THEATER OF DREAMS
I just want to thank you for the insightful article about Dream Theater [“Six Degrees of Preparation,” March/April 2002]. Dream Theater has been one of my favorite bands for five years, and I've always wanted to know what type of preparation they go through to get ready for their shows. Thanks again for the wonderful article.
Christian Johnson
via the Internet
BASS AMP BEEF
This article [about the Aguilar DB 750 in “Performance Tools,” January 2002] was a waste of everyone's time. All you did was state things that everyone already knew. When you say Onstage, you lead the readers to think that they are going to get a real-world review on how the amp performed in a live situation. I'm especially upset because I've been trying to test one of these amps out, but none of the Aguilar resellers carries them as of late. In other words, your article was nothing but a big tease to all interested in the performance of this amp and who have not had the chance to actually try it out. You really know how to get a reader's attention.
Funky Bottom Boys
via the Internet
Boys — I think you're confusing apples with oranges here. The Aguilar DB 750 write-up was part of our “Performance Tools” section, which is where we provide information about new products. It's not a review section, so within its confines, there's no place to express opinions on a product's performance. When we examine a piece of gear in our review section, however, you can be sure that we give plenty of opinions.
— Mike Levine
UNFAIR TO GEORGE?
Your magazine is a very good one. I enjoy it, and I learn from it. I was pleased to read “Remembering George” as the title of “Editor's Note” [February 2002]. However, the tribute was not in-depth, even considering the limits of the space, and to top it off, to add insult to the wonderful man [George Harrison], the last two paragraphs of “Editor's Note” took a sharp turn and went into something totally un-related to the editorial subject title. The end of the few paragraphs dedicated to George came to a sudden, predictable, and lackluster ending “Take care, George; we'll certainly miss you.”
Please! You guys can do better than that, I know. Maybe Mike Levine, editor, is not a true fan of George. Or maybe he just didn't put much thought or time into his tribute. It seems that he didn't know enough about his subject matter to give more than a minimal and less-than-flattering comment or two. As mentioned already, to jump out of the editorial titled for George Harrison and straight into notes about the magazine (no warning, next paragraph) was almost repugnant.
There is no need for me to tell the editor how important George was — and is — to the area of music that your magazine claims as its main subject matter — performance music. So a proper, detailed, and respectful article or editorial was definitely called for. The editorial struck me as “we'd better say something about him — everyone else is.”
Tom C.
Fort Worth, Texas
Tom — I'm truly sorry that you interpreted my editorial about George Harrison the way that you did. However, I can assure you that you completely misunderstood what I said and my intent. I think if you go back and read it again, you'll see that I was, in fact, very complimentary of Harrison and his abilities as a guitarist and a songwriter. Contrary to what you think, I did not choose to write about him because “everyone else” did; I did so because I wanted to show my respect for a great musician.
— Mike Levine
THAT LINKING FEELING
Great interview with Nickelback, but the official NB link [in the story] is wrong. It should be www.nickelback.com.
L. Hall
via the Internet
L. — I'm glad you liked the story. And yes, you're entirely correct about the link. We mistakenly listed it as www.nickelhead.com.
— Mike Levine
