul. Once TSO took off, Savatage has been on the back burner ever since.

Handful of Rain is a tribute to Criss. Jon played just about everthing on the album. Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keys. Alex was brought in mainly for solos and didn't have much to do with the writing process.

Exzactly Alex was busy with Exibition B(right? something like that) and basiclly did it as a favor ... have you heard Japan live 95? Alex Slaughters all of Criss's solos ... Great Setlist and Great performances from the rest of the guys but damn I cant listen to it Alex just doesnt have the same style as Criss.... but Chris Caffery on the other Hand can Handle Criss's old Solos Beautifully IMO ..... and IMO Skolnick is overrated he cant touch the greats like James Murphey or Criss Oliva

 

[sixxswine]

If you cut Jon does he bleed gravey?
Handful of Rain does come off as a rebound type of record...
I heard it last night. It's so-so, great players on there...
I have the live record too. I have to go back & listen to it again...

 

[MetalAges]

Here's a treat for you guys: http://metalagesmedia.com/ppusa5_event_program_lo.pdf

I handle the program stuff for the PPUSA festival and last year I interviewed Chris for it. Cool read and I asked the Paul O'Niel stuff and much more. Check it out, let me know what you think! (I also did most the other interviews, the Pain of Salvation, Edguy and Brainstorm are especially good reads).

 

[JonnyD]

hahaha Thanks Deron! You prolly have no idea how many times I have read that program since last year, You did a great job with it!!! Interviews and Layout! I cant wait to check out this years!

 

[sixxswine]

Thanks for the link MA...

 

[Wheezer]

I handle the program stuff for the PPUSA festival and last year I interviewed Chris for it. Cool read and I asked the Paul O'Niel stuff and much more. Check it out, let me know what you think! (I also did most the other interviews, the Pain of Salvation, Edguy and Brainstorm are especially good reads).

They are all good reads. I've still got my copy on a shelf somewhere.

 

[MetalAges]

Thanks guys! It will be hard to top last years interviewees. They were a load of laughs! Working on the new program/CD stuff as we speak. Have THREE CDs in the sampler this year. Tons of kick ass bands, both known and unknown (many surprised me how good they were!).

 

[sixxswine]

Thanks guys! It will be hard to top last years interviewees. They were a load of laughs! Working on the new program/CD stuff as we speak. Have THREE CDs in the sampler this year. Tons of kick ass bands, both known and unknown (many surprised me how good they were!).

Just curious... If you're not at PPUSA can you get the program through a site somewhere? It looks like a great read & beats picking up a worthless magazine...

 

[Wheezer]

Working on the new program/CD stuff as we speak. Have THREE CDs in the sampler this year. Tons of kick ass bands, both known and unknown (many surprised me how good they were!).

Oh come on now -- you can't throw stuff like that out there and then not fill in the gaps a bit. Enquiring minds want to know or it'll drive them crazy for the next six weeks.

 

[JonnyD]

Thanks guys! It will be hard to top last years interviewees. They were a load of laughs! Working on the new program/CD stuff as we speak. Have THREE CDs in the sampler this year. Tons of kick ass bands, both known and unknown (many surprised me how good they were!).

3 CDS!!!!! Asskicking!!!!!! I cant wait!!!!

 

[MetalAges]

I'll post the track listing as soon as I get the last 2-3 track names which should be today.

If you want a copy of last years program/CD email me at media@metalages.com . Few bucks to cover postage and I'll shoot it out, I have a few left here.