1997's Hear in the Now Frontier marked the end of many chapters for Queensr˙che. Just as the band's seventh studio release hit stores on March 25, 1997, EMI Records closed its doors, leaving the band without a record label to do promotion. At first, with the tremendous airplay lead singles "Sign of the Times" and "You" received, it appeared there wouldn't be a problem - but unfortunately, there was.

The album's stripped-down approach was not looked upon favorably by many fans that cut their teeth on Queensr˙che's layered and dynamic sound. That said, the record has a number of highlights, including the uplifting "The Voice Inside" and epic "spOOL," but it was a drastic departure from 1994's critically acclaimed Promised Land. Album sales began well, but slowly dried up as there was no one to push the album from the label.

Queensr˙che powered on, however, beginning its U.S. tour in June 1997. Although the band played a strong two-hour set, the same amphitheaters it had played in 1994 were now only half full or at times, even less. The sparse crowds was another sign that Queensr˙che's day headlining large outdoor venues was coming to a close. To add injury to insult, vocalist Geoff Tate came down with a horrendous summer cold and flu, blowing out his voice in early July, forcing the band to cancel shows due to sickness for the first time in its career. Once the tour resumed, Queensr˙che wrapped up the tour in August, heading home to Seattle.

With no label, an unsuccessful summer tour, and an album that was not well received, one final change occurred during the fall of 1997. At some point, guitarist Chris DeGarmo, who had formed the band with Michael Wilton and Scott Rockenfield 16 years ago, announced to his bandmates that he was leaving Queensr˙che. The band was contractually obligated to play a few shows in South America in December 1997. Those shows sadly marked the last time (as of 2006) that Chris DeGarmo has played live with Queensr˙che.

Releases

Hear in the Now Frontier (1997)

Article Scans

Guitar (May 1997-pt.1)

Guitar (May 1997-pt.2)

Guitar (May 1997-pt.3)

Guitar (May 1997-pt.4)

Guitar (May 1997-pt.5)

Alburquerque Tribune (July 4, 1997-pt.1)

Alburquerque Tribune (July 4, 1997-pt.2)

Aardschock (Nov. 1997-pt.1)

Aardschock (Nov. 1997-pt.2)

Aardschock (Nov. 1997-pt.3)

Rock Brigade (June 1997-cover)

Rock Brigade (June 1997-pt.1)

Rock Brigade (June 1997-pt.2)

Rock Brigade (June 1997-pt.3)

Rock Brigade (June 1997-pt.4)

Metal Hammer (1997-pt.1)

Metal Hammer (1997-HITNF Review)

Metal Edge (1997 pt. 1)

Metal Edge (1997 pt. 2)

Metal Edge (1997 pt. 3)

Metal Edge (1997 pt. 4)

Metal Edge (1997 pt. 5)

Metal Edge (Summer 1997 pt. 1)

Metal Edge (Summer 1997 pt. 2)

Metal Edge (Summer 1997 pt. 3)

Metal Edge (Summer 1997 pt. 4)

Metal Edge (Summer 1997 pt. 5)

Metal Edge (Summer 1997 pt. 6)

Metal Edge (Summer 1997 pt. 7)

Hit Parader (Chris D.) (1997)

Hit Parader (Geoff T.) (1997)

Hit Parader (GT Photo) (1997)

Band Photos

HITNF Era Promo Shot 1

HITNF Era Promo Shot 2

HITNF Era Promo Shot 3

HITNF Era Promo Shot 4

HITNF Era Promo Shot 5

HITNF Era Promo Shot 6

CDG & MW circa 1997

HITNF Era Promo Shot 7

Misc. Scans

HITNF Promo Sticker (front)

HITNF Promo Sticker (back)

HITNF Magazine Ad

HITNF Concert Program Pt. 1

HITNF Concert Program Pt. 2

HITNF Concert Program Pt. 3

HITNF Concert Program Pt. 4

HITNF Concert Program Pt. 5

HITNF Concert Program Pt. 6

HITNF Concert Program Pt. 7

HITNF Concert Program Pt. 8

HITNF Promo Sheet (front)

