Kerrang! Review Of The Rage For Order Tour:
You have to go back a long way back to find a band as willfully determined as Queensrÿche... and here, I'm thinking in terms of Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. No-one, it seems, outside of a hardcore handful is fully prepared to give their ambitions a fair hearing - let alone an objective judgement - with regular trashings being administered by some critics, while others get away with a quite staggering display of inane ramblings... like,me, for instance, though I claim vindication on the basis of being utterly mad!
So what do we find? Well, after one year and a dedicated recording schedule came the release of the 'Rage For Order' album. Less obviously commercial but displaying a quantum jump in the standard of songwriting and arranging so that the melodies were now immersed in torrential sheets of powerchords, the record was the first full realisation of Queensrÿche's rhythmic and (subdued) melodic potential. With Neil Kernon handling production credits, it also featured a greater range of instrumentation, achieving a density not previously realised.
Thus, the stylishly chaotic 'Rage For Order' showed fast musical progress but, in general terms, slow sales... a problem the band will seriously have to ponder when deciding on material for their next LP. Clearly, the consummate effectiveness brought about by this hard-line Queensrÿche style has not been matched in terms of image or mass acceptance. The band's recent shows in support of Bon Jovi at the Hammersmith Odeon (aided by keyboard man Randy Grant from Seattle) underlined the irony of their present position ... some feverish fans had obviously travelled many miles to catch sight of them whilst the majority of the audience remained unmoved by their faultlessly constructed Metal, packed with the excitement that only comes from taking big risks.
"We made a decision about the time of 'Rage For Order' not to bow to commerciality," insists lead vocalist Geoff Tate. "We want to extend our music to its full capabilities. We were given the moral support of our record company (EMI America) and in specific terms I think we realised all the possibilities to be had."
Tate is one of those rare individuals who inadvertently leads by example, an instinctive frontman who inspires greatness simply because he sings the songs as he sees them and not as others might like to see them; a man whose sole mission seems to be to make music that matters without making a big deal about it. In a way, Queensrÿche aren't out to slay anybody, just to show what can be done. They're probably the first band in years who don't use their guitars like water pistols - more like sledgehammers! Michael Wilton and Chris DeGarmo employ their instruments like outstretched flame-throwers wrapped around a balsa wood bonfire. But despite their ambitions, as important as they are, something will certainly have to change... or will it?
"Obviously, we'd have liked 'Rage For Order' to do better, but it didn't get a lot of radio support. However, it has already outsold our first album and that's given us the confidence boost we were looking for."
Whether Queensrÿche intend to pursue the intensity of 'Rage .. .'is a moot point, although , already engaged in preliminary discussions with the band, assures me that yes, the next album will be more of the same. And if Kernon gets his wicked way, he'll be pushing them to the very edge of what technology can achieve. There's no time schedule to speak of as yet so far as recording goes, though some of the songs have already been written, but Spring of '87 would seem a likely starting point, after Kernon has completed work twiddling knobs for Dokken's new LP.
Regrettably, however, there has been one major shake-up of late, something that may or may not affect Queensrÿche's surging Metal chaos. The original management team of Kim and Diana Harris from Seattle, who won them worldwide critical acclaim and a deal with EMI, have now been let go, a decision brought about by a whole string of events... "Recently, our system hasn't been working as efficiently as it ought to have been," says Chris over lunch at the Marble Arch Holiday Inn. "Really, Kim and Diana's capability to handle our expansion wasn't up to our satisfaction and, well, we had to let go at some point. It seemed the best thing we could do."
Presently, the boys are handling their business affairs personally, although they will shortly be placing this arduous task in somebody else's hands - just as soon as the right person comes along. They're checking out several management situations at the moment and an announcement on this front is expected shortly.
Having recently cancelled a handful of headline shows in Europe (the UK Burton-On-Trent gig included} for reasons of economy (Tate: "It would have cost an arm and a leg"!), sticking to playing a full European tour in support of Bon Jovi, the band have now returned to the US where they will undertake selected gigs (they toured last year with AC/DC and Ozzy Osbourne before heading back to their home town of Seattle.
Latest word is that they might set out on a series of US dates supporting Ratt, another few steps down a path that should lead them to the sort of success their talent certainly deserves. Ultimately, Queensrÿche I'm sure will pull through to become one of the most crucial Heavy Metal bands of the Eighties. — Derek Oliver (Queensrÿche: New Orders, Kerrang 138)
The Tour:
Queensrÿche supported “Rage for Order” with a tour that spanned approximately seven months and included being the opening act for RATT, AC/DC, Bon Jovi and Ozzy Osbourne, although their music was not quite compatible. The tour also found them playing with other bands such as Black 'N Blue, Fates Warning, GangGreen, KEEL and Raven.
The Ultimate Sin Tour:
Queensrÿche supported Ozzy over various dates during this tour. In the list of tour dates below, you can see the dates they performed with Ozzy.
Who Made Who World Tour:
The tour took place in North America, beginning in New Orleans on July 30, 1986 and ending in Uniondale, New York on September 20. Queensrÿche were the opening act at some shows on this tour, before being replaced by Loudness.
Slippery When Wet Tour:
In mainland Europe, Queensrÿche was the support. For the UK leg, support came from the British band FM on all dates except for the last two for which Queensrÿche was the support act during Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet Tour, which ran from 1986 to 1987.
