MYTH

MYTH was a Seattle-area progressive hard rock band that Geoff Tate was in prior to joining Queensr˙che. MYTH got its start in 1980, featuring the lineup of Brett Young (vocals), Randy "Random Damage" Gane (keyboards), Jimmy Parsons (drums), Richard Gibson (bass) and Kelly Gray (guitar). In 1981, the band's lineup changed, wtih Tate replacing Young on vocals.

Unlike Queensr˙che (who were then called "The Mob," and primarily played cover songs), MYTH was a band writing and performing entirely original music in 1981. Ironically, a few of the titles and some lyrics from MYTH songs were re-translated into Queensr˙che, including "Walk in the Shadows," "Take Hold of the Flame," and "No Sanctuary." MYTH's version of "No Sanctuary" actually contained the same lyrics as the Queensr˙che version released on The Warning in 1984, albeit with very different music and melody.

When Queensr˙che secured its record deal, Tate left MYTH to commit to Queensr˙che and MYTH carried on, replacing Tate with its singer before Tate, Brett Young (who was the brother of RAIL lead singer Terry Young. In addition, Jimmy Parsons left the band, with Layne Antoneson replacing him on drums. MYTH went on to play some high profile local gigs, and this MYTH lineup appeared on the "Pacific Metal Project" compilation album with the track "Let Me Hear the Thunder." A few years later, Gane toured with Queensr˙che, playing keyboards during the band's tour supporting Rage for Order.

After awhile, MYTH disbanded, with Gray moving on to a couple of other bands before becoming a successful record producer. In 1998, the Queensr˙che connection with MYTH came full circle. The departure of chief songwriter and guitarist Chris DeGarmo left Queensr˙che with a huge hole that was filled by Kelly Gray. Tate and Gray had revived their musical relationship and this new version of Queensr˙che released Q2k in 1999. The union of Gray and Queensr˙che only lasted a few years, however, with Gray departing the group a short time after its performance on Nov. 21, 2001 at the Beacon Theatre in NYC, N.Y.

It should be noted that both Gray and Gane are credited as contributing performances (and writing, with regard to Gray) to Queensr˙che's (without DeGarmo) album, American Soldier, which was primarily written by producer Jason Slater. Additionally, Gray co-produced the record and is working as the band's "front of house sound" man on its 2009 tour. To date, MYTH remains disbanded.

Editor's Note: This historical summary is thanks in large part to the memories of Northwest Metal Historian Brett Miller and Brian Naron.

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