HITNF Promo Sheet (back)

Tour Dates

The Hear in the Now Frontier Tour (1997)

DATE	LOCATION	VENUE
June 3, 1997	North Bend, Wash.	Bob's Garage
June 5, 1997	Sorroco, NM	Very Large Array
June 17, 1997	Rapid City, SD	Rushmore Plaza Civic Center
June 19, 1997	Boise, ID	Boise State Pavilion
June 20, 1997	Portland, OR	Rose Garden
June 21, 1997	George, WA	The Gorge
June 24, 1997	Reno, NV	Reno Amphitheater
June 25, 1997	Irvine, CA	Irvine Meadows
June 27, 1997	San Diego, CA	Hospitality Point
June 28, 1997	Phoenix, AZ	Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion
June 29, 1997	Las Vegas, NV	Aladdin Theater
July 1, 1997	Salt Lake City, UT	Wolf Mountain Ampitheater
July 3, 1997	Tucson, AZ	Tucson Convention Center
July 4, 1997	Albuquerque, NM	Tingley Coliseum
July 5, 1997	Denver, CO	Red Rocks Ampitheater
July 8, 1997	Kansas City, MO	Sandstone Amphitheater
July 9, 1997	Minneapolis, MN	Target Center
July 11, 1997	East Troy, WI	Alpine Valley
July 12, 1997	Tinley Park, IL	New World Music Theater
July 13, 1997	Indianapolis, IN	Deer Creek Music Center
July 15, 1997	Toledo, Ohio	Toledo Sports Arena
July 16, 1997	Grand Rapids, MI	Van Andel Arena
July 17, 1997	Detroit, MI	Pine Knobb Music Theater
July 19, 1997	Columbus, Ohio	Polaris Ampitheater
July 20, 1997	Dayton, Ohio	Hara Arena (show cancelled)
July 21, 1997	Cleveland, Ohio	The Odeon (cancelled)
July 22, 1997	Cleveland, Ohio	Blossom Music Center
July 23, 1997	Pittsburgh, PA	Star Lake Ampitheater
July 25, 1997	Charlotte, NC	Blockbuster Pavilion
July 26, 1997	Washington, D.C.	Nissian Pavilion
July 27, 1997	Holmdel, NJ	PNC Bank Arts Center
July 29, 1997	Buffalo, NY	Darien Lake Ampitheater
July 30, 1997	Wantagh, Long Island, NY	Jones Beach Ampitheater
August 1, 1997	Scranton, PA	Montage Mountain
August 2, 1997	Mansfield, MA	Great Woods
August 3, 1997	Hartford, CT	Meadows Music Theater
August 5, 1997	Philadelphia, PA	Mann Music Center
August 6, 1997	Raleigh, NC	Walnut Creek Ampitheater
August 7, 1997	Virginia Beach, VA	GTE Virginia Beach Ampitheater
August 9, 1997	Tampa, FL	Entertainment Hall
August 10, 1997	West Palm Beach, FL	Coral Sky Ampitheater
August 12, 1997	Memphis, TN	Mud Island Ampitheater
August 13, 1997	New Orleans, LA	Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena
August 15, 1997	Houston, Texas	Woodlands Pavilion
August 16, 1997	Dallas, Texas	Starplex Ampitheater
August 17, 1997	San Antonio, Texas	Freeman Coliseum
December 5, 1997	Curitiba, BRAZIL	Pedreira (cancelled)
December 6, 1997	Sao Paulo, BRAZIL	Parque Antarctica
December 8, 1997	Belo Horizonte, BRAZIL	Unknown
December 9, 1997	Rio De Janeiro, BRAZIL	Metropolitan
December 12, 1997	Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA	Ferro Carril Oeste Stadium
December 13, 1997	Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA	Ferro Carril Oeste Stadium
December 13 (??), 1997	Santiago, CHILE	Unknown (cancelled)

NOTE: If you have any dates not included on here, and ticket stubs/information to prove accuracy, please e-mail me. I am always on the hunt for live photos from shows, as well as promo posters, set lists, etc.