Tour Dates:
April 23, 1986 - Providence Civic Center in Providence (Queensryche & Metallica w/ Ozzy)
July 31, 1986 - Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans
August 02, 1986 - Barton Coliseum in Little Rock
August 03, 1986 - Kemper Arena in Kansas City (as support for AC/DC)
August 05, 1986 - Tarrant County Convention Center in Fort Worth
August 06, 1986 - The Summit in Houston
August 07, 1986 - HemisFair Arena in San Antonio (as support for AC/DC)
August 09, 1986 - Tucson Convention Center in Tucson (as support for AC/DC)
August 10, 1986 - Compton Terrace in Chandler (as support for AC/DC)
August 11, 1986 - Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas (as support for AC/DC)
August 12, 1986 - San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego (as support for AC/DC)
August 13, 1986 - Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in Irvine (as support for AC/DC)
August 15, 1986 - Cow Palace in Daly City (as support for AC/DC)
August 16, 1986 - Cal Expo Amphitheatre in Sacramento (as support for AC/DC)
August 18, 1986 - Tacoma Dome in Tacoma (as support for AC/DC)
August 20, 1986 - Spokane Coliseum in Spokane (as support for AC/DC)
August 22, 1986 - Olympic Saddledome in Calgary, Canada (as support for AC/DC)
August 23, 1986 - Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Canada (as support for AC/DC)
August 25, 1986 - Winnipeg Arena in Winnipeg, Canada (as support for AC/DC)
August 26, 1986 - Bismarck Civic Center in Bismarck (as support for AC/DC)
August 27, 1986 - Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City (as support for AC/DC)
August 28, 1986 - Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls (as support for AC/DC)
August 29, 1986 - Met Center in Bloomington
August 30, 1986 - Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy (as support for AC/DC)
September 01, 1986 - Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy (as support for AC/DC)
September 02, 1986 - Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo (as support for AC/DC)
September 04, 1986 - Unknown Venue in Miami
September 05, 1986 - Hollywood Sportatorium in Pembroke Pines (as support for Ozzy)
September 06, 1986 - Orange County Convention and Civic Center in Orlando (as support for Ozzy)
September 07, 1986 - Bayfront Center in St. Petersburg (as support for Ozzy)
September 09, 1986 - The Omni in Atlanta (as support for Ozzy)
September 10, 1986 - Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum in Jacksonville
September 12, 1986 - Carolina Coliseum in Columbia
September 13, 1986 - Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro
September 14, 1986 - Cumberland County Memorial Arena in Fayetteville
September 16, 1986 - Providence Civic Center in Providence
September 17, 1986 - Springfield Civic Center in Springfield
September 18, 1986 - Spectrum in Philadelphia (support for Ozzy)
September 20, 1986 - Kingston Fairgrounds in Kingston (in support of Ozzy w/ Raven and Gang Green as support for Ozzy)
September 21, 1986 - Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale (as support for Ozzy)
September 23, 1986 - Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland (as support for Ozzy)
September 24, 1986 - Forum de Montréal in Montreal, Canada
September 26, 1986 - CNE Grandstand in Toronto, Canada (as support for Ozzy)
September 27, 1986 - Toledo Sports Arena in Toledo
September 29, 1986 - George Welsh Civic Auditorium in Grand Rapids
September 30, 1986 - Hara Arena in Dayton (as support for Ozzy)
October 03, 1986 - Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi
October 04, 1986 - Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreveport
October 05, 1986 - Beaumont Civic Center in Beaumont (support for Ozzy)
October 06, 1986 - Austin Opry House in Austin
October 07, 1986 - Reunion Arena in Dallas (as support for Ozzy)
October 08, 1986 - Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi
October 10, 1986 - Sunken Gardens Theater, San Antonio
October 13, 1986 - New Mexico State Fairgrounds, Albuquerque
October 14, 1986 - Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix (with Keel and Black N' Blue)
October 17, 1986 - Sherwood Hall, Salinas (with Keel and Black N' Blue)
October 18, 1986 - Sacramento Sports Arena, Sacramento (with Keel and Black N' Blue)
October 19, 1986 - Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara (with Keel and Black N' Blue)
October 21, 1986 - Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica
October 22, 1986 - Golden Hall, San Diego
October 24, 1986 - Hammersmith Odeon, London
October 25, 1986 - Hammersmith Odeon, London
October 26, 1986 - St George's Hall, Bradford
From November 24 through December 8, 1986, Queensrÿche was the support Bon Jovi during their Slippery When Wet Tour in mainland Europe:
November 24, 1986 - Eventim Apollo, London, England
November 25, 1986 - Hammersmith Odeon, London, England
November 26, 1986 - St George's Concert Hall
November 27, 1986 - Rijnhal, Arnhem, Netherland
November 28, 1986 - Le Zénith, Paris, France
November 29, 1986 - Festhalle, Lucerne, Switzerland
November 30, 1986 - Carl-Diem-Halle, Würzburg, Germany
December 02, 1986 - Westfalenhalle 3, Dortmund, Germany
December 03, 1986 - Eilenriedehalle, Hanover, Germany
December 04, 1986 - Falconer Salen, Copenhagen, Denmark
December 06, 1986 - Johanneshov Isstadion, Stockholm, Sweden
January 23, 1987 - Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Coliseum, Birmingham
January 24, 1987 - Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi
January 25, 1987 - Mississippi Coliseum, Jackson
January 27, 1987 - Von Braun Civic Center, Huntsville
January 28, 1987 - Knoxville Civic Coliseum, Knoxville
January 29, 1987 - Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Nashville
January 31, 1987 - Hirsch Memorial Coliseum, Shreveport
February 01, 1987 - Riverside Centroplex, Baton Rouge
February 02, 1987 - Ector County Coliseum, Odessa
February 04, 1987 - Taylor County Expo Center, Abilene
February 07, 1987 - Municipal Coliseum, Lubbock
February 08, 1987 - Lloyd Noble Center, Norman
February 13, 1987 - L'Amour East, Queens
February 14, 1987 - L'Amour East, Queens
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