Who gets right to rule as Queensrÿche?
SEATTLE -- In an unusual decision, a court has ruled that two separate bands will each be allowed to perform under the Queensrÿche moniker -- at least until a lawsuit is settled on or before Nov. 18, the Seattle Times reported.
The Seattle alt-metal group, who has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide since it first came to fame in the early '80s, parted ways in April 2012 after a backstage altercation among band members broke out, the Times reported. Lead singer Geoff Tate reportedly confronted his bandmates after learning that his wife, also the band's manager, had been dismissed along with his stepdaughter, who ran the group's fan club.
Since that time, the acrimony between Tate, drummer Scott Rockenfield, guitarist Michael Wilton and bassist Eddie Jackson hasn't diminished, with the group arguing in court and the band splintering into two groups, each boasting the Queensrÿche name and promoting themselves as such on Facebook.
While the band will continue to attempt to resolve who retains the right to the Queensrÿche name, fans are sure to be confused.
On Wednesday, Queensrÿche will perform a CD release party at the Crocodile. This iteration includes Wilton, Jackson and Rockenfield, featuring singer Todd La Torre of Florida band Crimson Glory and guitarist Parker Lundgren, who joined Queensrÿche in 2009 before the split. The show is sold out.
Tate and his new line-up will perform Saturday at the Moore Theatre and will perform "Operation: Mindcrime" in its entirety in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the album's release.
Tate's band includes bassist Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Blue Oyster Cult), guitarist Robert Sarzo (Hurricane), drummer Simon Wright (AC/DC, Dio), keyboardist Randy Gane (Myth) and former Queensrÿche member Kelly Gray (also a member of Myth).
For the more details on the Queensrÿche lawsuit, read the complete Seattle Times story here.